Couch to 5k

This is my proof to not only everyone who said I couldn't, but myself.

2008-07-19T16:52:49Z

W5D3 is done...

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not one second did I stop to walk, even if I was just shuffling along, wanting to stop. My body wanted to stop, but the playlist I created just for this run was throbbing in my ears and as cheesy as it sounds, my heart wouldn't let me stop. I thought about all of the amazing people that support me not only here, but RunningAHEAD, CC and in real life. I couldn't let them (or me) down, and I wouldn't!

When I came to the half-mile mark on my route, I checked the time and I grinned from ear to ear. 6:00. Since when do I do a half-mile in 6 minutes? The mile mark came up and I whooped out loud. 12:30. I'll add about 10 seconds because I forgot to turn on my Polar F4 in the first seconds, but 12:40 mile?! That's my PR. I ended up doing 1.5 miles in 20 minutes. I raised my arms outside and felt like I had finished a marathon. This isn't a big deal to many people, but this is huge for me. Everytime I got teased, or was horrible at dodgeball...this is my 'stick that up your arse' moment. I'm a runner, and I won't ever stop.

The reason I wrote this entry was not to gloat. Well, okay, I had to tell my fellow runners how far I've come...and I think I have a runner's high right now. The world could end right now and I'd be smiling, it's that bad LOL.

I'm currently getting over a head cold, and as I've said before, I'm overweight. To all of those people who are nervous about this same exact run I just did, you can do it. If I can do it with a stuffy nose, mucus in my lungs, and 207 pounds on my body...SO CAN YOU! :)

Keep running, everyone. I hope everyone is kicking lots of tail and taking names. I cannot describe how I feel right now. It's such a serene feeling. Wow.

Finished Week 2

2008-07-19T04:38:13Z

I did my last day of Week 2 today. W2D1 I tried to run it outside, but it's so hot out, that it seemed SO much more difficult. Today for the first time EVER in my life, I was able to run a mile without stopping to walk! I ran it on the treadmill in 12:35 mins. Most of the run I had a stitch in my side, soooo that'll be the last time I eat before a run -.-;
I'm looking forward to Week 3 now...

a dictionary.

2008-07-16T02:15:56Z

hi! This is my blog that tracks my progress to running in my first marathon. I've never even done a 5k and I'm running a marathon in 17 weeks.

Anyway, first, it's nice to meet fellow new runners. I just started about a month ago. I'm patrick and I plan on running.

And second, as is true with all communities there is a lingo amongst the experienced. What the heck are yall talking about with the acronyms?

Hey, guys!

2008-07-15T20:51:33Z

This isn't all that C25K related, but...

I shaved almost TWO minutes off my mile time! My original mile time was recorded the day before I started the program, and it was about 15 minutes. Today, I huffed and puffed it out for 13:15. Wow, what a difference 5 weeks makes. I didn't jog the whole thing but I jogged 75% of the time. I can only imagine what it would be if I didn't walk for about 3 minutes of it. :)

Sorry, I had to brag to someone!

Nike + question

2008-07-15T12:33:17Z

For those of you that have the shoes and the little thingy (i'm not even sure what to call it...) do you need to have the Nike shoes in order to use it? I saw the disk thingy at the Apple store yesterday before I went to work and theres a hook up to the ipod. And I was thinking that its not a bad price to get it and use it but then i was like "great i probably need the shoes too..."

So thats just my question. Do I need both the Nike Shoes adn the Nike + disk thing in order for them to work?

And if u have an ipod or an mp3 player and you use it when u run do u have one of those arm carry thingies. If so where did u find yours and for how much? The apple store has 'em for $30 but I'm sure theres someplace that has 'em cheaper...

Thanks again :)

Not C25K-ing, but loving to run!

