Thinking about C25K

[DirtyMartini]

Ok, so my DH is an avid gym-rat. He works out all. the. time. He is a firefighter/paramedic and it really is a condition of his job that he be in decent shape.

That being said, I haven't been to the gym in over a year. Waaay over a year. I want to be thinner, more toned, and have the drive and eagerness to work out that DH does, but honestly I always find an excuse, whether it's kids or work or housework, something always needs to take priority. Truth be told, I feel like since I don't have a clear goal, I always talk myself out of working out.

So, anyhow, I'm thinking of re-joining the gym where my husband works out. There is a pool there (for kiddos) and a daycare center (again for kiddos). I'm thinking, if I join the gym, then maybe I should start the C25K, so that I can start progressively training and have a set goal I NEED to achieve and actually get me to the gym. What do you think? Is this stupid? Have I over-thought this? Errr!

Also, I hate running.

[mrshandy]

I think it's a great idea and similar to what I did. It might also be fun to sign up for a 5K so that you have that goal in mind.

You might try integrating some runs outside if you do sign up for a race. It can be a tough transition running inside to outside.

Good luck!!

[So_Fetch]

I agree with doing some of the running outside. I am on week 7 of the c25k and I'm really liking the progress. I don't think I would have made the same progress without it being so spelled out for me. I wanted to stop when we did 4 minutes. I wanted to die. And now I can run 15!

[bluelikejazz]

I'd say give C25K a chance. But maybe running isn't for you. If you still hate running after the 9 weeks, move on and try something new. Does the gym offer group classes? Maybe you'll fall in love with zumba or spin class or bodypump. Or try swimming. Or biking. Or The New Rules of Lifting for Women.

[shauni27]

May 17, 2012 9:57:45 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

I think it's a great idea and similar to what I did. It might also be fun to sign up for a 5K so that you have that goal in mind.

You might try integrating some runs outside if you do sign up for a race. It can be a tough transition running inside to outside.

Good luck!!

I agree completely! I think you should find a 5K in a couple of months and sign up for it. Then you REALLY have a goal to work for, and you can use C25K as your guide. I would also do some of the runs outside, since it can be hard to transition for a new runner from the TM to the actual road.

I too hated running. That was a year ago. I signed up for a 5K, did C25K, and now, 1.5 years later I am in love with running, and I look forward to my 2 hour runs each weekend

[theoriginalbean]

It can never hurt to try, and if you don't end up enjoying it, there are plenty of other activities out there.

I'd definitely give it a few weeks, though - I HATED running for a really long time. It's only recently that I've actually started to enjoy it as a hobby.

[oodakay]

I just did day 1 week 1 tonight. It wasn't so bad and I actually felt good. I've always hated running. DH and I ran on a track near our apt. It was nice to have a buddy.

[cransplash]

I, too, hated running, but never really ran outside... always either on the treadmill or the elliptical and 30 mins (heck even 10 mins) and I wanted to quit.

I had also tried C25K before (but never outside, always on TM), and I quit both times within the 1st week. I was bored (no surprise and I still hated the TM), and I found it annoying having to constantly change the speed on the TM when I had to alternate jogging/walking.

I finally decided to give it another go this year, and now I am on Week 3 Day 1... and I love it. Here are the tips I learned from the Nesties on the H&F board that have really helped me:

- I downloaded the free C25K app (called C25K Free)- it tells you when you need to walk/jog, tells her when you're halfway (convenient since sometimes I like running on a trail so I know when I need to start heading back to my car)
- This app plays my music from my iTunes so music is playing while I walk/jog
- OUTDOORS was key for me- I always dreaded running outdoors since I felt like it was even harder then the TM. I bet my distance isn't as long when I run outside, but the changes of scenery has made a huge difference in my attitude
- RUN SLOW. Now run even slower- I think part of the reason I quit the previous times was that I was excited to start this new program so I unconsciously started running faster and thus ran at a speed I couldn't maintain. I try to run slowly so I don't burn out. It's worked so far!
- It is only 3 days/week for 30 mins- I am a morning person, so I wake up and run around 6:15/6:30am now since the sun is just rising. Less humidity too.

I am so surprised that I've done a 180 in my attitude about running. I actually really look forward to it, I feel great afterwards, and I actually really enjoy it while doing it. The weather has been great lately, and that's helped. It has had a very calming effect.

Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you have any Qs. I am honestly so surprised I've kept at it, but the reasons I listed have helped me tremendously.

[gt7301b]

I agree with others that running outside is much better than running on a treadmill, but sometimes you gotta do what fits with your schedule.

However, if you don't like running after a bit find something you enjoy. You are more likely to stick with a routine if you enjoy what you are doing.

[cransplash]

May 20, 2012 8:31:50 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I agree with others that running outside is much better than running on a treadmill, but sometimes you gotta do what fits with your schedule.

However, if you don't like running after a bit find something you enjoy. You are more likely to stick with a routine if you enjoy what you are doing.

Ditto this. I told myself I'm going to try it with my best effort, and if I find I don't like running, it's ok and I'll look for something new.

[gustafngrete]

Do you have money in your budget for personal training? If you have scheduled appointments at the gym, you are more likely to honor them. That is how I got my feet wet again after baby no. 2. After training for around six months, I started running, doing bootcamps, and independently going to classes at my gym. It seemed to have it's own momentum. Good luck!