TheRoseWithin~Shannon

Great attitude Spage! I concur, writing supports me as well in remaining self/other-accountable. Congrats on your choice to begin and carry on! Please keep us posted on on your progress. Cheers!!

Ditto, and same here Alicen. I notice that as I improve my health I am always and in all ways pleasantly surprised by weight loss! Congrats!!! Neato-bandito!!!

SUCCESS!! Congrats on your first day IndriSis! The below anonymous commenter shared her/his thoughts well, I thought, in regards to pace or speed. I loved, overtime, how she continued to improve her pace! I hope this helps answer your question. I too, am still learning. <3 "c25k is meant to build endurance up to the point where you can run a 5K without pause. There is zero focus on speed in that program, and that is entirely deliberate, and the usual advice is to ignore speed ENTIRELY while on this program, because that's not what it's for. If you like, it's pretty easy to improve your speed after you can do a 5K though, quite simply by incorporating some runs suited to improving speed. I completed my first 5K in almost 40 minutes about 18 months ago, but in the next 2 months I brought it down to under 30 minutes and by now my PR is 26:51 which I'm happy about."

Hi Kelly! No, the author is an everyday (extraordinary) runner like many of us here - determined to get fit. Yesterday I downloaded and read, (it's free for me). A very very quick read and written well. Mind you everything I read within his book, I have discovered here from Zenlabs members - almost exactly, (these forums are loaded with the same kind of information he shared. I enjoyed reading about his personal experience with C25K, and he is very encouraging. I was also happy to have contributed support to his story by simply downloading his book and reading. That said, he should come here in my opinion - he'd be warmly welcomed and fit right in!!!

Nadara, the only time I have had coughing spasms or fits, during or right after running, was a result of me over-exerting, (I was healthy btw). I'm talking about non-stop coughing/hacking that last not minutes, yet hours later, waning and then finally stopping. That said, I am so happy you have a Doctor's appointment coming. Please let us know!

Hey Toonap, you're welcome, and awwwwww!!! I felt so badly for you! You are missing your runs!!!! I love that quote too. However, remind yourself that the worst run ever could also be getting back out there too soon, which means you possibly risk further injury, and more missed days of running. Hang in there and as Nadara shared, listen to your body. <3

LOL Omgosh Kelly ... I keep learning new things here! I couldn't resist looking up Monkey Butt Powder. Mind you it is the only site that I read. It made me giggle, and for lack of a better word I thought, "Cool!!"

Hi Bekk!! You are the second person I have noticed mentioning a messy run of some sort ... MUST try this - it sounds so fun!! Right on Bekkstar! Keep us posted on your progress/experience, and welcome to Zenlabs - super awesome support system here! I too love the C25K app - it's so dang handy!

Hi Ricky, Josh Clark (C25K creator) explains why easing into is important. Full article here: No Pain, No Pain: The “Couch to 5K” and Humane Design Q: Would trying to do too much, too fast be the biggest temptation of the program? Patience is so incredibly important for new runners. As people discover that they actually like running and that they’re actually able to make progress, there’s a real temptation to jump ahead, to try to make that progress come faster. It’s important to resist that, to give your body a chance to get used to all this new activity. Azatol (and many others here) explain it in more depth (better than the above quote, in my opinion), that is, the importance of resting in between days. In the end though, it's up to you and what your body feels comfortable with. C25K is an excellent guideline!

Has anyone read this book? The reviews are GREAT! I have kindle unlimited (free read) so am going to download definitely: C25K: The Couch to 5K Beginner Running Program (Learn to Run Series Book 1). I especially appreciated one of the viewers responses: "I'm glad the author acknowledged the fact that even though the program is designed to have you running for 30 minutes in 9 weeks, that it may also take longer."

LOL Yep, that's Peeing for LIFE!

Hey Teena, if you like Tea ... have you tried oolong tea? I drink it daily (2-3 cups along with normal water intake). If curious: Health Benefits of Oolong Mind you, I do not sweeten it. It's a subtle flavored tea that I got used too and now even my kids enjoy it.

oops! Try this: hydrator: http://www.camelbak.com/hydrationcalculator and the water article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256 You're welcome Kelly! Once I set my water goal, (thanks alot Teena! ) ... I'll be Peeing for Life again ... until my body gets used to the intake. teehee

Hi Teena! In the past, I have used this little hydration calculator (here), although I did not find it that helpful for me - some might! If curious, there are quite a few hydration calculators out there - check 'em out! After reading your post, I did a search to see what is being written about water intake today. There are many articles out there, yet this is the one I read: Water: How Much Should You Drink Everyday. That shared ... It is relative to the individual's needs. My goal, which I have not set yet, (bad girl I am) is to drink 1 gallon a day. 16-20oz upon rising and then the rest throughout the day. I try to stop by 8-9pm; however, I usually wake up and drink about 10-20oz during the night, (I generally don't count what I drink at night towards my 1gal goal). It works for me. My urine is the right color (not too light and definitely not dark). It keeps my bowels very happy obviously, AND I notice I loose weight more steadily OR keep it off. Additionally, I notice my skin is healthier all over - I have good skin to begin with, yet when I drink my water - it is even better. Ha! After responding to this ... think I'll set my water goal. LOL Thanks to you! Lastly, if you are super busy or distracted and need a water app to help remind you to drink, there are a few out there you may find helpful.

