Started 'Couch to 5k today' Anyone keen?

[deedadumble 1,033]

Couch to 5K is a training program that will take you up to the point of being able to run a 5K race. Not to take you up to the point of running a 5K in 30 minutes. If you look at the results of most 5K races, only half are able to finish in less than 30 minutes.

I am following Hal Higdon's Half Marathon training plan and the furthest you run during the plan is 10 miles. That is 3.1 miles short of running a half marathon! The idea is that you have the fitness level that will allow you to run the whole distance with adrenaline kicking in because of being in a race. I'm going to be putting this to the test in 2 weeks. I decided to change races in Maui to the half marathon because I was able to run for 10 miles yesterday. The difference between 10 miles and 13 miles for me is all mental. My body can do it. I'm not out of breath at 10 miles, my legs still feel okay (although a bit tired), and if I fuel correctly (which I'm still tweaking) I have enough energy to finish. I'm going to try for 11 miles on my next long run and decide then whether I can do it or need to switch back to the 15K. Luckily, all it will cost me is a 6 pack of corona for the race volunteers!

[scarlet333 386]

Wow deedadumble you are impressive to me to be able to even contemplate running a half marathon. Did you start running by using the c25k app? If so how long did it take you to be able to run 15K?

Today I did week 7 day 2 which is the 25 minute straight run and after a week break (due to a major snow storm) it was tough to me. Don't see myself running for much more than the 30 minutes.

[deedadumble 1,033]

Wow deedadumble you are impressive to me to be able to even contemplate running a half marathon. Did you start running by using the c25k app? If so how long did it take you to be able to run 15K? Today I did week 7 day 2 which is the 25 minute straight run and after a week break (due to a major snow storm) it was tough to me. Don't see myself running for much more than the 30 minutes.

Thanks! I did use the C25K app on my phone. I am the least likely of runners. I have an issue with my knees (chondromalacia and osteoarthritis) as well as several autoimmune disorders. Many days I run in spite of the pain (although a lot fewer than when I started). I do a lot of icing and Epsom soaks to get through it and although controversial with some, I still take anti-inflammatories (but with lots of Water and a snack to get them through my stomach). I really feel better than I ever have and am thankful that I have doctors that will work with me to help me stay active. I'm 48 and when I started running I was about 240lbs.

I started about a month after surgery in February 2013. I followed C25K and ran/walked a 5K in May. I was sick and traveling most of June, so in July I started back at week 3. I progressed pretty quickly and was running 5Ks in training in August. I struggled with knee pain in September, but figured out that if I shortened my stride and switched to zero drop shoes it relieved a lot of the pain. I decided to start training for a half in September and signed up for the Disney Princess Half, which is in February. I ran a 5K Disney in October and a 10K race in November. I started a modified Hal Higdon half marathon training plan around then as well. I was able to run 8 miles in December and 10 miles the beginning of January.

So from the start of C25K to 15K took 10 months. The miles really started adding up fast in Sept-Dec as my weight wasn't hindering me as much. I am pretty addicted to running, but can not run on consecutive days.

I'm also struggling with balancing my nutritional needs for running and being able to lose the last 6 pounds.

My race (and I use that term very loosely! I'm usually in the last third of runners.) schedule for the next 4 months is pretty busy:

Maui Oceanfront Half 1/19

Best Damn Race 10K 2/1

Disney Princess Half 2/23

Oklahoma City Memorial Half and Half Relay 4/27 (They let you run a relay concurrently with the half. I'm running the relay with my cousins.)

After April I'm getting Orthovisc injections in my knee and hoping to get plastic surgery (TT, arms, and boob lift).

[scarlet333 386]

I'm sure 11 months ago when you had surgery you wouldn't have imagined that in less than a year you would running half marathons. And overcoming all the medical issues you have. I keep waiting to catch the "love of running" bug that others have. While I am running most of the time I am thinking of how much time left. When I am done I must admit I feel pretty proud and cocky that I did it. I am hoping that when the weather gets a little warmer, above freezing I may like it a little better.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Hey runners. Hope everyone is doing well.

Congrats to Deedumble. You half marathon in Hawaii sounds awesome. Setting up a destination race is a great way to motivate yourself.

Btw....after my last race I dumped a bag of ice into a cold bath and jumped in. Whoa....hardest thing I've ever done, but I had absolutely no soreness or stiffness the next day. 10 minutes is all it took.

[deedadumble 1,033]

Hey runners. Hope everyone is doing well. Congrats to Deedumble. You half marathon in Hawaii sounds awesome. Setting up a destination race is a great way to motivate yourself. Btw....after my last race I dumped a bag of ice into a cold bath and jumped in. Whoa....hardest thing I've ever done, but I had absolutely no soreness or stiffness the next day. 10 minutes is all it took.

They have a cold plunge pool at my fitness center, so I'm going to try that after my next long run this weekend. Not sure I can do ice Water though!

[deedadumble 1,033]

Ran my final long run before my race. Made it 11 miles, but was hurting the last two miles. Think I'll be able to run the half on Sunday the whole way. I'll just have to dig deep and try to run faster at the beginning. I was way too slow the first 6 miles today.

[nikkiba75 276]

I'm going to start back on my c5k tomorrow

[scarlet333 386]

On week 8. The last week of c25k. Once you graduated from the app what did you do continue with 30 minutes and try to improve your time? I don't have a desire to run much more than the 3.2 miles.

[deedadumble 1,033]

On week 8. The last week of c25k. Once you graduated from the app what did you do continue with 30 minutes and try to improve your time? I don't have a desire to run much more than the 3.2 miles.

I added a minute every run (sometime every other run) until I got up to 5K, which at the time was about 39 minutes. If you want to improve your pace for the 5K, start running hills and mix in some Fartlek (interval) training. I'm not focusing on speed yet, just adding distance, but my 5K time has improved to under 36 minutes.

Congrats on finishing the plan!

[scarlet333 386]

Thanks. I feel quite proud. I have a few friends who downloaded the app but gave up after the first few weeks. I have never jogged/run before and feel pretty good that at my age (48) I could do this and finish it.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I kept going because I wanted to add distance. But either way, keep increasing something so you do not get complacent and board....either speed or distance.

[deedadumble 1,033]

Thanks. I feel quite proud. I have a few friends who downloaded the app but gave up after the first few weeks. I have never jogged/run before and feel pretty good that at my age (48) I could do this and finish it.

I'm 48 as well. I was an athlete in high school and in my 20's (softball and volleyball), but never much of a runner. It's amazing to me that a year ago I was unable to run 45 seconds without being out of breath and struggling. Love the app and trying to get more friends and family hooked on it. I'm getting some of my cousins (all in our 40's) together to run the OKC Memorial Relay Marathon. Some are already runners, but a few are going to have to finish the program to be able to participate. I have been wanting to run the Memorial run for a long time and so glad that I'm finally in good enough shape to do it.

[scarlet333 386]

I plan to continue adding minutes till I actually get to the 5k. I am probably at about 2.75 miles in the 30 minutes. Then I'll see how I feel about adding more time.

[mistysj 1,939]

I typically run for 50 minutes now because that's all I have time for. I still walk 5 minutes either side so that is 40 minutes of actual running. In that total time I tend to run about 6k. Just wanted to report back as another graduate who is still running.

I've decided to substitute a hard elliptical workout for one of my runs to change things up, and to add Zumba one night a week (starts tomorrow)! You will be amazed what you have the energy for. I also get bored during the work day and take a walk break.