# C25k (Couch-to-5K) starting week of 9/21--who's in? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 14, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600 "2008-09-14T21:16:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/341 "2008-09-29T14:48:04Z")
I’m supposed to run tomorrow morning, and I’m skeered. I’m still sore from Saturday’s run. **Priceguy** , are your nipples okay?😛 ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/342 "2008-09-29T15:00:42Z")
I am back. I did 20 minutes total of running–which is a first (I think). I did a R5:W1 right off! For me, it’s the first 8 minutes or so of this that kills me, so I’m quite proud I could do 5 minutes right away. I also did a 4:1 in there, as well as 3s and one 2. I sprinted the last 2 minutes (not for the whole 2 minutes). I probably shouldn’t do that as I ended up incredibly winded, but damn, my feet say fly and it feels great for about 20 seconds, then I hit a wall… HR just after sprint was 144. HR about 7 minutes after running was 120. 12 minutes after it was 96. It’s 84, 15 minutes out. I’m 46. I think I am overdoing it with the sprinting. ☹ I will rein it in. I feel great, though, so that’s all to the good, right? I’m not even tired now–a plus, since when I ran before (2001), I wanted to take a nap after every run. Possibly boring anecdote, read at own risk: When I ran before, I never felt good. It never felt good. I did it because I’m [del]stubborn and wouldn’t quit[/del] because I felt the need for some exercise, and aerobics made me homicidal–I longed to Tae-Bo kick that guy right off his set, and make Jane Fonda go for the burn (I’m old-these were my VHS tapes). Anyway, running never felt good. Oh, it felt good to make some milestones and take the class and meet other runners (all of whom quickly passed me up). I loved the running fashions and walked around in my warm up stuff all day etc. Still, even when I got up to 6:1s (I never ran all the way anywhere), I would come home and 2 hours later would fall asleep on the couch. Where was this runner’s high I’d heard so much about? Where was the zen, the feeling of accomplishment, the camaradery between runners? Nada. Nothing. I found I didn’t like running with people. I didn’t want to chat–I wanted that zen. Instead I found myself counting to 20 over and over again–god knows why-perhaps I am undiagnosed Asperger’s person. No iPod back then. ☹ Somewhere in here, my doctor retired–an old family friend (I babysat his youngest son and had been good friends with his middle daughter). He had always checked my hemoglobin and hematocrit along with my thyroid levels every year. The new guy did a CBC (complete blood count) instead. My MCV [mean corpuscular volume](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_corpuscular_volume) was 66. I was anemic. Unfortunately, this was the same time I noticed a bruised heel on my left foot. I finally went to the podiatrist and found out I had a bone spur. AND I stopped being a SAHM and had to find a job that week (another long and boring story). So, I went from not finding what others found in running, to discovering why, to uncovering an obstacle(bone spur), to working 12 hour shifts, all on my feet. Something had to give. I got orthotics and my foot stopped hurting. I took iron and my anemia went away. I had a pay check, so we kept the house. But I gave up running. Such is my tale of running before. I can say that this time it IS different. Oh, I whine about the same amount, but I feel much better. My foot is bothering me, though, so tomorrow I go see the podiatrist again. This is as close to running with others that I want to get, though. (no offense). Moral (does there have to be one?) 😉 : If you feel like you are climbing a mountain, if it never gets easier for you, if you are so tired afterwards that you crave sleep, go see a doctor. It may not be anemia, it may be something else, but chances are either you’re overdoing it or there’s something amiss. Not trying to scare anyone, but our bodies are designed to be active… ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/343 "2008-09-29T15:19:34Z")
> [@TroubleAgain](#): > > **Priceguy** , are your nipples okay?😛 No. And that’s all I have to say about that. Ow. ---
**Author:** ![Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichini_Sanshigo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/344 "2008-09-29T15:46:31Z")
So chafing really can happen to nipples? I saw that on that one episode of “the Office”, and I thought it was just some weird joke. Way to go, **Priceguy** for breaking your record even with the chafing and the knee! I just finished Week 6 Day 1. Ugh, time for a shower. ---
**Author:** ![svrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@svrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svrider)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/345 "2008-09-29T17:01:57Z")
> [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](#): > > So chafing really can happen to nipples? Yes and that isn’t the only place.. My poor poor right nipple… ---
**Author:** ![that\_darn\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@that\_darn\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that_darn_cat)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/346 "2008-09-29T17:45:57Z")
**moi** and I did Wk2D1 this morning. After a busy weekend of home repair my thighs were killing me and staying up to midnight watching the Eagles choke, then getting up at 6 to run was not so good. I’ll have to offset my run for night games after this. Still, we did it and it wasn’t the end of the world. looking forward to a better run on Weds. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/347 "2008-09-29T18:53:33Z")
[QUOTE=Fugazi] > [@Kerrigan](#): > > I went 3.5 mph for my walking and 6.0 mph for the jogging - does that sound about right to you guys? I’ve been doing 3.8 walking and 6.2 jogging. I think this week though, I’m going to drop to 6.0 jogging. The last 10 seconds of the 60 second run was kinda rough. [/quote] I’m 5’2" and I do 3.4 walking and just got up to 5.0 jogging, so I don’t know if that’s good or not (I’m guessing not). My 3rd run of week 1 on Saturday was great. I didn’t feel sore yesterday at all, but I did feel a little dizzy right after the walk, so I might slow my run to 4.8 or lower tonight when I start week 2. Next week is my birthday, so I’m going to Fleet Feet and get fitted for shoes! > [@jsgoddess](#): > > Yep, I’m doing it on a treadmill. It keeps me honest with my speed and it enables me to use the podcasts since I don’t have an mp3 player that isn’t my computer. What? You can’t just strap that sucker to your arm? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/348 "2008-09-29T19:21:11Z")
