c25k how hard is it? Share your stories

Forgot to add, this whole process took about 6/7 months and I'm down around 70lbs. I run 3x a week and lift after my run. I do an additional day of cross-training (usually elliptical and pilates). Good luck!!

I started 2 weeks ago (almost). I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it since I am 281 lb and not a light weight. I have been exercising for a year and doing martial arts for 6 months. So I am fitter than I was a year ago. So I gave it a go! :happy:

Day 1 I walked at 3.5 mph and 4.5 mph for the runs. I know it wasn't fast, but I was ok with that! By that night, I was sore, stiff more like, not sore like weight lifting sore. By day 3, I was feeling great! I was thinking of speeding up but I didn't.

Day 1 of week 2 I upped the speed a bit, only on 1-2 run intervals. Yesterday, when I did day 2/week2, I was feeling good, bumped the speed up to 4.7-4.8, and the walking up as well. Today I am stiff again, but that's ok. I think I might run tomorrow and again on Sunday, so I get my day 1's on Sunday versus Tuesday.

I am set to do my first 5K on March 18. I am scared to do it, afraid that training on the treadmill will make it harder outside. But I am not worried if I walk half of it. I am just doing it to say I did it! Then I plan on doing a couple more over the summer-depends on the $.

ETA: I have the C25k Pro app on my Android phone and it's great!!

Feel free to add me, if you want to keep up on my training. And you can also look at my blog, where I post the daily info on the program. :bigsmile:
http://random-mom-thoughts.blogspot.com/p/c25k-training.html

I did the C25K two years ago and it changed my life. Like you running for any length of time seemed like the impossible. I followed the program to a T, and ran my first 5K in Dec 09. I lost 30 lbs during the 9 weeks. I've ran several road races since then, the longest being a 10K. I probably could have done some longer races. But once you get beyond 10K, training becomes more of a time commitment. Right now I'm training for a 10 Mile Trail Run in mid-Feburary. Right now I don't even consider myself warm until I've gone 2 miles.

It's a great way to go from zero running experience to finding your way around the running world, or even if the running world is right for you.

Feel free to add me if you want.

Used Robert Ullreys C25K podcast and it was so easy to follow. In 9 weeks I went from not being able to run AT ALL- to running 3 miles. Once you do the complete run it feels so amazing but be really careful not to over do. I quit running for awhile, went back to it too quickly (started with too high mileage) and really messed up my illiotibial band. Still recovering.... :-( Good luck to you!

I'm going to be starting this on Sunday. I am also very fearful that it will be like every other time and I'll continue to hate running. But I've never tried it with intervals and I think this could really be the thing that gets me to enjoy it (after awhile). I plan to stick with it through any pain and discomfort. Tomorrow I'm going to get a nice pair of running shoes. I've already created playlists on my iPod that should get me pumped up. And tonight I'm download the C25K app.

Started C25K 1 1/2 years ago and ran my first 5k Thanksgiving 2010. It was hard, but doable. Biggest suggestion is to take it slowly! Don't try to go to fast or you'll overdo it. I went on to try B210k after that and in hindsight, I was pushing too hard and got severe shin splits, etc. I went for it again, with more guidance (from "Running for Mortals" by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield) and completed my first 10k in December 2011. Currently I'm training for my first half marathon in the spring, doing long runs of 6 miles each week, slowly working up to 10 miles before the race. Take it slow and you can do it! I always thought those runners were crazy people, and now I am one! And I love it!

Thought you might like an update from someone who is just starting out like yourself. I did day 1 on sunday in a couple of inches of snow (I almost let it deter me but decided starting was more important). It was hard...extremely hard. And the next day I could barely move. Today I feel good however...a little sore but not too bad. I am supposed to do day 2 today (in even MORE snow). Unfortunately I don't get off until 615 when its well past dark and has been snowing all day. So day 2 should be hell for me today. But again...worth it...and I'm still looking forward to it.

Good luck. I personally didn't like the C25K so I just started running on my own and ran my first half marathon last year. But I hear it works great for others. Best of luck to you!! I love running and wouldn't trade it for the world.

There is no shame in taking more than the prescribed weeks to complete the program (or skipping weeks if it's too easy...I skipped the first 2 weeks because I'd been doing other cardio workouts for a while). If things really hurt, then stop. I've known a few people who start running too aggressively and end up injured.

Thanks for this advice about injury and to the others for sharing their stories. I just started C25K on Monday, and it seemed to go pretty smooth, but on Tuesday was HURTING a lot (although I had also slipped on some ice Saturday and fell on my butt on concrete so that wasn't helping). I pushed through it Wednesday and today was far less sore than I was the first time. Day 3 will be tomorrow, and I will probably try the week 2 workout next Monday, but if it feels like its too soon, I will just do week 1 for a second week to ease into it slowly. I've never been a strong runner, so I want to do it right! :drinker:

I loved it!

If you have a problem with a day, just repeat it!

When I tried doing it 15 or so pounds ago it was very hard for me. I got shin splints really bad, and thought I would die during the running. I had to keep repeating week 1 over and over because I just couldn't do week 2 - it was too too much for me.

I would like to try it again though, maybe when spring comes.

Ive started it (ive done it once so far) but my best friend who was about 35-40 kilos overweight has done it for almost a year...she is now 9 kilos from her goal weight. In saying that, she is also eating healthy and doing other excercises but she swears by the c25k as it got her started and motivated. She can now run/jog 5 k straight, this is my goal

I used to not be able to run around the block. I was about 200 pounds when I started and I just took it slow. I did it at my own pace, and sometimes I repeated the weeks. It is probably the most empowering thing I've ever done for myself. The day that I went from an 8 minute run to a 20 minute run? I'll never, ever forget it. I thought there was NO. WAY. I could do it and boom. Done. A little sweat equity feels GOOD when you know that YOU are the only person that got you there. If you have any doubts about yourself and what you're capable of, just try it. You will surprise yourself, I guarantee it. I ended up running two 10K's last year. I didn't set any land speed records, and I probably never will -- but just DOING it is enough for me!!

Good luck! If I could do it, anyyyyyone can!! It's an awesome program.

I walked for many months before even giving thought to running. I started at 400+lbs.alot of people were against it. but I was stubborn, I also did my research and got the right type of shoe for me but most important of all, I went at my own pace. Nice and slow. I was on week 1 day 1 of C25K for a good 3-4 months. still working on my endurance but I can almost do 2 miles non-stop before I need a walk break.