So, last week I decided to just jump into the Couch 2 5K plan. Downloaded the app and took off. It wasn't as difficult as I expected. But my hips sure hurt after each workout. Any advice or tips to keep me going would certainly be appreciated.

Week 01 - 3/15/2015

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Week 02 - 3/23/2015

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Week 03 - 3/30/2015

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Week 04 - 4/06/2015

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Week 05 - 4/13/2015

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Week 06 - 4/20/2015

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Week 07 - 4/27/2015

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Week 08 - 5/05/2015

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The Grand Finale! Week 8 Day 3

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Workout 2 Week 5 is on the books. I completed the whole thing, but it really tested my resolve to keep going. Thanks to everyone that is following my adventure. I'm sure I'd have quit by now if you weren't watching.

Do you have a 5k race scheduled? I'm hoping to run one in the second half of May, but haven't signed up for a specific race yet.

I've not planned on running a 5k, yet. :-P There's only one in my area and it will be this month, and I'll be a few more weeks before completing the C25K program. But my girlfriend is already asking WHEN we'll be running in one together. So I think I'll be running in at least one 5K before year end.

Do you have a 5k race scheduled? I'm hoping to run one in the second half of May, but haven't signed up for a specific race yet.

Week 5 Day 3 complete! I really am surprised that I was actually able to run non-stop for 20 minutes.

This time, I ran completely around my block, instead of just on the part in front of my house. I know that 1 block is 1/4 mile and I did 4 complete laps in 20 minutes. So not only did I complete the 20 minute jog, I know the distance was 2 miles as well. *** Does Happy Dance ***

I'm still living with my old pre-op mindset that KNEW I couldn't run more than a few feet before hyperventilating. Maybe when I cross the finish line of my 1st official 5K, I'll believe that I CAN do it. :-)

Week 5 Day 3 complete! I really am surprised that I was actually able to run non-stop for 20 minutes.

This time, I ran completely around my block, instead of just on the part in front of my house. I know that 1 block is 1/4 mile and I did 4 complete laps in 20 minutes. So not only did I complete the 20 minute jog, I know the distance was 2 miles as well. *** Does Happy Dance ***

I'm still living with my old pre-op mindset that KNEW I couldn't run more than a few feet before hyperventilating. Maybe when I cross the finish line of my 1st official 5K, I'll believe that I CAN do it. :-)

Wow! A 10 minute mile is AMAZING! Took me like a year to get to that speed!

Thanks jess, I really thought a sub 10 min mile was the norm. I never gave it a second thought. I've never researched the average jogger's speed and really felt like I was going at a snails pace. My only goal was to finish the 20 minutes, up until today, I've never tried to measure distance.

Week 5 Day 3 complete! I really am surprised that I was actually able to run non-stop for 20 minutes.

This time, I ran completely around my block, instead of just on the part in front of my house. I know that 1 block is 1/4 mile and I did 4 complete laps in 20 minutes. So not only did I complete the 20 minute jog, I know the distance was 2 miles as well. *** Does Happy Dance ***

I'm still living with my old pre-op mindset that KNEW I couldn't run more than a few feet before hyperventilating. Maybe when I cross the finish line of my 1st official 5K, I'll believe that I CAN do it. :-)

Wow! A 10 minute mile is AMAZING! Took me like a year to get to that speed!

Thanks jess, I really thought a sub 10 min mile was the norm. I never gave it a second thought. I've never researched the average jogger's speed and really felt like I was going at a snails pace. My only goal was to finish the 20 minutes, up until today, I've never tried to measure distance.

Week 5 Day 3 complete! I really am surprised that I was actually able to run non-stop for 20 minutes.

This time, I ran completely around my block, instead of just on the part in front of my house. I know that 1 block is 1/4 mile and I did 4 complete laps in 20 minutes. So not only did I complete the 20 minute jog, I know the distance was 2 miles as well. *** Does Happy Dance ***

I'm still living with my old pre-op mindset that KNEW I couldn't run more than a few feet before hyperventilating. Maybe when I cross the finish line of my 1st official 5K, I'll believe that I CAN do it. :-)

Wow! A 10 minute mile is AMAZING! Took me like a year to get to that speed!