2008-07-15T03:19:49Z

Hey everyone, I just came across this group a couple of days ago and thought the concept was great. I started running on my own about two or three months ago, and have seen major improvements since. It began as just something to get away from everything fo an hour when I could, but soon built its way up to a daily regimented escape :) My stamina has gone from having to walk the whole time, to adding incline (I run on a treadmill), to adding speed, to now having both speed and incline, and being able to run for a complete half-hour. My strength and confidence have increased, my weight has dropped by fifteen pounds, and the results I saw with running actually made me start adding some other strengthening and toning exercises in, so that now my workouts are total-body experiences :D

I just beat my best time today, which was one mile in 12 minutes. I am so pumped by this! So now I want to see what else I can do, and my next goal is to have a ten-minute mile. How reasonable do you all think it would be to try getting there consistently by late September?

C25K complete!!!!!!

2008-07-15T01:57:12Z

So today I set out to do the virtual 5K sponsered by c25k_grads and I completed it!! I've taken lots of time off the program so even though I started in mid-February and it's now mid-July today was w9d3 for me!

One quick edit: I got around to gmapping my previous run tonight and it was actually a little over 2.9 miles which made me feel better since I was over 2 minutes slower today.

Overall: 3.1 miles in 53:45. Average pace was 17:02 I believe.

Today's course was back at home which is much hillier than my in-law's, but it was still nice. It was HOT out and there was very little shade. The last time I'd run our neighborhood it was a week and a half ago (w9d1, lol) but it was 10ish at night!!

I STILL can't believe I am up to running 5Ks. When I was doing week 8 (which wasn't last week, actually) I was struggling through the 28 minute runs, averaging around 1.5-1.75 mile runs, I think, so bumping up to 2.9-3.4 runs for week 9 was so cool!!! Just a thought for those of you that might be getting close to 30 minutes but still feel like 3.1 is so far away, I jumped straight into it and lived. I 'm not sure that's the right approach for everyone ("they" do say not to increase mileage by more than 10% a week), but it worked for me. :-)

(PS my husband finished the program tonight too - his first 5K run, 42:02)

w9 recap

2008-07-15T01:39:56Z

The last week of c25k started out pretty rough. W9d1 was run inside on a treadmill. Out of 27 runs, that was the first and only treadmill run. So far, anyway. I really did not like running on the treadmill. I found it pretty boring and frustrating and I am almost 100% certain that the MPH do not add up correctly. I always run a 12.5 minute mile and average 4.8 MPH on my runs. I know this because I measure the distance in my car and keep track of my time on a stop watch. Anyway, 4.8 MPH on the treadmill was insane! I was huffing and puffing and barely keeping up. 4.5 MPH was more comfortable, but even that was faster than my usual pace. I was sore for a few days after that experience.

W9d2 was excellent! A perfect run, even. My husband and I ran 2.3 miles in 30 minutes on a beautiful summer evening. We are still not running 3 miles, but we can run for 30 minutes. Everything comes in good time I suppose. We have moved away from our standard river-route and are now having a nice time running through the neighborhoods.

The final c25k run, w9d3, was a little tough. We ran the same route as last time and finished in the same time and completed the same distance, but it was just a bit harder. I blame the booze binge over the weekend. I'm still recovering.

THE POINT IS that we freaking finished the c25k program! I ran every single run as I was supposed to, never cheated, never walked through a run segment, ran through the rain and the heat and actually completed the program. It works! I know this sounds awfully cliche, but if I can do it, ANYONE can do it. I am overweight, never ran before, I have awful knees, etc. but still successfully finished and now I can run for 30 minutes.

I plan to continue running as long as my bad knees will let me. I am hoping to close in on the 5k in under 30 minutes, but I'm in no rush. I will be happy when I get under a 10 minute mile.

I have no plans to run an official 5k as I'm just not all that interested in running in any sort of event. It's a great idea, but I'm just not into paying the registration fee, waking up early, running with tons of other people, etc. Maybe I will do it some day, but I have no immediate plans.

I am beyond thrilled with proving to myself that I can do this. I am so happy to have connected with my body, to have challenged myself, to have succeeded at meeting a physical goal, to be in shape, and to just to feel alive!

