Couch-To-5k Motivational Thread

Hey everyone!
So, i set this up mainly for those in my weight loss challenge, but anyone (runner or run-phobic) can join up for extra motivation to get out there and move!

Here is a link to the website for C25K:
http://www.c25k.com/

Which also has pod casts for Ipods which will tell you when to start and stop jogging/running.
But, you can count in your head if you don't have an ipod, or you can just set small distances.
Perhaps, run to the next letterbox, then walk for two?
Or, run to the next power line if you live in the country like me! lol.

And here is a link to the program... I find its good to print it out and keep it on your wall, then you can put a tick on the runs when you have completed them:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.s html

I will be running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and plan to begin next Monday (7th July) because i like the "orderly-ness" of starting on a Monday lol.

However, feel free to start which ever day you like!

Everyone needs motivation to work out sometimes :) so lets support each other to reach our goals!
Happy running everyone!

lexie137 I'm an early bird and run in the morning. I generally eat an apple or some fruit before exercising. If really, really hungry I might eat 1/2 serving of raw nuts, e.g. walnuts, pistachio's or almonds. I try not to eat anything heavier than that until I know how my bod would react. While visiting my son I did have cereal and milk before wogging W3 and it didin't bother me, so my concern might not be warranted.

lexie: I run early tooo!!!  I usually head out around 6:15am... and about 15-30 minutes before my run I drink at least 1 cup of water and I eat half of a chocolately protein bar (I find it gives me a little energy/sugar boost).. then, when I'm finished my run, I eat the other half!  yum .  I like Luna Bars the best!

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!! We can do this!!!!

Finished W5D1 this morning, wooo hoooo!!  Lovin' it!

Good Morning everyone!

I do get to the Runner's Store Friday for a brand new custom fitted pair of running shoes.  They are SUPER supportive.  I could feel the difference when they had my jog a lap in the store.  Believe me, you don't just pick a pair off the shelf...... Can't wait to have to replace these because I've run them out! 

Completed Week4 Day 1 with the two 5 minute jogs Saturday evening!  Was running in the evening with my husband biking beside me (I'm afraid of stray dogs)... and I listen to the MP3 player podcasts but low enough to talk and hear my husband but also hear the triggers for walking and running............. After the first 5 min. run I actually let out a little WHOOP!    all in my new shoes.

My knees were sore yesterday but I'm planning on keeping on keeping on tonite.  I'll pick up a knee brace tonite or tomorrow but also figure that keeping working that quad muscle to be stronger will help too. 

I AM going to run that 8k in November!

Hi!

I'm from the other Couch25k board under "Fitness". Glad to see so many people doing this too!

Today I'm on W2D1 and I couldn't believe this, but I actually thought it was easier than week one? I also used to always get side stiches - but I decided not to eat this morning and breath properly (I'm a shallow breather) and I felt great the entire time! Except for the bee -I'd be a great sprinter, you should have seen how fast I started running when it chased me!

 

Good job everyone!!!!

 

 

 

I'm poopy.

Yeah, didn't do my run today. MUST DO IT TOMOZ!!!!

Pumped for W5D2!!! bring it onnnn 8 minutes!

I have my run today, ten minutes.... straight running.

Easy peasy!

i'm trying to psych myself up for day 1 of week 2 but all i wanna do is sit on the couch...

ooh, im in!!! i was just lookin at the program there!! looks really good!!! i dnt know yet if ill take each one week as two weeks, ill see how it feels!!!! ill start on monday!!! i live in ireland tho, and its rained all summer, and that supposed to be our good season, so hopefully the weather duznt get too much worse!!!

Just finished W5D2 and am cooling down. It went by fast and relatively easy. Maintained good heart rate even with much of the first 8 min going up an incline. Would have never thought that this old bod could do 8 straight minutes of jogging! Who Hoo!

So, ran today. ten minutes, it's getting quite easy actually.

I really wasn't in the mood for it this morning, but I think I just woke up in a bad mood.

buh, yey, I did it still!

bobev & lozzle: I agree!!  I did W5D2 this morning (2 reps of 8 minute running) and it really wasn't bad at all!  I felt great!  And during the first 8 minutes I felt like I could definitely keep going for 20 whole minutes!  Hopefully I feel that way on Friday when I do D3 lol

Everyone is doing awesomely amaaaazing , and to those just starting out ... you can do this!!  Trust me/us, it gets easier as you go (well, it has so far anyway) and if during a run your brain starts screaming out "Stop! Stop running! I'm sooo tired and can't run anymore!" ... then just think to yourself, "This is just mental exhaustion, NOT physical exhaustion."  Fight your negative thoughts and keep going! ... I always tell myself this, and it's gotten me through a lot of runs .

