Learn to Run - AGAIN - want to do this with me??

*** New People Always Welcome ***

So, maybe some of you have done this with me, way back when. I started a thread called "Learn to Run" Check it out http://caloriecount.about.com/learn-run-wants -ft27698. We had lots of people join & lots of "graduates" who could run 5K in 8 weeks!! Way to go all of you!!

So, I lost a bunch of weight & then coasted for a bit longer than a year with no exercise & not watching what I eat. But eventually that catches up with you. I'm about 10lbs heavier - so not to bad. But I have to get back into this. Who's with me??

Here's how it goes . . .

It's an 8 week course. You should do it at least 3x a week so you're ready for the next week, & don't forget to stretch before & after.  (I actually really like 4x a week & it really prepares me for the next week's numbers)

Take your car or GPS system & figure out a 3.1 mile or 5 km route & then run/walk for the minutes it says below until you reach 3.1 miles or 5 km.

Week 1 - Walk 3 mins, Run 1 min
Week 2 - Walk 3 mins, Run 2 mins
Week 3 - Walk 2 mins, Run 3 mins
Week 4 - Walk 2 mins, Run 5 mins
Week 5 - Walk 2 mins, Run 7 mins
Week 6 - Walk 2 mins, Run10 mins
Week 7 - Walk 1 min, Run 14 mins
Week 8 - Walk 30 seconds, Run 18 mins 

It also says for week 8, if you find that you don't HAVE to stop running after the 18 minutes, then by all means, carry on without the walking break.

Dee

So I was out for several days...vacation. 8 days without a run...so last night was hard. I jogged for 15 minutes straight though...at a 12 min pace. then had to take a walk break and then jogged more. It was tough. But I feel so much better today.

I have a question...

Is eliptical similar to the tredmill/running or not? I mean i know its close to the same, but is it harder easier? I ran/ idk if you can call it running for 30 minutes and went 2.7 miles. it was some fat burning program so it through in some incline and reisistence evevery 3.5 minutes.  My question is, is that similar to running/ walking 2.7 miles in 30 minutes or not?... just wondering...

I recently started this.  Got to week 2 and twisted a knee.  I have now been off the knee for 5 days and still sore.  I have been using the RICE treatments every evening.  How long do you expect will be before I can start again?

When I did my walk/run yesterday ... I noticed that my speed has increased ((though not drastically )) I did it in 44 mins ((unlike my last attempt in 46 mins )) .... slow progress ... But atleast am on the right track ... I am still stuck to week 1 and now that I can do it with ease ... I think by the end of this week I'll go into week 2 ((3min walk -2 min run )) ... :) 

have a good week everyone !!

Way to go anusha! My best advice is to stick to the plan and just as you did do not move on to the next week until you are ready. I went too fast because my cardio endurance was good but I wound up with shin splints because my legs were not ready, So go slow and do not end up with an injury.

Well, I waited until I made it through the first week to post - just to make sure I would survive!  Today was 2nd workout in week 2 (39:40) - lots better than the first workout this week...who knew 2 minutes was so much longer than 1 minute!  It makes me nervous for the coming time increases.  I might try to get 4 workouts in this week to get ready.  So far everythings been on the treadmill, I haven't mapped out a 3.1 course yet.  But this is the first real running I've done since high school cross country and I'm excited about how much stronger I've gotten already.

is anyone else having shin pain or other issues that are preventing them from moving forward?

Hi everyone. How is everybody doing with this? I ran the 3.1 miles in 40 mins. Still slow but better . When I started it was about 45 mins.

Hi there plindholdt. Actually, I started having a deep burning/aching pain in my knee. My doctor told me to take a week off, which I did. Still hasn't helped. My knee sounds like it has gravel in it when I go up and down stairs. But, today I went for my walk/jog anyway. I just don't want it to set me back.

I'm doing the 3.1 in about 40 minutes as well.  I really want to get faster! And, I still have 30 pounds to lose. Ugh!

Anyway... Way to go! Your doing a great jog of sticking to it.

Hi all... am still stuck on 45 minutes to finish 5km ... sigh ... I progressed to week 2 (finally !!! ) and my time hasn't changed much ... though I did find it really hard but I was able to finish without quiting (which I admit I was considering towards the end ) But I didn't ...

And Lovinglife2 .... I read somewhere that if you include knee exercises in your warm up it helps a lot ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp-ms4Zzdpo (I know its the 30 day shred but it has a good knee warm up too )  http://www.ehow.com/how_2215125_do-hip-knee-w armup-stretches.html  ... hope this helps ... good luck 

I am new to this site--found the Learn to Run program and followed it and am mostly just posting to make people feel better about themselves if they are slow like me. I ran my first 5K on July 4th, and I am really enjoying running!  I followed the program, and by the time I got to the running for ten minutes at a time, I was able to run the whole 5K.  When I started, I was taking I think 55 minutes to complete the 3.1 miles.  The best I did was 46-something, until race day, when I got my best time ever, 41:06!  The tips for running, posted early in the thread, say DON'T COMPARE.  So I tried not to.  I looked here one day and saw people starting out at 40 minutes and it really helped me to remember to not compare.  I am entirely amazed that I can do this!  I encourage anyone thinking about running to try it. I am 46 years old and I do nothing but walk my dog about 20 minutes a day.  No other exercise.  I just don't like it!  But I wanted to try running.  I looked on the internet and found this thread, and the next day a new insert in our newspaper about fitness appeared.  It listed the area races, and there was a 5k 8 weeks away.  "I think I'm supposed to do this,"  I thought.  So I DID.  I am as surprised as anyone, and I feel good about myself.  I have not lost any real weight, but I feel better, and I haven't really tried to lose weight as yet.  But now I feel like I could do that, too!  I've been doing lots of good  things I didn't expect I would, and I attribute it to running.  Thank you so much for posting this very helpful and challenging program, deejlb!  I cannot express how much I appreciate it. 

Twisted knee.  I twisted my knee earlier and wondered how long to repair.  Well here is the answer.  A few weeks.  I absolutely didn't go on long walks or runs for 2 weeks.  Only used it to get around as needed.  Rest, Ice, Compressionand  Elevation.  After 2 weeks I started short walks a few blocks, a mile then 2 miles.  In week 3 I started a very careful jog.  I am now careful to watch that one foot that always wants to turn funny before landing.  Now I can run for 2 miles without stopping.  I can then run most the 3rd mile and part of the 4th mile.  I get 4.5 miles in 45 minutes.  Yeah if I can do this over 50.  You can too.  I couldn't even run a block before this summer.

Thanks jachid2. I am back on the knee again and trying to be careful. Turns out that I have cartilage damage. So I'm taking Glucosamine. Hope it helps.

Unfortunately, I don't seem to be getting any faster with jogging. Thinking of hiring someone to chase me with a truck, that might help get me going! LOL

Great job by the way! I'm definately going to keep at it.

is any one still here is this thread active? I am trying to do this agin I am up to just a little more the half a mile and could really use the support!

Hi There Mabear! Yes, I'm still at it. Half a mile is great. Way to go. I'm at 3 miles, but I jog 3 minutes, walk 5. It works for me. My goal is 5 miles with jogging 5 minutes and walking 3. Maybe by the end of summer, we'll see.

What are your weight/fitness goals? I started in Feb. of 2008 at 298 pounds, and now with calorie counting and exercise, I'm at 167 and still dropping. Let me know what your goals are, and I'll cheer you along.