So I never thought I would ever say this in my life, but, well, I LOVE RUNNING!

W5D2

2008-07-14T01:59:32Z

Each day I complete at this point I'm really proud of myself. Today is definitely included in that. Again, it was a little hard (the 2 8 minute stretches), but definitely do-able.

I'm not really sure how fast or how long I ran today and am still thinking about the best solution for that, and if a solution is even needed. I'm not sure if it really matters. I do have a little pedometer, but I'm not at all sure that it's calibrated right and am not sure how to fix it. I guess the best bet would be to try and figure that out.

Couch to 5k Week 2

2008-07-13T12:39:17Z

Well I finished week one. I actually found it rather easy. Especially with the podcasts (thanks to whoever told me about them) it helped me to not think about how much longer I had to jog, just to jog.

Yesterday I did Day one of Week 2 - It was definitely more challenging than week 1. I would start the run and want to quit. But I didn't! :) I think I might try taking the run outside for once.

I'm not sure if anyone else does their runs on the treadmill but did you find it hard to then get used to running outside? I like running on the treadmill because I can see my progress on the screen. I can tell how long I've done it for, can make sure I keep up speed and dont slow down, and in a sort of "instant gratification"- way I can see how many calories I've burned and how far I've walked. I know i could always get a pedometer (sorry if I spelled that wrong) but we're kinda tight money wise.

It's probably better to run outside isn't it.... :/
I'll take it outside next time I do a session of couch to 5k :)

Virtual 5k

2008-07-13T04:51:00Z

Distance: 5k
Final time: 41:15

I did a full breakdown with pictures and whatnot on my blog.

I feel REALLY good right now :D

W4 done! :D

2008-07-12T23:19:03Z

So, Week 4 is in the books! I went into the last day thinking I was going to smash it down, but the last half was a bit humbling. However, I did find out some things:

- Motorists sure do turns quite rapidly. I have to run against traffic and I can't avoid running on the streets because I live near a highway, but seriously? I'm on the shoulder, and you need to yield to me. I come to intersections slowly, I'm aware...you should be as well.

- I've always said that I do 'slug-runs'. However, I saw these two guys walking the opposite direction and I was about to loop back on my route. I passed them, looped, passed them again, and didn't see them again. Maybe they turned the corner, but it's nice to know I'm not that slow!

- I did more than two miles at a 13:36/mile pace. Might not seem like much, but for my weight and my fitness level, that's pretty good IMO.

- I was absolutely beaming at the end. I also think I was radiating heat, LOL.

Now I've got to mentally prepare for W5. *is a bit scared*

Question(s):
1) Do you prefer Podrunner or Ullrey's podcasts for W5-6?
2) To those who have already done W5, did you make your own mix of music lasting 20 minutes, or stuck to the podcast?
3) I feel like the longer I run, the less I am able to walk well. I'm not limping or anything, but my heels tend to tense up. Odd or no?

Successfully finished week 1!

2008-07-12T22:34:05Z

I think I can see why the training intervals are in 3 day increments. The first day, I was practically immobile. The second day, I did better, but I had to make an extra 10 minute loop in order to get the full 8 minutes of running in over the span of my time outside, because I just could NOT keep it up with only 90 seconds of walking in between. Today, in between rainstorms (and my new Asics are currently cursing me for getting them splashed a couple of times), I made it in the recommended time, with the full 8 sets of 60 seconds. I figure this is probably how it'll go for the next few weeks as I try to nudge myself up a little more each week.

Anyone have any music or podcasts that they particularly recommend?

w3d1 and I'm still alive!

2008-07-11T01:38:17Z

Before I start...bravo Mr. Ullury, week three's music was a nice improvement and is definitely nice! Almost makes me want to stay on this week :)

Kept the treadmill pace the same as last time, 3.5 for warm-up, 5.0 for running and 3.2 for cool-down. I noticed afterwards I had only walked about 1.8 miles (About .2 miles less than the other weeks) but I was just as worn out as the past weeks.