Good luck!

mbeazley: who hoo! your right as the rain I didn't get to run in! I finished W5D2 w/o problem. I was actually surprised when the 1st interval completed because I could have kept going even though I was on an incline! I'll be doing day 3 at my daughter's house and will be on unfamiliar territory, but I'm sure the conditioning is such that it will be a piece of cake! I have to run to an internal interview. More later if I can

We can do this!

Interview went well. Time will tell how well

I feel myself becoming an addict. Just finished W2D2. :D

i finally got off my hiney today and did w2d1.  it was harder then w1 days 2&3, but not as hard as the first day of w1.  i'm glad i did it.  and there's still time for me to actually finish week 2 during this calendar week and not get behind.

alexxandra - yes you have to watch the addiction and resist over doing it. I get such a high I want to keep going, but that is how I've hurt myself in the past.

eire: Welcome aboard! The more the merrier.

I layed out a 2.4 mile route in Austin,TX around my daughter's apt. I plan on wogging W5D3 on Fri. Have to resist running tomorrow... it feels almost to good!

Good morning 5k buddies!

Finished W4D2 last night with my new running shoes and lots of rest..............and NO KNEE PAIN today!  WOOHOOOO.................

So, my new  #2 piece of advice, behind  #1) You CAN do it! is #2) Go to a real runner's store and have them fit you for running shoes.

I love seeing all the people on track a week or two ahead of me because I'm constantly thinking "they can do it, but i won't be able to"..... and then following the program, I can do it.......

And that's why I love seeing all the new people picking up the program too!

Alexxandra-- I know the exact feeling you're talking about!  I think it has alot to do with other attempts we've had in the past and those falling short.  When its baby steps like the C25K program, it sets us up to SUCCEED and that feels so good, we want to just be at the end.....I've decided to savor each success and extend the pleasure!  Keep it up and make sure you do rest. 

Eire - Welcome to the boards!  You can do it!

Everyone  - Thanks for continue to post on your success AND your shortcomings...  Its reassuring to see when everyone hits milestones or changes weeks but its so comforting to know that someone else besides ourselves may have to repeat a day (or week) before moving up.

My family is heading to Nags Head for the weekend and I'm (for the FIRST time) looking forward to running the path around Whalehead Beach Club....WOOHOOOO............ next year maybe I can do it in a skimpier outfit due to the weight loss from running, weight training, and eating healther that Calorie Count has helped me with.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Original Post by sjenn23231:

Good morning 5k buddies!

YAY! Buds!

I was actually having a kind of down-in-the-dumps morning today, but coming on here (even when I'm not supposed to at work.. oopsy) always gives me a little smile and reminds me that stressing about stupid stuff is pointless and to just have fun!! And running is actually fun for me now!!

wheee!  hooray for all of us!!

edit: my first 20 minute run tomorrow morning (W5D3) ... excited!

Great morning 5K buddies!!! (credit to sjenn for the words... I love plagerizing!)

Its done, w5d3! A little harder than I thought based on d2, but incredible. The problem I ran into was the last 7 minutes was all up an incline. But I adjusted my pace, kept my hr in good range, hit exertion level 7 but avoided 8, a low 7 so it felt good. It was warmer and more humid than I've wogged in and I would have thought my pace would be off. It was not!!!! <edited out incorrect pace info> Overall pace was 13:29 min/mi! No knee twinges, no back aches, nothing except keep moving, keep deep breathing, etc. It was wonderful! The pace was fast enough that I overran my route for the first time and kept going until it was time to walk again.<because I made wrong turn!> Total route was 2.94 mi <acutally 2.4..> in 31 minutes. Incredible. I never would of thunk it back in early march.

I don't know if I mentioned it here but my Internist flipped out when I told him I wanted to eventually run a marathon before I was 65! He was stunned! He said forget it. I told him I was doing the c25k training and he flipped. Went over am i managing heart rate, keeping hydrated etc. He finally ok'd a 5 k, maybe a 10 but only after reviewing with cardiologist. btw: I had a major heart attack on 3/15, but passed stress test 19 days later... Its covered in my journal.

Anyway - welcome newcomers. Stick to the training and its almost a piece of cake. The first weeks seem harder than these later ones so don't let the lengths scare you. The progression really works!

Whoooo I just ran 30 minutes without walking!!  Technically I was only on week 8 day 3, but I thought why not, it's only two more minutes.  I can't believe I ran for a whole half an hour!! :D

Good job everyone, keep up the good work!  We rock!!! :)