for all the hopefull "wanna be" runners out there - trying t

I would love to do this too...I've had a few "starts and stops" to try and get better at running. I have a question that is something that has been somewhat of a deterrent for me:

When you are at the beginning of a program and have all the run/walk intervals, how to do you keep track? I want to run outside and not on a treadmill. It seems cumbersome to be looking at a watch every 60 seconds, any suggestions out there?

Much appreciated!

Or if you are like me and don't have an ipod (i use my phone as my mp3 and cannot download podcasts to it). I also didn't have a watch I could use so I had to improvise. I start a song and use the timer for the song and then when it's time to do the next part, I change the song and use the timer on that song and just keep doing that the whole time and it seems to work well for me. I usually do the treadmill but have been trying to get outside one day a week.

if you have an ipod - there are podcast on the c25k website free for downloading that have verbal ques that go along with the program - when i first started i used songs as philde04 said - i would try to walk / run a whole song or part of one
if you are walking outside maybe you can use a watch one day and make landmarks - i have heard of using small dots of spray paint on the side of the road if you do road walking
hope this helps!!

I am a beginner runner. Well, I used to run a bit back in middle school for the track team, but that and my in shape body is long gone. :laugh:

I am planning to start the C25K program next week outdoors. I am able to run 1.5 miles on the treadmill with a break of walking for .15 miles in between the mile and the half mile. But, outside is completely different which is why I want to use C25K.

Hah - i ran track in middle school also - 400 relay and hurdles - my how time flies!
Good job on getting started back - the c25k has had much success - keep us posted with your progress!!

WOW!
This really took off - glad to see I am not alone................

for all of you just starting or even somewhere in between starting and reaching you goal let me give you some encouragement and a little of my story..........

I stepped on the scales around the middle of august and realized i weighed more than i ever had in my life.........by the time i walked up the stairs for bed i was breathing heavy.......this had to go....so at 46 yrs of age i decided it was time to get in shape

Day 1: 1.5 mile walk in 20 min on treadmill - took all i could do - 30 crunches on exercise ball
Goal: to not have a heart attack:laugh:
Gradually, i mean really gradually i began to add a little distance and some incline
Gaol: 3 miles in 30 min

3 1/2 months later
4 mile runs in 38 min
150 -250 crunches a day
50 push ups a day

it can be done - but start slow and add only as you feel that you can - you do have to push yourself but don't hurt yourself - your muscles and bones have to grow strong gradually

Some things I have learned on my journey:
Shoes - oh my gosh - shoes are like really important - make the investment, go to the specialty store and get measured / video taped / fitted - okay so the shoes will cost 10 - 15 $ more - its worth it
Some days you just have to take off and rest - listen to your body
The journey is personal - no matter how many friends and family go with you, its your journey
Set realistic goals for yourself - don't set yourself up to fail - don't by pass any goals
Keep track of your progess

Sorry for the long post but........................i'm just excited that we have so many of us in the same boat

I did my run tonight but forgot to take the pedometer to see how far I ran. I also forgot to set my hrm so I have no idea how many calories I burned. And I had to sit and take a rest about half way while DD kept right on going. YAY for her! At least it wasn't raining. I'm just kind of disappointed in myself for not running a little further and for stopping to rest before turning around and heading back. :ohwell: Well, hopefully I can do better on Thursday.

Don't get too down on yourself - keep going - everyone has "those" days when you just can't seem to go as far as you want - maybe instead of stopping just slow down a bit but keep moving - look forward to see what you have to say on Thursday

I ran 2.5 miles last night in 30 minutes, slow pace but made it through. My longest run so far, really excited about how great it feels. My hip is starting to bother me again, it is not painful while I run but afterward it bothers me through the next day. Not sure what is causing the pain, will work on stretching that area specifically and see if that will help.

Good luck to everyone else!!

GREAT JOB!!:drinker:
Glad to hear you made it through - as for your hip - check out some specific stretches for it and make sure you make time before and your run for stretching - be sure you have some cool down time after you finish also

Ok, here are my questions about what to do "next" in preparing for running a 5k... I'm on week 8, next run will be day 3, my third 28 minute run. I run on a treadmill at the gym. Including the warm up/cool down walks, I'm covering 2.5 miles.

My questions are:

So, what recommendations do you have about transitioning to running outdoors?

What do you do when you are actually at a race - walk for 5 minutes before it starts? Spend the first 5 minutes walking, just stretch & go?????

My race isn't until Oct 23rd, and I'll have completed week 9 a couple of weeks earlier - so I'm hoping I'll be up to running 3.1 by the end of week 9, but I'm also open to suggestions for successful strategies for increasing speed :-)

Thanks in advance!

Moving from treadmill to outside: pace, pace, pace - that has always been the hardest thing for me - i tend to have a faster pace when off the treadmill and I have to slow down - try looking at your feet when your one the treadmill and get a mental picture and then use that when outside - you can also count your steps per minute and try and duplicate that
As for the race - interval training is the best way to increase speed - check runnersworld.com or coolrunnings.com for help with this - as for before the race - yes, walking / stretching, anything to stay loose
hope this helps