Mrs. F and I are in Week 9!!! W9D1 done!

It's still hard to believe that we're here! I ran just over 31 minutes today (due to changes in my playlist), and Mrs. F did at least 32.  Unbelievable!!! For any of you who are just starting and scared to death of W5D3, or past that point and still doubting you'll be able to run 30 minute straight, just stop it now--YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Absolutely unbelievable!!!

I have yet to post this morning, but I had to write something here first! You guys have been great!

A funny note - our eldes son was getting in his weekend run yesterday.  He saw one of our friends, who happens to be the one who introduced Mrs. F to the C25K program, unloading some groceries, so he stopped to help. [What a good boy!].  While there, He mentioned that he head us talking about her participation in the local Turkey Trot.  The chatted a bit, and he told her that he was glad we were exercising, but he really wished we would try running.  We have him completely fooled!  Do you know how much I want to bet him $100 that I can run in and finish a 5k race? LOL

Have a good day and a good week, everyone! Thanks, ovenfried, for starting the thread this week.

I'm completely new to this forum and to the c25k so please excuse me for any breaches of netiquete.  I just started the program today.  I don't weigh myself but I'd say I'm well over 200lbs (I'm Australian, so that's 100kgs for me ), the weight doesn't bother me, I follow Health at Every Size.  It does worry me that I've been working to hard, getting sick, tired, and grumpy, and stressed... well you get the idea. Sitting at home was making me miserable, so I started going to gym about 3 months ago.

I've never been a runner.   Not even when I was a kid.  I had asthma before people really knew what it was, and I still have memories of being forced to run laps around the oval during PE class and always coming in last, wheezing, while the other kids laughed.  Didn't take long to figure out this running thing wasn't for me.  I guess I just put it away from me, something I never thought I'd be able to do.

But, you know, forget that!  The last couple of months I've been jogging a bit on the treadmill... not long, just 200m intervals... but the point is, I haven't died!  I might just be able to do this.

So that's why I'm here.  I've read a bit of your earlier posts and I reckon you're all inspirational.  Thank you for sharing your journeys.

Hello everyone. I am new and started the C25K program this morning. I was so excited to get started up until this morning. I came up with tons of excuses of why I couldn't do it. BUT, I pushed myself and got it done, and I actually feel pretty good. I have been a walker for a while and have done 5ks and 10ks, but want to start running. I liked this program, because it starts you out slow and gradually progresses. I think I sweat more today in that short time than I do walking for 4 miles. The last 2 intervals were the hardest, but when it was over, I felt really good and confident that I can keep going.

I've been reading some of your posts and the inspiration is awesome. It encourages me to keep going. I have to find a 5k around the end of December as my first goal. My boyfriend is an elite athlete (5ks - marathons) and gets invited to a lot of races. Lots of times the races have multiple distance races so that shouldn't be too hard to find. There's always a race somewhere, and I'm lucky to get to tag along with him. I've met so many great people around the country who really enjoy running. So now I'm ready to get off of the sidelines cheering for him, and get out there for myself too.

I did have a few questions. I noticed that some of you stretch after your 5 min. warm up. What types of stretches do you do? I felt it the most in my calves and shins. Also, should I continue to just walk on my off days? I am at 253 and still do want to decrease my weight. And one last, how do you list at the bottom of your post the C25K progress.... Like Wk1 Day 1.  Thanks so much.

Good morning everyone!

Well, I DID IT!!  I finished W5D3 this morning and ran for 20 minutes straight!  I'm so happy, I don't know what to think.  My hip and lower back are a little sore, but other than that, I feel a lot better than I thought I would.  I made a deal with myself that I would stick to it as best I could for the 20 min., and if I have to, I would take a quick walk break at 10 min., but I didn't even need it.  I just put my head down (except for the occasional look for traffic of course) and pushed through.  My pace a slow 14.7 min mile based on my course on map my run, but the important thing was that I did it.  Yay!!

