couch 2 5K questions

You can do it.....A year ago I couldn't walk up the stairs in my house without gettng out of breath. Last week I ran a 5K in 35:52.

I used the C25K, I had to repeat week one. but then later when I got to where you run 2.25 miles, I decided too keep going and ran 3 miles.

go for it, if you need to repeat a week, repeat it.

Like you, I always dreamed of being5k a runner - and I am!!!

To answer your questions:
- when you've never done any running, yes it's hard - but do-able. I couldn't finish all the running intervals on the first day, I had to walk the last few. The first day I ran 6 of the runs, next time 7, then 8.
You don't have to move thru at their sceduled, it took me two weeks to be able to complete the first 3 runs.
- Speed isn't important. Walk at a pace that you can sustain, run just a bit faster than walking. I think that the main reason I could do C25k was that I decided to run REALLY slow, to focus on completeing the distance and not worry about speed. Do it outside if you can, treadmills are soooo boring!
- I was just over 200 pounds when I started. If you aren't sure, check with your doctor to make sure there's no risk for you. Good shoes and a supportive bra ate essential, don't start until you have these.
- should you start with something else? Have you been doing any exercise at all (ie, walking)?. If you can't comfortably walk for 30 mins then maybe build up your walking for one month then start C25k.
- maybe you're being a chicken - it's hard to to try and fail so often we just don't try. I will never forget how great I felt the day I ran for 20 mins nonstop. It made me stop in my tracks and wonder what other thing I have never even tried because I thought it was too hard.

That's the long answer - the short one is:
-get your doctor's ok, buy good shoes and bra, work at your own pace
GO FOR IT!

is it as hard as i am imagining (i have not ran since high school) : The program is challenging if you are a novice, but it's doable. Listen to your body. To avoid injury, at this point you shouldn't be going for speed and pushing your limits to the max, just go for improving your overall fitness. Repeat weeks and days if needed until you feel comfortable moving on to the next step in the program.

how fast should "walking" be??? how fast is considered jogging? The pace really depends on your current fitness level, your height, and even your genetics. The walking parts should be slow enough to let you catch your breath and recover, but fast enough to keep your heart rate up. For some people that's 2mph, for some it's 5mph.
Ditto for the jogging. Go at a slow pace that you can maintain without feeling like you're going to pass out. You can work on speed later. Again, the comfortable pace is very individual. Some people jog at 3.5, some can go at 8mph right off the bat.
Don't worry if you're really slow in the beginning. Don't try to go too fast, or you'll burn out after 10 seconds. Just go at an easy pace where you can finish the running interval without being out of breath. If it means walking faster instead of running, just do that.
Speed will come as you get more fit and lose weight. I first jogged at 4 mph on 0% incline on a treadmill, and I was huffing and puffing after 2 minutes. 50 lbs and 12 months later, I can maintain 6mph over a hilly 10 k course.

is it possible for someone very obese to do this program?? I only had about 50 lbs to lose, so I don't have any personal experience with this, but a lot of the people on the coolrunning board and here started C25k while obese. Talk to your doctor first to make sure that you don't have any serious heart issues that would make running dangerous, and get a good bra and good shoes. Go to a running store and get fitted for shoes, and do not try to save money by buying an unsupportive bra. The more weight you carry, the more important the right shoes and bra are.

should i start off with something else easier? am i talking myself out of it??
Try the first day. The first day of the progam I used had 8x 1 min of running. If you can do it- great.
If you can only do 1 minute of running and can't do the other 7 repeats, NBD- just finish by walking. Next time try to do one more, and keep going. As long as you pushed yourself and got your heart rate up, you're still getting a good workout.

I had always felt the "urge" to run, but didn't feel/think I could. I honestly believe the hardest thing about jogging/running is being able to switch off the mind (thinking you can't), that was my issue anyway. I haven't done the c25k, I just started with intervals on the treamill, until a friend talked me into doing a fun run (12km) & then she trained with me. It turned out I was trying to go to fast, once she slowed me down (even though it felt not much more then walking pace to me) I discovered that I could actually do it. I too have the big chest problem... I wear a good sports bra with a tight sports crop top on top. Slow & steady definately worked for me, I hope it works for you too. Just switch the mind off & give it a go, you can do it! Good luck!

I am on week 4 of C25K right now and I weigh 247 - I really find the program motivates me. I love being able to reach the small goals, like moving on to another week or even to increase the speed on the treadmill a bit. I've been walking at 3.0 and jogging at anywhere from 4.0 to 4.5, so I am not fast at all! I lope along, lol. But I get a good workout and I like it.

I started this week and I NEVER thought I'd be able to jog, but now I've done the full 30 minutes twice and it's not so bad! especially with the app, it runs with your music and everything so you don't have to look at your phone at all, just follow the cues and get in a zone. I use the indoor track at my gym so far because I'm not sure how to navigate the quick speed changes from running to walking and back on the treadmill (though I plan to try it soon). I figure it's about 3.5 mph for walking and I'm not sure what my jogging speed is. I can do almost a lap and a half in a minute so that's not so fast I think.

I think I might repeat week one until I feel more comfortable with it, but it's really a a beginner's program! It's fine to jog at first, just do as much as you can. I've also read from other people to try 30 min of brisk walking for a week before you start incorporating jogging.

I just started this yesterday and decided "Couch" is a bit of an over exaggeration, I'm not fit enough to start it.

Yesterday I did 15 minutes, today 22 minutes, etc. I'm following the program but I won't count myself as starting week one till I hit 30 minutes two days running.

Taking it slow is absolutely fine.
And remember that they suggest only doing the program 3 days a week. You need rest to allow your joints and muscles to recover from the stress you are putting them under.