c25k how hard is it? Share your stories

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  • ladyduddy
    ladyduddy Posts: 21
    Do it. I am nearly 50, never ran anywhere, always been overweight and used to smoke 20 cigarettes a day!
    I started a while back but one thing I would say is take it very slowly and repeat weeks if you need to, dont wait until you are injured!
    I have just come home from the gym where I ran 6K very comfortably! It feels absolutely great! I have lost 21lbs and I am an entirely different shape and discovered that I actually have a very small frame underneath my previous layers of fat!! I couldnt even run for one minute when I first started out.
    You can do it!!! You will love it! Also once you are running on a regular basis, the best thing is you can eat anything you LIKE!!!!
  • robinogue
    robinogue Posts: 1,117 Member
    it's awesome! I first started it I couldn't run without getting out of breath. Started C25K and I was amazed at how quickly my body adapted to the training. I'm know a runner and couldn't be happier :flowerforyou:
  • Melissaol
    Melissaol Posts: 948 Member
    I have a hardtime with breathing when im running. But when I got done with week 1 day 1. I was so ready for day 2. But when d2 came oh wow. I thought it was never going to get done. So I sure hope it will be better.

    Next time I run im going to do it on the treadmill instead of the track. Maybe that will help.
    Im going to sign up for a 5k in May. Its called Rock Fargo marathon! Im excited and scared all at
    the same time...
  • sloew
    sloew Posts: 106 Member
    I hated running and thought that running was awful for women! I decided to go ahead and try the c25k for some kind of stress relief. I now can say I LOVE running!!! IT is great for beginners and those getting back into running! Remember if it hurts slow down.. I was told that and at times I felt like I was running backwards I was going so slow!! But I was running and kept going... I am now working on doing a 10K! :)

    Give it a try! Good luck!
  • bhalter
    bhalter Posts: 582 Member
    I've been thinking of doing C25K....has anyone had any kind of foot surgery or foot injury and were successful at this?

    I had hammertoe surgery in college (about 4 years ago or so) and my foot still swells in the summer and is rock hard with cold in the winter, etc. I was thinking about going to a running store and getting analyzed for the best type of shoe, but I didn't know if running long-term was even an option for me.
  • dwurth2
    dwurth2 Posts: 39 Member
    I did C25K and absolutely loved it! When I started, I was NOT a runner....at all. I think the first day they have you walk like 3 min. and run for 1min. I remember looking at my watch when I started that first run...it had only been 15sec and I thought I was going to die, but I held on. When I decided to do the C25K. I went ahead and signed up for a 5K. I think that was crucial for keeping me going and keeping me accountable to it.
    I will tell you this. I never realized when I wasn't a runner that probably 80% of running has to do with your head. It is such a mind game. There were SOOOO many times I had to tell myself I could do it...literally every sec I would say, "just 5 more sec, just 5 more sec". When I came to hills that made me want to give up, I gave them a name....usually the name of a struggle I was going through like "Mount St. Chocolate", or maybe a problem I had with someone, etc....I can't tell you how good it felt when I would make it up those hills!! There were times I would tear up even! It is just THAT empowering!!
    Once you get started and you accomplish it, you will be hooked! I have only been running for about a year and 1/2 now and have done several 5ks and 2 1/2 marathons. I haven't been able to run a whole 1/2 marathon, but that is my goal for this year!

    Good luck to you! You CAN do it and it is worth every minute of it!!! :o)
  • RetroGlitzDiva
    RetroGlitzDiva Posts: 109 Member
    I have never liked running and I mean like never in my entire life. I just finished week 3 and I can honestly say I don't want to ever stop running now. It is the best stress relief I have ever experienced and it just makes you feel powerful. The first two weeks I had a hard time finishing the routine. I could get through two thirds but my body would crap out for the last few sets. I learned really quickly that I had to treat my body like a temple before the run and it would put out what I asked of it. Now I make sure to have a small carb and protein snack and hour before my workout and then I stretch really well afterward which is key! I make sure to have a small snack within 30 minutes after my work out to. Also make sure you are drinking water throughout the day because you will need it. Good luck and I would love to hear how it goes for you. There is a great App I use on my phone called RunDouble that already has all the routines on it and it counts the intervals while measuring speed and distance. I highly recommend getting the app!
  • yogibella
    yogibella Posts: 321 Member
    thanks for your stories everyone! I'm considering starting the C25K too but have never been a runner...I worry that it will be a struggle but your stories really inspired me. especially those that kept at it at week 1 or other weeks, many times over until it worked for them and never giving up:flowerforyou:
  • PameW
    PameW Posts: 4 Member
    Best advice is have the right shoes! If you can run outside do so. There will be a difference between running outside and on the treadmill. Sign up for a 5K in the very near future and work toward that goal. If you have to walk some of the 5k~so what! You are doing it. I do one 5k a month and I can't tell you the feeling of crossing that finish line. You are only competing against yourself. Who cares what place you come in! The point is you are doing it! C25k is awesome!
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I started C25K last April at the age of 45. I've never been a runner, always hated it. About week 3, I talked to my sister who is a marathon runner and only 2 years younger than I am. She convinced me to stick to walking and running in intervals and I was hooked. I'm not very fast; I currently run for 3 minutes at around 6 MPH and walk for 1 minute at 3.5 MPH. However, I completed my first 10K in October (skipped 5K altogether), ran another 10K in November and finished my first half marathon on January 15th in 2:42! My weekly training runs are 6 miles with longer runs on the weekends. I have another half marathon scheduled for March 25th and my goal is to finish that one in under 2:35.

    For anyone who isn't a runner, doesn't like running, never thought they'd be a runner but are interested in trying it, definitely give C25K a try. If you decide that running the entire length isn't for you, check out Jeff Galloway's information on run/walk intervals at http://www.jeffgalloway.com/. It definitely works for me.
  • Teresa527
    Teresa527 Posts: 62 Member
    I just finished week four today. I like it. Burns lots of calories and I do it on the treadmill and then usually walk a brisk pace for 30 minutes afterwards to hit one hour.
    I think it is an excellent program for beginners to running or someone that needs to work up to running again.
  • Ms_Lassie
    Ms_Lassie Posts: 24
    I started the c25k last week and just completed week 2, workout 2 today. I have a moderately fit background (netball, tennis etc.) but I HATE running, that nice easy looking pace that everyone else seems to do while I go fluro red in the face & huff/puff like I'm dying! The thought of running around an oval more than once was enough for me to just say no - won't do it!

    But part of my New Year Resolution was to not talk myself out of things that are achievable and from all reports this is something I can do. It hasn't been too bad, I have had some soreness in my joints but I'm pretty sure that I need new runners!

    One thing I have noticed is that I seem to be slowing down each time I go out, so I'm hoping this is because I'm pacing myself better in the jogs for when I have to keep going for minutes at a time in the next few weeks ;)

    Good luck with it - wishing you every success!!

    P.S. I've been doing my c25k outside =)
  • dslynn8
    dslynn8 Posts: 21
    Like the OP, i'm also trying this program and need all the motivation I can get .Thanks everyone.
  • luckylanie13
    luckylanie13 Posts: 16
    I just started it today! Week 1 Day 1 was a success! :) I ran around my college campus and made sure to include some hills for a harder work out. I have always hated running, but breaking up the jogging time with walking really helps. I actually enjoyed today a lot! Cannot wait for the rest of this week's C25K sessions!
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