Couch to 5K question

naugustyniak
naugustyniak Posts: 836 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I started this 3 weeks ago. I did great on the first week but the second was terrible. I am doing week 2 again but it is getting harder rather than easier. Of those of you who have done this, how many times and which weeks did you have to repeat if any (or am I just being a woosy) and should I maybe go back to week 1 again? I really want to complete this (I am in a 4 mile walk/run in September and want to run as much as I possibly can) but seriously cannot seem to get through the run intervals.

Replies

  • chrissyh
    chrissyh Posts: 8,235 Member
    Keep working at it - are you outside or on treadmill? A local track might be a good place to start - no hills. Go out when it's the coolest - the heat is a killer. Start over - it's ok - you are doing this for you and on your time, on no one else's.

    You can do it! I just finished Couch to 5k about 1/2 hour ago! If I can do it - you can too!!!
  • naugustyniak
    naugustyniak Posts: 836 Member
    Keep working at it - are you outside or on treadmill? A local track might be a good place to start - no hills. Go out when it's the coolest - the heat is a killer. Start over - it's ok - you are doing this for you and on your time, on no one else's.

    You can do it! I just finished Couch to 5k about 1/2 hour ago! If I can do it - you can too!!!

    I am outside, treadmills are not motivating for me (I can get off and quit too easily :laugh: ). I live in a VERY small town and the only track available is at the school and it is locked up so that is out. I usually go very early (6:30 or so) in the morning so heat is not an issue. I seriously cannot get one foot to go in front of the other. I think I will start over with week 1 and go from there. Thanks
  • msarro
    msarro Posts: 2,748 Member
    I had to repeat week three. If its getting harder, try slowing your pace down. Remember, you're jogging, so it doesn't matter if it's barely faster than a walking pace - heck, it might actually be slower! Work on going for times, not speeds/distances in the beginning.

    Just stick with it! For me it clicked when I hit week 4 (technically week 5), and I finally found my pace. From there it was a gentle increase every week - nothing that felt like I was dying like the first few weeks.
  • kechiemc
    kechiemc Posts: 1,355 Member
    Hi there:flowerforyou:

    I started running 2 years ago using Couch to 5K. Like you I had a hard time as well. Hang in there. It took me 4 months to get to week 10. I repeated several weeks. Many of them more than once.:smile: Last year, I ran my first half marathon, 13.1 miles. If I can do it, you can too.:heart:
  • maddiebabe
    maddiebabe Posts: 193 Member
    Hi everyone!

    I just wanted to say WOW and CONGRATS to everyone who has posted on this thread! All of you have had such amazing results. im so excited tos tart the program. I am starting bright and early Monday morning on the couch to 5km run so....

    I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for music to run to? I have looked on the net tos ee if there is anything for one minute/90 sec interval stuff but couldnt find anything. i would LOVE to have something to cue me each time its time to change.

    thanks everyone :)
  • bethrs
    bethrs Posts: 664 Member
    Hi ya Maddie- there are several podcasts that will play their own chosen music and then cue you. I like Robert Ullery's. It's not my taste in music, but the guy talking is really helpful for me. :)

    (I hope you have an ipod, etc. If not this was pretty useless advice. )

    Oh- and thanks for the honesty folks- Week 2 is kicking my butt and I was really worried it was just me. :wink:
  • Tamishumate
    Tamishumate Posts: 1,171 Member
    I just finished week two day two.. I am not looking forward to next week, but I am keeping in mind that it could be a repeater, this week I mean. I will see how I do Saturday, but I think I will need to repeat week two. I know I wont get it done in 10 weeks , but I will get it done! good luck to you!:flowerforyou:
  • maddiebabe
    maddiebabe Posts: 193 Member
    LOL thanks Bethrs but I actually dont have an ipod (gasp he he) but I want one I just keep having to spend money on other things first...like bills :( Any other suggestions?

    But thanks Bethrs :) totally appreciated the suggestion. I'll bookmark it for the future....which will hopefully be soon!
  • naugustyniak
    naugustyniak Posts: 836 Member
    LOL thanks Bethrs but I actually dont have an ipod (gasp he he) but I want one I just keep having to spend money on other things first...like bills :( Any other suggestions?

