Timb113

Mavster, I hear you! With my schedule, waking up early and running in the morning is the only way I can get my workouts in consistantly. Once the time changed and it was really dark, and getting colder, at 5:30 in the morning, and the bed was nice and toasty warm, I had a lot of trouble getting up and actually slipped out of my routine. It took a while, and signing up for my next race, to get back into the groove. Good luck pushing through!

Missy, I started using MapMyRun because I was planning on running a 5K at some point, and that way I could get my distance. It's also great at the end of the month to be able to look back and see that I ran 50, 60, 70 or more miles in that time. I went over 420 miles in 2014 which sounds amazing and just gives me another goal, as I shoot for 500 this year.

Missy, great job! The first step is often the hardest. Sorry to hear about all the pains that you have had to deal with, I've been battling back pain for about 15 years on and off, and I know how hard it can be. Hopefully, this program will help to strengthen those areas for you, and will diminish the pain in other parts of your life as time goes on. Good luck, keep us updated on your progess.

Rrodrig, You can repeat days as much as you want, but it's very important to take rest days. The plan for the program is to run three days a week, not every day. Those rest days are important for your muscles to get stronger, if you keeping running every day you will find yourself fatigued very quickly.

My goals for 2015 are to increase my distance, completing a 10-mile race and start preparations for a half marathon. I started the C25K program in January of 2013, February 2014 and June 2014. I completed the program (for the first time) in August 2014 and ran my first two 5K races in August. Once I committed, it didn't take long to be completely hooked on running. My next step was a 10K, while I completed on New Year's Day 2015, and have started looking toward a 10-mile race on March 2, 2015. I'd eventually like to get to a half marathon distance. That sounds crazy just typing it here, as I played baseball and golf when I was younger because it meant I didn't have to run. I dreaded running in gym class, or for any teams I ever played for, now, 20 years later, I find myself spending more time than I should researching possible runs near my home, near my family, or for some reason in Alaska. I have loved the journey I've taken and am looking forward to taking it even further. Training starts for the 10-miler on Monday (I hope) after tweaking a knee in my final tune-up for the 10K. I powered through that race, but needed to get a few days off, I'll be starting slow to build back up, and will post here so you can hopefully keep me accountable. If you don't see something from me for a couple days, please ask why? I still need to be pushed! I'm on MyFitnessPal, also at timb113, and I'm on Map My Run, if anyone wants to connect on either of those as well, to help each other.

Azatol, that's a great way to burn off steam. I'm sure you can see big differences in your fitness and health having started to make those correct choices. Keep it up!

Azatol, I agree 100 percent! I've also found that varying my route so that my mind doesn't know how much farther i have to go to hit the next mile marker is good as well. I just run until my phone tells me I've finished that section.

hyanddl, I usually ran the time period, instead of distance. For one, I never knew exatly what the distance was that I was running, and didn't want to constantly be looking at my phone. I'm also taller and have long legs, so my running pace was fater than the 10-minute mile that the program suggests, so the one time that I did run specifically to the distance and I still have two minutes left in time, I felt like I shorted myself. So, I guess, my advice is to do what feels right for you, but if you want the best workout you can handle, do whatever is longer. I hope that helps. Good luck!

Oh no! I hope you recover quickly, but take your time getting back. The last thing you want to do is try to get back to quick, compensate for a sore ankle and injure something else. I just tweaked my knee this morning on my final training run before my first 10K on Thursday. I'm hoping I just need a day and a half of rest of be good to go!

Graeme, that is awesome. It's stories like your that keep us all going!

Soculese, congratulations! W5D3 is the biggest hurdle in the program, in my opinion. It was more daunting to finish that day (with no run close to that time), than it was to run the full 30 minutes and the 5K a few weeks later. You said it best, that's the step that takes you to "I can do this" and any run that comes my way with a little training. I'm set for my first 10K in three days, and I'm very excited about it. Six months ago, I never would have thought I could run for 54 seconds, nevermind 54 minutes, and I've done it twice this week in training. Keep up the good work!

Azatol, Great job so far. The program does an amazing job of having you ready to take the next step, and W5D3 was something I was dreading for about three weeks leading up to it, but it's also the most accomplished feeling I've had in the running I've done over the past six months. I felt more proud of finishing that 20 minutes than I did my first 5K. It's a huge milestone, and one that I will not forget. Keep up the good work!

