Couch to 5k

Tomorrow I plan to start the couch to 5k program. Anyone else here, especially those on the larger side (I'm currently a size 12/14) who could share their experiences would be greatly appreciated. I used to LOVE running and competing in marathons/ half marathons with my, now deceased, husband. I gained a good deal of weight after his death and gave it up. I'm a little leery of how the extra weight will be on my joints.
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Replies

  • VenomousDuck
    VenomousDuck Posts: 206
    hey!!! I am doing week 9 day 3 today!!

    and I am WAY larger than a woman 12/14

    it starts out so slowly, so it helps you build and if you are uncomfortable moving to another week, just repeat that one again

    AND I got some *kitten* kicking Brooks running shoes!
  • nano2317
    nano2317 Posts: 5
    I am doing it as well. I am a size 16 and I can run a mile and half now with out stopping.. Just stay dedicated to it.. It gets easier evertime I run. The first day I was out of breath right away.
  • Audrey403
    Audrey403 Posts: 50 Member
    Did it, loved it, lost 23 pounds by the end.
    I think I was in my 150's when I did it? I was never a runner ever, and could barely run the very few minutes that the program requires at the very beginning. Now I can run for at least an hour straight. I completed my first 5K two weeks ago at 36mins!
  • VenomousDuck
    VenomousDuck Posts: 206
    i ran 2.19 miles Wednesday night

    I look like a T-rex running

    I am still 272 pounds
  • I'm a size 18 and I'm doing a 5k training program similar to, but not, C25K. It's still a gentle interval training program. The keys are to start gently, listen to your body, and focus on endurance. The running will help take off those extra pounds you are worried about! Just remember that no matter what your size, your body has to gain bone and muscle strength to support itself. And also - you did it before, you can do it again! :)
  • mstx70
    mstx70 Posts: 23 Member
    I'm on Week 3, Day 2 and things seem to be going pretty well. I'm a size 16 and I'm hanging in there =) Good luck!!
  • ipsamet
    ipsamet Posts: 436 Member
    I'm just over 200 pounds, size 14 and rockin' it. It's a great program and like others have said it starts out slowly so your body has time to get used to it. I would definitely suggest giving it a go!
  • pten0pus
    pten0pus Posts: 25
    Thanks everyone! I can't wait to start. My partner is in the Military and runs regularly. I'd love to have something we can do together. The fact that there are others of you out there my size, and larger, who have been able to accomplish this makes me feel even better. I'm still pretty new to MFP. But, man, you guys ROCK!
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member


    I look like a T-rex running

    OH MY! The visual on that is HILARIOUS!!!

    Seriously, though, I bet you look like a runner!
  • areber07
    areber07 Posts: 38 Member
    Finished the C2 5K program a few weeks ago and just started the Bridge to 10k. My advice would to be to start out slow, if on the treadmill I would do a 4.5 at no incline for the first few weeks, then listen to your body. It will let you know when it is ready to go faster.
    I was doing my program at 4.9 and 5.0 and getting easily winded. So I have backed it back down to 4.7 or 4.8 with intervals of 5.0-5.5 just to help train myself to go faster for longer amounts of time. I was almost 240 when I started and I am almost under 200 now. Good Luck!!!!
  • gomisskellygo
    gomisskellygo Posts: 635 Member
    Hey there! I am a size 12/14 and started the Couch to 5K 9-10 weeks ago. I am running my first 5K race tomorrow! My reccomendations as others have said are:

    1. Start off slow. Whatever speed works for you. This program is for endurance, not speed. Many people cannot entirely run a 5K at the end of 9 weeks. That's okay. You learn to run for 30 minutes straight and then work on pace/speed.

    2. Please invest in running shoes. Go get fitted. My shoes (Mizunos) and my husband's (Asics) were no more than $110. So not a HUGE bank breaker like I thought.

    3. Have fun!
  • sl1ngsh0t
    sl1ngsh0t Posts: 326 Member
    I plan on doing C5K also. Feel free to add me. I'm in the midst of planning my wedding (which is next month), go to the gym and am doing JM workouts, so I'm trying to balance and stay on track!
  • soontobesam
    soontobesam Posts: 714 Member
    I love hearing everyone's stories!!! Makes me so proud of y'all. :flowerforyou:

    I joined MFP at 200lbs (probably over) and had been on for a week or so and kept seeing posts about C25K but didn't think it was something I was capable of doing. I decided I should give it a shot (without much hope for a positive turnout) and I'm now on Week 6!!

    The only running I had ever done in my life was from the police when I was a kid so for me this was a HUGE deal. I go pretty slowly with bursts here and there and I'm still learning to control my breathing and also found that occasionally my knee bothers me after but all in all I couldn't be happier with my progress.

    The other day I had to do two 10 minute runs and I completed both and had been upset about something so I repeated the whole thing just to burn off some stress. 40 minutes total of jogging!!

    When I first started I thought that the 90 second intervals would kill me and now I can go for 5 minutes like nothing!!

    MY FH is in the military also and I'm looking forward to the day we can take a run together.

    Best of luck!! Anyone is welcome to add me if you want.
  • naprestsleep
    naprestsleep Posts: 55 Member
    about 300lbs here and just finished the program today. I can run for 30 min but still to slow to get 5k done in that time.
  • I am starting it Monday (it's raining here and not planning on stopping!) Add me if you want a buddy :)

    All I have heard is awesome things. Now I am planning on training to do a 5K in September.
  • curvykim78
    curvykim78 Posts: 799 Member
    I've completed that program twice now, and both times I was in a 12-14-some even 16 size shorts. It's good to do, just stick with it and repeat a week if you need to. no need to rush, you're in it for a lifetime of health. :) Good luck!
  • VenomousDuck
    VenomousDuck Posts: 206


    I look like a T-rex running

    OH MY! The visual on that is HILARIOUS!!!

