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!

I completed W1D1 this morning.  I feel like I need to get this out in "the open" because it helps with the accountability.  I did better than I had expected.  I too used Robert's podcast, so there is no making deals with myself on the timing, it's just following the instructions and doing it!  We'll see how my knees feel later tonight.

I am trying to figure out how to log the time here on CC+ though - should I just stay with entering the time as walking for now?

a

i havent started yet!!! uugh! im goin to start in the morning!! have any of you noticed weight loss from this? or just increased stamina?

I'd like to join---Can I start late?

i did it!! w1 d1, started thismornin!!! did have a stop watch with me, so had to kinda guess times, but i feel great!! ill get a watch for w1 d2!!

wooo

I finished W3 yesterday. I still haven't gotten a music source. I laughed as I went from singing "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash to "I'll Fly Away". GOTTA do something about it.

alanroo - go girl! you can do it. Its all down hill from there! Believe me its not that hard.

a_mckh - I used the mixed jogging and walking and factored in what my hrm gave me. I used runningahead.com to map my wogs and tracked them there as well. It gives you a pace for the overall time/distance.

apaulsen - come in the wogging is fine! This is an open forum. I finished 3 weeks ago and check back to encourage folks. Go for it!

eire - C25K had me loving running and did help accelerate my weight loss and body changes as well. Am thinning out - see my last para below for a good laugh. At my age its hard to burn lots of calories and I found that running helps a bunch.

chris1208 - I used Robert Ullrey's podcasts and they made it easier. Am now using my own with timing mark voice overs.

 

I ran 5.5 mi on Sunday morning and tried my first temp run ala Runners Worlds Smart Coach system this morning. I warmed up with a .31 mi brisk walk, then ran a 1.01 mi loop around my house, starting at my driveway and returning. I pushed heart rate to a touch over 126 or 90% of estimated max of 140 (measured in april at 137 2 1/2 weeks after heart attack - but its got to be higher now - Cardiologist agrees with me but wants to wait to do another stress test). Exertion rate on the first mi was a high 7. I don't think it reached 8. Tempo guidelines are 88-92% Max Hr, Exertion 7-8, so it was a tempo pace. Completed the first mi in 10:40!! I walked for 2 min to cool down and brought hr down to 96 and started again. Pushed hr to around 122-125 for a good portion. Everytime i saw it drop near 120 I picked up pace a bit. I was surprised i could do it. The second half mi was exertion level 8 for sure! but i could have gone a little further at that pace! Finished the second mile it in 11:30! So for the 2 mi my overall pace was about 11:05. I feel pretty good about that. I walked it off for a few minutes went into the house and did some stretching to ease my quads which started complaining the last 3/4 mi. Not seriously but they let me know they weren't happy!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention a really funny thing that happened. I was wearing regular shorts and had on spandex type underwear from Target size large. E bought them awhile ago when I was heavier and I never liked them at the time - to tight and confining. I've been wearing them more often since losing the weight because they are really comfortable. Well this morning they kept sliding down and wouldn't stay up! I kept pulling them up during the warm up jog then finally gave up and let them slide down until they rested at the bottom of my shorts. I don't know if they stuck out or not, but it sure felt funny! I finished the 2 mi and cool down with them down where they wanted to be!

So I did Day 1 today....That was tough!

bobev, that IS funny. I just got some of those for my hubby because he complained about chaffing. I'll have to remember to get him smaller ones if he loses too!

Original Post by apaulsen:

So I did Day 1 today....That was tough!

The first week is probably the toughest. Be sure to do pigeon toed heel lifts to help avoid shin splints. Keep on going. Its suprising how fast you get into it and while its still a struggle its not that tough after the 1st wk.

I finished week 7 and am now onto week 8.  I feel really good about it all, and after the first 25 min. run, it did get easier.  I don't feel like 28 minutes will be much of a difference at this point.  I am excited as I am starting to feel like I am a runner.  I am very committed and feel wonderful, motivated, and accomplished. 

As far as weight loss, I have not noticed any yet.  However, I am trying not to think about it too much.  I am taking everything slow, because when I try to do it all at once, I have always failed in the past.  I am really trying to make a lifestyle change and it takes patience, perseverance and time.  So, that's my motto for now!!