    But thanks Bethrs :) totally appreciated the suggestion. I'll bookmark it for the future....which will hopefully be soon!

    you don't have to have an IPOD. I have mine on my phone and my MP3 player. If you don't like the Ulrey ones, there is also some hip/hop ones. I like them better (minus the bad language but I go for the beat anyway). Suz is the one I am using right now. Here's her site

    http://www.kissmyblackass.org/?page_id=86
  • maddiebabe
    maddiebabe Posts: 193 Member
    hey thanks so much. that is a great bunch of tunes to go with. Im starting the runs tomorrow morning so this will be great.thanks again!
  • pettmybunny
    pettmybunny Posts: 1,986 Member
    you don't have to have an IPOD. I have mine on my phone and my MP3 player. If you don't like the Ulrey ones, there is also some hip/hop ones. I like them better (minus the bad language but I go for the beat anyway). Suz is the one I am using right now. Here's her site

    http://www.kissmyblackass.org/?page_id=86

    I had the ones from Robert Ullrey, but it'll be nice to hear some different music, for this, my third time starting... the techno music was getting... well... kinda old :laugh:

    Thanks for the new link. And, it has inspired me to do a search (someday) for some other podcasts with more music. Wouldn't it be great to listen to a different set of music for each of your running days?
    -Robin
  • jbwegner
    jbwegner Posts: 254 Member
    OK....so I got so inspired to start the program today after reading this thread. I downloaded Suzy's hiphop week one podcast. It's in my ITunes, but won't go on my Ipod. I have a shuffle and it's not there! AHHH! What am I doing wrong? I know I could do it with my regular music, but I want her cues, especially since I'll be outside and not on a treadmil with a timer.
  • iRun4wine
    iRun4wine Posts: 5,126
    Hi ya Maddie- there are several podcasts that will play their own chosen music and then cue you. I like Robert Ullery's. It's not my taste in music, but the guy talking is really helpful for me. :)

    (I hope you have an ipod, etc. If not this was pretty useless advice. )

    Oh- and thanks for the honesty folks- Week 2 is kicking my butt and I was really worried it was just me. :wink:

    I agree! Robert's podcasts are wonderful. I normally would choose something more hip-hop like to listen to while I run because the beat keeps me going, but for some reason I find the songs on the podcast really helpful. He is encouraging, and tells you exactly when to walk/run... good luck :flowerforyou:
  • iRun4wine
    iRun4wine Posts: 5,126
    OK....so I got so inspired to start the program today after reading this thread. I downloaded Suzy's hiphop week one podcast. It's in my ITunes, but won't go on my Ipod. I have a shuffle and it's not there! AHHH! What am I doing wrong? I know I could do it with my regular music, but I want her cues, especially since I'll be outside and not on a treadmil with a timer.

    (sorry for the double post)

    I had the same problem w/ the podcast that I downloaded. iTunes said that it couldn't locate the file, and asked if I wanted to do it manually. I said yes, and then you have to find it on the computer, and "tell" iTunes where it is and you're good to go. Sorry for the lack of computer terms- hope I helped a little bit :smile:
  • jbwegner
    jbwegner Posts: 254 Member
    OK....so I got so inspired to start the program today after reading this thread. I downloaded Suzy's hiphop week one podcast. It's in my ITunes, but won't go on my Ipod. I have a shuffle and it's not there! AHHH! What am I doing wrong? I know I could do it with my regular music, but I want her cues, especially since I'll be outside and not on a treadmil with a timer.

    (sorry for the double post)

    I had the same problem w/ the podcast that I downloaded. iTunes said that it couldn't locate the file, and asked if I wanted to do it manually. I said yes, and then you have to find it on the computer, and "tell" iTunes where it is and you're good to go. Sorry for the lack of computer terms- hope I helped a little bit :smile:

    Heck yeah! It worked! Thanks! I'm going running right now!!
  • jbwegner
    jbwegner Posts: 254 Member
    I did it! I haven't run in years, I am super fat, and I could do it! It was a great workout, and I am actually looking forward to the next time. I used one of the hip-hop podcasts. I totally reccomend this to anyone who wants to become a runner!
  • breakingthecycle
    breakingthecycle Posts: 225 Member
    Bump.....

    I found this post while using Google search for messages re: anyone that has had do 're-do' or "do over" a week if they missed too many days and ended up RIGHT BACK here on MFP. :-)

    I completed W1D3 on Mothers Day and due to various reasons have not been able to start W2. I know my body is not ready to start W2 but I feel like I will never finish if I have to start over every time I miss a few days.

    Any advice?
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