BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

[Elizellen]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I have to admit that I havent been doing my walk/jog this week

Monday evening I didnt have the energy to get on the treadmill after my usual weights circuit and did some stationary biking instead, and Wednesday after my usual pilates and body conditioning classes I did some rowing instead of treadmill to see if I could get anywhere near the standard to win a prize in our gym's rowing challenge for this month (I am about one minute too slow for a 2K time of 9 minutes).

And I didnt manage to push myself to the next rung either last week , (doing only one minute jog amongst 30 minutes of walking one time ) Still I havent given up yet, and hope to get back into the swing of it.

I am so impressed by you others in this challenge who have found out through doing it that they are runners One day I might get there

[ValidRouge]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Hey you guys! Just wanted to drop by and offer some encouragement for those of you who may be struggling....

1) SLOW down. I found that when I slowed down, I actually paced myself better and could go farther/longer.
2) It does take me, even to this day, about 2 miles of ...welll....put bluntly...PURE **** before my muscles get all warm and limber. After the first two miles, I'm pretty much good to go...as long as I don't go too fast.
3) If I stop and walk, then I have to restart my 2 miles it seems. Ugh. That's why when I get tired, I slow to an incredibly slow jog, but don't stop or walk.

This is what works for me. Maybe it will help some of you.

[ValidRouge]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Floyd, I used to get shin splints all the time in the beginning. They went away when I changed shoes. I originally started in Nike Air 180's...but when I moved to the Nike Structured Triax (stability shoe, rather than a cushioning shoe) the shin splints went away. I was prepared not to like the Triax shoes because they aren't as "soft" on impact, which you'd think would cause shin splints rather than prevent them...but the stability of the shoe helps your foot and ankle stay nice and straight...which helped me with my shin pain. It's time to get new shoes again (for me) and I'm going to stick with the triax.

[hopejoy]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Hi everyone... well, after my last 2 mile run... I just started walking... I felt guilty about it, but feel so much more relaxed with the dog and everything... so I upped the mileage to 3 miles each walk... about 4-5 times/week with a couple of long ones thrown in for good measure 5 & 8 milers... to get in my miles for the month... Now that I joined the gym, I did the eliptical a couple days... water aerobics... wt training... and still walked the dog a couple days this week too... doggy needs exersize too! lol! I think getting sick just really threw me... my energy level just plummeted... and feeling the need for some human contact... thus gym rat. so, sorry I let you guys down... not giving up the idea of running... actually sometimes I still do, but it's just when I feel like it and not on 'program'. anyways... that's my story...
Evermind, you are doing awesome with that 4 mile run! Wow!
liz

[jimmie 48]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

i just came across this in my email box this morning. maybe some of you runners would interested in it.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/g...l.asp?gid=8535

[Purple Rain]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Hello everyone! Who all is still running? Well, I just looked back through all the posts and I haven't run since September the 18th! I can't believe it has been that long. I am so dissapointed in myself. I love how I feel after I run, life just got in the way, but now I'm refocused and I ran this morning for the first time in 4 weeks! It felt great! It was foggy and beautiful out this morning when I went. I did a little warm-up then I ran for 1.5 miles, walked .4 miles, ran another .5 mile, then a little cool down and I can't wait for my next run!

Elizellen, you're doing great without the running! You're Amazing!!

Liz, walking is great exercise, also! Whatever you feel best doing!!

Evermind, you are just Awesome!! I hope I can be where you are soon!!

[floydgirl]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Thanks for the link, Jimmie. I saved it to "favorites" for easy access.

Purple Rain, great to get back into running, again. You went far for being off since September! How do you feel today?

I'm still running and I'm still enjoying it!

[Evermind]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I'm still running! 2-3 miles each, three times a week. LOVE it. Actually, I love what it's doing to my body, and how my mind works thru things while I run.

Best gift I ever gave myself!

[Purple Rain]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I ran again on Thursday. I had a warm-up walk, ran 1.5 miles, walked about 5 min, then ran another .5 mile and then a cool-down walk. It was a good run and it felt great. I just have a problem getting to the park to run.

floydgirl- I felt fine the day after both runs, I wasn't even sore, which was surprising. I'm going to go run in the morning. I'll be posting to let everyone know how it goes. I hope to run a full 2 miles.

[floydgirl]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Purple Rain -- thanks for the update! You are doing so well. Keep us posted. Good luck on your 2 mile run next time. Remember, it is absolutely ok to walk if you get tired or winded.

Evermind, great to hear that you are doing well, and loving the changes in your body. How did you make out with your October goals? Congratulations on all of those inches you lost!

I am preparing for a 5k run in December. I have mostly good runs, the bad days are few and far between for the most part. I feel like I am getting stronger and going faster. This 5k run in December is a fun run -- even the serious runners don't take it too seriously. I am actually excited about this 5K, not dreading it like the first one I participated in.

[Purple Rain]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

I ran 2.3 miles this morning, without stoping!!! I just kept telling myself 'you can go a little bit further', and it wasn't so bad. When I did stop running and started walking, my whole body felt warm and relaxed. It felt great!


Floydgirl, Good Luck on your 5K! I can't wait to do one, but it's a lot farther off than I thought it would be. Running is hard and takes dedication.

[jamikins]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Greetings!

I have been swamped with work and school for the past six weeks, and have not had even a moment to get online here to chat! I have been doing water aerobics on Wednesday mornings and walking 4 miles on Thursdays, both with a friend. My running is not going quite so well. My hip started hurting about 3 weeks ago and running made it worse, so I dropped back to just walking. Last week I started w'ogging again so I hope to be back to a 2 mile run soon. Especially since I have not lost a pound in the last 3 weeks.

I'm glad you all are hanging in! I have just six weeks left of school and then I should have a lot more time to spend online and checking back in with everyone.

[Elizellen]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Well - I finally have to admit it - running is not for me

Since I last posted here I have not been able to get up the enthusiasm to do more than a walk on the treadmill, but instead have been concentrating on my weights, cardio classes, rowing and biking at the gym which I really DO enjoy.

So I have decided to drop out of this challenge. but thank you to all of you who helped me with your enthusiasm and advice over the weeks I did try. It was an experience I am glad I had. Who knows, one day I might feel inspired to have another try.

Congratulations to those of you who have succeeded in making running a part of your life

I am now off to remove the challenge from my signature so as to be a more accurate one.

[floydgirl]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Thanks for the update, Eli!

Glad to see that you are still exercising! Running isn't for everybody. You tried it, and that is terrific!

How is everybody else doing? This cold weather running is offering me some challenges, like how to dress, etc.

[AlaskaGirl]

Re: BEGINNERS: Couch to 5K Challenge

Is any one interested in starting a new C25K challenge? I am looking for a cyber partner.

Thanks,

Julie