Anyone do C25k? (Couch to 5k)

[Deleted]

I started and the first day was not as bad as I thought and I never say that about new exercise programs. So.. Could you run the full 5k after 8 weeks?
If anyone is thinking about doing if, definitely get the free app that tells you when to run.

[teacup]

I was able to run a 5K about 6 weeks into the program (5K came up before I was done). I LOVE LOVE LOVE that program. I am NOT a runner, never was ... but I'm totally into running now and love it. It definitely works!! (It's about week 3/4 that you finally begin to like the running part of it.)

[Deleted]

Feb 18, 2014 15:07:08 GMT -5 @songforyou said:

I kept the printout up on my refrigerator forever. I finally threw it away when we got a new fridge. I should print it out again...

Get the app if you do it. It made the whole thing a million times more relaxing when you're not timing each interval.

[panicked]

I did a 9 week program, but yes, I could run the full 5k at the end. I will warn you though, the middle weeks (4-6) were the hardest for me. I pushed through, even when I didn't think I would be able to and was really proud of myself when I was able to hit those goals. Keep at it!

[Deleted]

Feb 18, 2014 15:08:24 GMT -5 teacup said:

I was able to run a 5K about 6 weeks into the program (5K came up before I was done). I LOVE LOVE LOVE that program. I am NOT a runner, never was ... but I'm totally into running now and love it. It definitely works!! (It's about week 3/4 that you finally begin to like the running part of it.)

Oh nice! So you stuck with it? I'm not a runner. It's not my thing and I have other fitness activities I'm more into but it's kind of embarrassing I can't run half a mile. I don't see myself running marathons but I would like to be able to take a 2 or 3 mile jog if I wanted to!

[pamela]

I could run for 30 minutes at the end, but that wasn't a 5k for me. A few weeks longer and I got to actual 5k length.

My unsolicited advice for you - slow down if you feel like you're not going to make it. That's the biggest thing that most people do "wrong" to start is go out too fast then burn out. Once I slowed way do I was amazed at the difference and that I now felt like I could do it. The week where you do that 20 minute run was by far the worst and a lot of people repeat it. No shame there.

[teacup]

Feb 18, 2014 15:11:14 GMT -5 @lululime said:

Feb 18, 2014 15:08:24 GMT -5 teacup said:

I was able to run a 5K about 6 weeks into the program (5K came up before I was done). I LOVE LOVE LOVE that program. I am NOT a runner, never was ... but I'm totally into running now and love it. It definitely works!! (It's about week 3/4 that you finally begin to like the running part of it.)

Oh nice! So you stuck with it? I'm not a runner. It's not my thing and I have other fitness activities I'm more into but it's kind of embarrassing I can't run half a mile. I don't see myself running marathons but I would like to be able to take a 2 or 3 mile jog if I wanted to!

Yes, I definitely stuck with it. I found that it was easier to use the time rather than the distance (like ... run for a minute, walk for three). So if you are having trouble, try that. Also, don't worry about form or how fast you go ... none of that matters (in the beginning). You'll get faster the longer/farther you go.

I've been running for a little under a year now and just ran a 5K for fun last weekend. FOR FUN.

[lasagnasshole]

I have done it a couple of times, but it always took me much longer than 8 weeks to do the full 5k. I am actually starting again soon. But I will probably start with even fewer running segments and drag it out for months to avoid re-injuring my foot.

[mbcdefg]

I ran a 5K with a friend a week or so after getting through the whole program ... signing up for a real 5K with someone else was what motivated me to stick with it. Before that I'd always quit after a week or two, but making a commitment with a friend held me accountable to get myself ready for it.

My time wasn't at all great - definitely longer than the 30ish minutes the app allots - but I jogged without stopping for the whole race.

I want to do it again when the weather gets nicer, and sign up for a 5K about 2/2.5 months in advance.

[Kore]

A friend & I have been doing it since October. We got derailed around the holidays, so we did not manage in 8 weeks. We were also starting from zero fitness level.

We still can't run for a full 5k, but it's really great to see progress. It's been super rewarding. If we'd been super consistent, I'm sure we would be able to.

I agree with pamela re: going slowww. Speed comes with endurance. If it feels too hard, slow down.

[ECB]

I didn't do it but my DH did. He liked it and is running his first 5K next month. He's now doing couch to 10K but he very much knows he won't be running more than 5ks. He did it to get into shape, but he actually finds running boring. The longer runs, he REALLY dislikes!

BUT he's kept at it, enjoyed it, and feels a lot healthier for it.

[Deleted]

Feb 18, 2014 15:13:57 GMT -5 teacup said:

Feb 18, 2014 15:11:14 GMT -5 @lululime said:

Oh nice! So you stuck with it? I'm not a runner. It's not my thing and I have other fitness activities I'm more into but it's kind of embarrassing I can't run half a mile. I don't see myself running marathons but I would like to be able to take a 2 or 3 mile jog if I wanted to!

