Hey there!

Been gone for a while due to a raging stomach bug in the house....so last week restarted W1.  A couple of great things....

1.  Still feel great doing the runs.  I am amazed at my body's tolerance after being a sloth for a year.  Not to mention the fact that I have recently quit smoking....off an on for 15 years.  Let me be honest with myself, more on than off really.  So that fact that I haven't required an oxygen tank or a defibrillator is quite wondrous!  I actually threw in an extra 90 seconds on W1D2 because it felt so good!

2.  I have a running buddy!  We are work pals and we do two runs a week together and one apart.  It's great because we keep each other honest and encourage each other along the way.  Today was a on your own day so we're keeping each other honest making sure we are doing our runs. 

3.  I also have great people around me that are inspiring me each and every day.  Friends that are new to me that are life long runners and old friends who would never have imagined running 10 years ago, let alone doing multiple 5Ks this past year, keep me feeling that I can truly accomplish this goal.

With the year coming to an end, I am wishing for all of you wondrous people like these, moments and people that inspire you to be more than you could have ever expected.  I wish for you a blessed year!  Keep going!

Lisa

Well, here I am, 67 years old, 100 pounds overweight and thinking I can learn how to run. I started W1D1 today, didn't die. Thought I might though. I joined WW 3 weeks ago and have lost 6 pounds so far, so this might work after all. Looking forward to the encouraging stories.

Bob

Hi All,

Today is a rest day so no running progress to report - but just wanted to share my hiking experience today.

Took my dogs on a hike over a piece of the Appalachian Trail down the road from me. There is one vertical part where I normally go a bit slow and even stop midway for a breather. Its pretty steep - with steps cut into the rock. Today I realized that I was mindlessly barreling up it with no need for a breather. Bless this c25k!

I also wanted to share the article that made me aware of and got me into c25k. Its by one of my favorite funny people, Charlie Brooker - he's a television personality, broadcaster and journalist and writes a column for The Guardian. I think you'll all enjoy it and maybe it will inspire newbies as it did me:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/06/charlie-brooker-becomes-a-runner

Kouripoulavi: Don't despair or worry - if this were easy it wouldn't be worth bragging about  . Trust yourself - you'll find a strategy to get yourself back on schedule and through those long runs. W5D3 will become part of your 'war stories'  and no doubt you'll be using it to help new c25k runners in future.  I share "the mental thing" - its much more a bugbear than the physical for me. I've been using BBC comedy radio shows I've downloaded or captured as I find they help distract my unfaithful mind. When I find my mind waiting for Cruella to tell me I can break the tedium by walking I start really focusing on my breathing. I hope you feel better!

Let's all continue to move forward - that's all that matters - not how fast or how far.

Katie!

I sure do like that idea.  I REALLY want to get through week 5 but I think the holidays have slowed me down.  There are just too many people in town.  Man...

I think I will do the same.  I will repeat W 5, and give myself double on the days to get through it.

My new goal is to finish week 5 with double days between now and next Saturday and start week 6 on Jan 9th. 

That will only put me behind 2 weeks in the whole schedule...but I think you're right, it should prepare me for what lies ahead.  I really want to finish.  I'll be out of the country the last full week of january and I'm likely to only get one or two runs in that week which will be week 8 for me on the new schedule.  I will probably redo week 8 the 30th of Jan-Feb 3rd

I'm thinking I should be able to finish C25K by Feb 10th. 

There...I've said it.  My completion date goal is Feb 10th.  That is my goal. Maybe I'll even plan a party to celebrate.  I like any reason to celebrate!!!  I even just wrote it on my calendar. 

Has anyone else calculated when they think they might finish, barring all unforseen circumstances??

This means I NEED to get back on the treadmill tomorrow...no more letting this cold slow me down!

You all need to hold me accountable! : )

R

Hi all!

Did w4d2 today.

Weather was all over the place - first very weak sunshine - then rain - then pelting ice - then proper snow. And the temp dropped considerably - ouch. On top of all that my hood wouldn't stay on and I had to hold it with my teeth! This actually helped me focus on breathing properly though...

The run was great. Strangely I find the 3 minute stretches harder than the 5 minute ones. I keep waiting for "her" during the 3 minute run. During the 5 minute ones I forget her completely and am always amazed when she shows up and tells me how little there is to go. I hope that trend continues during week 5 - yikes!

Even with the progress I've made I can't imagine running for 30 straight minutes. Can't imagine how I'll get through the tedium. Its so strange because I hike and snowshoe for hours - don't know why running would be any different. I'll have to work on that mental puzzle.

Incidentally, I think I've found that I'm a natural forefoot striker. At first I wasn't sure if I was making myself run that way but as time goes on I'm feeling that is my natural inclination. Midfoot and heel-strike certainly don't feel natural for me.  I'm looking into footwear that accommodates the forefoot/minimalist style. Haven't picked one yet. The Merrell Pace, Nike Free and Brooks PureFlow seem to get good feedback.

flatwatertx: I don't want to hog up a ton of screen real estate with my pics but would love to share my beautiful surroundings and of course my doggies. Here is a link to some photos I have on Flickr - they are fairly dog-centric

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22175723@N07/sets/72157628608278473/

So basically one more running day as a neophyte - then things get serious in week 5. Looking forward to it and at the same time a little nervous. Can't wait to see how I do! I trust this program so I'm (cerebrally) sure it will be great.

Kouripoulavi: Regarding finishing dates, if I'm able to stay on schedule I should finish c25k on February 3rd.

I'm thinking when I'm done with c25k I'll do 3 miles 3x a week and in between start c25k over again from the beginning on hilly roads and eventually trail running. I've always envied people fit enough to trail run!  I can't imagine myself becoming a smug obnoxious 10k-er but who knows - could happen!

Last thought - I'm so glad I started this well before New Year's resolution time. Its nice to feel well on your way as the New Year begins.

Hi is it too late to Join you guys? I'm starting the C25K tomorrow. I've been out of the running loop for the last year due to a rough pregnancy and I just gave birth Oct 24th. I went and got some new running pants today and I am anxious to hit the pavement. I have about 60lbs I want to drop before my 30th birthday in July and I could use all the encouragement and support I can get.

I just completed W5D2 for the 2nd time, and YIKES! it was worse than the first time. I felt exhausted the minute I started the first 8-min run, and my heart rate was in the high 160s! I think the problem is probably my diet. I've been eating ultra low-carb all week to shed the 10 pounds that I probably gained over Christmas (I've actually been too chicken to step on the scale and find out.) Anyway, I'll definitely be repeating W5D2 at least once more, but at least I *can* complete it and I'm keeping on...