New Couch to 5K thread? - Page 3

[HeatherB]

Well, I did it!! I finished the week 1 of C25K! I'm feeling quite accomplished (in case you couldn't tell!) as this is the most significant, dedicated exercise I've been at for the last year or so. I was going to Curves regularly for a while, then stopped when I hurt my ankle, had major family crises, and by the time I went back, my little guy freaked! (Our Curves had a small child area, but the only way I could workout was if the lady working there held him in the middle the whole time!)

So, it's awesome to be doing something that's challenging but accomplishable. And the fact that it changes up every week should really help, too. I'm looking forward to trying out the workout for week 2!

I'm challenging my DH to give it a try. Since there's an iPhone app, he might just try it. We both need it, and I hope that we can encourage each other if we're doing it together, even if he never actually runs a 5k.

All three times I've done the workout, it's been in the middle of the night. I'm using the elliptical, so not truly "running" yet, but I love that I can do it anytime - in my jammies, if I want to! I find that exercise really fatigues me, so doing it early doesn't always give me a boost through the day. Instead, it's helped me by getting something of an endorphin rush, then tapering off pretty quickly into a contented, tired feeling, which helps combat my insomnia, too!

So, I'm off to bed! Will start week 2 on Monday!

[TwilightJoy]

I finished week 2 today, going to start week 3 on Monday.

Running at 6.2 mph and walking at 3.4. To run a 5k in 30 min, you have to run at 6.2, so I'm training at 6.2.

[HeatherB]

TwilightJoy, way to go!

I'm finishing up week 3 (finally). But, err, not quite as fast. Of course, it's pretty different doing it on an elliptical (as I am) than a treadmill. Have to remember my goal is simply to walk it and complete it. Doing so in under 5 hours would be nice.

[MamaChicken]

Hi!

I'll join in here. Just finished W2D2. I've mostly been using the TM but I think I'm gonna try more road running. I don't seem to have much coordination on the treadmill and constantly feel like I'm about to fall off!

I'm gonna get out today for day 3!

Before starting this my motto was "Run? I do NOT run unless chased!" Don't know what has gotten into me, but I like it so far!

[TwilightJoy]

Originally Posted by HeatherB

TwilightJoy, way to go!

Thank you!


Finished Week 3 today. I was surprised this week because the distance was slightly shorter- the last few weeks were 2.1 or 2.2 and this week was only about 2.0.

I did day 1 on Monday and day 2 on Wednesday. Yesterday (Friday) I tried to do day 3 but couldn't get through it. I tried again today (Saturday) and got it done!

One thing I liked about this week was that there were only 4 runs. It seemed a lot more manageable than the 9 runs of week 1 and 6 runs of week 2.

Week 4 looks pretty intimidating. I really struggled with the 3 minutes this week- when I slowed down to walk I took my heart rate on the treadmill and it was in the 170s and 180s! That seems really fast to me. I can't imagine right now running two sets of 5 min. I guess we'll see how it goes!

[tanyalynn]

I started week 1 last night! It's not winter-cold where I am, or rather, it's Texas winter, so it was nice.

It's been YEARS since I've exercised regularly, but DH and I both think it's a great time for us to start. I think it's likely I'll need to repeat some of the weeks, it's just been so long since I've exercised and my health has been quite poor for the past few years, but everything is on an upswing this year! Woo-hoo!

(and thanks to Heather for the inspiration to start this, DH was thrilled that I brought it up, I think he needs someone to do it with)

Question: how does everyone decide they're ready to move on to the next week? I felt good last night, but I was breathing really heavily by the end, I'm not sure I could've done a harder workout without some significant pain.

[Tara2]

Oh TG I found you guys here! I need somewhere to go besides the ttc forums since we are (trying!) to hold off trying for a few more months here!

Hi SimplyRochelle! Glad I recognize a few people here.

So I finished w4d3 today. I kinda bombed it unexpectedly though, and am open to input. The first two runs of the week went great; in fact two days ago on my last 5 min run, though, tired, felt like I coulda kept on running... it was great. Today, the first 3 min run went fine, but on the first 5 min run my lungs kinda seized in a asthma-ish grip two minutes in, and I had to reign in and walk for 5 min. I then was going to run 3 min, but felt fine so ended up going for 7 minutes- and half a mile (yay me!). So i took the walk break and finished with a 4 min run.