Yes, I definitely stuck with it. I found that it was easier to use the time rather than the distance (like ... run for a minute, walk for three). So if you are having trouble, try that. Also, don't worry about form or how fast you go ... none of that matters (in the beginning). You'll get faster the longer/farther you go.

I've been running for a little under a year now and just ran a 5K for fun last weekend. FOR FUN.

Ha! Getting my form right hasn't even crossed my mind. That's awesome you did a 5k for fun and I aspire to get to that point. I signed up for a 5k with a girlfriend last year that was sponsored by a doughnut shop. So you have doughnuts enticing you to keep going and cross the finish line. At the start of the race my friend asks me if I mind walking the whole thing instead of running because she's pregnant. No, of course not! Not at all...

[LoveTrains]

Feb 18, 2014 15:05:57 GMT -5 @lululime said:

I started and the first day was not as bad as I thought and I never say that about new exercise programs. So.. Could you run the full 5k after 8 weeks?

I started two years ago. I had to repeat certain weeks because I felt like I was not able to advance. Like the first week that you had to run 10 minute stretches, I was having trouble with, so I repeated the 5-8-5 week.

I finally did the whole thing and ran my first 5K a year ago.

Then I promptly quit running and now I need to start over again at the beginning.

[LoveTrains]

I also just programmed the timed intervals into runkeeper, which is an app that I already had on my phone.

I will also add that running 30 minutes at the end was not a full 5K for me, either, so I had to extend it out to get to the full amount.

After I was able to do the full 5K i used to run mile repeats (run 1 mile, walk a quarter mile, run 1 mile, walk a quarter mile) to keep up with the interval training.

I am just so annoyed at myself that I lost all that fitness that I worked so hard for. Bah. #teamfatass

[cookies]

Here's my Couch to 5K sales pitch.

I did it and I remember that I was scared to death when you got to the part where you were running 20 minutes at a time, ha. But at the end of the program, I ran a (slow) 5K. A year later I ran a (slow) half marathon, and 6 months after that a (slow) marathon. I NEVER thought I'd be a runner - but it's my favorite form of exercise and I love it now. Thanks, Couch to 5K. Ha.

[otowngirl]

I did it! It took me longer than 8 weeks to go 30 minutes nonstop and I have yet to run 3 miles without stopping, but I am REALLY close. (Three months later, lol.) Even with one walk break, I got a PR on my last 5K by a couple minutes. I'm actually doing a 10K in a couple weeks that I'm super excited about!

[sporklemotion]

I think it took me 10-12 weeks to do the whole 5k. Some of this was mental-- I psyched myself out of a few of the big jumps.

[mrshandy]

I did it once before DS and ran my first 5K pregnant, then kind of petered out as I got bigger. I finally did it again in August 2011 and it stuck! I ran a 5k and eventually worked my way up to a marathon in a year.

I can safely call myself a running addict now even after another pregnancy. I was able to get back into running and I'm looking towards a second marathon in the fall.

It's a great program that I recommend to any aspiring runner.

[orangeblossom]

I got to the last week and haven't finished the program. I had minor surgery, and I just could not get back in the swing of things.

I have been running more lately, and do want to do a 5k. I plan to start running with the running group again.

It's a good program. I liked it.

[saywhatnow]

I started it last April and finished it in 8 weeks. Ran my first 5k the day after I finished the program. I kept up running 3 miles, 3 x's per week through the summer and fall but quite when it got really snowy/icy here. Hoping to get back into my running shoes soon! I never would have considered myself a runner before the program!

[Awkward]

This post has convinced me I need to download this. After a few margaritas and a well placed Facebook ad I signed FI and up for a 5k this spring despite zero experience on my part. LOL wish me luck.

[otowngirl]

Feb 18, 2014 16:07:18 GMT -5 Awkward said:

This post has convinced me I need to download this. After a few margaritas and a well placed Facebook ad I signed FI and up for a 5k this spring despite zero experience on my part. LOL wish me luck.

It's my understanding that people often sign up for races while under the influence. LOL.

[CallingAllAngels]

I did it two years ago. It works if you stick with it! I was able to run a 5K a the end of the program (in a little over 30 minutes). 

Ditto pamela about going slow. Also, get fitted for shoes at a running store (not a sports store). The only time I was able to finish C25K was when I did this first. The other times I had to quit because of knee pain. I have been running for two years, have run 2 half marathons and haven't had any knee pain with the right shoes.

Good luck!!

Also, I felt like I was going to barf the first week.  The second day I came home and dry heaved in the toilet.  It was awful.  But I stuck with the program and didn't cheat at all, and it worked. 

[Deleted]

Yes, it's a great program. I think I went over by a few weeks though.

And still, after all the races I've ran, I find no enjoyment in running and now only run to the gym to work out indoors. lol

Stick with it though!