Ovenfried-I think you're right.  They probably set the program up to have you realize that you can do it.  Now when I start W6, I'm gonna think that this was easy compared to today.  Of course there is always W6D3 for 25 minutes straight.  Right now I feel that I can do that, but we'll see how I feel after working all week and then having to run.

Fluffy, Lenabelle, Donna-Contrats on your races last week!!  That's so great.  I bet you can't wait to do your next ones now.  It's such a great feeling.  YOU DID IT!!

AMFR-On your last run in the program, will you be wearing your graduation robe and cap?  Wouldn't that be a sight!  Congrats on completing W9D1!  You are so inspiring everyday.  Your son is going to go crazy when he sees you and your wife in the Turkey Trot.  It would be funny to bet him $100, but then you could donate it to your favority charity or even the charity that the Turkey Trot is for (if there is one).

Redhoney, Becsh-Welcome to the group.  As noted above I just finished Week 5, but I have to say that the first couple of weeks are actually the hardest, so just keep going and I'm sure you will start feeling better.  I even re-ran some weeks because I didn't feel confident that I could move forward, but it's important to go at your own pace so you won't feel discouraged and quit.  I'm always bummed about my time (hence the Turtle), but everyone here and people I know keep telling me that at least you're doing it, so be proud of yourself, and feel strong.  I'm finally starting to believe them, and you will get stronger every day and everytime you run a couple of seconds longer than the last time.  You will find that everyone on this board cannot be any more supportive and motivational.

I'm working from home today (can't you tell?), so I'd better get back to work.  Have a good day everyone!

MOrning Glories!!  I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend of running!

Donna--congratulations on your first 5K!  I am so proud of you!  So when is the next one?

AMFR-- You guys are doing great!  You are almost ready for graduation...heck you are ready for graduation!  (mental note:  need to create an image for you guys of a cap with C25K graduate on it) oh and you have a great son...more people should bring up their children like you have.

Redhoney and Besch and run4it   Welcome, Welcome, Welcome.....we love new runners!  We are a great group.  If you have any questions let us know.  Remember to get fitted for proper running shoes.  I recommend going to a running store and not a box store.  If you are female, you need a good bra Moving Comfort makes a good one..the Maia and the Fiona...really helps the bouncing and keeps from sagging.  The podcasts are good also.  I am so excited for you guys. Running changed my life.  run4it  my bestfriend started running when I did . Her BF also is an elite runner.  Now they take vacations based on marathons, she usually runs the 5K and he does the mary or 1/2 mary.  Another couple that are my friends are Ultra runners and do the same. They traveled to Australia, Budapest..all these fab places...that is what I want to do.

Centex...Sending good vibes for good weather.

Turtle  CONGRATES ON w5d3...THAT IS A HUGE MILESTONE!! BE PROUD...TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND EVERYONE YOU DONT KNOW.  NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.  ENDURANCE BABY ENDURANCE..THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!!!

ok i AM CALLING ON THE POWER OF ACTIVE PEOPLE.  i BUMMED OUT MY ANKLE IN MY 10k BUT DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. BUT i SPENT THE DAY DOING A CONTEST.  i NEED EVERYONE THAT I KNOW TO VOTE FOR ME. iT IS MY CHANCE TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO NEW YORK, BROADWAY AND 2k.  I WOULD LOVE TO RUN IN NEW YORK (NO IPOD OF COURSE)  PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO FOLLOW THE LINK AND VOTE FOR MY PROJECT:

Finished W1D3 on Saturday...and dressed way too light. It was chilly (like 42 with a breeze) and I was wearing shorts, a t-shirt and five fingers...

And...I ran through a lovely row of sprinklers that I didn't see...

As for the run, it was nice and easy...and clear to me that it was time to move on to Week 2.

Also...lost 5.4 pounds last week. Now at 306.8. Hopefully only a couple of weeks away from being in the 200s.