Started 'Couch to 5k today' Anyone keen?

[jen.jones 55]

Funny story: I did C25K two years ago, at 240 pounds. I loved it! Running is in my blood. However, once I finished the program, I realized that - since I was so overweight and s-l-o-w - it wasn't so much "couch to 5K" as it was "couch to 3K"!!! I ran a 13-14 minute mile. Hey, I did it though! If I recall correctly, the program is based on a 10 minute mile. Maybe once I'm down to goal weight, that'll be more realistic

If you've never thought you'd be able to, or even have a desire, to run, give it a try! Especially given that, as we lose weight, our bodies can handle the stress on the hips and knees better than before surgery. For me, yoga+running is stress relief like nothing else.

[mistysj 1,940]

Funny story: I did C25K two years ago, at 240 pounds. I loved it! Running is in my blood. However, once I finished the program, I realized that - since I was so overweight and s-l-o-w - it wasn't so much "couch to 5K" as it was "couch to 3K"!!! I ran a 13-14 minute mile. Hey, I did it though! If I recall correctly, the program is based on a 10 minute mile. Maybe once I'm down to goal weight, that'll be more realistic If you've never thought you'd be able to, or even have a desire, to run, give it a try! Especially given that, as we lose weight, our bodies can handle the stress on the hips and knees better than before surgery. For me, yoga+running is stress relief like nothing else.

I can still only do 4k in the 30 minutes but I love it! I did 5k in 45 minutes this morning before it got too hot and it was great. I had some serious hills to power up and down but I just found a pace I could stick with and got it done! It's great to start the day with a run!

[crowsnestmama 240]

Funny story: I did C25K two years ago, at 240 pounds. I loved it! Running is in my blood. However, once I finished the program, I realized that - since I was so overweight and s-l-o-w - it wasn't so much "couch to 5K" as it was "couch to 3K"!!! I ran a 13-14 minute mile. Hey, I did it though! If I recall correctly, the program is based on a 10 minute mile. Maybe once I'm down to goal weight, that'll be more realistic If you've never thought you'd be able to, or even have a desire, to run, give it a try! Especially given that, as we lose weight, our bodies can handle the stress on the hips and knees better than before surgery. For me, yoga+running is stress relief like nothing else.

I've recently added yoga to my routine as well, it has significantly lowered my time on my 5k, from 38:54 to 33:20 in a short amount of time, I finally feel like in making gains.

[SuperKen 231]

I just signed up to start training fir a 5k run which will take place at the end of February! To go from not being able to walk a block to training for a 5K i'm still pinching myself!!!

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I can still only do 4k in the 30 minutes but I love it! I did 5k in 45 minutes this morning before it got too hot and it was great. I had some serious hills to power up and down but I just found a pace I could stick with and got it done! It's great to start the day with a run!

I know people who can run marathons who can barely run a 5k in 30 minutes. Honestly that is an unreasonable expectation in the C25K plan. The beauty is it doesn't matter how fast or slow we run....just that we run.

[mvickyway 256]

I know people who can run marathons who can barely run a 5k in 30 minutes. Honestly that is an unreasonable expectation in the C25K plan. The beauty is it doesn't matter how fast or slow we run....just that we run.

That is a relief to hear. I just thought I was a real slow runner since I wasn't hitting the right distance in the 30 mins.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

That is a relief to hear. I just thought I was a real slow runner since I wasn't hitting the right distance in the 30 mins.

And not that I'm some great runner....but I completed C25K a long time ago and I still can't do it. I think my best time was 31:30 on a track. I'm to the point now that I'd rather run slow, enjoy the scenery and the miles and not get hurt so I can run again another day.

[sheilarae 84]

I'm not sure of exactly what's going on but I'd like to be in on the January challenge. I want to walk 30 minutes a day three times a week. Since I do nothing I thought this would be a good way to start.

[mistysj 1,940]

I'm not sure of exactly what's going on but I'd like to be in on the January challenge. I want to walk 30 minutes a day three times a week. Since I do nothing I thought this would be a good way to start.

Hi sheilarae, good for you for aiming to add more activity into your life. This thread is for the Couch to 5k running program. I think the January challenge might be a different thread. But of course you can stick around this one too.

Edit: I don't think the January challenge has started yet. Here is the December one:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/289757-december-fitness-challenge/

Edited December 31, 2013 by mistysj

[TexasFire 84]

Isn't there a C25K app version for distance instead of time? If so, that's what I need.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I thought they were all for time but I could be wrong. Reason being the program is based on being at a certain heart rate for a certain amount of time to produce measurable and predictable aerobic increases in fitness without overdoing it.

[sheilarae 84]

I'll stick to time. My blood pressure MEDS keep my heart rate from going up! Starting slow so I won't quit. Moved to January Challenge.

[mistysj 1,940]

If you use endomondo you can have it tell you when you have gone a certain distance. You can do the couch to 5k that way yourself but I haven't seen any apps that specifically track it. It would only work outside and if you use a smartphone or other device with a GPS to track your distance. Or if you trust your treadmill's distance read-out.

Edited January 2, 2014 by mistysj

[scarlet333 386]

I know people who can run marathons who can barely run a 5k in 30 minutes. Honestly that is an unreasonable expectation in the C25K plan. The beauty is it doesn't matter how fast or slow we run....just that we run.

That is a relief to hear. I just thought I was a real slow runner since I wasn't hitting the right distance in the 30 mins.

Do you think the 5 minute warm-up and 5 minute cool down distance walked should be included in the total distance accomplished. For example if you ran 2.7 miles in the 30 minutes and walked .5 miles in the 10 minute warm up and cool down provided for in the app. Could this be the total 3.2 miles (5K) the app is training you for? Just a thought.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Do you think the 5 minute warm-up and 5 minute cool down distance walked should be included in the total distance accomplished. For example if you ran 2.7 miles in the 30 minutes and walked .5 miles in the 10 minute warm up and cool down provided for in the app. Could this be the total 3.2 miles (5K) the app is training you for? Just a thought.

I try not to worry about that too much. After I completed C25K I simply kept running for longer and longer distances. Trying to add a lap at the track each time I went out. Before long I outgrew the track and was adding miles on the the road (or trail). Once on the road the longer miles get easier because of ever changing scenery. The true 5K distance came very quickly thereafter. But doing it in 30 minutes or less did not. I'm ok with that though. The c25K program gave me the tool to go as far as I want to.