In all it was 3 runs instead of 4, and the minutes were broken up different because of what happened. So what do you think? Shall I run week 4 all over? Run w4d3 over? Or just start w5d1 as planned this week, and see how it feels?

I am so happy to find this group!

Forgot to ask may i join the group? I posted fast- had to do a mad dash to clean up naked yogurt messy children in my kitchen. Ha ha, I rinsed my toddler in the sink!

[kittywitty]

I'd like to join! I did the first 3 weeks last year and had to stop b/c of my Achilles. I plan on starting back up wednesday when it gets over 45 degrees here.

[Shelsi]

I've really lost motivation I've been doing this program every other day now for 3 months and still couldn't get past wk5 day1. I just can't run for long times. I also gained weight while doing it. Then I went on vacation for 2 weeks at my mom's house where I couldn't run at all and I lost 6 lbs! I came home, waited a week before running again because I had a nasty cold and instantly gained back the weight.

So now I've changed things up and I'm not really doing the program anymore. I've discovered I can do a loooooong warm up which is really one of the weight loss programs on my treadmill consisting of 30 mins of fast walking on a steep incline and then I can do lots of fast sprints for another 30 mins or so. Maybe I'm just not meant to run a 5K, maybe I'm meant to run really fast in short distances instead.

[tanyalynn]

Shelsi, to me, it looks like C25K is just a tool. It's a reasonable, organized approach to getting into running, and in a way, it sounds like it's worked for you. You _really_ may be more built to be a sprinter than a distance runner, and that sounds like a useful thing to know, and it sounds like you've got a next step in a fitness plan that's actually tailored to you. Me? I'm so un-fit that I just need to follow a set plan for a while, and see where it takes me, but it sounds like you've learned something useful AND you've exercised regularly for 3 months straight! I want to be able to say that in June.

Tara, I was wondering about when to go on to the next week as well, but I'm just beginning, and from a pretty pathetic fitness level. I think the point is to not go too fast--so do you feel, in general, like the workouts you were doing were really difficult, or were they work but manageable? If they seemed manageable, except for the one weird run, maybe just go ahead, you can always go back if it doesn't go well. 2-cents from a total newbie!

[Ditto]

I'm so excited! I never thought to look here for a C25K group. Duh!

I just finished week 2 last night. Was feeling really discouraged because this is so freaking hard! But I've done 2 weeks of consistent exercise, so I guess that's something. Thanks for the encouragement about going back to do the weeks over again. I think I'm going to repeat week 2, then go on. I'll have to look at the program you guys are using. The one I've been using just lists how many minutes you should walk/run and says you can break it up any way you want. You're supposed to be ready to do the 5K in 4 months.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Pr...ve_program.htm

[Tara2]

Tanya- thanks for that. I think that's my inclination anyway, to try and see how it goes. From my perspective, yes the runs were work, but after the first day of each week, which feels hardest, each day gets easier, except for the weird one. I forgot to add that this is my second go at this program. Started it last summer, but moved overseas after a month in, and ran sporadically for the three months we were there. It is now 4 months we've been home, so I decided a month ago to start it over. It was infinitely harder the first time around... so far. So I'm encouraged by that.

Oh, and I am still stuck on how we're supposed to go in an easy progression 1 mn, 3 min, 5 min, 8 min to - 20 minute runs with nothing in between. If I can make it to that, it will be amazing. Otherwise I may have to invent some weeks leading from 8 to 10 to 13... like that to make it to 20. Hehe.

[TwilightJoy]

Originally Posted by Tara2

In all it was 3 runs instead of 4, and the minutes were broken up different because of what happened. So what do you think? Shall I run week 4 all over? Run w4d3 over? Or just start w5d1 as planned this week, and see how it feels?

Congrats on finishing week 4! I started week 4 yesterday and couldn't make it through the 5 min run. I'm not sure if I'm going to repeat week 3 (1.5, 3, 1.5, 3) or try to do 4 sets of 3 this week.

To answer your question, if I were you I'd start week 5 and see if you can make it through. If you can, that's your answer. If you can't, then try week 4 for your next 2 runs then week 5 again.

[Shelsi]

I had to repeat a bunch of weeks. I really did OK repeating weeks and such until I got to week 5 and then I really faltered but then again that's also where the longer distance running comes into play so maybe that's why?

