couch to 5K

[Pippa8668]

hey, are there any curlies doing the c25k workout plan from coolrunning.com? I am just starting week 2 and I know there is a forum for coolrunning specifically, but I find it very hard to navigate so i was hoping to find a little motivation and support from you guys instead. Anyone out there a new runner?

[2poodles]

I am! I just finished week 6 - and did my first 25 minute run today without a walk break. The last two minutes were tough, but I did it! You'll be amazed at how much you'll improve as the weeks go by. Good luck to you - are you using a TM or running outside?

[Pippa8668]

hey 2poodles, thanks for the encouraging words. I am only on week two so the most I have run is 90 seconds at once, but so far I am feeling pretty good. Do you work out on your off days at all? Somehow I don't feel as if running 20-30 minutes 3 times a week is enough to get me in shape.

I have been using a treadmill- I go to college pretty far north and it's been freezing and icy outside, but it's warmed up a little bit this week so hopefully thursday I will go outside for the first time! I used the C25K podcast this morning and thought it was helpful. My boyfriend promised me he'd start the program after our spring break so we could run together, but by then he will be like 5 weeks behind, so I think we might have to do treadmills or go to the track so that I do not get really far ahead of him during his walking bits. Do you find one or the other easier or better? I have to admit I find changing the speeds on the treadmill every couple of minutes really annoying, but the longer I run the less that becomes an issue.

You sound like you are doing great- congrats on running 25 minutes straight!

[2poodles]

Pippa - I run on M-W-F and lift weights on Tu and Th. On the weekends I'll do yoga, walk/hike and/or garden.

I've only ever used the TM, but hope to get outside once the weather improves - but only if my spine can take the pounding. I have scoliosis and degerative disc disease, so I need to be a bit careful. I'm very pleased with the C25K program. And you're right, it won't be too much longer 'til you wish you could slow the TM down to a walk speed!

Have fun and good luck!

[malafacha]

I want to start this program next week! I haven't exercised seriously in about a year and a half though. How did you guys experience the first week when starting from basically not having exercised in ages?

[Pippa8668]

I did not exactly start from not exercising at all, so I can't speak to how that would be. My guess is that it would depend on your level of normal activity throughout the day. I walk to classes and all over campus at my college, so I wasn't in appalling shape. If you try the first week and it seems really tough, back off and try doing some long, brisk walks for a week or so and see if that prepares you. I would say that if you can go on a half hour walk you can do this program and the progression so far for me (I am on week three) has been pretty gradual and manageable. The great thing for me is that this program is not overwhelming- it is just half an hour three days a week and its surprisingly easy to stay motivated. Good luck on your first week!

[LAwoman]

I just started my second week. I'm off to buy some new running shoes this weekend as inspiration.

It's amazing, I can do kickboxing and step aerobics for an hour and feel fine, but 25 minutes on the treadmill wipes me out!

[2poodles]

Originally Posted by LAwoman

I just started my second week. I'm off to buy some new running shoes this weekend as inspiration.

It's amazing, I can do kickboxing and step aerobics for an hour and feel fine, but 25 minutes on the treadmill wipes me out!

Aint that the truth!!

[hopetocurl]

Originally Posted by LAwoman

I just started my second week. I'm off to buy some new running shoes this weekend as inspiration.

It's amazing, I can do kickboxing and step aerobics for an hour and feel fine, but 25 minutes on the treadmill wipes me out!

1 hr of step aerobics = 3 miles of running...or so my step instructor tells me. Still doesn't make those 3 mile hauls any easier.

[Suburbanbushbabe]

I got to week 6. But I'm back on the couch.

[2poodles]

Originally Posted by Suburbanbushbabe™

I got to week 6. But I'm back on the couch.

Originally Posted by Pippa8668

hey, are there any curlies doing the c25k workout plan from coolrunning.com? I am just starting week 2 and I know there is a forum for coolrunning specifically, but I find it very hard to navigate so i was hoping to find a little motivation and support from you guys instead. Anyone out there a new runner?

Me! Me! Me!

I got up to week 4 (OK it took a few months) and could jog w/o stopping for 5 minutes MAX. When I started I could only jog for under 60 seconds.

Then I stopped for two weeks. I went back to the gym today and thought "This is gonna hurt. A lot."

