C25K

[NewNewMe 277]

Is anyone else doing a C25K? I am on week 2 day 3. So proud I made it this far. Never thought I would be trying to run a 5k at my size. I hope I can manage week 3. Would love to hear from others on this journey.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I have done C25k several times throughout my life. It is crazy how it actually WORKS. You go from only being able to run a minute at a time to being able to run 30+ minutes straight! Some tips from someone who's been through it a few times:

• Do not hesitate to repeat workouts or entire weeks if you aren't ready to move on. 9 weeks is the MINIMUM. But, don't get stuck in one spot for too long for fear of pushing yourself either.
• The jump up from Week 3 to Week 4 is pretty brutal. You go from running a total of 9 minutes in Week 3 to 16 minutes in Week 4. You might have to modify the first Week 4 workout a little.
• I always stretch weeks 5 and 6 out to multiple weeks, because there is a different workout each day and the final workout both of those weeks is a long run with no walking. Here's the way I do it:
  - Repeat Week 5 Day 1 three times
  - Repeat Week 5 Day 2 three times
  - Do Week 5 Day 3 (20 minute run) once
  - Repeat Week 6 Day 1 three times
  - Repeat Week 6 Day 2 three times
  - Do Week 6 Day 3 (22 minute run) once
• From the end of Week 6 on, it's just adding more time to your one long run, so you can really just ramp that up at your own pace instead of sticking to the schedule.

Hope all of that helps! Good luck! It really is a great program and works amazingly well. You won't believe how quickly you progress.

[NewNewMe 277]

Thank you Jamie! That is great advice! As I look at the weeks to come it seems impossible. Your method seems like a better approach, especially for someone like me!

[WorkinOnMe 596]

Just started C25K to help boost my endurance. I started 5Ks 1 1/2 months after my surgery and began by just walking. My goal was to FINISH! which I did. I kept improving my time until I am now at a point where I feel running is the only way to improve from here. So, I started C25K. So far I like it and I am seeing an improvement in my times. I haven't finished it all yet, but I have a race on Sunday so I will let you know how it goes.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@NewNewMe - congrats on the weight loss. C25K is a great program. Challenging, yet doable. I put some of my favorite tips here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/356960-couch-to-5k/

[jjmama 184]

I'm doing C25K right now. I'm on week 2 day 2. It's going pretty well so far. I take my 5 year old out training with me and right now he is faster than me. My goal is to eventually be faster than him!

[amyg80 45]

I finished Wk2 day 3 today! The furthest I've gotten was week4 day1, so I'm looking very forward to finishing what I started this time! I love running and it really seems to shed he weight a lot faster for me.

I'm also adding 2-3 weight training days in between my running days.

Good luck!

[jess9395 5,449]

I finished it about 18 months ago and can't recommend it enough! I was never ever a runner before and have now run countless 5-10k races and relays a dozen or so half marathons and am now training for my second full marathon!

Even if you never want to run further than a 5k it's an awesome challenge and a great way to get moving!

[NewNewMe 277]

Thanks everyone! Reading about your success and tips has been very encouraging! @@jjmama and @@amyg80 we are around the same place - lets do this!

[HopeandAgony 566]

Great advice here. Is this done indoors or outdoors? I don't have a treadmill. Are you guys in states where it's cold. I would love to try but the cold weather is making me not want to go outside. Can I run in place or minicircles? I am Being totally serious?!?!

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

Yes! I've been doing C25K. I've been stuck on week 5 for over two weeks because I messed my back up. I got it adjusted last week but it still isn't right so I've just been walking for now.

However, I'm signed up for a 5k and 15k in March so I've got something to look forward to.

P.S. I workout on a treadmill at the gym. Once I've built up some endurance I'll try to move one run a week outside to prepare for the official runs. Even though I live in North Florida it gets freezing here and it's so humid the cold goes deep in your bones. I hate cold weather but I prefer running in cold rather than hot.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

Great advice here. Is this done indoors or outdoors? I don't have a treadmill. Are you guys in states where it's cold. I would love to try but the cold weather is making me not want to go outside. Can I run in place or minicircles? I am Being totally serious?!?!

I live in upstate NY where running outside in the winter is not for the feint of heart! I run on a treadmill I the comfort of my home and only do races from spring through fall. I'm not very confident that C25k would be effective with wlking/jogging in place, but I suppose you could give it a try at least!

[NewNewMe 277]

I have been using a treadmill at the gym. Does anyone know if it will be difficult to make the transition to outside later?

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I have been using a treadmill at the gym. Does anyone know if it will be difficult to make the transition to outside later?

I do all of my training on the treadmill and only run outside in actual races. It is definitely different running outside. You have to deal with hard pavement, hills, weather, and not being able to easily pace yourself. But everything you do on the treadmill will definitely help you I actual 5k races. In a race you have adrenaline on your side.

[Fat2Phat2016 541]

I am not doing it exactly but have picked up my walking a whole lot. I hope to walk some 5ks soon!!!!