Best part of this program is it's encouraging me to go back to the park for long walks, so far I've put in (Not counting the c25k run/walks) 27.5 miles (3 on Sunday, 5.5 on Monday, 10.5 on Tuesday, 7 yesterday and 1.5 today)...yeah, I've kinda gotten addicted :)

W1D1

2008-07-09T02:40:38Z

Yesterday, I went out and bought brand new running shoes so that I could start training. Last week, I'd been doing a lot of running in place with the Wii Fit, and I could actually survive between 6 and 9 minutes like that. So this morning, bright and early, I put on my new shoes and went for a walk-run around my neighborhood. GEEZ it's so much harder to run on concrete. I felt like I was moving even less than I was moving when I was running in-freaking-place! Did anyone else have that feeling when they first started? When did you get over it?

W5D1

2008-07-09T00:43:18Z

I can't believe I'm on week 5 and still doing this. I'm very proud of myself for the improvements I've already made. Not at all long ago I truly couldn't run 5 minutes and now that's not easy, but very doable.

I didn't end up doing the last day of week 4. The week just got away from me. I did walk quite a bit, though. So I decided to go ahead and just move on to this very scary looking week. And day 1 of it is now complete!

W4D1

2008-07-08T19:12:48Z

I completed my run about 45 minutes ago, and boy did it KICK MY BUTT. The 3 minute jogs weren't so bad, but the 5 minute ones absolutely killed me. It was by far the toughest run yet.

Honestly, I think I would have done better if I could have just kept jogging. Starting and stopping for me takes me out of my 'groove'.

Was this week hard for anyone else? Granted, today was VERY HOT and my last two runs were done in a rainy environment, but yeah. A part of my inner thigh and high inner calf seized up and I was grimacing on the way home. I could put weight on it but it was very sore. I tried to walk it out and it calmed a little bit. Anyone ever have this? Will ice work?

I'm in this to finish, though. I have to keep reminding myself that I just ran a full 2 minutes more than I was just two days ago. Of course it's going to be tough. I'm just the type of person who needs constant encouragement to get through.

Thanks guys. You rock! :)

Graduated to week three

2008-07-07T23:17:49Z

and boy am I thrilled, Robert Ullury's week two music was...not so good. Curious to see if there are any improvements in the third week.

Running-wise I did well with the exception of Friday night's run (But I was able to complete all three programs on schedule). I started doing extra walks on my own and average a total of 5.5 miles per day, I'm trying to get myself used to walking 4 miles on my own, I'm assuming that before I can run 3 miles I should at least be able to walk it on a regular basis (The extra mile is to help build endurance).

I start week three tomorrow, will find out if the music has gotten any better! Having a blast on the program so far!

C25K Virtual Race this Weekend!

2008-07-07T16:56:59Z

Don't forget the C25K Virtual Race Weekend is this weekend, July 12-13. If you have not done so already, check out the details and register today!

http://community.livejournal.com/c25k_grads/4801.html

Can't wait to read everyone's race reports!

Hiatus Nearing an End

2008-07-07T16:32:27Z

Well... that was a longer hiatus than I expected. Crazy. First it was tummy issues. Which resolved itself. Then there was the shin/foot issue, which I resolved by going shoe shopping and buying Asics Road Running Shoes. Beat out all of the other shoes on feet that evening. I couldn't wait to get started. And then... I was walking in a parking lot to meet a friend for dinner and twisted my left ankle. To the point that it was swollen by the time I got home later that night. Put it up. Iced it. Took ibuprofen. Went to bed. The swelling was down the next morning and even though I had a few twinges, it was fine to walk on. Still, I took it easy. I was doing great! Contemplating running on Saturday. Then Friday night, I was leaving a friend's house and misjudged the step at her back gate and ... yeah... twisted it again. Since then, I've been getting my feet used to walking again (in the new shoes... yay!) and working my way back up to running. Took Sammy for a longish walk this morning and the ankle feels fine (so does the right heel - which was giving me problems in the old shoes... dude!). SO, back to the beginning for me tomorrow.