For me, this is easy in almost every aspect of life, but i found that part of my problem when I got to the longer distances of running was my brain got in the way. I has always gone the same route through my neighborhood, and after doing the 20-minute run, I knew where i finished the run portion. Later, when the time increased, once I got to that spot where I finished the 20-minute run my brain thought I should be done. I was on vacation for the next week, and was able to run easily past 20 minutes, came back home and had the same problem when I hit 20 minutes. I've started adjusting my route so that my brain does not know where I'm supposed to start walking. It may just be me, but it's made a huge difference now that I'm going farther distances. Hopefully it will help someone else out there.

You will quickly find out that pushing yourself to do more, and go farther, is addictive. Just get a few weeks in and you'll continue to want to do more! Good luck.

farmgirl, don't get upset, you haven't tried to pick up where you left off yet. Don't worry until there is something to worry about. After working for a few weeks, taking a week off should not set you back too much. I would set my goal as picking up where you left off, and try to push through. As I've found (I'm into week 11 having never thought it would be possible to get this far), a lot of times it's more mental than anything else. If you have to fall back to 60-second runs, do so, but make the effort for the full 90-seconds. You can do it!

I tend to eat after running as well. I wake up and get dressed and hit the road, then eat some fresh fruit after I get to work in the morning.

Obviously, be safe. But try to push through. I just finishished the C25K program last week and if I learned anything, it's that your body can do so much more than your mind thinks it can. A lot of times you can keep going, even when you feel exhausted. Finishing that full 20 minutes felt just about as good as crossing the finish line in my first 5K this past weekend, as it seemed like such a huge obstacle to overcome. But you can do it!

The app will lower the music when it needs to speak (but only when you have the phone (iphone, at least) awake). If the phone is dark, it will not quiet the music.

I started the program three times in the past year and completed it just this past week. I didn't think I'd get through the 90-second runs, and then the greatest obstacle became the 20-minute run in week 5. Finally, the 30 minutes of running and running in my first 5K. I've walked a few 5Ks and earlier this summer I walk/jogged one, but this morning, I ran the entire 5K, placing eighth of 21 in my age group. That wasn't what mattered -- it was the great feeling of not giving in to the urge to walk at any point (which came about a dozen times). I set a time goal, which I beat by more than a minute, but that didn't matter as well. Doing it, seeing my clothes fitting better, and losing weight are what has made it worth it. Knowing that I'll be able to live longer and spend more time with my kids made it worth it. And now, knowing that I'm going to move on to C210K and step up to the next level is making it worth it. I always hated running. I played sports in school like golf and baseball -- because we didn't have to run. Well, you can officially call me a runner. And I'm loving the path it's taking me down!

I bypass the C25K app for music and use Pandora. You can find some really good mixes to keep your energy up with that. And it's free.

Keep pushing, you'll get through! If the heat is a problem, try getting out there early in the morning (maybe once a week). I started this summer getting up at 5:30 a.m., and once you're actually out of bed, it's easy to get going and not make excuses.

Ash, I was never a runner, but finally decided I needed something to get in shape. This is the avenue I went as we have a 5K at my national convention earch year, and seemed like a goal I could set. I was not ready for the 5K at my convention in June, but I started training hard after. I'm into Week 7 now, and run my first 5K in two weeks. I'm very excited. If you've ever thought about getting a dog, they can be a great workout partner. Ours starts going nuts when my alarm goes off in the morning, because she knows it's time to run! I'm also from Maryland, so keep working hard, fellow Mid-Atlantic resident!

Michelle, having jumped to the 10K app, you need to sign up for a 10K at some point. That will be the motivation that you need to get out of bed and get training! Good luck.

Do!

The important thing is that you're doing it. Even if can find a treadmill for two days a week and then hit the third at home on the weekend. I've started and stopped programs too often. I'm into week 7 now, just two and a half weeks from my first 5K, and making sure I make time to get out on the road has been the biggest thing to success. Each time I've had to step up time, I didn't think it would be possible. This morning (my alarm goes off at 5:30 so I can run before the kids get up), I did three miiles in 25 minutes. It's an amazing sense of accomplishment, and something that will keep me going.