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Hi everyone! I'd like to post my experience on being an absolute beginner to running and getting to the 10k mark. I found it very difficult in the beginning, and wanted to share some things I've learned and some tips that will hopefully help others. I started off doing the Zenlabs C25K and moved straight up to their 10K app. My fitness level was average, and all my running was done on a treadmill. It took 12 weeks and I'm 47 yrs. old. When I first started out it was hard. I mean, OMG I really wanted to get each running session over with. I hated it, complained to myself all the time, and didn't enjoy anything about the whole process! It was a tough trudge and I wanted an excuse all the time to get out of it. I had NO concept how anyone could even remotely enjoy it, never mind really look forward to it every day. Well... I actually went from feeling this miserable and negative to really enjoying running and actually experiencing that "runners high" that I'd read about. I'd like to share my experience for those who are at the beginning and feeling as disillusioned and dejected about running as I did. TIP 1 When you first start out, it's gonna be hard. There's no way around that, BUT it's pretty short lived. If you follow a structured program like the C25K, you progress at a nice rate. I ran every other day. 12 weeks later, I'm in a very happy place. TIP 2 Music. There is no way in hell I could have got to the 10K mark without a GREAT playlist of music that has a fantastic beat. This was an absolute must for me. I learned to quickly get rid of songs with beats that didn't work, and add more songs that I loved and that had beats that really kept me going. TIP 3 The beginning of a run is always tough. I assumed the more I progressed that this would go away, but it doesn't. Even at 10K, that first 4-6 mins is like getting over a hill - it REALLY sucks! I assumed it's just my body suddenly adapting to going from a stationary state to a running state, but whatever it is, the beginning of a run is like a challenging hump to get over. That leads me to the next tip. TIP 4 When you get into a schedule and get better at it, you really want to get over the misery of the "run start-up." I did a lot of research into this and went to a local running store. The consensus is that the beginning of a run is always tough. Always the optimist, I was determined to try and make it easier, so I started researching supplements. Now... I'm a really healthy person. I eat 100% organic, vegetarian, no processed food at all, and only pasture-raised dairy, so the thought of supplements wasn't top of my list. But I did learn that caffeine can really help with that tough part at the beginning of a run. I don't drink coffee at all, and the fact my office co-workers are addicted to their caffeine fix make me have zero interest in coffee! BUT, I wanted to make my run easier so I tested out 200mg caffeine (in supplement form) 30 mins before a run. Damn, it really helped...! I hate to admit it, but now that tough beginning to a run is so much better. I'm really hoping that as time passes by I can phase out the caffeine, but right now, I'm sticking with it :-) TIP 5 Always spend a couple of mins stretching before you get started. I do 3 simple stretches. 1) rag doll, bending at the waist for 30 secs to give my hamstrings a good stretch, 2) quad stretch, bending at the knee and holding my ankle behind me against my butt to stretch my quad for 30 secs, and 3) holding knee into my chest to stretch my glute for 30 secs. If I DON'T stretch, I notice the first few mins are tougher and more challenging to me. TIP 5 KNOW it's going to get easier. For me, that didn't happen until 10K. It just didn't, and that was 12 weeks. That's not to say it was all tough, but I never felt that "oh, this is a breeze!" feel at all. When I reached 10K and stuck to that 3-4 times a week, I started feeling good about it. My music list was full of energy and awesome beats, my body had adapted, and I really started to enjoy it. The first few mins is still tough, but the caffeine helps, so that's ok! TIP 6 This may not apply to everyone, but I found using a treadmill to be a life saver. I did the "interval" setting where you could set two speeds, one walk and one run, and it made it so much easier for me as I toggled between the speeds. I also like to have the company of people around me in a gym. I tried several times running outside and failed - I'm not sure why, but I couldn't get in to it. Being at a gym somehow gave me more accountability and put me in the right mental state. I really needed all the help I could get, and I needed the treadmill. My summary is that I went from absolutely HATING running in the beginning to suddenly looking forward to doing a 1/2 marathon. I mean, to me that's shocking that I went from one extreme to another, but I did! Hopefully these tips can help others because they are what I found was the most helpful for me :-)

I did it! C25K week 5 day 3 is in the books! I ran for 20 minutes straight, which is 12 minutes more than I’ve ever done before. I didn’t hit the 2 mile mark because I only run at 5 mph, but running for 20 minutes without stopping is a huge accomplishment for me. I am by no means a runner, and just a few weeks ago 3 minutes at a time was rough. I will say I much prefer the intervals to the long runs, but it is very satisfying to know that I am capable.

