BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

[Tomorrow_I'll_Be_Perfect]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Well, I completed R1D3 on Saturday with my new pair of running shoes. Nike Air Pegasis. It's a totally different experiece that will take some getting use to I think, but Rung 1 is done!

[floydgirl]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

You all are doing so well. I love reading your updates! Look at how far you've come. You're Runners! Whoo Hoo!

I am on Rung 7. I have good running days, and I have bad running days. For some reason, Monday runs are the hardest for me! I always feel whipped after Monday runs for some reason, and I struggle through them. Actually, I ran faster and further on Saturday (the weather was absolutely fabulous on that day). I was a bit disappointed with this morning's run. Just some food for thought there.

[Evermind]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Wow, we are all doing so WELL! Isn't this amazing? I just went back and read every single post here, from the beginning. We have excellent words of encouragement from people in the know, and all of us are continuing to run and walk and reporting good stuff (ok, sore muscles and knees are not so good, but to be expected)

I am now going to hold my breath until hrgillespie reports on her first run.........

........turning blue.......

[hrgillespie]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Oh Lordy breathe Please!!!!!!! I am home and actually survived!!!!!!!! I have to be honest it was hard for me but I did it!!!!! About 15 minnutes into the 20 I thought I might not make it but I kept going for two more cycles and I finished it all! I have to say I am pretty proud of myself ........ running 20 seconds is hard for me much less 60 several times in a row! Now can you tell me if I am supposed to do it again tomorrow or do you go every other day? It shows three days in a week so my thought was M/W/F but is taking a day off in between a good thing or not? Also do you all eat before you run or run on am empty stomach???? I am so clueless someone really needs to teach me about how to do this right. Also sorry I didn't post sooner, I am a mom to many and most times their needs, wants, cries, ect come way before anything I plan to do including and especially internet time!

Thanks in advance for nay help you can give me!

Heidi

[Evermind]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

WOW, Heidi! My first run I could only do thirty seconds at a time. You pushed yourself and did all 60! Terrific!

Ok, so I have gotten to a reasonable schedule for myself, which is that I run Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Turns out the rest days are CRUCIAL. Believe me - I ran every day for 4 days and then spend an entire day lying on my bed, not sore, just exhausted. After that, I learned. What I've found is that by Sunday, I need more than one day off, which is why I wait until Wednesdays. So plan on every other day, or maybe have one two-day rest period between.

As for eating, I tend to eat a little flax cereal and have a cup of coffee before I run. Or a piece of string cheese or a devilled egg or two. Something highish in fat, about 30 min. before I run, give or take. HOWEVER, I have heard from someone here (too lazy to go back and look) that if you run in the a.m. before breakfast, it's fine, because your body has been storing up energy all night.

You're awesome - keep it up.

[Sweet Strudel]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Ok...reporting in:

Day 1 of Rung 2 done....and this is what I did.

Brisk walk for 5 mins, then the next 10 mins I alternated 2 mins jogging with 2 mins walking....so that was 6 mins jogging, 4 mins walking.

For the last 10.5 minutes I went back to 90 seconds jogging with 90 seconds walking....so that was 6 mins walking, 4.5 mins jogging.

What I did differently this time was I jogged a bit slower to build up my endurance but I listened to my body and didn't push it for the last 10 minutes of my workout.

It was pretty good....I'm glad I'm done til Wednesday.

I'm with floydgirl...Saturday I was like an energizer bunny, but today...blahhh, I pushed myself to even do it today. Guess everyone has really good and really bad days.

Ok, well I'm so proud of us all, we are getting out there and doing it and thats an accomplishment in itself.

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Good days and bad days...yep. I just finished R1D1 (which is up from R0...yay!). It went really well. I was astounded at how easy it seemed compared to last week. When I got done I realized why it was so easy...I forgot to increase the incline on the treadmill. I did the whole workout on a completely flat surface!

You won't believe the difference just 2% incline can make! So, I guess I cheated, but I'm still gonna count it as a workout and give myself a kiss for the day.

Heidi...awesome, girl! Get yourself a motivational theme song for your MP3 player and go for it! I skip a day between running to rest and recover and because I only have one pair of lycra bicycle shorts that keep my inner thighs from chafing and I need the day-between to get them laundered!

[Purple Rain]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

You didn't cheat Jamie! You still worked out and deserve a kiss!

[fowlergirl]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Today I am on Rung 6 Day 3.

I am just getting back into the habit of jogging/running again. I do not enjoy it yet. I know that it is good for me but still I don't enjoy it. I am hoping that as the burning in my chest and the aching in my legs subside, it will at least become tolerable. I am developing a love hate relationship with my treadmill. I love it when I get on the scale, I hate it when I hit the power button every morning.

[Evermind]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Jamie - nah, you didn't cheat. It's as though you did your jog ever so slightly downhill, that's all.

Fowler - have you tried putting music on your mp3 player and going outside to run? It's delicious. Especially really early in the morning. Or in the evening.

I'm waiting for the pleasurable part of running to start, but from my experience 20 years ago, it took me several months to get to that point. However, it's not awful for me now - and I feel SUCH a sense of accomplishment when I'm done! I don't have the burning in my chest, though. Maybe because I'm not pushing myself - I'm enjoying staying at this particular rung for a bit.

Sweet - awesome job!

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Hey, Fowler...try dropping back just one rung. There really is no hurry! The fact that you are moving your body (in ANY activity) for 30 minutes is a huge benefit...the speed/duration will come eventually and your body will love you much better for it. Maybe you'll learn to love running if it doesn't hurt so much. Just a thought!

[fowlergirl]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Thanks. I'll do that.

[Elizellen]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

You are all doing great

I did rung 1 day 1 this evening - 60 secs running at #7, 90 secs walking at #4 - I had intended to do 30 minutes of this but at just over 20 I hit the 'cooldown' button as I felt my legs werent going to do much more!!

[Evermind]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Well, all you NEED to do is 20 minutes, so you are successful today, Elizellen!

[Gem238]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Well, I have been working and working and working... and working. I have had time to walk but was afraid the running would be too much strain on my already exhausted body. So I am still on week one. However, the great news is that I had committed to Rung 0 as that was what I thought I could handle and I am realizing that what I actually did was Rung 2. Now I only did 14 minutes but I now know I can do more than I realized so I will make the adjustment and keep moving forward.
g