C25K Challenge

Im in I tried before but only got thru week 3 then stopped finding the time to do it. Really need to restart. Thanks for the motivation to do it!

I just did Week 2 Day 2 today Great program!

I'm so glad you all want to join me on this challenge!

My plan is to do Monday, Wednesday, Friday runs. If you're a first timer, we can start together Monday!

For those of you who have already started, any advice to us beginners? I know I struggled with my test run yesterday.

I know it's only my second day in the program, but I find that the last two runs of the program are the hardest for me. When I start to struggle, I imagine how I want to look in a year, a dress I want to buy, teaching dance, being the hot one at the bar! lol. I somehow find the will to push my legs just a little longer. Just keep going and DO NOT GET OFF THE TREADMILL (you might never want to get back on :laugh: )

I'm so glad you all want to join me on this challenge!

My plan is to do Monday, Wednesday, Friday runs. If you're a first timer, we can start together Monday!

For those of you who have already started, any advice to us beginners? I know I struggled with my test run yesterday.

I know it's only my second day in the program, but I find that the last two runs of the program are the hardest for me. When I start to struggle, I imagine how I want to look in a year, a dress I want to buy, teaching dance, being the hot one at the bar! lol. I somehow find the will to push my legs just a little longer. Just keep going and DO NOT GET OFF THE TREADMILL (you might never want to get back on :laugh: )

I feel fortunate to have the TV monitors on the treadmills at my gym...during those last two runs when I just want to give up, I can see my reflection in the screen and pep talk myself...tell myself to imagine the skinny girl I want to be and that I can do it and if I can just get through the end, I'll be one day closer to being a runner. It makes me feel GREAT to finish like that!

I'm so glad you all want to join me on this challenge!

My plan is to do Monday, Wednesday, Friday runs. If you're a first timer, we can start together Monday!

For those of you who have already started, any advice to us beginners? I know I struggled with my test run yesterday.

Best advice I can give is DON'T SKIMP ON PROPER EQUIPMENT just because you are a beginner. I've tried running in the past and always quit. Why? I was in pain. Both from muscles/knees/ankles and blisters.

Proper footwear and socks are VERY important. Go to a runners store and get properly fitted by a professional for running shoes and ONLY wear them for running. It can be pricey, but it is more than worth it to spare yourself some serious injury. Buy some non-cotton socks to go along with those new kicks. Your feet will thank you. They help keep moisture away and prevent foot issues. They should have some at the running store as well. They average about 10 bucks for 3 pairs.

This has made a HUGE difference in my runs and I find I enjoy them now.

Now for the less awesome, but still good advice:

1. Study up on proper running form and try to improve yours. It makes a difference. You won't be a pro right out of the gate, but you will improve slowly if you try to concentrate on it during your runs. Hint: I try to work on it at the beginning when I'm not exhausted yet, ha ha :P
(Some links: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=823
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx6x2cD6Y8Q
http://video.about.com/running/Proper-Running-Form.htm )

2. STRETCH before and after for at least 10 minutes. Stretching is VERY important and most people skimp on it. Do not skimp on it. Your body will thank you.

3. Warm up/Cool down walking. A good thing to do. The podcasts I use have them programmed in. You can find them here: http://www.djsteveboy.com/1day25k.html

4. Hydrate. Drink plenty of water before and bring a bottle with you on runs.

5. Lastly, DON'T GIVE UP. If you can't keep up the jog, walk fast and try again on the next interval. If you need to repeat a week, do it! Just keep pushing forward. We can all finish

I have severe asthma and running has to be THE most challenging activity for me (especially outdoors with my allergies), but I push through it. Remember, if my lungs haven't given out on me yet, yours will probably make it too, ha ha

I used to hate running with a passion, and I am learning to love it

Started my attempt at the C25K challenge earlier this week. Doing it with my husband which not sure how long that is going to work out as the first run he was way a head of me when joging. In addition to C25K we are doing 30DS alternating between the 2 each day with one day off a week. Yes we may be crazy, but I have done many rounds of 30DS prior to getting pregnant (5wk post partum).