I just made it to 10K - would love to hear all about your progress!!! I followed the C25K then moved to 10K and followed it pretty religiously :-)

I know this is an old post but wanted to put this out there for those that found it. I ran (last place lol) cross country in high school(a 5k/3mile race). One of the seniors my sophomore year used to go on a 12 mile run at least 3 times a week in our morning practices, then did Basketball practice right after that with sprint training most days after school. The coach had him cut that down to 5 or 6 the week of a race and only a SLOW 3 on the day before. Granted he did this constantly and I could barely get the full 3 miles to finish the race let alone more. If that is you and you are collapsing at the end of your workout then Jaredpickett's idea would be great starting about 3 weeks before the race but I'd run the full thing 2 or 3 times a week until then to prevent loss of progress and endurance. If 10K feels good for you after you finish the program... add a little distance to it (not much just enough to challenge yourself a little).

Thank you. Ive now completed week five and the 20 minute run was awesome. Felt like I could keep going. Week 6 this week. Feeling satisfied

The day after when it went back to intervals I was happy and couldn’t understand how people said the long runs were better, but now that I am on week 8 I agree! Long runs are satisfying. I also crave running—on my off days I get cranky that I can’t run, lol. Good luck on Monday!

Its taken as long to figure out how to post! Ha ha. First run today. Hoping to get fit ready for spring

I just did Week 6 Day 3 today and it was great. I ran for 27 minutes straight to get the 2.25 miles and I wasn’t completely dying by the end! I always walk afterwards until I hit 3.17 miles and I did it in 45 minutes 25 seconds. 45 minutes is my goal for my first 5K in November, so I’m hopeful. After I finish the program I am planning on starting over outside because I have been doing it only on the treadmill (at a 2 incline) so far. Good luck with your long run!

Congrats! I’m coming up on this, one more run to go then it’s go time. I have been mentally preparing for the last week ever since I saw they threw this 2 miles nonstop at me so soon. That’s a huge deal to achieve when you consider we’ve been easing up to it the last 4 weeks. I’ve been pumped I could sustain 5 mins the last couple days. We’ll get there!

I have completed my first week of C25K. Last night my legs were sore, I hated most of the workout but it felt so good to have gotten through it afterwards. Today I stepped on the scale and after just over a week of training I have lost 3 lbs! So happy and I hope I can keep this up.

I got to the dreaded first 20 minute run. It was raining, but I told my family I was not missing a day except under the most dire circumstances so I headed out. Best run yet! I think because I spent more time thinking about the rain everything else took care of itself. Feel like I can tackle anything!

I just finished week 5, day 3. Very proud of myself for being able to do 20 minutes straight, but I'm not making the distance goals either. I know it will get there. When a 20 minute run becomes easy, you can start working on speed to get the distance. I don't have allot of reserves at the end of that 20 minutes yet.

I think your being hard on yourself, I know this since I used to be the same way, but my age has cured that! I don't focus on time, but distance, my question to you is: could you complete a 5k without killing your self, just a leisurely pace ? Whether you run/walk doesn't matter, your still completing a 5k!!!!!! If you can't then it's back a week or 2 depending and keep up the progress you will get there! I too am overweight and I cannot complete their mileage in their time allotted either, but I feel I could do a 5k and I am week 8 repeating quite a few weeks over and over! The app works as long as you are in it !

Wendy, you might consider celebrating your success!! For me, never a runner, I find it hurtful when the voice in my ear tells me to run for one minute. My hope is to catch up to you one day while running 2 miles. Hey, there is another success, your keeping many of us in your rear view. However, With training you will not find me there in the near future. Congratulations

I had the same thought. I can run for 20 minutes, but I'm not running for 2 miles. Isn't that a little crazy for a beginning runner to think that we can run a 10 minute mile? Right now I'm lucky if I can do a 15 minute mile, but I'm working on time, not distance right now. I signed up for a 5K in a month, so I know I have to get there. And I will, but slooooooooowly. Wendy

I recommend only running it once per week. Drop down to 50% on Day one, 70% on day two, then 100% full 10K on day three. Repeat until 10k race. Once you get done with the 10k, time to start training for that half marathon.

"you want to make sure your legs are in such a position that your foot lands directly over your toes." What the heck does that mean?

Great information.. Your running technique is totally dependent on your posture and good mental focus. The efficiency of your running technique is directly proportional to the quality of your posture. Good posture involves having a reasonably straight spine with not too much straightness and not too much bend. The more you slump, the more your body's muscles need to work to hold you upright. Poor posture not only restricts the circulation of blood to your muscles and organs but also inhibits the oxygen supply to your brain.

When I first started running with C25k I heard to use your core to run and to concentrate on breathing. In order for me to tighten my core, concentrate on breathing and to run at the same time I used a back support belt. It helped me to run without leaning forward and able to breath when running. Now in 2014 I did 5k's events now in 2015 in already doing 10k's event. My first run was the NewYearRace 10k in Los Angeles 1hr15min due to some hills on the course. I didnt train myself running on hills lol