Great news on the test results!!!

Started week 8 last night.  Once I got into the groove, I opted to try for distance (2.75 mi) vs. time (28 min) and I was able to do it!!! I continued running for my 5 min coold down to get my distance in and my avg was 5 mph so that is increasing as well as my distance.  I had started the run thinking I would try for 20, even after dark, the temps were mid 90's and humidity in the 90%'s as well.  Makes it hard to breath.

I just completed W5D2 and am so nervous and scared about day 3....  running 2 eight mins was ok... but jumping to 20 mins seems way too HUGE of a jump!!  I don't know if I can do it and dont know if I should try or if I should alter it a bit....  I think there should be another "baby step" built into it here!!  What did you think ?

I just started reading these posts, but have been training for a 5K race for 6 weeks now using a couch to 5 K app on my phone. I, too was terrified of running for 20 minutes without stopping! I did it, even though I was a little under the weather that day. I am so very happy to be able to do what I am doing now at 56 years old!

I'm thinking of going back to week 5 to try to get my pace back on track - I found with my knee that I've just lost momentum.  I can still run, as I proved to myself today  - I ran 5 minutes, walked 2, ran 7 walked 1 ran 5, walked a few and then ran another 5-7.  But I am just dragging.  Now granted we're also in the hottest time of the season which isn't helping - the other day it was so nice at the beach that I ran back on my former 13 min/mile pace, but I just had a rough 2 weeks.  Unlike past attempts at getting back in shape however, I promised myself to get up and go out again anyway.  I have my next 5K this weekend, and then no new races for now until the 1/2 marathon in September.  My goal for august is to gradually increase distance, and just stay on a steady pace.  I am trying hard not to focus on the pace so much but it's hard when I have my NIKE telling me every 5 minutes how far I went (I need the timer from them b/c I will just zone out and stop before I probably should when running).  I think I need some new routes too.

I have not been on this site in several weeks but I am so happy to see that so many people are sticking to the program!  It is very encouraging, to say the least!

I myself suffered a knee injury way back on W1D3.  After limping around for 10 days, I finally relented and went to the doc.  Turns out, it's Patellofemoral pain syndrome and Pes anserinus bursitis.  Apparently, very common injury in runners (which makes me laugh out loud since I was only a 'runner' for 3 days, one for only minute at a time!)  Although my knee still aches every now and again depending on what I have been doing,  the 'pain' is finally gone (it was pretty intense for a while).   I am seeing  a physical therapist once a week for 4 weeks (I saw her for the second time this week) and realized that my injury was due to a 'perfect storm' of several things all at once.....weak hip, bad running shoes and running up and down hills.  That'll teach me.

I have not been running but was able to walk for 3 miles twice last week and have been given the go ahead to start a "Return to Running" program (which is very much like the C25K program).  I will be getting new running shoes this week as I am armed with a list of good running shoes, thanks to my physical therapist.

I will also be the proud owner of a treadmill within the next two weeks.

I am hoping with the right shoes, a treadmill and the encouragment I get from reading all of your posts, that I will eventually start on the C25K again and be classified as a 'runner'.  Or, at least classified as someone who can run a 5K.

Stay strong and keep on runnin'.

Kris

Well completed week 6 yesterday by running Tues (W6:D1), Wed (W6:D2), & Thurs (W6:D3).  I usually would have allowed a day of rest between the runs but had good weather (hot, but no rain), I was feeling good and the kids were off @ Grandma's this week so I actaully had the time!   My left leg was a little sore after the 2.25 run, but I think that's because I hadnt given my body ample time to recover from the previous 2 runs.  Taking a day off for stretching today.  Planning on starting Week 7 tomorrow as long as the soreness is gone in my leg.  I'm still amazed (and proud) that in week 1 I kept looking at my watch begging for that 1st run interval to be done and now I'm cruising by 2 miles.  I've been averaging around 10.5 minute miles on my pace when I run.  I hope to be able to get below a 10 min mile by the end of week 9, but if I can just jog the whole 3 miles I'll be perfectly satisfied in improving the time later!

Completed w6d2 tonight! Boy it was so humid it was like a sauna outside. Even running inside it was sweaty. I had no issues running the 10 min intervals. I'm starting to get into a zone so that minutes pass by without me being overly aware that I'm running!   No more walk intervals for me! I'm a little apprehensive about 25 minutes! I will be trying it on Sun. I've been able to run on one day's rest so my body is finally getting used to the pounding.  Happy running everyone!

If you were able to complete that run three times I'd suggest moving ahead unless you're having pain or are extremely short of breath. If you completed less than that how was your last run? If it felt like something you could repeat and it would be easier the next time I'd move on. You can always repeat w2d1 if you find it'd too much.  Congrats on completing the first week. You will be amazed at how you will progress.