Well if you're taking competitive runners sure sub 10, but casual runners not so much! Sub 10 is super for someone just starting out. You have some real speed potential.

I am thrilled that my half marathon pace is 9:15 and I've done five of them and took me a year to get that fast! My first races were like 12 min miles!

Week 5 Day 3 complete! I really am surprised that I was actually able to run non-stop for 20 minutes.

This time, I ran completely around my block, instead of just on the part in front of my house. I know that 1 block is 1/4 mile and I did 4 complete laps in 20 minutes. So not only did I complete the 20 minute jog, I know the distance was 2 miles as well. *** Does Happy Dance ***

I'm still living with my old pre-op mindset that KNEW I couldn't run more than a few feet before hyperventilating. Maybe when I cross the finish line of my 1st official 5K, I'll believe that I CAN do it. :-)

Am I failing at math here? Wouldn't four laps of 1/4 mile be 1 mile?

You are right, I was still pretty fatigued when I made that post. A complete lap around my block is actually 1/2 mile.

Week 5 Day 3 complete! I really am surprised that I was actually able to run non-stop for 20 minutes.

This time, I ran completely around my block, instead of just on the part in front of my house. I know that 1 block is 1/4 mile and I did 4 complete laps in 20 minutes. So not only did I complete the 20 minute jog, I know the distance was 2 miles as well. *** Does Happy Dance ***

I'm still living with my old pre-op mindset that KNEW I couldn't run more than a few feet before hyperventilating. Maybe when I cross the finish line of my 1st official 5K, I'll believe that I CAN do it. :-)

Am I failing at math here? Wouldn't four laps of 1/4 mile be 1 mile?

Week 6 Workout 1 is done. I really thought it would be easier than it was. I guess I got too cocky after running 20 minutes non-stop. :-P

Week 6 Workout 1 is done. I really thought it would be easier than it was. I guess I got too cocky after running 20 minutes non-stop. :-P

I felt the same way when I started week 6, but that was also coming off a week-long vacation where I didn't work out at all. My week 5 long run was my last workout before vacation and when I tried to start week 6 when I got home, it was tougher than I thought it would be!

Just completed, C25K - Wk - 06 - Day 02, 04-22-2015 Sometimes It's All About The Grind
One more workout down. Only 7 more workouts left to complete the C25K program.

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You're caught up to me now! I fell a bit behind this week because I have ear infections. Hoping to finish my Week 6, Day 3 long run tonight!

Week 6 is in the books. Finished all 3 workouts for the week. Running the 22 minutes non-stop really was more of a mental game than a physical one. I'm in the home stretch - Starting Week 7, only 6 workouts left till I'm running 3 miles non-stop.

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Week 6 is in the books. Finished all 3 workouts for the week. Running the 22 minutes non-stop really was more of a mental game than a physical one. I'm in the home stretch - Starting Week 7, only 6 workouts left till I'm running 3 miles non-stop.

That is awesome! Congrats!!!

I just want to caution people though... In reality couch to 5k works you up to running 30 mins nonstop. For MANY people that won't be 3.1 miles/5k. That's a pretty fast 5k for a beginner, under a 10 min mile, though no doubt some of you are running that fast!

I did my first 5k race about three weeks after finishing couch to 5k and wasn't able to run the whole time. I finished with three or four walk breaks and my time was 47 minutes. So don't fret if you aren't getting the full 5k at the end of the program, just keep at it! My first sub 30 minute 5k was 7 months later. I just two days ago ran the same 5k race that was my first race a year ago (after running five half marathons and several relays and 10ks and a triathlon in between). I ran this one at just over 26 minutes and got 2nd place in the women's 40-49 bracket!

So don't worry if you need more work after the program to get up to 5K! You can do it if you stick with it!!!