Ok, I tried this once before and got way to eager. I started moving quicker than designed. This time I will follow the guidelines.

If you are not familiar with a Couch to 5K, it is a plan to go from not running at all to running 5k (3.2 miles) in only 2 months. It is very doable and such a great feeling of accomplishment. I ran/walked a 5k in May and it was one of the most rewarding things I have done in many years.

Here is the link to the info.. If anyone is interested in training together just join in.

Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

We will start on Monday, June 29.

Let's get ready to MOVE!!!!!!:tt2:

I started my first week last night. It was ..tough.. I know my shuffling gasping jog is a far cry from that elegant run I hope to some day attain but its a first step!

What are people using to clock the distance they are using?

When you run, think "I am a Kenyan". It works for me! :thumbup:

Anyway, found my Nike+ case! It's been lost for two weeks. The Nike+ site is undergoing maintenance though so I can't upload my runs!

Mac...LOL!!! I love that! I'm a Kenyan, I'm faster than the Wind... and lighter!!!

Minxz... I now use the Nike+ system to track my distance, but before I had that I would go online to a site called "Running Ahead". That has a global mapping system that can map your route (by streets only) and tell you how far you went. Here's the link...

RunningAHEAD - Tools: Route Mapper

well the other day, it was sooooooooo hot. it was 90 at 10 pm, it made it impossible to run for me. i did only about a mile. was thinking aobut another run last nite, but was stuck w/ food, and i learned my lesson on that score the hard way (if you look back a few pages, you can see the post). so my goal is to run tonite weather permitting. hoping i can do it since its been since last week that i did so well. anyway, will keep y'all posted.

do any of you have suggestions for increasing/improving my stretching? the stretching is totally boring for me. its the one area i NEED to improve alot! all other areas can be improved of course, but the stretching is my biggest challenge right now.

tc,

Carol

Laughing I did my map and It was quite a bit shorter than I had estimated. Oh well. I am going on my second run tonight. Feeling a bit more psyched about it. My gear was comfortable though my running bra needs 4 hands to get on. Husband helps me when I holler pitiably from the bedroom he does his best to stifle his laugh as I tend to look like a twisted Picasso half in and half out of the thing..

minxz - i love that description of running bras. good news though as u get smaller, u will find it easier to get them on. the other challenge is getting them off when youre all sweaty. lol

I sure hope it gets easier to get on and off. If not I may have to downgrade a little. Support is awesome but not much good if I want to go for a run and DH isn't home to help!!

before I had that I would go online to a site called "Running Ahead". That has a global mapping system that can map your route (by streets only) and tell you how far you went. Here's the link...

RunningAHEAD - Tools: Route Mapper

A friend showed me the site mapmyrun.com which is helpful in finding running paths in your area... and you can also create one (not just on streets though, so that is the added plus) to find out your distance and more stats. plenty of resources out there for us!

Minxz - LOL i hate any bra, and would rather go braless most of the time... so i totally understand. you should see some of the contortions i go thru with the sprots bras. :thumbup:

Thanks for the other map link Jane. it seems a bit easier for me than the one Kathy posted, but maybe i didnt give that one enough of my concentration to be honest.

Last nite i did 2.5 miles and im only a bit sore today. my plan is to go again tomorrow. i'll need the stress reduction since tomorrow is the last day at my current job. im starting my new job complete with promotion and a new agency on saturday with some systems training and officially on monday with everything. im nervous and excited just like i was when i got banded. and ive done well with that.

Kathy - its amazing how much the new ppl we're becoming is being shaped not just physically but emotionally too. I can really relate to what you experienced a few months ago. i think its partly the wt loss and increased confidence in myself since i dont feel so fat/ugly. but i also think a bunch of it is due to the running. i set a goal for myself and im working on meeting it. im not sure i want to say ive reached it. but i have definitely knocked off a very large chunk of it.

everyone - thanks for all your help!

tc

Carol

Ok guys - I did week 2 after being on week 1 forever - it was fine!

Yea!

I even dragged my kids out to do it with me.

I'm feeling great! Thanks for all your help.

i did it! i did my first 5k today! granted i was really slow (37 minutes) and had to do a little bit of walking in between each mile, but i DID IT! i still have two months before my first official 5k race, and now that i know i can actually FINISH it without feeling like death, i want to do it in under 30 minutes. i KNOW i can do it.. i did the first mile today in 10 minutes, so if i can manage to cut out the walking in between miles, i'm sure i will be able to get to my goal.

im so PROUD of myself! thanks to everyone in this thread for running "with" me!

I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DID IT! WOOOOOOOO!!!! 3.1 MILES! (5K) YAY ME!!!

wow Jane CONGRATS!!! that makes 2 of us. granted yours is real and official, and mine is only in my back yard, but still - we both have a right to be proud of ourselves! im so happy, now i know i can do this and more. i get an official time on the 18th when i RUN my next 5k.

TC All, Im gonna go savor my running high now :thumbdown:

Carol

yay carol, its like we ran it together for the first time, thousands of miles apart! haha well yeah my 5k today wasn't an official race or anything-- just me on the indoor track at my gym. 19 laps = 3.1 miles there. so i ran 6 laps, walked 1 lap, ran 6 laps, walked 1 lap, ran 5 laps. now my goals are to just run those 19 laps straight... and to do it faster! i wasnt completely pooped at the end, so i KNOW i can do it in the next 2 months before my first "official" race-- the komen race for the cure in NY in honor of my mom. i just dont feel like ive really done a "real" 5k yet-- i need to do it without walking in the middle first! but its major progress!

Way to go Jane and Carol! I know you'll both do great on your upcoming races!

Wish I was running too. Still limping... :thumbdown:

Carol... CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :party:WTG!!! I'm so proud of your hard work and accomplishment! You've been so diligent and motivated, it makes me so happy for you.

Jane... YEAH... CONGRATULATIONS TOO!!! I'm envious of your time. I've been at this awhile now and am hoping to run it sub 40min! Great job!

Malissa... good job on week 2!

Ok, I've been off now for 2 weeks. I had minor surgery last week, and am now all healed so I can start running again. I've really missed it and the feeling it gives me.