What kind of shoes? I went shoe shopping the other day only to discover I know absolutely nothing about running shoes.
I cracked and went and got fitted for a new pair tonight. They are Brooks Addiction 8’s and should be much better for my over-pronation. I’m going to try them in the morning if it’s not raining too hard. If anyone needs a pair of twice used Saucony Grid C2 Roadster W’s size 9, lemme know. I make you good deal. 
You have GOT to go to a real running store (not just a sporting goods store) and get fitted. Seriously. They know a lot about this stuff and they’ll want to see you run in them - I went a couple years ago (and, of course, did not keep running) and we probably tried on ten pairs before the guy was satisfied.
ETA - I was noticing, by the way, that when I’m in my running shoes I’m a lot less duckfooted. In other words, that’s probably why the guy at the store finally settled on the shoes he picked.
Finished off week 1 of the running portion today. A bit tougher with the muscle pull or strain or whatever it is in my left calf. I just kind of pushed through it. I’ve already noticed, as jjimm mentioned, that my recovery has improved, even though it’s only been one week. After the first day my quads were feeling pretty leaden, but even tonight, and I just ran a couple of hours ago, my legs (except for the pull) are fine. Maybe took 10-15 minutes to get my heart rate back into a reasonable range.
The hardest part of the run, though, might have been not having my daughter to run with me (she was at soccer practice while I ran). It’s definitely a huge psychological boost, at least for me, to run with someone else. But I’ve recruited one of the other parents to run with me on Thursday nights, and she just started in the program last week, so I should be good from next week on. On the plus side tonight near our ball fields there were horses, sheep and sometimes osprey, so it was a nice little run. The weather here is getting just about perfect for running.
I’m just glad that was you and not someone else I was thinking about. Definitely a cutie (I’d say hottie, but don’t want to seem forward).
Okay, just got back from doing week 1 day 2. I didn’t post after I did it the first time on Tuesday because it was…horrible. Knees hurt, lungs hurt, terrible stitch in my side, etc. But, even though I was really discouraged, I went out again today and it was a bit better. I was definitely feeling it though, I might have to do week 1 twice, we’ll see.
Checking in to say week 1: finished.
It was pouring rain this morning, but I stuck it out. I figured I’m out there for pain and exhaustion anyway, why not add cold and wet to the list of miseries?
But being serious, I found day 3 a lot tougher than the first two. I’ve been running the same path all three days, and today I finished about a quarter mile behind where I ended up the other days. Unless my body is intending to do some seriously heroic growth over the weekend, I’m not sure I’m ready for week 2 yet. Anyone else find it getting harder instead of easier?
I just finished week 8 today and I wouldn’t say it’s really gotten easier, but it does get more manageable. The program continues to build on time/mileage so you’re always challenged, but that is also why it works.
Maybe take an extra day or two off, then try the first day of week 2?
For me, day 3 was by far the easiest of the 3, but I made sure to do a lot of stretching and to take it slow. Sloths would amble past me at the speed I run. 
I started on the Ct5K in August, but I kind of plateaued out in the week 2 area - I’ve been finding it difficult to get to 90 seconds consistently - and then 2 weeks ago my apartment complex got flooded out, and I’ve been without hot water and electricity since. No hot showers=no running for me. So I’ll be starting over next week or whenever the power goes back on.
One question I’d like to ask though - am I better off pushing myself up to a faster runnign pace? I’ve been kind of just jogging, not really getting into top gear, and I’m wondering if I’m not pushing myself hard enough. Background - I’m 42, about 6 foot and 210 lbs (so not terribly overweight) but I’ve never been a runner, not even when I was a kid (although I was active enough, I never could run very far). I’ve got new shoes, which help my feet and calves a lot. The problem I run into is running out of breath.
I’m concerned that I can’t seem to break out beyond a certain fairly low level.
I completed D2W1 yesterday and I’m feeling tight all over, but its a good tight. I was able to up my brisk walk speed by .1 and my jog by .2 or .3, although I may have to watch that. I really pushed on my last run and my heartrate was 165.
I’m already looking forward to tomorrow! I’ve only told 2 people what I’m doing, so I don’t have to walk with my tail between my legs if I quit.
If you’re running out of breath, I’d say that you are pushing yourself. You want to get your heart rate and breathing rate up, but not be breathless. The rule of thumb is you want to still be able to talk while running.
I’m not an expert, obviously, but I’d say you might try slowing down rather than speeding up.
I’m impressed by all of you, I run on my own “program”, but I wish I had known about this when I started just over a year ago. A couple of points that I wanted to make, of course all just my opinion.