    Seriously, though, I bet you look like a runner!

    I paint myself green and keep my arms tucked close.
    the huffing and puffing sounds close enough to a growl....
  • I am a 266 lb male doing the C25k, currently on week 2. So far its been going good. By the end I am drenched in sweat, and sometimes I have cramps. I'll see how I do week 3 and if I can't do it I'll do week 2 another week.

    Good luck to u! :)
  • tngfordisney
    tngfordisney Posts: 115
    I've completed that program twice now, and both times I was in a 12-14-some even 16 size shorts. It's good to do, just stick with it and repeat a week if you need to. no need to rush, you're in it for a lifetime of health. :) Good luck!

    Well said. I like that.
  • soontobesam
    soontobesam Posts: 714 Member
    I am a 266 lb male doing the C25k, currently on week 2. So far its been going good. By the end I am drenched in sweat, and sometimes I have cramps. I'll see how I do week 3 and if I can't do it I'll do week 2 another week.

    Good luck to u! :)

    Just don't give up on yourself!! Take your time and repeat if you have to - just never stop pushing yourself. :)
  • b1delane
    b1delane Posts: 261 Member
    Hey I am about the same size 12/14 and I have been doing the C25k thing for 3 weeks. This is actually going to be Week 3 day 2 for me. It gets hard especially the third week for me because you have to run for 3 mins but I pace my self. I don't run as fast as I can and lose my breath. I actually jog at a slower pace to maintain endurance. Just keep going when your tired the reward of finishing for a day far outweighs the pain.
  • madziorek
    madziorek Posts: 17 Member
    Today I've done 2nd run in week 7.
    It is doable:wink: The first weeks are so easy that even if you are not fit at all you will be able to do that.:happy:
    I skipped first 2 weeks as they were simply too easy.
    Now I reccommend it to everyone!!!

    What motivates me even more is Nike+ fitness app on my ipod which after every workout you can upload it on your account and track your progress: duration, calories burned, pace, distance.

    My advise is: just have fun with it!!!
  • SFbarmaid
    SFbarmaid Posts: 117 Member
    I have been doing C25K for a while.. I keep having to start over for various reasons.. I'm on week 3 again. :) I hope to complete it in time to get me through the Giants Race (5k) in Sept.
  • iceqieen
    iceqieen Posts: 862 Member
    finished it, and am finally into size 16 (uk) :) was somewhere around 18 or possibly 20 when I started.. but I have an annoying pear shape so pants are always rather big *grumble* - for me, it was important to work on strengthening the knee and the leg muscles in general.. and stretching after it!

    starting it again with a friend to work up speed.
  • Reneece_pr
    Reneece_pr Posts: 16 Member
    Me and my friend re-started ours today after a lack of motivation :o It is really really really good. When you think about running, you think ughh :/ but you get lots of breaks:) and It starts of softly with you:) and I found that after a few days your stamina improves and its much easier to run:) Its really amazing, lets hope both you and I make it to the end;) x
  • tinana_RN
    tinana_RN Posts: 541 Member
    I'm finishing week 8 this week, and I'm a size 14/16 right now. It can be done :)
  • trhjrh06
    trhjrh06 Posts: 2,272 Member
    I am currently a size 18. And I am on week 5 day 2 this evening.
    I repeated week 4 three times before I tried week 5 because I was still having problems with week 4. But finally took the plunge and did week 5 day 1 wednesday and it was easier than week 4, IMO.
    Either way it's a great program and you got this! Good luck!
  • melizerd
    melizerd Posts: 870 Member
    Buy an Enell Sports Bra. They aren't cheap or cute but they are effective. I'm a 36D but I started at a 40DDD and they work AWESOME!

    I couldn't run right when I started here (242lbs) but I do run now and I'm about 170lbs 5'7" and a 12ish size. Having good shoes is SUPER important so find a good running store and get fitted.
  • dare2love81
    dare2love81 Posts: 928 Member
    Finished the C2 5K program a few weeks ago and just started the Bridge to 10k. My advice would to be to start out slow, if on the treadmill I would do a 4.5 at no incline for the first few weeks, then listen to your body. It will let you know when it is ready to go faster.
    I was doing my program at 4.9 and 5.0 and getting easily winded. So I have backed it back down to 4.7 or 4.8 with intervals of 5.0-5.5 just to help train myself to go faster for longer amounts of time. I was almost 240 when I started and I am almost under 200 now. Good Luck!!!!

    ^^^This!!

    I too, started out trying to run at 5 or even higher and kept getting super winded - to the point where I quit the program right around week four because I just could run for that long. This past week I decided just to try running as far as I could, but this time kept the speed at 4.5 and was able to run a FULL MILE :bigsmile: without stopping to walk. Duh. Don't know why I didn't think about this sooner. First go for distance and build up your endurance, then worry about your time/speed. :drinker:
  • larkiedeek
    larkiedeek Posts: 203 Member
    I started to run this week.

    I downloaded a c25k podcast but thought I would just jump in.

    Wednesday I managed 2 miles, a walk for 0.3 miles and a fast run for the final 0.7 miles.

    Today I just ran for a full 35mins with a 3min warm up and warm down walk either side but this was at a slower pace. My legs are now very sore. It's funny how it hurts but feels good at the same time.

    I think I will stick to this for the next couple of weeks rather than go for the organised program.