 

I finished!!!  On Saturday morning, I did my last run of the Couch to 5K Program!!  Not only did I do run the full 30 minutes, but I took my dog running with me too.  Which previously I was afraid to do because she's a big dog and makes me run faster.  Before I didn't think I would be able to finish the run with her, but on Saturday I felt good about the idea and I took her.  She helped me knock 3 minutes and 30 seconds off of my time!! 

I also put on a pair of pants this morning that I haven't been able to wear for a few months!! 

I plan to continue running, as I am going to run a 5K in December.  I am going to beef it up and start running 5 times a week now, with my DOG!!! 

This is an awesome program as it has helped me do something I never thought I could do!!!

 

Original Post by alanaroo:

I finished!!!  On Saturday morning, I did my last run of the Couch to 5K Program!!  Not only did I do run the full 30 minutes, but I took my dog running with me too.  Which previously I was afraid to do because she's a big dog and makes me run faster.  Before I didn't think I would be able to finish the run with her, but on Saturday I felt good about the idea and I took her.  She helped me knock 3 minutes and 30 seconds off of my time!! 

I also put on a pair of pants this morning that I haven't been able to wear for a few months!! 

I plan to continue running, as I am going to run a 5K in December.  I am going to beef it up and start running 5 times a week now, with my DOG!!! 

This is an awesome program as it has helped me do something I never thought I could do!!!

 

 Good job!!!!

I just started week 2. I've been using Robert Ullrey's podcasts, and while I get a bit annoyed with the music choices (seriously, people who don't take ecstacy regularly LIKE that nonsense??) and how sometimes he says "ready, GO!" and sometimes he says "ready......" and I'm left confused, they've really helped.

Keep it up, everyone!

Started Week 2 Day 1 today!!!

It was tough, not going to lie... I am glad I started running in the mornings before work again.  So much better when I get home frim work and I have already worked out!

Congratulations alanaroo! What training program are you using to get ready for the 5K? I ran my first Sat that turned out to be a tough cross country, finished in 40:18. Ouch, never trained on mud and sticks before! Have a paved trail race this coming Sun (my 62nd bday) then will start using Hal Higdon;s intermediate 5k training program for a race on Sun 12/7.

Keep it up emilyd22222 & kjmadill! It does get easier in the later weeks. I had more pain weeks 1 thru 4 than I did weeks 7-9. Your body is adjusting to the new work out same as other workouts.

Hello! I'm on week 4 here. For those of you who don't care for Ullrey's podcasts, I've been using this website:

http://gonicoleyourself.blogspot.com/2008/06/ couch-to-5k-podcast-page.html

 

I LOVE the music choices on this one. Hope that helps!

I hate to be a party pooper, but - Robert Ullrey's podcasts use copyrighted independent music that provides a right to copy. The Nicoleyourself podcasts use restricted rights copyrighted programs which is fine for personal use, but not when she allows others to illegally copy the material. Remember Napster and how others have been sued by the music recording industry and had to pay fines.

I've used a free software program, Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/), to make my own mp3's with voice over timing prompts from songs that I own.

btw: I'm sensitive to this because I am involved with ensuring proper use of open source software and having to adhere to the licenses they contain for use of their copyrighted material.

 

When I was in high school I did the C25K in a fitness class I had and I lost tons of weight and got into really great shape.  Then, when I hit college, I lost the will to run because there was no available track to run on, and the area my college is in, is in the middle of the ghetto of Springfield, MA and If anyone has ever been there, you know it isn't safe to go running during ANYTIME of the day. 

However, now that I am 21 and live in a different town I found a track to run on and just did my first run last night.  It was amazing and I probably looked ridiculous, as I smiled for most of it, knowing that I was doing something I really wanted to do. 

As far as Robert Ullrey's podcasts are concerned, I love them and I found them really helpful and will continue to use them. 

I have been stuck on week 5 day one of podrunner intervals 5k mix for a while now. i just cant seem to pick it up!!! arrrg! i do it using my nike + in my ipod and its been a while since lance armstrong has congratulated me :(...

 

Hopefully tomorrow will be better!!!!