# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/121 "2008-09-22T11:35:31Z")
I already do 100 push ups a day on M-W-F (broken into chunks of 30-35 at a time). That was my sole exercise before adding this running bit. I might go through that program that Renee linked, though, since it seems geared at increasing the number you can do in a single set, and I always plateau about 35-40. Anyone else interested? I’d probably start in Week 3. ---
**Author:** ![Time\_Stranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Time\_Stranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Stranger)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/122 "2008-09-22T12:49:05Z")
Alright, I obtained an ipod shuffle to put the podcasts on. I think that will help a lot! I brought all my gear to work so I can try the first session when I get off. I’m still not sure if I want to try on the indoor or outdoor track. It’s supposed to get pretty hot today, but if I go inside there are so many bouncy, lovely co-eds that I get nervous. I guess I have all day to decide. I’m also intrigued by the push-up program. I think I’ll try that on my off-days, too - it couldn’t hurt! ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/123 "2008-09-22T13:07:16Z")
Ok, I did some looking around and found [workout zone](http://www.workoutzone.net/createUser.php). It isn’t as detailed as I would like, but it’s easy and free. You can’t input specific info regarding the workout beyond the time and activity, but I still think it’s better than nothing. I created the group SDMB Couch-5K. If you guys want to join, just make a new user and put yourself in the group. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/124 "2008-09-22T13:16:02Z")
I cleaned the basement for over 5 hours yesterday–moving furniture and major scrubbing etc. I am beat, beat, beat today. I got dressed in my running clothes, but this one may well be a walk. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/125 "2008-09-22T13:33:50Z")
Hold on. [This site (PEERtrainer)](http://www.peertrainer.com/) might be better. More complicated and blog-y, but also more detailed. What do you guys think? ---
**Author:** ![svrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@svrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svrider)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/126 "2008-09-22T14:00:58Z")
Well, not wanting to be held back by the lack of gadgets, I ordered a Garmin Forerunner 405 today 🙂 ---
**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 22, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/127 "2008-09-22T14:19:13Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > Ok, I did some looking around and found [workout zone](http://www.workoutzone.net/createUser.php). It isn’t as detailed as I would like, but it’s easy and free. You can’t input specific info regarding the workout beyond the time and activity, but I still think it’s better than nothing. > > I created the group SDMB Couch-5K. If you guys want to join, just make a new user and put yourself in the group. That site hates me! I tried to create a user and put it in a group, but every time I chose a group from the drop-down list, it would erase all of my information from the form! Grr. I’m going to check out PEERtrainer. Already I think I like it better. ---
**Author:** ![evilhomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@evilhomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhomer)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/128 "2008-09-22T16:21:35Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > That site hates me! I tried to create a user and put it in a group, but every time I chose a group from the drop-down list, it would erase all of my information from the form! Grr. I had the same problem. Glad it’s not just me! ---
**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 22, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/129 "2008-09-22T16:26:43Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > Hold on. [This site (PEERtrainer)](http://www.peertrainer.com/) might be better. More complicated and blog-y, but also more detailed. What do you guys think? Let’s try it out. I started a team and called it [sdmb](http://www.peertrainer.com/TeamDetails.aspx?GroupID=58639). I have it set to public, so I hope people can join at will. ---
**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 22, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/130 "2008-09-22T16:31:15Z")
[QUOTE=renee] I’m also doing this six week one hundred pushups program if anyone wants to give that a go with me. [/QUOTE] Pushups? The most horrendous exercise ever devised to torture mankind? _shudder_ Well, I just did my first day, starting with Week 5. Not so bad, really. I’m used to using a 10 minute walk/warm-up, so the five minute warm-up kinda threw me. Otherwise the pacing was pretty good. I used Ullrey’s funky techno podcast, and the blocks just flew by. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/131 "2008-09-22T16:31:16Z")
Well, I did not roll out of bed this morning. I woke up enough that I seriously could have, but… didn’t. I did promise myself I’d seriously do it after work today, though. ETA - and I joined the group on PEERtrainer so that I’ll be deeply ashamed if I don’t at least give it an honest try while the weather’s good. ---
**Author:** ![moi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@moi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moi)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/132 "2008-09-22T16:47:00Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Let’s try it out. I started a team and called it [sdmb](http://www.peertrainer.com/TeamDetails.aspx?GroupID=58639). > > I have it set to public, so I hope people can join at will. Joined and got up at 6am to run with **tdc**. Last two bits of running were noticeably harder, but I ran on. I think that may be part of the trick of this workout: I’m learning to push myself when the amount I have to push isn’t so much (ie, it would be harder to push on if I had a mile more to go, but I can obviously push on for 30 seconds more). ---
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/133 "2008-09-22T16:50:45Z")
