Timb113

Mike, great job. Keep up the good work. You'll be great on March 14!

Federica, great story to share! We are all so proud of you. Keep up the great work!

Ricky, DEFINITELY TAKE THE REST DAYS!!!!! Let me tell you from experience, it is not worth the pain and frustration! I built up to running a couple of 5Ks and recently completed a 10K. I was at the point where I ran a few training runs at 6 miles. I thought I could do anything. Well, just before the 10K, I decided to get three good workouts (6 miles, 3 miles, and 4 miles) in on consecutive days. Just before the end of the third day, I felt a pain in my knee. It's been three weeks and I've tried to run once, to no avail. Overuse injuries happen too often. You can certainly exercise nearly every day, but make sure you are cross training, (lifting, yoga, walking, cycling) on those others days. Give your body a chance to stay healthy.

Elle, I am not an expert on shoes (by any means). I'm still working with my first pair of "real" running shoes, and I still bought those because the price was more in the range I was looking for. Don't tell some of my running friends who aren't on this forum, or they'll kill me for allowing price to be a concern! I would try a few things that might help with the pain. Try wrapping one day for your run and see if that helps. The biggest thing I would suggest, if you are often getting swelling later in the day is to ice right after you complete your run, and again later in the day, if necessary. Best of luck!

Donna, sorry to hear about that. What is the recovery time on that? Is there rehab, or just rest. My thoughts are with you. Be strong, you'll be able to get back out there!

Well, that did not work the way I had hoped. After a 10-day layoff (of stretching, walking and gentle cycling), I tried to run a mile. I made it about half before my knee started acting up from the IT Band. At first, I decided I wanted to push through the moderate pain and finish the mile I set out to complete, but then asked myself if that last half mile of running was worth the extra week that I might have to rest to come back from it. I decided it was not, I listened to my body and walked. I iced and heated later in the day. The troubling thing is that I have to cancel my plans to run the 10-mile race in a few weeks, but that also means I am going to take three weeks off running, work on stretching and the dreaded foam roller to try to get back to where I want to be. I'm already planning for my return, and my next race, which will be a 5K just after Memorial Day, when things will be finally winding down at work. All of your support and encouragement here has been a great help as I've worked through this, and I'll continue to lean on you all as I keep battling back! Thank you!

Red, that is awesome, and I love your goals mapped out and including your daughter and friends. Having someone along for the ride is a great way to go. If you haven't seen the Accountability 2015 thread head over there and you can start a thread for your journey. Keep all of us updated as we are all keeping each other accountable!

cendorly, that is awesome to hear what you've accomplished so far. I'm excited to hear about your accomplishements going forward. I recently completed my first race with a finisher's medal, it was a really great feeling to hang that on the wall!

Understudy, I have not linked the C25K program with MFP, but I have on Facebook. It does not automatically post to FB, at the end of each workout, it asks if you want to share to your page.

Last (hopefully) rehab walk this morning. took the dog for two miles, with windchills in he upper teens. Certainly not as cold as some parts of the country, but pretty chilly. Good equipment helps, just having a skin-tight layer of UA or Nike under really helps to keep things warm. Taking tomorrow off (maybe a short walk or bike ride), a little stretching, then going to try to run a slow mile on Sunday. Fingers crossed the knee does not flare up, or it'll probably be a trip to the doc.

Pics, great job getting started. And I really like your plan of walking the program once before getting into jogging it. Great idea!

Deb, great job and congrats on starting the program. I do the same thing, alarm goes off sometime between 5:30 and 6 a.m., depending on how far I'm running that morning. I feel the same way, by the end of the day, I will not want to get out on the road. I've also found that a good run is a great way to get the day started. I feel like I've accomplished so much before 7 a.m.

Redrunner, You've worked hard for six weeks to get to the fitness level that you are, one week will not set you back as far as you think. I think you'll be surprised how quick you'll be able to bounce back!

Well, another day of dog walking (1.35 miles) and a gentle bike ride (4 miles) to keep the knee feeling good. I'm fighting the urge to run since the knee is feeling better, but I'm trying to work on strengthening the IT Band and stretching before I go for a run. I'm trying to hold off until Sunday before I run a mile. I'm hoping I can to it, because I want to be healthy. I'm falling in love with running and this injury if pretty frustrating.

KellyAnn, thanks for sharing your story. I know we have all gotten a lot from your feedback already, and we look forward to it as we all continue our journey!

Gigi, you have to listen to your body. I would say take the day off, and if feeling better, get after it tomorrow. I'm currently unable to run due to a knee problem because I overdid it. One day off is not going to derail your program, but running an extra day, when you probably shouldn't, could put you off the road for a week or more to recover.

Missy, you can do this. Don't beat yourself up if you didn't have the ideal day. You were out there, and your were cognizant of what you want to do and where you want to go. Be patient and trust yourself! Great job!

Great job to get yourself out the door. Sometimes once you make that first "I'll do it later" it becomes late that night and you're kicking yourself for never doing it. Great job of motivation and hitting the streets! I always loved the feeling of finishing a week and the anticipation of how my body would hold up running that extra time during the next week.

Suhn, it's important to take those rest days, but if you feel good on the off days, you can do a different, light-impact workout. I usually walked my dog on the days off for a couple of miles. It kept me moving on those off days, and burning a few extra calories, but it allowed my muscles time to rebuild.

Blackcat, there is no too unfit to do the program. The beauty of this program is that you can take your time working through it. If you run into a spot that your physically unable to complete just repeat until you are ready to move on. If you have not done much exercise leading up to starting the program, I would recommend taking at least a week or two of just brisk walking for 20-30 minutes before you try to run in the program, but you can do it. We all started some where, and these forums will be a great place to see how others who are starting at the same time are doing. Keep us updated, you can do it!

Tee, having someone to run with is great, but if you have to run by yourself, use the voice in the app and your music as your running buddies. Nothing to stop you!!!!

Suhn26, I did the same thing during the warmup and cooldown, just a brisk walk. Then after you have completed a day, you should stretch. Not a problem taking a break, if needed. You are listening to your body and that's key. I would suggest that you keep moving during that time, even if it's a slow walk, but definitely listen to what your body is telling you. Great job so far, keep it up!

Shaa, just take it one day at a time. Getting started can be the hardest thing. You can do this, and don't forget to take those days of rest. Good luck!

I couldn't simply sit without doing some bit of exercise today. (I never, ever thought I would say that). I've been trying to rest since Thursday, as I've self diagnosed myself with IT Band Syndrome, and I want to be sure I'm back to 100 percent before I really get back to the training. I got out for a gentle five-mile bike ride today and took the dog for a slow .75-mile walk. I started to feel the knee near the end of the walk, so I called it a day. I'm working on the stretching exercises I found online for the injured IT Band, and trying to build back slowly. It's so frustrating to not be able to run, when I just want to get out there for a few miles to make myself better.

Azatol, I love the attitude of looking forward to every run. I can't say that I've always felt that way, but I have certainly developed that love in the past few months. Keep up the good work, and keep us updated.