There are some people on here that are making great strides, and having some impressive times. Don’t feel bad if you’re not one of them. I’ve been running since June of 07, and do about 4 miles on my longer run averaging just under a 10 mpm pace. So if you’re on the treadmill at 5mph instead of 8mph? So what, at least you’re there. Someone just posted that they started 4 months ago and they’re already running faster than I am. shrug some people just do better, that doesn’t mean that I still can’t do my best.
On the same note, don’t be afraid to try and run a bit faster. I found that when I first started out, my legs and shins would hurt before I ran out of breath. That’s because I was running slow enough that there was more up and down motion than forward motion. I was bouncing a lot…which put more stress on my knees and shins. So if your calves are hurting or your knees, think about trying to run just a bit faster.
But, if you’re hurt, STOP! I had a little twinge in the back of my knee right at the end of my “fast” run a few weeks ago. I literally had 30 seconds to go on the treadmill before I was done and decided to push through it. Couldn’t run for a week after that. So listen to your body and take care of it.
If you run on the treadmill exclusivly, you’ll probably run slower if/when you finally go for a run outside. For me the difference is that the treadmill forces me to keep a pace. When I run outside, I have to force myself to run at a pace and I have a hard time judging what my pace is.
And two items I want to leave with. The first is a quote by John Bingham:
So to everyone that has even started this, that’s impressive in and of itself, and you can take pride in that.
The second is a running story from the last time I started running (about 7 years ago)…I was out for my long run on Sunday which was a 7 mile loop at the time. I hadn’t been doing the long runs very often yet, so I wasn’t very enthusiastic about it. So I’m plodding down the sidewalk and I’m at about the 2.5 mile mark. I pass this elderly gentlman that was out getting his morning paper. As I passed him, he looked up at me and called out “I wish I could still do that”, to which I replied “I wish I didn’t have to”. I thought about that comment as I finished my run. That man would have given anything to be able to go out and run. So maybe having to run to keep in shape? Isn’t the worst thing in the world. Consider as you’re out there today (or tomorrow or the next), that there are probably millions of people that would love to be able to run like you. Even if you’re going slow.
Good luck and keep up the great work!
I had a HUGE personal record yesterday… and overall a great accomplishment.
I had a very long, stressful day at work followed by a very long, stressful commute home. My trains were delayed, so by the time I got home it was nearly dark.
‘‘I don’t care!’’ I told Mr. Olives. I suited up and went out there, determined to run even if it was just for 10 minutes. I decided just to try a mile, see how fast I could run a mile.
Well. I ran that mile 2 minutes FASTER than I’ve ever run a mile in my life. When I started running in April, I could run a mile in maybe 15 minutes (actually scratch that–I could NOT run a mile in any amount of time.)
Last night was 11:50!
I completely annihilated my PR of 13:30 and I can’t even describe the euphoria that followed. I wasn’t even all that tired at the end.
Man, that was beautiful. This is why I run.
Atrael, that’s such a good point, and one that I’m trying to learn from every day. Just having the opportunity to do this program is something I can’t let slip away.
Olives, you GO!
I may have to do week 1 over again as well… today should have been my third day, but I’m going to the dentist instead (scheduled the appt 6 months ago and forgot it until they reminded me:smack:). Pretty sure post dental appt is not optimal and I’m not going to have a lot of time to make it up over the weekend… but so far the runs (yes all 2 of them, for a variable value of ‘run’) have been pretty easy.
My shoes are also slightly too small and I’m concerned I’ll injure myself if I keep running, whereas I should have new shoes by Monday…Hmmmm…
Just saw Olives’ post… you’re my hero, btw, and you totally rock
I’d definitely say hold off on running until you get new shoes. You don’t want to pull something or get a nasty blister.
But I would also say that if the first two runs went really well and repeating week 1 sounds too disappointing, you might just try going right into week 2. It doesn’t seem like a terrible idea (of course, I might be nuts!)
Regarding repeating weeks:
I found that no matter how hard I found day 3, when I actually tried the first day of the next week, I could do it.
There is absolutely no shame in repeating weeks, but the program prepares you better than you’d think.
True. If I was able to complete the week, I’d start the next one. But one week I couldn’t even complete (and I tried 2 different days, with one day off in between!)… So I started that week again. Since then, though, it’s been OK.
I may or may not go to the gym this afternoon. My (lazy) policy is “No gym if it is pouring rain”. This is because I have to walk back home after working out, and I don’t want to get wet and damage by backpacks and clothes. Last night was good, though. Apparently, I started increasing my pace in the last minutes of the run…
Just letting you know I’m still with y’all. Just finished week 1 day 3.
Congrats, Fugazi!
I completed the fourth week of the push up thing this morning. Very trying. I’m anxious about how next week will go on that one, since these are a lot more challenging for me than the running thus far.
I am encouraged by those that say that the ramp up really works for the running. Since next week will be the first new increment I’m hoping it’s not too tough Special thanks to everyone who is posting from “the future” on this, it helps with my confidence.