I started last week! Today was day 2 of my second week- the run 1.5 minutes, walk 2 minutes. I was not feeling like running today. I varied my route a bit and it was very sunny the whole way, which made it harder. But I did it, with a long cool down walk back like I usually do. I’m really excited about the whole program and I feel different and better already. I’d been simply walking and lost 40 pounds, but I’d hit a plateau. The C25k program really feels like a rededication. It’s so cool to see how many people here are doing it. Awesome and happy running to everyone! ---
**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 22, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/134 "2008-09-22T17:25:20Z")
Woo hoo Zjestika, moi, Ichini, Time Stranger, and everyone else who is giving this a try! I was afraid when I posted this OP that the thread would slide off the front page with nary a whimper. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![None\_of\_the\_above](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9a140/32.png) [@None\_of\_the\_above](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/None_of_the_above)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/135 "2008-09-22T17:27:31Z")
After two years of lurking, this is the thread that prompted me to register. Can I join the fun? I went to the local running shop on Saturday and was fitted with a shiny new pair of running shoes. On Sunday, I downloaded Robert’s Podcast for Running. And today, I tried them both out. I’m starting out in decent shape thanks to all the miles I’ve put on my bicycle this summer but I could definitely feel it in my thighs. I’m hoping that between the good shoes and the gradual increase in running, I’ll avoid shin splints and sore knees. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll become a runner. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/136 "2008-09-22T17:29:08Z")
That’s great, **Ichini** , **moi** , **tdc** and **Zjestika**! Now, c’mon, **Zsofia** , you can do it, too! FWIW, I tried the push up program this morning. As I mentioned, I normally do pushups M-W-F anyway, so not a big deal. I tried to start on the highest level of the fourth week, and frankly it kicked my ass about halfway in. I normally give myself nice, long, leisurely rests between sets. So I dialed it back to the middle level of that week and was able to complete, although my shoulders were pretty sore all morning. If it continues to be tough I’ll send myself back to week 3. If not I’ll probably still repeat week 4. Anyone else doing this one? ---
**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 22, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/137 "2008-09-22T17:38:18Z")
It went well. I cut The Offpsring’s “Conspiracy of One” into 60 second tracks and Mary Prankster’s “Roulette Girl” into 90 second tracks. It made the transitions super easy and fun. **Moi** used the same playlist as well. Looking forward to Wednesday and I might do the pushups too. ---
**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 22, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/138 "2008-09-22T18:19:16Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > FWIW, I tried the push up program this morning. As I mentioned, I normally do pushups M-W-F anyway, so not a big deal. I tried to start on the highest level of the fourth week, and frankly it kicked my ass about halfway in. I normally give myself nice, long, leisurely rests between sets. So I dialed it back to the middle level of that week and was able to complete, although my shoulders were pretty sore all morning. If it continues to be tough I’ll send myself back to week 3. If not I’ll probably still repeat week 4. Anyone else doing this one? I did the initial test last night and determined that I’m a wimp! 😃 I did five knee pushups, so I’ll be starting at the very beginning. I’m going to do two weeks of knee pushups, then do the two-week test trying normal pushups (I can’t do any normal pushups right now–no upper body strength at all). If I can do any normal pushups after two weeks, I’ll restart the program with normal pushups. This is going to be a MASSACRE! ---
**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 22, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/139 "2008-09-22T18:24:36Z")
> [@None\_of\_the\_above](#): > > After two years of lurking, this is the thread that prompted me to register. Can I join the fun? Welcome! I put my goal on PEERtrainer as running a 5k, but my real goal is the same as yours: to become a runner. I want this to be a lifechanger, y’know? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600/140 "2008-09-22T18:50:21Z")
I ran into logistics issues today. I ran for 5 minutes, realized I had to ride my bike to pick up my car and ran home. Once the shop called, I rode my bike 2.5 miles (not much of a ride) and got it. I thought about continuing my run but decided not to. I am still quite tired from all the cleaning yesterday, so I am glad for what I did, even if it wasn’t that much overall. I will do a longer run on Wednesday. One thing I struggle with (and I don’t think I’m alone in this) is I veer between complete sloth or exercise Nazi. I am trying this time to just let life happen–if I didn’t run it all today, I will do so on Wednesday\*. But I must make sure I do it on Wednesday. It’s a balance–and one that I haven’t been able to keep for very long before. Congratulations to all who started today. That’s just fantastic! \*I think (know) I will because otherwise I’ll feel silly checking in here on Wednesday! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c25k-couch-to-5k-starting-week-of-9-21-whos-in/463600.md?page=8)