BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

[Evermind]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

lol. There are worse things to have on your mind.

[Purple Rain]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Great Job, Everyone!!!

I bought a pair of New Balance today and brought them home and wore them about an hour around the house and they rubbed my heels red so I returned those and got the Nike Air Torch. They feel great and I can't wait to go running in the morning!
And the best thing about it is that it was tax free weekend! I didn't even realize it until I was about to head out. I bought my son and husband a pair of shoes, too!

I'll be moving on to Rung 2 tomorrow!!!

[fowlergirl]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Hi Everybody,

Just wanted to let you guys know that you have all inspired me to start running again. Although right now its more of a slow jog. But its a start. It really has affected my weight loss as well. Thanks again.

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Welcome, Fowlergirl! Jump in where you are. If you need the info on how to work this challenge (see post #105 in this thread), let me know and I'll PM it to you. Remember, this is a BEGINNER'S challenge...running speed is not necessarily one of our concerns, so relax, take pride in simply doing the workouts and enjoy getting back into the 5K activities.

[D-Termined]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Hey everyone! I managed to get my bee boo beep run in last night (rung 2 day 2 - R2D2 I took a few days off between the last run and this one and that helped. R2D1 was tougher than I thought. I think part of my problem is constantly looking at my watch but when doing intervals that's hard to avoid. I went out and bought a new watch that has interval timers so now I can just wait for the alarm.
So far I haven't had any shin splints, which was my biggest concern. I have been having some mild soreness of the knees and even my big toe joints.
It feels great to be running again and glad to see so many joining us.

[Evermind]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Well! I just completed my run. 1/2 mile, then walked a bit, then 1/3 of a mile. It was HARD today - I probably need a rest day, which is tomorrow. Part of the problem is that even at 8:30 here, it's HOT. We are in a terrible heat wave. I felt heavy in my run, but i pushed myself and did fine.

I believe that I could not be doing this without my mp3 player. I, too, used to check my watch every 2 seconds, and count the fence posts as I ran to see how far I was. Now, I just put on my music and start, and focus on what I'm listening to. Time flies.

Interesting fact: Every day before my run (Sunday, Wed, and Fri) I am absolutely terrified that I won't be able to go as far as last time. I have an anxiety attack as I'm doing my warm-up. No matter how much I reassure myself that it doesn't matter, I have that awful fear. Any ideas on how to deal with that besides just feeling the fear and doing it anyway?

[Atkid]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Thank you for the info, and the welcome to the challenge. I have printed out the guidelines so that I have it at hand. Now, does anyone have a recommendation for a sports bra that will do its job without being too uncomfortable? What are you D's and DD's out there doing about the bounce?

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Evermind...

Re-examine your goal. I think you're focused too much on getting to the 5K mark, which makes these interim workouts into a race to the finish. The challenge should not be viewed that way. The benefit to your body in terms of cardio/respiratory endurance and muscle-building is in the gradual, consistent expenditures of energy that the C25K plan outlines.

My goal is to simply follow the C25K guide as written. By doing that, the only pressure I feel is to show-up for the workout and finish the 25 minutes as outlined. Each time I do that successfully (regardless of whether I "pushed" myself or beat my previous distance/time) I can take pride in the accomplishment of just "showing up". I know that I will eventually get to the 5K mark simply by following the plan...I don't look ahead 9 weeks because then I would feel the same stress/pressure to excel that you feel...so I just look at today.

Take it easy on yourself! I'm worried that you are going to burn-out or get injured.

[Evermind]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Thanks Jamie! Actually, I forgot about doing 5k - that was not on my mind at all! I think I'm more afraid of my success than anything - you know, sort of a Runners Cinderella Complex or something!

What's so interesting to me is that I'm not focussing on doing MORE. For example, I'm very content with the 1/2 mile plus whatever else I can handle that I do now (between 1/4 and 1/3 mile more running after a walk break). I'm just terrified each time I go out that I won't be able to do the 1/2 mile!

I really do think it has something to do with being afraid I'm a fraud or something - that it was just a fluke that I could do this, and soon I will be exposed (to myself).

Weird, how neurotic people can be, huh! lol. I don't obsess about what eating the same number of carbs/proteins/calories each day as the day before, but when it comes to running, yikes!

[hopejoy]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Jamikins... thanks for the word of encouragement... I woke up unbelievably sore... Yesterday I not only started this running program, then did extra pushups, 175 abs, and my biking and worked in the yard! lol! As soon as I started to move this am every muscle I moved was sore!!!! but that's a good sign... I'm working it! for sure! Enjoying a nice rest day today!!! Tomorrow am doing a glucose tolerance test first thing so wish me luck... it's going to mess up my workout... will have to do it later. Anyways, have a great Sunday!
liz

[apple]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

LOL...evermind...you're funny!


Week 3 work out 3 done for me...woo hoo! Moving on to Week 4 next week...I think I'll be able to do it. I actually combined my 2-3min jogs together and got lost day dreaming and ended up actually jogging for a full 10 mins at 4mph. I think I'll be okay moving on the time frame next week

C25K rules!

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Evermind: You're doing really, really well. Take pride in what you've already accomplished instead of dwelling on fears of failure. We believe in you~

Liz: Don't overdo it! We have the turtle as our mascot for a reason. I know it's empowering to have the energy again to DO STUFF, but don't risk injury or exhaustion. Good luck on your GTT.

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I actually combined my 2-3min jogs together and got lost day dreaming and ended up actually jogging for a full 10 mins at 4mph. I think I'll be okay moving on the time frame next week

Apple...that must have been some daydream!

[Purple Rain]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I did Rung 2 Day 1 this morning. It was harder than I thought it would be. I think I was trying to jog too fast. But now I'm ready for Day 2. My shoes felt great! Not one problem!

D-Termined, my knees have been hurting me, too. I hope they get better rather than worse, for both us.

Atkid, for sports bras, I'm a DD and I use 2 at the same time. It helps.

[hrgillespie]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Good Morning Ladies ........ it's Monday Morning and I am getting ready to start my very first run today ........... I'm nervous, excited and ready to try. It probably sounds silly to be nervous about running but I am ...... anyways I am going to do this! I have been at a weight loss stall for 7 days now and am hoping that maybe changing things up a bit with a new excercise will help me bust through that as well.

I'm off!

Heidi