Well, I just completed Week 1 day 1. I can’t believe I did it- I mean I actually ran on a treadmill! I walk on the treadmill, often, but never run. I’ve never jogged before, ever. So, for the first time ever, I have done something that pushed myself further. I know, it’s only day 1… but I’m proud. ---
**Author:** ![svrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@svrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svrider)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/349 "2008-09-29T19:50:01Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > So, for the first time ever, I have done something that pushed myself further. > > I know, it’s only day 1… but I’m proud. You should be proud! Actually starting is the hard part. Now all you have to do is follow the instructions in the program and in about 9 weeks, you can run for 30 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/350 "2008-09-29T20:11:54Z")
Week 2 day 1 is in the books. Phew. I felt fine (as usual) before starting, so asthma didn’t even cross my mind. Whoops. I gotta remember to do the inhaler before starting, regardless of how I feel. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/351 "2008-09-29T20:35:22Z")
> [@Nutty\_Bunny](#): > > What? You can’t just strap that sucker to your arm? 😃 That would be better than pushups! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/352 "2008-09-29T22:45:08Z")
I think my husband is not going to be able to do this. We went to the track again today, and while I completed W1D1 all over again, he walked. At least he’s moving, though, so I’m not going to complain. I went around the track at least 8 times, so that’s two miles. PS: Not dead. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/353 "2008-09-29T23:03:04Z")
Can I jump in late? I’m training for a 10k on Thanksgiving with my friend, so we have 2 months. We’re technically not going from couch-to-10k, we go to the gym regularly, but we’re excited to do it! We’ll be using a modified version of the plan linked in the OP, with 4 days of running and 1 long trail run on the weekend, alternating with weight training on off days. Yay! ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/354 "2008-09-29T23:15:26Z")
My mom came along on W2D2. She walks three miles a day with a friend of hers, but she’s never run. She decided to hell with it and ran the last few intervals with me, and now she’s decided I need her to come over at the ass crack of dawn in the mornings because “you’ll give up if you don’t do it in the mornings. I’m not doing it for me, I’m doing it for you.” Thanks, Mom. I honestly think I prefer to do it by myself, but she does have a point about motivating me. Still, it’s just embarrassing - she’s 67 and she didn’t huffle and puffle nearly as much as I did. A fact which she gleefully pointed out to me. Thanks a LOT, guys. She’ll be here tomorrow at 7:20. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/355 "2008-09-29T23:20:02Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > My mom came along on W2D2. She walks three miles a day with a friend of hers, but she’s never run. She decided to hell with it and ran the last few intervals with me, and now she’s decided I need her to come over at the ass crack of dawn in the mornings because “you’ll give up if you don’t do it in the mornings. I’m not doing it for me, I’m doing it for you.” Thanks, Mom. I honestly think I prefer to do it by myself, but she does have a point about motivating me. Still, it’s just embarrassing - she’s 67 and she didn’t huffle and puffle nearly as much as I did. A fact which she gleefully pointed out to me. Thanks a LOT, guys. She’ll be here tomorrow at 7:20. Hee. Er, I mean sorry. 😃 Fugazi, way to go, but keep that inhaler nearby, please. ladyfoxfyre, a 10 k! You’re an overachiever for this thread, but very welcome. Ginger, I can’t get my husband to do it, either, though he walks on the creamily\* all the time. \*I misspelled “treadmill” and this was the suggested alternative. I like it. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/356 "2008-09-29T23:42:15Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Ginger, I can’t get my husband to do it, either, though he walks on the creamily\* all the time. Dave wants to do it, but his back starts hurting like ow as soon as he starts to run. We thought maybe his shoes; he tried different ones this time, but no change. I don’t think he could run on a creamily, either. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/357 "2008-09-29T23:46:50Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > Dave wants to do it, but his back starts hurting like ow as soon as he starts to run. We thought maybe his shoes; he tried different ones this time, but no change. I don’t think he could run on a creamily, either. Lower back? I strongly suspect shoes. I bought some Earth shoes a few weeks ago and got my husband to try them. They have helped his lower back pain enormously. I had an old pair of boots that I could only wear for about an hour before my back hurt like mad. I had uneven wear on the soles, so they were throwing my alignment all out of whack. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/358 "2008-09-30T00:01:50Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > ladyfoxfyre, a 10 k! You’re an overachiever for this thread, but very welcome. I tried to do a 5k but the friend I’m training with was like “Hell yes we will be in shape by then!” So I was stuck 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/359 "2008-09-30T00:36:04Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > ladyfoxfyre, a 10 k! You’re an overachiever for this thread, but very welcome. The guy training for his second marathon backs very slowly out of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/360 "2008-09-30T00:41:48Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > The guy training for his second marathon backs very slowly out of the thread. ? You’re very welcome to participate. Everyone at every level of success is welcome. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600.md?page=19)