BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Yay for Evermind.

No...

YAY for EVERMIND!!! Woo Hoo!

You're half-way to a 5K...and you did it in just 4 weeks. You are amazing.

(I'm jealous.) I'm inspired more though!

[Sweet Strudel]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Evermind

I'm very impressed. I'm envious of your success...but you've earned it girl...so way to go.

As we all know I've been struggling at this so going to take a step back and repeat Rung 2. I haven't given up yet and posts like yours inspire me to continue on. Thanks!

Guess I'm just not as fast as I used to be...gettin old...lol.

[hopejoy]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

YOU GO GIRL! Whoo hoo for Evermind!
liz

[Purple Rain]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Sorry, I haven't posted all week. It has been a very long and busy week. I'm still trying to catch up with everything!
8-28-07
Rung 3, Day 2 Complete!
8-30-07
Rung 3, Day 3 Complete!
I ran 6.5 min straight without stopping! It was great! I'm really starting to enjoy this. Now, if my legs would stop getting soo tired!

Well, I'm running out the door now!!!

GREAT JOB, EVERYONE!!!

[Sweet Strudel]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

First of all I want to thank everyone for their support and understanding and motivation.

That being said.....

I was going to wait and try the C25K tomorrow, but in reading all your posts I got off my butt and did it today.

I modified things a bit...5 mins brisk walk....2 mins running, 2 mins walking for 20 minutes. It didn't kill me...but I'm sweatin like a whore in church.

I think I will stick with this pattern for awhile. I noticed my legs got kinda tired towards the end of my 2 min run. My lungs are good though, wasn't huffin and puffin. I also slowed down the running portion a little bit. I am trying for endurance, not speed.

So again thank you jamikins, evermind, liz, adena, betsy, mickkey, caryl, jess and anyone else I may have missed. You all are sweethearts!

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I have great news to report on my workout today. What is the one common piece of advice all of the successful runners have given us on this board? I'll tell ya: GO SLOW! Now, it's not that I didn't believe them, it's just that I thought 5 mph was slow.

After reading Outback Jess's advice, I kept thinking about her word shuffle. So today, instead of bumping my treadmill from 3 mph to 5 mph for the run, I just left it at 3 mph. Then I tried to think of running "quietly" and "lightly" and "on eggshells" so I would "shuffle" through my 1 minute of running. It worked! I didn't feel the pounding in my back and I could breathe and I didn't think of passing out. I just pretended I was running in slow motion (which I was) as I listened to my music. By going so slow I I could concentrate on the muscles in my legs (which need strengthening).

I'm going to try this again tomorrow. I know I can't run this slow forever, but I think I can build up the muscles in my legs and gradually increase speed. The C25K program has us running at 7.5 mph, but I'm afraid I will give up on the program at that speed. SLOWLY, though, I can almost (ALMOST) enjoy it!

[Sweet Strudel]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I did the same thing. I slowed down.

My brisk walking speed was 3.2 mph for the first 5 mins.

My jogging speed was between 3.8 and 3.9 mph.

Then my walking speed went down to from 3.0 to 3.2 mph.

Seemed to work out well for me to jamikins!

Guess we were trying to go fast but then this isn't all about speed its about endurance, the speed will come, well maybe not speed...but we will move a bit faster eventually.

Funny that word "shuffle" that Jess mentioned kept resinating in my head my entire workout. I thought if Jess the tri-athalete can shuffle then I can slow this down a bit too.

Click...big lightbulb moment!

[Evermind]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I keep telling y'all................s-l-o-w. Teeny weeny tiny steps. Heel toe. No impact. Just relax. Pull yourself back if you get tired or legs start to hurt. When I say "pull yourself back" I literally mean it - go even slower.

This is not a race. It really IS a shuffle!

I think this is a situation where pushing yourself is actually the WRONG thing to do............does that make sense?

[Sweet Strudel]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Yes Evermind...it makes perfect sense, once I started listening to my body instead of trying to push myself, it was do-able.

[Outback Jess]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Ya'll I am so proud of your break through...I usually run at3.5- 4.0, very happily....I can increase it, and the go back down....but I am out to enjoy myself, not KILL myself...
Maybe that's why all of you are about to abort things....I am so glad you are finding breakthru....
Look I shuffled along happily today, after getting off a hour on the bike, shuffling is all I wanted to attempt.
Remember if you run outside, it's much harder than on a treadmill, but the trade off is, IT GOES FASTER because you are distracted!!!!

I so enjoy a good jog...shufflng along, happy to be out side....
I see alot of shufflers out side at the park, so no sweat for me....I've run in a race shuffling along with Adena...no sweat for me...I'm 50, I really don't care what strangers think of me, I am a winner, I am doing amazing things for my age.....shuffling all the way!

[hrgillespie]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Yep thats an accurate description of me ........... shuffleing! It's about what I do! LOL

I haven't posted in a few days here because life has been super busy for me but I completed week two this week and I can almost sat Friday the third day of this week for me was wonderful! I felt so good doing my run that I suprised myself! LOL I am going to try and move to week three Monday but it doubles the running time so it will be a huge challenge! We'll see ..........

Happy running to everyone!!!!!!!!!

Heidi

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Slowing down is definitely the key. I did my workout again yesterday at 3.0 to 3.5 mph. The running went way better than the walking parts for me. I think the 3.5 mph walk was too fast because I have a weak right ankle. It was positively weird for me to enjoy the running and dread the walking parts. I'm going to move to Rung 2 this week...but I'm still going to do it SLOWLY. I think I need to put a day off between workouts to reduce the strain on my ankle. I would like to be able to walk at 4 mph someday as well as run.

OK...I feel energized, and I'm actually looking forward to moving to the next rung.

If you're feeling like giving up, SLOW DOWN! It really does make a difference.

[Outback Jess]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I found incredible value running every other day, to rest my legs...it's such a rough sport on the legs and ankles and I found biking helps because it's NON WEIGHT BARING...something to consider...I have to say, if you read all my blogs, all my journal I wanted to be a runner, I bond with the whole running concept...UNTIL i started training for this triathalon....Now I want to be a triathelete....eventually.
I do so much more and hurt so much less....Running is such a high impact on your legs sport, and spreading it out to every few days is magical for the runner...So I would suggest swimming or biking....I am going to join the local pool this winter, because exercising 6 days a week is so key, but changing sports ever day is the BESTEST KEY FOR MY RUNNING...
I know ya'll are on a program, and I support you all a 1000%....just sharing the break thru I had! Run, shuffle, relax and enjoy it...you certain run in the winter alot easier than swim or bike!!! I am so proud of all of you for finding your legs and taking up the challenges, because it will keep you going and thriving!

[sws]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Hi Everyone, I know I'm somewhat late into the game but I would love to join this challenge! I've always wanted to be a runner, and this program and this challenge may just be the motivation to get there. I've always been worried about my knees (they're in not the greatest of shape), but know from past experience that my knees always feel best when I'm exercising and in shape.

So - can I join in too?

[Sweet Strudel]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

sws....happy to have you join and great to meet you. Anyone can join in here at any time, don't you worry!

Word of advice. Take it slow...this isn't a race. Lots of us have tried to go too fast and realized that wasn't the way. We are trying to build endurance here its not so much about the speed. K...well just thought I would give you that little bit of wisdom that it has taken some of us a couple of weeks to figure out!

Have fun and post often!