I started this program with a friend in March and while we were very proud of our progress (went from hardly being able to jog a minute to being able to jog 12 straight minutes) we quit! Life got in the way, AND we never lost a pound in like the 2 months that we did it. BUT my legs changed, and I hate my legs so I am starting again. My former C25K partner is way to busy to stay at it and I appreciate the accountablity!

I guess I'm a week ahead, but that's ok. Just day Day 2 of week 1. Was such a great run despite it being 32*C. Everytime we switched to walking within seconds I was wanting it to be running time again, I'm be doing M/W/F as of next week... possibly an extra day or two just cause I love it so much haha.

For those of you who try to exercise everyday, what are going of the off days? Is it ok to jusy walk, or should I try to do some strength training? I'm trying to loose weight...

I think I am going to try to mix in some kettlebell workouts or maybe some strength training dvds I have. However I usually am not very consistent about working out so I may try to just start with the c25k for a couple of weeks rather than go overboard and burn myself out....

jjcteach, I would definitely add some strength training or yoga on your alternate days. Just do not train legs the day before you run. I like to to do my leg training after my runs.

For those of you who try to exercise everyday, what are going of the off days? Is it ok to jusy walk, or should I try to do some strength training? I'm trying to loose weight...

For me personally, I do strength training every morning for 20-30 minutes. I do zumba or circuit training on weekdays in the afternoon, or yoga on the weekends, then I run 3-5 nights a week. The weight is melting off. I don't like taking a day off, but I usually limit my weekends to yoga and weights.

Thanks for all suggestions!! I did day one today plus walked 35 min afterwards to make a total of 3 miles... I'm pretty slow, but I feel great!!

Apps helped me soooooo much.

The guy hoffman app wanted to charge me 1.99 so, cheapskate that i am I downloaded this one for free:
http://c25kfree.com/

I started the first few weeks app free. I found myself looking at the clock every 20 seconds or so (thinking 2 minutes had passed : )). Why does time go so fast when your running late and so slow when you're just plain running? But I digress. Once I downloaded the app i told myself " dont look at clock, dont look down, dont stop until you hear the voice tell you what to do next. It helped so much. Running started be enjoyable - :bigsmile:

Another great tip form someone out there in MFPland:

Chi running technique. Now that i dont constantly count the second 'cuase the voice on my driod tells me what to do next I focus on the chi running technique. If I get tired i start to focus on this technique and it gets me through the run.

Lastly - these tips helped me but i only did get to week 6 last go round and then had to stop for 4 weeks. So i am no pro at this. Just hoping to get to a good 3 mile pace about 3-4 times per week for health benefits.

Good luck

I just finished day one today. I had to start a few days early due to scheduling reasons. I LOVED it. I have been wanting to start this for such a long time but never had the drive to do it. Thanks to this group it pushed me to finally start it and I am sooooooglad that I did. I downloaded the free app C25KFREE and it was great. It did everything for you, even telling you when to run and walk besides just showing iton the screen.

Yeah - go girl. The apps helped me so much. I hope this time i can finish. Keep up the good work, dont stop - you will be amazed how far you can go!!!!

I know this is a day early, but I started C25K today, before finding this group.

it was a LOT easier this time around than it was when hubby and I started C25K the first time earlier this year. The fact that we've become regular walkers I think is what really has made the difference. There is a road right across from my driveway that is exactly 1 mile long. We walk it several times a week. This is also where I will be doing my C25K, at least for the next week or so until hubby gets back from his trip to Sturgis. He doesn't like running outside yet and will want to go back to the treadmills at the gym. I prefer running outside but as long as I'm at the gym I can also get some weight training in as well I suppose.

Just a word of advice to you all; Do NOT be concerned with how fast or slow you "run". My jog is a fast walk for a lot of people, but I dont care. It is fast than MY walk. I think on the treadmill I'm running between 3.6 and 4.1. My walk is 2.5-2.8. I have short legs and a short stride. I am not concerned with speed. My concern is completing the workout. This should be your thoughts too.

If you are really struggling with a run segment then perhaps you need to slow down. If you are having major problems breathing, then you need to slow down. You are not running a race, you are learning to run. Gotta crawl before you can walk. Speed will come later, just take it one day at a time, one workout at a time.

And above all else, KEEP MOVING!!

Done with Wk 1 Day 1; I was close to talking myself out of it. I feel pretty good. Now for the rest of the day.

Good luck everyone! I got up at 5:15 and completed my first day--and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I loved it! Watching the sunrise during my walk/run was great. It wasn't as painful as I thought it might be.

What apps are you all using? I am using active.com's C25k on the iPhone 4s, which I really liked except for that it randomly stopped while I was running. I think I hit a button on accident or maybe it's because I was running Nike+ (with shoe sensor) in the background. I just started it over and skipped ahead to where I had been, then kept going. Also, C25k said I only went .5 miles, while Nike+ said I went 2.7 miles. So basically I have no idea how far I ran/walked. Any advice?

Going to start week 6 this week. I need this group for the motivation to finish. I have a very difficult time with the last few weeks so anticipate I will need to repeat often.

Good luck to everyone. This is just what i need!

My advice:

Download an app that tells you when to start running and walking - Follow it - dont look down, dont look at app, dont look at watch - go until the apps say otherwise : )

Dont worry about speed.

If one day or one week seems too hard - repeat it - its not a race to finish -- its a race to healthy overall exercise.

Like many, I was not (and still would say I'm not) a runner. But the accomplishment I felt getting to week six was amazing - and the month off only set me back a week or two. : ) Even the 20 minute run on week 5, thought daunting, still felt awesome. I could hardly run 20 seconds when i started : ) .

GOOD LUCK

I know this is a day early, but I started C25K today, before finding this group.

it was a LOT easier this time around than it was when hubby and I started C25K the first time earlier this year. The fact that we've become regular walkers I think is what really has made the difference. There is a road right across from my driveway that is exactly 1 mile long. We walk it several times a week. This is also where I will be doing my C25K, at least for the next week or so until hubby gets back from his trip to Sturgis. He doesn't like running outside yet and will want to go back to the treadmills at the gym. I prefer running outside but as long as I'm at the gym I can also get some weight training in as well I suppose.

Just a word of advice to you all; Do NOT be concerned with how fast or slow you "run". My jog is a fast walk for a lot of people, but I dont care. It is fast than MY walk. I think on the treadmill I'm running between 3.6 and 4.1. My walk is 2.5-2.8. I have short legs and a short stride. I am not concerned with speed. My concern is completing the workout. This should be your thoughts too.

If you are really struggling with a run segment then perhaps you need to slow down. If you are having major problems breathing, then you need to slow down. You are not running a race, you are learning to run. Gotta crawl before you can walk. Speed will come later, just take it one day at a time, one workout at a time.

And above all else, KEEP MOVING!!

Thanks for this - it's stuff I needed to hear. :flowerforyou:

So excited to start today! Downloaded the app this weekend on my Droid, I'm doing M/W/F after work...not sure but I will probably do my weights afterwards and use this as my "warm up". T/Th will still be my full on cardio days. May have to start using the weekends to rest!

I did it, I did it! :bigsmile:

I missed just one 60 second running interval (the second, weirdly?) but pushed through and did the rest. My legs and abs aren't sore, just my right shoulder and breathing. Any tips for pacing my breathing to my steps?