Oh Toonap! That sucks, and if you ask me, that is pretty danged dramatic, especially after completing a C25K, a C210K and then right into training for your 1/2 - you were focused; going strong, and then BAM! I'm not surprised you feel mentally and emotionally disheartened right now. Hang in there! Please keep coming back for encouragement and support - I've read about many folks, here, who have suffered a significant injury, healed and got right back out there again. With the success you have experienced thus far under your belt, I can imagine you will be out there training again too - you have already proven to yourself what you are capable of accomplishing, and will do once again when completely healed. Today you have the opportunity to place that same determination to succeed into healing your ankle - a different kind of success. <3 In regards to injuries, other's will respond who more experienced than I am. I will say this though, I appreciate your strong will and determination to succeed! You jumped from C25K, to C210K and then a 1/2 ... CONGRATULATIONS!!! I want to be just like you when I grow up! No lie! LOL I can't wait to catch up to what you (and others) have already achieved! CHEERS!

Good Morning Finn! Warmest of Greetings and welcome to Zenlabs forums - a space filled with incredibly supportive individuals on similar life paths - making choices that strengthen our mind and body - emotionally, physically and mentally/spiritually! I am so very sorry for the loss of your mother - sounds as if she has impacted your life in many, many ways and still is today. What a blessing. <3 I laughed after reading, "I know anyone reading this in their 50's or in their 60's are probably thinking, get a hold of yourself crazy person." I immediately thought, "she was/IS (I'm) crazy for not!" and "Good for her!! We are now SANE for getting out there and DOING IT! <it=choosing to get fit> Agent is right! 50 (or above) won't recognize us! LOL Please keep us posted on your progress! And if are seeking a fun way to remain self/other-accountable, you started off in the PERFECT forum: Accountability 2015! Can't wait to hear more from you!!! YeeHAW! Cheers!!

LOL Love your energy and competitiveness Agent, and your commitment to stick with this too! Congrats!

Love your uplifting and determined attitude Alicen! I bet the exercise will boost your energy (for a bit anyway LOL) AND probably help you fall asleep quickly later on tonight. Good for you for getting out there in spite of and because of your lack of sleep! I'm so impressed AND motivated! Right on!!! I hope to hear how your day went later, that is if you are still awake. Ha! Congrats on W6D1!!!

WhoooHoooo Ricky!! Well done! Yes please, keep us posted on further progress! Cheers!

Good Morning Az! Thank you for sharing the above - I feel encouraged, and on the right track. Even if only one day of over-doing - I appreciate how you are paying attention to pain vs. ignoring it. I tend to dwell on what I wasn't able to do, or that I am not pushing myself hard enough (or worse, in the past, I'd call myself a wimp and press on). Today, because I've paid attention, my knees feel better. Btw, I love how you reward yourself with exercise! Talk about a life/game-changer! CHEERS!

Awesome-sauciness Jlwill!!!

Good Morning Chelga! So I looked up Shred Diet. Neat! How is it going for you so far?

Good Morning Augy! I was not even exercising (nothing at all) before starting, so BRAVO on 2 miles a week already. I hope you come back and let us know how your first day went - the Zenlab forum peeps are awesome here! Cheers!

Yay! Congrats on beginning again, and welcome to Zenlabs! How have the first two days gone Chelga? I am happy to hear you will be returning on day 3! Hearing your progress and experience encourages me along as well. I have never heard of the Shed Diet. I'm curious and will look it up. Good for you for taking time out for yourself! So vitally important for each of us. Cheers!

I'll be thinking of you too Deb!! Healthy ... "who cares who see us"! YeeHAW! I love it! I have been and will continue to be refarming this area of my life as well. This area has always been a big challenge for me. It is so empowering to let my assumptions and judgments go AND also let the facts, opinions, perceptions or judgement of others, lay where they originated - at the source. So a self/other-compassionate and always respectful... Who Cares and So What! ...might be my new motto anytime I catch myself being a bit too self-absorbed while exercising. I'm dead serious! LOL I doubt the person who might see me cares, so why should I. I AM after all moving forward, (quite literally) Now that said, I do care. I think I will always be the type that worries this way - although I hope not forever as it is so draining. However, I am learning to care in a more empowering way by changing what I think and even changing my assumptions - however much an ass they make out of me. LOL Instead, they might be looking at me, and they may even be judging me, yet here is what they are saying: "That is so cool that she is out there running. I can see that she is struggling a bit, yet she is out there doing her best to make a difference in her life. Good for her! Hmmm, I think I might start exercising too!" Yes, I'm poking fun at myself and having fun! Who cares! LOL Thank you Healthy!!! Exercising is definitely helping with self-confidence! So too are the folks here! edit: I said refarming up above. I meant reframing! Yet refarming is apt. LOL