Hi all, just checking in from steamy Darwin, Australia.

I did W1D3 yesterday and felt pretty good.  It's funny to me that the running sections seem to get easier towards the end.  I find I tend to struggle on the first couple and then breeze the last two.  It's early days but I'm still chugging along.

It's so good to hear all of you talk about your 5ks.  Running non-stop for 30, 40 or 50 mins!  You mob are supermen!

Thanks, Jasmine. Tonight's run did end up being a pretty light one...between the extra heat, how tired I've been the last few days, and the dust in the air I really struggled to keep my breath. I ended up running my normal 30 minute route, but took about 4 minutes worth of walk breaks. It was rough.

I'm having such a hard time recovering from the bug that got me...I'm in that terrible pickle where I don't want to push too hard for fear of really frying my immune system and wearing myself out but knowing that if I just lay around resting I'll feel worse, both physically and emotionally. I'm disappointed in my run tonight, but I am still very glad that I got out there.

AFMR, I've been feeling some of those graduation blahs myself but I just chalked it up to flu recovery/stress at school and work. I'm doing the One Hour Runner plan and I'll finish week one on Wednesday. It really helped to know that I was transitioning to another set routine but still had a few weeks of practicing that 30 minute run I graduated with. Good luck with staying healthy and getting back into the swing of things with running, family, and school!

Finished Week 2 tonight! The Podrunner podcast played a trick on me ... the final interval is 2 minutes instead of the 90 seconds it should be! I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been on a treadmill.

Week 3 will start later this week.

woohoo.  i can finally post.  i guess they were doing some site maintenance or something earlier, and i couldn't post.  i started week 1 of the c25k this morning.  and i'm feeling great.  i did all of this about three years, ran for over a year, got up to a long run of 8.5 miles, and then...i just stopped.  anyway, all of that doesn't matter, except to remind me that i CAN do it again.  when i did this the first time, i posted after every run, which really helped me feel accountable to someone other than myself.  so here's to doing it again!!

Hello all!

Finished W6 today with the 25 minute run this morning.  I'm always so nervous about these long runs because I don't think I can do it, and then I do it.  It was not as exciting as last week with the 20 minute run, but I'm still happy none the less.  I ran almost 1 3/4 miles which is a 14.6 min mile (still turtlin').  I have a 5K on Sunday, so my goal is to run about half of it (or more) and walk the rest.  I was really interested in what people are doing after they finish the program because I'm thinking about that as well (a bit early of course).  I like the structure the program gives me, as I am one of those "list" people (I love to make lists and check things off as I complete them).  My ipod application for the program checks off every day I finish a day, so it's the same thing as me checking off a list.  I shouldn't worry at this point, but it's in the back of my mind.

GoRun Irish-Congrats on your first 5K, and the time!  Wow!! That's really fast in this turtle's opinion.

CenTex-You should be able to complete the 5K at week 7.  I've been completing 5K since September, before starting the program, and even though I walk, I like the idea of first of all doing in the first place, and monitoring my times to hopefully improve.  I have to say though, I always feel like throwing up right before each 5K.

Jasmine-You are a superwoman.  The triathalon sounds great, and how happy will you be once you complete that.  That's so cool!

Potato-Hope you are feeling better.  It might be better to make sure you have fully recovered before venturing out on the road again.  It would be awful if you came back too soon and felt worse afterward.

Iwannarun09-Welcome to the group.  You will find that everyone here is very supportive and inspirational and will definitely help you with your goals.

AMFR-I'm sorry to hear that you feel a little let down once the program was completed because you and Mrs F are so good at keeping the rest of us motivated.  I know your bummed because your life changing decision didn't end as exciting as you were thinking it would but.......sorry to say that you are a RUNNER now!!  And you will be a RUNNER tomorrow and the day after and the day after that..........  

Take care!!

Hi all, this running this is VERY new for me.  I have bad knees and am overweight.  I am looking forward to this challenge and really want to push myself to keep on keepin' on!  I would love to hear some other tips for all of you in ways you lost weight while doing the C25K and how it changed your life.  I NEED to lose weight for my health and also because we would really love to ADD to our family!  We have one little girl right now.  I cannot get pregnant at this weight as it was too hard on my body carrying her last time.  So for all of you out there who did this, lost the weight & then kept it off what are your secrets!  Congrats to you all who have completed your 5K's!  I started W1D1 yesterday!   Excited to continue on this journey though!

Also, I am heading out to buy some new workout shoes, really need some GOOD ones!  Any suggestions?  Do you all like Nike, Adidas, Asics, New Balance - I could use some help!  Thanks so much!  What is the best brand for running?

Sunkistmas - I am a fan of Saucony, but it is really something that no one else can tell you what is best.  You need to go try them on and pick the best ones for you.  Make sure you go to a RUNNING store.  (And if they are not nice to you because you are a big runner, walk out and find another store.)  A good running store with good workers will help you find the right shoes for  you.  The wrong shoes can lead to injury so its worth the effort.

good luck,

pam