New to running...have some questions

I totally want to start the c25k program! I am doing a 5k Warrior Dash tomorrow and know I will not be able to run the whole thing. If you want we can do it together. Keep up on each others progress via MFP. If you are interested friend me.

Sounds like what you're doing is along the right track. C25K is just more structured in terms of when you walk or run. Just make sure to push yourself a little bit more every day - running a little farther and walking a little less. One of the "big" workouts for C25K is to run for 20 minutes at the end of week 5 (I think?). You could look at C25K to try and structure your workouts a little bit more if you were so inclined.

I started running 2 years ago at the age of 41. Never ran before in my life. My fiance had me do c25k and before I knew it I was running. I am now doing 10k & 15k and working up to a half marathon. C25K is a great program as it takes it slow so you don't get discouraged. My best friend started it 8 weeks ago and was amazed that she is now running a 5k. At first the 1 minute of running was killing her.

At the time I did it, I used a treadmill. Was easier to keep track of time and distance. If I did it now, I would def run outside. With a smartphone you can get a c25k program (for free) and can suppliment it with another program like RunKeeper or My My Run.

It sounds like you've got the right idea. When I first started, I'd run, walk, run more, walk...you get the idea. Eventually, I'd make myself run through and entire song, and then two, and eventually, 40 minutes later, there you go! Just remember, be patient, and don't overdo it, or you'll risk injuring yourself!

Great job on 45lbs lost!!! I am also just new to running and started this week. First day 1 mile and it was 25 minutes; today day 5 (on wed I just walked) down to 19 min already. There are apps for the phone that you can track your run. I like runtastic also online. Also here is a great article: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-520--9397-0,00.html I found it helpful.
Sounds like you are doing it the right way. It's same as myself. I can't jog/run too far but do what i can but have seen improvement in just 5 days out there. Lovin it too!

I read (and am trying) the Galloway method which encourages you to take lots of walk breaks when you are first starting out so that you don't exhaust yourself and your muscles have time to repair between each run. I think what you are doing sounds perfect. Someone once told me that "it's the distance covered, not the speed you gained" that makes a good runner. So if you feel strained afterward maybe just run a slower pace and try to run for longer. Good luck!!

p.s. The Galloway method is in a marathon training book that you can probably find at your local library. I forget the name of it, but it helped me get motivated when I first started running.

I've never used the C25K program but when I started running I could barely go around the block without wanting to die.

I used a very simple run 1 minute walk 10, then run 2 min walk 9 etc until I could run 10 minutes and the started building from there. I'll be running in my 3rd half marathon in just over a week (did a 21.1k training run last week in 2:10 - no walking, no stopping)

The key to building endurance is consistency (run 3 or 4 times er week - every other day) and keeping your pace on the slow side, you're not trying to win a race (yet) and pushing yourself too hard is only going to lead to an injury.

Have fun.........running is highly addictive!

when I first started running, I had a hard time increasing the distance of my running intervals. I just had a hard time pushing myself. I did a free version of a c25k type program on the iphone, which was free for X # of uses, and by then I was up to running 20-25 minute stretches, and I was able to take it from there (without buying the app, cheap, yes, that is my name, lol)

What you're doing sounds fine! C25K is good, but as long as you're not pushing yourself harder than your body tells you is safe, you should be fine. The standard is to remember that you don't want to increase distance OR intensity more than 10 percent per week, if you want to be sure to avoid injury. Otherwise, keep it up. Better to take it slow and continue to enjoy it than push yourself out too fast and risk getting burned out on it.

ETA another tip: don't worry about sprinting. If you're going for distance, take it slow. When I first started out, I was running slower than some people walk. Now, I'm pacing pretty consistently at a 10 minute mile. I'm running my first half-marathon on Sunday, and my next step is to increase pace over my current distances. After that, I'll be stretching to try a marathon next year.

Have fun, and good luck!

I just started C25K this week. I was never really much of a runner, but then my sister convinced me to sign up for the Color Run 5K, so now I have some work to do. I've always done intervals of jogging/walking when I use the treadmill but the C25K is great so I don't have to remember when to change speeds, and it gives me a schedule to stick to instead of just doing whatever. I work better that way. My only real goal is to beat my sister in the race, so here's hoping C25K does the trick! Good luck with your running!