[raangoli]

Feb 18, 2014 15:14:23 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

I ran a 5K with a friend a week or so after getting through the whole program ... signing up for a real 5K with someone else was what motivated me to stick with it. Before that I'd always quit after a week or two, but making a commitment with a friend held me accountable to get myself ready for it.

My time wasn't at all great - definitely longer than the 30ish minutes the app allots - but I jogged without stopping for the whole race.

I want to do it again when the weather gets nicer, and sign up for a 5K about 2/2.5 months in advance.

I hope this doesn't seem creepster, but there is a great 5k down the shore in May that is a completely flat course, the Bay Head 5k. It gets a great turn out and there are people of all fitness levels, plus because it's so early in the season there is no traffic and time to enjoy the shore if you wanted.

I would also recommend other more "local" races which I can PM you if you want.

[mbcdefg]

Feb 18, 2014 16:16:56 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Feb 18, 2014 15:14:23 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

I ran a 5K with a friend a week or so after getting through the whole program ... signing up for a real 5K with someone else was what motivated me to stick with it. Before that I'd always quit after a week or two, but making a commitment with a friend held me accountable to get myself ready for it.

My time wasn't at all great - definitely longer than the 30ish minutes the app allots - but I jogged without stopping for the whole race.

I want to do it again when the weather gets nicer, and sign up for a 5K about 2/2.5 months in advance.

I hope this doesn't seem creepster, but there is a great 5k down the shore in May that is a completely flat course, the Bay Head 5k. It gets a great turn out and there are people of all fitness levels, plus because it's so early in the season there is no traffic and time to enjoy the shore if you wanted.

I would also recommend other more "local" races which I can PM you if you want.

Oh cool, thank you! I'll have to look into that.

I live pretty close to Newark. The one I did last year was for the NJ Sharing Network in New Providence, so not very far from me ... my friend is in the healthcare industry and her office had a team running it so she asked me to join. I'd ask her if she's doing it again this year, but she'll have a three month-old by then so I doubt it.

[Deleted]

Feb 18, 2014 15:30:34 GMT -5 cookies said:

Here's my Couch to 5K sales pitch.

I did it and I remember that I was scared to death when you got to the part where you were running 20 minutes at a time, ha. But at the end of the program, I ran a (slow) 5K. A year later I ran a (slow) half marathon, and 6 months after that a (slow) marathon. I NEVER thought I'd be a runner - but it's my favorite form of exercise and I love it now. Thanks, Couch to 5K. Ha.

That's great! 

[Deleted]

Feb 18, 2014 16:07:18 GMT -5 Awkward said:

This post has convinced me I need to download this. After a few margaritas and a well placed Facebook ad I signed FI and up for a 5k this spring despite zero experience on my part. LOL wish me luck.

I'm on a 3x a week 8 week program. I love that I have to go less than half the days of a week and it's only half an hour with 10 min of it being warm up/ cool down in the beginning.

 

[KaraOrNot]

I have started it multiple times, but have not yet finished it yet. I am doing it again right now and think that I am going make up my own intervals because my next run requires 20 minutes straight and the most I have done is 8 minutes. I think I am going to try 11-5-11, and go up from there.

[cransplash]

Feb 18, 2014 15:13:11 GMT -5 pamela said:

I could run for 30 minutes at the end, but that wasn't a 5k for me. A few weeks longer and I got to actual 5k length.

My unsolicited advice for you - slow down if you feel like you're not going to make it. That's the biggest thing that most people do "wrong" to start is go out too fast then burn out. Once I slowed way do I was amazed at the difference and that I now felt like I could do it. The week where you do that 20 minute run was by far the worst and a lot of people repeat it. No shame there.

Non-runner chiming in. I started c25k in May 2013, and I ran my 1st 5k in the 1st week of July. I did not have to re-do a week and was able to run a 5k in 8 weeks. 

A few unsolicited advice:
- Run slowly. Then run even slower- I started this program a few times, and the major difference b/w when I did it in 2013 vs the previous attempts is that I always started running at too fast of a pace. I was excited to try it, and then I got winded very quickly. The best advice was to run at a slow pace, and then run even slower. 
- Weeks 4-6 were also the most difficult for me- when I felt like I couldn't run any longer, I slowed down my pace, and I realized that I could run longer and complete my workout
- If you can't do the run, it is OK! And, it is ok to repeat a week.
- Get fitted for running shoes at a good running store- I contemplated about doing it but it really helped me avoid injury, and get the appropriate shoes for my running style
- Don't run more than the 3x/week- as a newbie runner, running takes a toll on your body. Doing too much too soon can lead to an injury. Trust the program
- Running is just as mental as it is physical- Some days, I can run 4 miles. Other days, I can barely run 2. It really is my mental state. I know that I can physically run 4 miles now, but mentally, my mind isn't there. And that is ok too.

I was never ever the girl that could run (not even a mile!), and I got through this program. Trust the program.