Couch to 5K
I know a few of us are currently doing this, and some have done it before.
I started it a few weeks ago just to get back into regularly doing SOMETHING. I have done some running off and on for years, but I want to be indefinitely consistent with it. The first few weeks were really easy, but I liked the gradual beginning, and seeing some progression. It stresses to not do more, so I stuck with that. I'm currently on week 4, day 3. There is a bit of a jump from W3 to W4, but I'm still good. The last running "program" I did increased a mile a week, basically..and that got old fast. I'm hoping this way, I can stick with it! I'm still looking forward to runs, and I have seen some more tone in my legs. I also like running based on a set time, because I tend to get too caught up in how fast (SLOW) I'm going, and trying to go faster makes me not run as long.
Good call, AC.
I was just reading what I have to do for tonight and I'm a bit nervous....and I don't know how I'm gonna time myself - I guess I'll use my phone?
Wish me luck....
no wait! do you have an ipod? you can download a free couch to 5k podcast with music and it tells you when to start and stop.
yes! I looked into this a few years ago for us to do together, but we never really got into it, partly because the beginning seemed too slow and partly because my husband's legs are approximately 78 metres long and so we make crap running partners because I literally have to take three strides for every one of his.
...all that being said, I might be keen on trying again, because even though I'm making good use of my gym membership, I still can't run for sh*te.
no wait! do you have an ipod? you can download a free couch to 5k podcast with music and it tells you when to start and stop.
no ipod...that would be ideal though
no wait! do you have an ipod? you can download a free couch to 5k podcast with music and it tells you when to start and stop.
haha, that's crazy! I bought a $20 digital watch a while ago, and I just use that. Well, you could probably get one for like $10. I just use it for running, anyway.
Oww, you should start over, and do it yourself! I thought the beginning was slow, too..but it works.
Is anyone actually going to run in a 5K? I'm not.
yup, I might.... I'll look into that ipod thingie, and might try and start next week... : )
I've seen loads of people on here talking about it, but never looked into it. I've now had a loko at ACs link and it looks good.
My fitness regime has been very haphazard recently. Maybe once I'm more settled I'll give it a go. I'll be interested in seeing how everyne here progresses.
im starting this today. :D
So I completed my first day.....not without struggle though - my hip is killing me, but surprisingly, my knees were fine. I used my phone's stopwatch as the timer and it wasn't a big deal. Andy was really proud of me, even though I was limping like an old lady on the way home...I think I need to start taking some glucosamine...
I'm not sure how familiar you are with running, so I'd like to point out a few things just in case:
-A good quality, comfortable shoe will make a world of difference for your feet, legs, and lower back! If you are running around in some "sneakers", I implore you to check this site out http://www.therunningadvisor.com/running_shoes.html . There are a number of sturdy, man made shoes (no leather) available for running. I'm a fan of New Balance 587's ( http://www.zappos.com/new-balance-m587-navy-grey , free shipping and returns).
-BE SURE to warm up before every run. I don't believe in stretching for low impact activities like running (see http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/playmagazine/112pewarm.html for more). Walking or doing jumping jacks are great for loosening up muscles before running.
-Hydrate well after every run! If you aren't drinking at least two extra cups of water after your run, you are at risk for mild dehydration.
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As far as boredom goes, we've all been there. Your best friend is some form of radio/ipod/music/podcast player to keep your mind occupied while you run. I find a change of scenery really helps spice up running. Go to your local park and run some laps there. Are there any running trails in your area? Check them out. Any pretty college/university campuses close by? Take a jog through them. Does your city have any interesting architecture or a "downtown" area? Run there! Running doesn't have to be limited to how far you can get from your place before you have to turn back.
yay Erin for your first day! and yay everyone! I can't imagine trying to run and keep track of the time, but more power to those of you doing it! I feel lucky to have my ipod. Today's supposed to be my second day. I just walked 5 miles in a drizzle and I want to take a nap now. I'll probably get going a bit later and hopefully it will have stopped drizzling.
Spamsicles, a warm-up is built into the couch to 5k program, so it's really unnecessary to tell us to warm up beforehand. Also, there are plenty of people who manage quite fine without fancy running shoes and even run barefoot. I used to run cross-country in high school but I got out of shape and now I'm trying to get back to it. Thanks for the advice though; I didn't realize I was supposed to drink water. ::)
Today was supposed to be my second day too, but it's supposed to start raining this afternoon - and my hip still hurts, but I was gonna do it anyway...so we'll see - if not tonight, then tomorrow morning for sure.
I finished W4 yesterday, and I really want to do W5 today, but...I shouldn't. I might do an extra W4, or something.
It's really not that hard to keep track of the time. I just glance down at my watch every once and a while..it's a nice little break. 5 miles is a long time to walk!
Yeah, I've been walking around a lot lately, just exploring the neighborhood and stuff. It's much better now that we don't have sub-zero temperatures. I think the way the program works with resting days in between is good, but I know what you mean about wanting to do more. I just did my 2nd run and omg it was so much easier than my first! I could breathe much better and I kept wanting to run more! I can't even believe that's happening already. But my legs are definitely feeling sore. So rest is good.
I did W5D1 today, and it wasn't as good. I messed up at the beginning, and was looking at the wrong function on my watch. I kept thinking..wow...this 5 minutes is going by really slowly..something seems weird. I finally realized that I had it on like..some time thing, and not stopwatch, so it was hours and minutes, instead of minutes and seconds. I don't know how long I ran at first! Then I was all thrown off during, and someone honked, and yelled some unintelligible thing at me at the end. >:( I did it, though. I'll probably do a second W5D1, because I like the set up, and there's only one of them.
I think I'll be trying this... sometime.
I think I am going to try this. I have not found a gym that is a decent distance from us yet, so this seems like a good alternative. I have also likely roped in the BF to do it with me. That way we can keep each other from slacking. Thankfully we are close to the same height so I should be able to keep up with him, haha.
I downloaded all the podcasts last night. Now all I have to do is wait until this double ear infection inflammation and sinus infection go away so I can pound some pavement. ;)b
I think I'm gonna try this! Maybe even start this afternoon, if I'm feeling motivated...
AC, how does doing this compare to just jogging straight through for you? The idea appeals to me 'cause I've had foot troubles (and varied pace is good), but I'm afraid it will be more tiresome than just running 3-5k straight... I've found when I only do about a mile at a time, I feel crappier than going 2 or over (endorphins are my friends) at a single time.
Still, intermittent jogging > not running at all at the moment ::shifty eyes::
AC, how does doing this compare to just jogging straight through for you? The idea appeals to me 'cause I've had foot troubles (and varied pace is good), but I'm afraid it will be more tiresome than just running 3-5k straight... I've found when I only do about a mile at a time, I feel crappier than going 2 or over (endorphins are my friends) at a single time.
Still, intermittent jogging > not running at all at the moment ::shifty eyes::
Well, I think it's a lot easier..for someone not in great shape. That's why I'm doing it! I need to work myself back up to being able to easily do it all at once. I just don't feel like a natural runner. There's not a lot of doing 1 mile at a time, though. I think there's only one time (W6D2) where you run for 10 minutes, and do some walking. It then jumps up to running a straight 25 minutes. I dunno, I've liked the whole thing, so far.
I would like to once again recommend the Vibram Fivefinger shoes, though. They might help your feet. You just have to condition yourself a bit with them, and I think that would be great with this program..maybe starting with just walking first. I know I feel better running with them than any other shoes, ever.
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