I remember I did one extra day of week 2 and then felt ready to go to week 3. I did week 3 for 2 weeks. Week 4 was kind of rough and I think I did it for about 2.5 weeks and then finally just decided to try week 5 day 1 and see how it went.

[Tara2]

Woot! Yes! I did it! w5d1 It really was just fine. In a way, easier than week 4 to boot. I'm psyched. LOL now the acid test will be in a couple days. Can I make the 8 min runs? And even more telling... can I make the 3rd run this week FOR 20 MINUTES???!!!!

We shall see.

TwilightJoy and Tanya- thanks for the encouragement. As you can tell, I went ahead and started week 5 as you encouraged, which I was hoping to anyway, so that helped.

Shelsi- well if it works for you to do the sprints, I say go for it. Still sounds like you're doing a good workout the whole time. I guess we'll see next time if I can make it beyond this first day of week 5 or not. Otherwise I may join you on your treadmill

Ditto- so glad to have you here. i know, right? I just thought to check here for a group too! even though it's my second attempt at this program. That other program sounds good too.

I am really pleased I made it this far, and if I can finish this week, I will finally feel like I can really do this... I am doing it!

[TwilightJoy]

Bad week for me, haven't made it to the gym since Monday. Looks like I'll be doing week 3 for another week, maybe 2.

[Tara2]

fTwilightJoy- (hugs) what do you do on the gym? Did you make it in?

Eep! I did it! Week5 Day2 Swweet! I will say, that about half way into the second 8 min run, I kinda wanted to quit. But I persevered and even kept going to 9 minutes, just so I could say I went a mile and half. I'd be lying if I said it was easy. It wasn't. Laughable- the thought to get 3/4 mile in that 8 min time like the program suggests (for me, right now) because the most I got was 2/3 mile... still pretty good, I guess? This was, (kinda silly to say) the farthest and fastest I have ever gone in my whole life!

Woot! Next run...Sunday. Will I make the 20 min mark? Time will tell...

[kittywitty]

I started week 1 day 1 over yesterday.

[TwilightJoy]

Originally Posted by Tara2

fTwilightJoy- (hugs) what do you do on the gym? Did you make it in?

I ran today and did week 3 again (1.5 w 3 w 1.5 w 3 w). It was a struggle, but I mentally pushed through and made my body do it. Yay!

As I was running and then throughout my afternoon today I gave the Couch to 5k a lot of thought. My ultimate goal is to run a 5k in 30 min, so I've been running at 6.2mph on the treadmill. I'm trying to decide between
1) Slowing down so I can get through the weeks faster, then once I can run for 30 min, slowly speed up until I reach 6.2.
2) Run at 6.2 and be okay with repeating weeks until I build up.

What do you guys think?

My plan right now is to do Option 2. I know that this will mean it'll take longer to get through couch to 5k (more than double?), but I think it's going to be better in the long run.

I still don't think I can do 5 minutes, so my plan right now is to do week 3 again next week. Maybe do week 4 the week after (3 w 5 w 3 w 5 w) or maybe do an in between of 4 sets of 3.

Are any of the alums still reading? Is trying to do it faster and repeating weeks an okay way to go? Or do you recommend going slow and getting through it?

[TwilightJoy]

I want to give some encouragement to all of the ladies in this thread. Just stop for a minute and think of how great it is. You are RUNNING! Wind in your hair, one foot in front of another over and over, just like your body was designed. Your body was MADE to run. It is hard now to building up to where you want to be, but it will totally be worth it. Think of how far ahead you are of so many other people in the state, the country, the world!

Originally Posted by HeatherB

I'm finishing up week 3 (finally).

How is your running going? Have you made it through week 4?

Originally Posted by MamaChicken

Just finished W2D2.

Congratulations on getting through week 2! How are you doing?

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

I started week 1 last night!

So happy that you're getting back into exercising? How's it going?

Originally Posted by kittywitty

II plan on starting back up wednesday when it gets over 45 degrees here.

Did you start? So jealous of your warm weather!

Originally Posted by Ditto

I just finished week 2 last night.

How's it going? Have you started Week 3? Week 3 is my favorite, I've been on it awhile.

Originally Posted by Tara2

fWeek5 Day2 Swweet!

Tara that is amazing! You are my inspiration! So excited to be following behind you on this. Keep it up!

Originally Posted by kittywitty

I started week 1 day 1 over yesterday.

Good for you! How are you doing?