I started D1 W5 today. I usually add a little bit more mileage to get in a good workout. So far so good. For example I usually finish at about a 1.5 miles or so but I try to go to at least 1 additional including the cool down period. Today I did almost 3. I must say the 5 minute runs are hard but I made it through.

I just started last week. I'm on D2 W2. So far, so good. I finally feel like my body is somewhat recovered from having 3 kids in 4.5 years, so running/walking doesn't feel as stressful anymore.

I have, at this point, done 7 W4 runs.  Partially it's because I had to change my workout schedule...when I started Crossfit I would up doing that workout and running 12 hours apart, NOT good.  When I have rested properly (and I don't do hills) I can do the W4 run.

I feel ready to move on to W5 SD1 now.  I will probably be running W5 D1 for a couple of weeks.   I can see why people get stuck on W5.  It looks really scary!  But I definitely feel stronger, and my CrossFit trainer (who is also a runner and endurance athlete) and one of my CrossFit class members helped me with my gait, so I feel much more confident and my feet hurt so much less when I run.  Keep going everyone!  Even if you have to keep repeating!

Let me start by saying I love this post and so proud of everyone who has started a C25K or similiar program. I feel a comradeship because I went thru it a long time ago which ended in running a marathon (Los Angeles 1994), then recently started it up a second time. So I consider myself a twice beginning runner. Although not doing a traditional C25K, I went thru two periods of couch potato to running a 5k or more, so I guess that more or less qualifies.

I just would like to throw in a few cents which may bring some sense/ideas/thoughts to this thing we call running.

1. Everyone is different. Not a shocker, but what I"m saying is what works for one person may not necessarily work for another person. One may like to run on a treadmill, one may like to run outdoors, one may want to run only, one may want to do alot of crosstraining. One person swears that your not a runner unless your loggin 60+ miles a week, another may say if your not doing more than two speedworkouts a week, your not going to be fast, one person is trying to break the 10 minute mil barrier for a 5k, another is trying to break 5 min per mile barrier for 5k, but both climb the same mountain of runningness... yadda, yadda. Bottom line is, find what works for you. (Seems for me interleaving running with cross training has worked well and kept running from becoming "stale" or constantly battling injuries and DNF's (did not finish).
2. Set short term goals, medium term goals, and long term goals. Nothing motivates more than success. And that's achieving goals. For example, 19 years ago my running partner and I decided that in about 14 months we would run the LA marathon. Not only run it, but achieve a respectable time. And shook on it and made sure great shame would fall on the person who backed out lol Well, that was our long term goal, the medium goal was to set up 5k, 10ks, and one half-marathon race spaced appropriately up to that race. And we spaced them enough to see progress, which is important and motivating too. Our short term goals was to complete whatever workouts of the week, and the day to day. The point I'm trying to make is, set a race or something far off in the distance, and then work a training program up to it. I found that worked alot better for me than say, just training and working out, and deciding to run some race sometime in the future.
3. Once in a while, you will not finish a workout or want to quit. Well, don't quit. Remember that it's not about being undefeated, but winning the world series or Super Bowl or whatever metaphor one wishes. Remember that the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 won the Super Bowl, but also lost 6 regular season games. Think of running on the big picture, not each individual workout.
4. Listen to your body, If your legs are sore and stiff, yet your schedule calls for a hard tempo or interval, perhaps it's best to just take the day off. Put it off later. A day of rest is definitely part of the training and important to your bodies recovery. Don't be scared of it. Many times I've take several days off, and one time I took 10 days off, and refreshed my legs, avoided injury, and became a stronger runner. Listen to the body. Start slow and build.
5. Variety is the spice of life. I think this is true in running as well. Put in some long runs, put in some tempos, put in some fast 400 meter intervals, put in some easy runs, run outside, run on the treadmill, crosstrain. I find that by doing all these things, it prevents it from becoming mundane, stall, or boring by running the same loops, the same course, over and over again. My preference in a typical example week is to run some sort of speed workout, then crosstrain, then regular run, then day off, then either crosstrain or tempo run, then crosstrain, then day off. (Two days off seem to work with me as a full time worker and dad and busy life, I know some runners who take one day off and some that take no days off. That may work for them, but not for me).
6. Final thought, enjoy the zen of it. Enjoy the experience. Embrace the struggle, the pain, the pleasure, and what have you. Make it your friend. When you feel that familiar burning or "huff puffing" or whatever, associate it with sucess. That's the feeling of success. And it is. The mind is a strong weapon in running, make it work for you. (This doesn't mean to embrace serious pain like injury type pains, of course).

Well, thanks for reading this far and look forward to sharing more and experience your sharingness.

~D

Yet another beginning runner who has just started C25K last week.  Did W2 D1 yesterday and while I made it through it was a near thing

At 57 I've taken up running - not entirely sure whether I've also taken leave of my senses

Peter

Thanks for your suggestions & motivation!  My next run is W9, D1, so I'm preparing for the transition to running without guidance.  Truthfully, I'll probably use some other program to 'help' me, but I like the idea of having the freedom to shake things up.  I had a hip replacement in the spring, so I need the flexibility of listening to my body.  I've done C25K without any modification, other than I'm on the treadmill.  Michigan  winters aren't compatible with steady outdoor footing.  I'm looking forward to running outdoors eventually and may even consider a 5K.  I was a runner in my early adulthood and ran for health, but also for the sheer enjoyment of it.  Goals are great, but not always the only way. I just finished Sakyong Mipham's "Running with the Mind of Meditation:  Lessons for Training Body and Mind".  It's a great book for meditators starting to run.  It's probably less helpful for runners who want to meditate.  An established meditation practice is assumed and that's really hard to learn that from a book. But I digress.  I would be interested in hearing from others what tools/tricks they used in transitioning from C25K to running ad lib.

Checking back in!  Sounds like everyone is doing well...

I just did W7 D1 this morning and it went well.  I think I finally have my breathing under control.  When I first started running/jogging by husband asked if I had asthma (I do not)

Looks like I will be finishing my C25k program in the gym, it's just not warming up very quickly here in Nebraska.  After I finish then I will hopefully be able to make the transition to the outdoors.  I sense a struggle at that point with hills, weather conditions and running surfaces BUT am looking forward to getting out of the gym. 

The week after I finish this program I will be in Phoenix for a few days, looking forward to getting in a few runs there... outside of course!

Once I transition outdoors, I will work a little more on speed.  I range anywhere from 10-11min miles (that includes that 5 min walking warm up and 5 min walking cool down).

Good luck to everyone!

10wks until my first 5k!

I started in Feb at 316lb and last week I managed to complete a week of the week 3 exercises. I am slow as a trickle but getting there!