I've gotta say, I've been jealous reading about everyone's progress. I actually missed it. Me. Missed "vigorous exercise that wasn't ballet." So weird. And kinda nice. *grin*

Benched

2008-07-07T15:22:03Z

Broke my anke hiking so no running for awhile!! Be back after it heals and the doc says I am good to run again.

w7d3

2008-07-07T12:25:35Z

I'm getting worried. I'm getting worried that the runs are becoming common place. I mean, it's become no big deal to run 25 minutes, yeah, it sometimes hurts, but it's not a big deal. I think maybe because it's not increasing as much as it did in the earlier weeks. I'm worried that I'm loosing my enthusiasm for it. I still like it (like being a relative term), I still like doing it, I'm just not as excited about it as I was in the beginning. Ah well.

Today I tried a different running technique than usual. I tried to lengthen my strides, while keeping my slow pace about the same. I ran about 3.1k, almost 2 miles in the 25 minutes. I liked the feeling of it, but it made me think about what I was doing more (which is not necessarily a bad thing)--it made me use my feet more than I had been. I like it, I think I'll keep doing it.

New ...

2008-07-07T11:43:19Z

Hi I'm new to this community. I saw a post in which people discussed this community and thought "hey! maybe I can actually work up to running!" Which has been a goal of mine for years. And recently had a split second of thinking about running in a marathon or doing a run for a cause in the area.

I feel like I have the stupidest question alive, but :

I can barely run/jog for much more than 5-6 minutes, I'm really embaressed by that fact - it makes me feel pathetic. I'm 18 going to be 19 and I can't even run more than 5 minutes even though I've come a long way just to get this far. Anyways, I try to get to the gym and run on the treadmill atleast once a week aside from my other various work out activities. I'm sure I need to make time to run a lot more but like I said - I just feel really embaressed. That and I really need to work on my breathing or else I end up out of breath quickly.

Is there a schedule I could use to work up to running a mile, to running 10 minutes even let alone a mile? I looked on the webiste but it said run 3 miles and I went "wah? -- more like 3 minutes. "

I want to push myself but I'm worried that If i push myself too hard I'll hurt myself.

Thanks for any suggestions/ ideas or any kind of advice.

Edit: Nvm I actually just went browsing on the website more indepth and found what I think i was looking for... Sorry to waste your time. Although and tips would be great as well :D

W3D3

2008-07-07T06:48:13Z

Had kind of an off week this week and hardly did any running at all (just once, ouch!), so I've decided to repeat W3D3 before moving on to week 4. I finally did get new shoes, and the difference is huge -- they feel so nice and bouncy! :D Still haven't found a decent digital watch, though, but I'm really hoping to get one before week 4 because I feel like it'll harder to keep track of my times once they start to mix up a bit more.

One thing I'm really missing is having an mp3 player. Running without music is getting to be pretty boring, and I expect it'll get worse once the times are longer. Man, I wish I were rich, heh.

Also, an equipment question for the ladies -- how many sports bras do you own? And how frequently do you wash them?

Week 4 looks a little scary to me (and week 5 is positively horrifying, but I'm not there yet!), but I guess I just have to remember to take it slow and take it one step at a time.

So, I'm new to the community...

2008-07-07T02:44:01Z

Hi everyone.
I'm new to the community, but I'm pretty dedicated to trying this for a second time around. I decided when I could run a mile without dying, I would go out and buy an mp3 player, and last week I pushed myself and got to that point. I'm not ready to start there though and want to try the couch to 5k program.
I was wondering, has anyone downloaded Robert Ullrey's couch to 5k 'pod' casts that does not have an ipod nor using itunes? His site says you can download even without an ipod, but I'm having difficulties at every source I've found them at and I'm not sure what the reason is.
Message me or comment if you have any thoughts about it.
Thanks!