Smccau3 thanks for the tips. I am bad about stretching any specific stretchs that are a must when running?

One tip I have heard is set a race as a goal. Mine is the Color Run in Portland at the end of Sept, plan on signing up after a month of doing C25K.

Started my attempt at the C25K challenge earlier this week. Doing it with my husband which not sure how long that is going to work out as the first run he was way a head of me when joging. In addition to C25K we are doing 30DS alternating between the 2 each day with one day off a week. Yes we may be crazy, but I have done many rounds of 30DS prior to getting pregnant (5wk post partum).

Smccau3 thanks for the tips. I am bad about stretching any specific stretchs that are a must when running?

One tip I have heard is set a race as a goal. Mine is the Color Run in Portland at the end of Sept, plan on signing up after a month of doing C25K.

Hello She was quoting my post with the tips in it. I believe you were talking about that? As for stretching, obviously the legs are the most important!

Here are a few I do:

For Hamstrings:

Stretch #1:

1. Sit on the floor with both legs out straight and feet flexed.
2. Extend your arms and reach forward by bending at the waist as far as possible while keeping your knees straight. Hold.

Stretch #2:

1. Sit on the floor with one leg out straight.
2. Bend the other leg at the knee and position the sole of that foot against your opposite inner thigh.
3. Extend your arms and reach forward over the one straight leg by bending at the waist as far as possible. Hold.
4. Be sure to do both legs!


For Quads:

Stretch #3:

1. While standing, hold onto a counter top or chair back to assist in balance.
2. Bend your knee back by grasping your ankle with one hand.
3. Assist in bending your knee back as far as possible. Hold.
4. Be sure to do both legs!

For Calves:

Stretch #4:

1. Find a curb, or step, and alternate hanging your heels off the edge. (You can really feel this one deep!)

Stretch #5:

1. Do a downward dog.
2. Begin in a plank pose with your hands under your shoulders then lift your pelvis up making a "V" with your body. Spread your fingers wide.
3. Work on bringing your heels toward the ground.
4. Allow your heels to flare out slightly wider than your toes. Reach your sits bones, on the bottom of your pelvis, high to the ceiling to increase the stretch.
5. Try treading lightly, alternating your feet, to deepen the stretch as well.


I also like this one as I feel the stretch through multiple muscles :

1. Stand with legs more than hip width apart, feet forward.
2. Reach for the floor between your legs (or touch it if you are that flexible). Hold.
3. "walk" your hands over to one leg, reaching for the outside of the ankle with your far hand. Hold.
4. Do the same with the other leg.

You may also consider adding neck/shoulder stretches if you tense up your upper body during your runs and you feel you need it!

I hope this helps!

P.S. I've heard that pregnancy changes the way your joints/ligaments behave due to prepping for birth and it takes awhile for your body to go back to normal after having a baby (not sure how long it takes). Anyway, the reason I mention it is because you are more prone to running injury during that time. You may want to research it and be sure to pay extra attention to your body and what it is telling you (e.g. if you need a rest, take one) and watch out for joint pain

Heard about this from a friend and started it a couple of weeks ago. I was doing really well until the double bank-holiday weekend hit and social gatherings threw any kind of healthiness out of the window. So I definitely need to start up again, starting with a warm-up run today and get in to it properly as of tomorrow. Feel free to add me

I am redoing week 1 right now because I feel I waited to long to get it done. I don't know if I want to participate in a 5k all I do know is that I want to say I can run lol

Completed week 1 day 2 this morning and I feel great! I am sure later my hips and ankles will be hurting later but right now it was worth it. I wasn't jogging as fast as I was on day 1 when I started but I was able to speed up as my intervals went along. Can't wait for day 3 I think Tues or Weds. I would like to get up to 4 or 5 days a week with repeating easier runs inbetween. I also use the app on my phone for the timing it is great.

week 1 day 1 today stay encouraged hunny

I started C25K on Saturday and run Tuesday, Thurs and Saturday. Feel free to add me too. xx