Welcome to the group, Want2doit.

Most of us found the first 2-3 weeks to be not too bad.

Congrats on setting a race date. The target race is a great way to push you through this program.

I have been bad. I let life (and the snow) get in the way of my running, but I'm going to be back at it tonight. I'm going to start back at W2D1 because I haven't ran in a week. I walked just over a mile on Satuday night in 4 degree weather and found my shins to be aching Sunday morning. (they're still sore) I don't think me and the cold weather like each other.

Congrats to all of you that are on W4 and W5, that's amazing!!! I hope all of you that had colds are over them now. Being sick is definitely not fun!

Hi All...

I finished W4 tonight and plan on starting W5 on Wednesday.  W4D3 was definitely easier than W4D1!  I guess that's a good sign!  Glad to see everybody's progress...keep up the good work!

Mary, I've read that running on the TM with an incline (of 1%) makes the transition easier.  http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/treadincline.htm  There's some debate as to the accuracy of such a claim, and while running outside is generally preferable, it's not always possible for everyone.

I do my workouts on the TM for two reasons right now: one, I will admit I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold and know that I'm much more likely to do the workout if I don't have to fight that too.... and two, when I go outside I almost always take the dogs with me.  It's hard enough to walk with them, much less jog at specific intervals.  By the end of week 6 (just over a week away for me), I'll be at that stage where my runs are to be continuous... then that second reason will contribute less and become more of an excuse, so hopefully I can overcome the first and just get my butt outside.

ANYways...I just completed W1D1.  On the TM with a 1% incline.

Keep on runnin!!

Hi All,

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Couch to 5k program turned a 44 year old smoker (36 years) into a runner.  I quit smoking on 6/29/09 and started the Couch to 5k program the next week.  I am proud to say that I have been smoke free for over 6 months and thanks to Robert and his program I run 3-5 miles everyday even in the cold. Today is 32 degrees and I will be lacing up my running shoes soon.

The point is that if I can accomplish this then anyone can. I could not run 1 city street when I started, I could not breathe at all. My first 20 minute run was a miracle and I could not believe I actually did it.  That was back in September and my first 5k was the Tunnel to Towers run in NY.  I finished in 31.05 but I was just happy to finish at all.

Keep running!!!!

I have not found the cold a real problem (though snow falling into my face when the wind hit it right was annoying). I usually wear the same simple outfit. I have long underwear top and a polar fleece jacket. I have a headband to keep my head warm (and keep my ear buds in). If it is below 32 F windchill, I have a pair of gloves on (look like http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Fingerless-Gloves-Glomitt-Turquoise/dp/B002SUWNX2 ). I waer some cheap plastic sweats that have a cotton lining.

This has worked for me down to a windchill in the teens and during a snowfall (Temp around 30). My routine is to do 50 jumping jacks and stretches inside to warm up, then go outside to start my five minute walk. So I am pretty warm when I get out the door . By the time I have run five minutes or run-walk 10, I am usually so warm that I take the hood off my fingers to cool off a bit.
I was amazed at how little i need to wear running in the cold. YMMV

Finished W5D3 tonight!! Happy dance time!

My trainer from the gym actually drove into town to run with me after work. I was so glad because today was one of those days where I did not have 'it'. It was not easy but I made it. I will start week 6 tomorrow or Thursday. 

For me, I don't know if it is necessarily the treadmill or outdoors that makes a difference, but how I feel. Some days are blah and I have nothing like tonight and I just go and move through the routine. Other times I feel great and the routine is no big deal.

Marie 21420 - thank you for telling your story - I found it very inspirational. Here is some more inspiration and information for everyone - I follow @Cool_Running on twiitter and this message was tweeted today: Fan Spotlight: Congrats to Angela Barnett Tran = started C25K in the summer, ran a 5K in Oct, a 10K in Nov, and will run a 1/2 marathon next. If you use twitter. @Cool_Running posts lots of links to helpful running training tips.