But I jogged for 10 minutes straight! I can not believe it! I don't kow how it happened. Not only have been away from jogging for two weeks, but I couldn't jog this long before!

I'm thrilled.

Just keep at it. It seemed like I'd never progress but I did eventually.

[2poodles]

Great job, Kimshi!!

[wild~hair]

I'm doing this, I'm on Week 3 right now. Just bought some new running shoes because my old ones really needed replacing.

I have no idea if I'll keep it up — I tend to switch things up every 3-4 months because I get bored. So I was doing yoga 3-4 days a week, then I added in walking, now I alternate between all three. I also like to bike, skate, ski, etc., so I try to keep things interesting. I just read the book Spark, which has convinced me to try to do something every day, even if it's just a 20 minute walk.

Pippa, where are you getting the podcasts from? Are they from here? I just found a website that shows you how to make your own, which I thought was cool. I'm not a huge fan of the dance/trance music in the other one.

[Suburbanbushbabe]

Originally Posted by Kimshi42

Me! Me! Me!

I got up to week 4 (OK it took a few months) and could jog w/o stopping for 5 minutes MAX. When I started I could only jog for under 60 seconds.

Then I stopped for two weeks. I went back to the gym today and thought "This is gonna hurt. A lot."

But I jogged for 10 minutes straight! I can not believe it! I don't kow how it happened. Not only have been away from jogging for two weeks, but I couldn't jog this long before!

I'm thrilled.

Just keep at it. It seemed like I'd never progress but I did eventually.

So glad you posted this Kimshi. That's exactly how it was for me. When I stopped I could run 8 minute intervals. I need to get back to this. Job is in the way. Why am I not independently wealthy?

[wild~hair]

Originally Posted by Suburbanbushbabe™

So glad you posted this Kimshi. That's exactly how it was for me. When I stopped I could run 8 minute intervals. I need to get back to this. Job is in the way. Why am I not independently wealthy?

You might want to try reading the book Spark. You don't need to read the whole book either, you could just focus on chapters that apply to you, since your schedule is so tight.

It really shows that especially when you're super busy, exercise can help in managing a packed schedule. That is, the time put into exercise is more than paid out in health and mental benefits.

I feel the same way when work overtakes my life and I do cut back on the time I commit to exercise. But I find that even 20 minutes can make a huge difference in my ability to manage the stress that goes with being tightly scheduled. The only time I opt not to do exercise at all is when doing so would cut into my getting a minimum of 7 hours of sleep.

Originally Posted by 2poodles

Great job, Kimshi!!

Thanks so much!

Originally Posted by Suburbanbushbabe™

So glad you posted this Kimshi. That's exactly how it was for me. When I stopped I could run 8 minute intervals. I need to get back to this. Job is in the way. Why am I not independently wealthy?

Yeah, I was psyched!! And I think I actually could've run longer.

I'm lucky I have a 24 hr gym 2 blocks from me (it's still too cold for me to run outside most days).

[Poodlehead]

Originally Posted by malafacha

I want to start this program next week! I haven't exercised seriously in about a year and a half though. How did you guys experience the first week when starting from basically not having exercised in ages?

I started it this week (today was my second day of running). I haven't exercised seriously in about 10 years. Honestly, it was tough, but survivable. I think I may actually be able to do this, so maybe you can too!

[KookyCurl]

I've been thinking of starting this. I need something that is all laid out, otherwise I lose interest real quick. I'm going to start just doing a 20 minute walk first because one I have asthma so I want to get my lungs acclimated slowly and two cuz I have not done anything exercise like on a regular basis in a long time. I'm actually excited even though the idea of running is abhorrent to me. I just know I need to get moving and get healthy.

My friend has a little recording studio in her basement...I'm going to talk to her about creating my own playlists so I don't really have to time myself.

[tmmycat]

Hey is anyone out there still doing couch to 5k? i am going to start something similar.

but I am completely inept at keeping track of a stopwatch or listening to a podcast when I'm exercising, so I'm going to measure blocks instead of minutes.

week 1: run 1 block/walk 1 block - repeat for 30 minutes
week 2: run 2 blocks/walk 1 block - repeat for 30 minutes
week 3: run 3 blocks/walk 1 block - repeat for 30 minutes
etc.

Anyway, that's my plan... It should take me about the same amount of time as couch to 5K, but it will be easier for me to zone out and relax during my workout and not think about seconds ticking by.