# Couch-to-5K: Anyone with me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 8, 2009, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089 "2009-06-08T13:58:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Mojo\_Pin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mojo\_Pin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo_Pin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/161 "2009-07-01T14:32:52Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Thanks for sharing the info, **Mojo Pin** , but running is just about the best thing physically that’s ever happened to me and I’m not about to quit just because an article says that you can get fit in 12 minutes per week (a claim that strikes me as highly dubious, at any rate). Although if you want to debate it, that might be good fodder for a new thread. Yea of course. Actually Clarence Bass, the author of that 12 minutes a week article really knows his stuff (take a look at the pic of him at 60 and 70 yrs old on the front page if you’re interested) and really advocates the complete lifestyle of fitness–the title is poorly chosen imo. Anyway, I didn’t mean to come off as missionary as I may have–enjoy your runs everyone. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/162 "2009-07-01T17:44:08Z")
**Mojo Pin** , the point I was making was the researchers claimed all the fitness gains were from only the intense work. I was showing by my own example that warmup/cooldown distance(which the researchers excluded) could add up to a considerable amount of aerobic work. Also, the interval day I used for myself was not every day. Two times a week while peaking for a racing season with distance work the other days. Everyone else, as far as shoes getting wet, I’ve never had problems though an increased risk of blisters is usually what I’ve seen. My preferred drying method was as **Judith Prietht** did with newspaper only for 1 hour, remove paper and prop shoes in front of a portable fan(NOT heater-damages the adhesives) and they were dry by morning. ---
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/163 "2009-07-01T18:02:32Z")
I did Week 2 Day 1 this morning. I was surprised how much more difficult the extra 30 seconds were. My best intervals were the last 2 though–maybe I was fully warmed up then? I’m looking forward to doing it again on Friday. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/164 "2009-07-01T20:32:04Z")
Week 1, Run 2 complete. I sooooo did not want to go out and do that run today but after a shopping binge for new clothes I got off my arse and got to running. Still sweating but feeling good. MeanJoe ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/165 "2009-07-02T01:36:53Z")
Redoing week 2 with a knee brace and strength training/cycling to strengthen the muscles stabilizing my knee on my off days. So irritating, everything wants to progress but I’m too paranoid about this stiffness in my knee to do it. I am not suffering through runner’s knee again. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/166 "2009-07-02T13:09:44Z")
What is runner’s knee? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/167 "2009-07-02T15:28:14Z")
> [@Meatros](#): > > What is runner’s knee? [Runner’s Knee.](http://www.drpribut.com/sports/spknees.html) ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/168 "2009-07-02T16:03:47Z")
OK, so I am seeing some improvement every day, but damn, not as much as I would want. At this pace, it will be at \*least \*a week before I can even start up my walks again. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/169 "2009-07-02T16:12:37Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > OK, so I am seeing some improvement every day, but damn, not as much as I would want. At this pace, it will be at \*least \*a week before I can even start up my walks again. :mad: The Achilles is a heavy, dense tendon that’s under enormous tension. Tendonitis in general can take time to resolve since since tendons have a very poor blood supply. Keep up the icing and anti-inflammatories and very gentle stretching. A little stretching will help avoid adhesions but too much will delay healing. Get some heel lifts for your shoes, these will help take tension off the tendon. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/170 "2009-07-05T10:52:09Z")
Today both ankles feel pretty good and I am almost tempted to resume walking. However, I still occasionally feel odd bits of tenderness here and there and I know from lifting that too often we re-injure ourselves when we are too eager to jump back in. I am thinking I will give it a few more days. Then the plan is: start walking again for a few days and if all is well, I will try day one of week one - again. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/171 "2009-07-05T11:49:04Z")
Absolutely ease back in very carefully. The Achilles is NOT something to mess around with. Take another week of treatment before resuming walking. Walk at least a week before trying to run on it. It’s far better to miss an extra week or two than to be off for months. And I’ve seen that happen more than once. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/172 "2009-07-05T16:36:51Z")
I finished Week 5, Day 3 today, which is the 20-minute uninterrupted run. Holy flarking schnitt. Also, as of this morning I have lost 8.5 pounds since starting this program. ---
**Author:** ![Hakuna\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hakuna\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hakuna_Matata)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/173 "2009-07-05T17:05:32Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I finished Week 5, Day 3 today, which is the 20-minute uninterrupted run. Holy flarking schnitt. > > Also, as of this morning I have lost 8.5 pounds since starting this program. woo hoo! Isn’t it a great feeling when you run for 20 minutes straight? 20 minutes! I know the first time I did it I was floored. Congrats on the weight loss too. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/174 "2009-07-06T14:20:18Z")
Finished Week 3 last Friday while at the beach. 3 days of running on flat land was heaven. On the other hand, I started week 4 today. Huge hills again, and a rather large jump from last week. Easily the hardest day so far, but I managed to get through it. Between the running and the diet I started about 2 months ago, the pounds are starting to come off. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/175 "2009-07-06T15:03:07Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Finished Week 3 last Friday while at the beach. 3 days of running on flat land was heaven. > > On the other hand, I started week 4 today. Huge hills again, and a rather large jump from last week. Easily the hardest day so far, but I managed to get through it. > > Between the running and the diet I started about 2 months ago, the pounds are starting to come off. I’m not sure why, but for some reason I lost barely any weight for the first 3-4 weeks of doing this, and then suddenly it really started coming off. I hope this trend continues. Congratulations on getting through Week 4 Day 1! We don’t have that many hills where I usually run, but the ones we do have just kill me. I think they are probably good for training purposes, though. (Is it just me, btw, or does anyone else have more trouble running _down_ hills than up? I always feel like I’m going to hurtle down into a pile of broken limbs, and the strain in stopping myself from doing that is tough.) ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/176 "2009-07-06T15:20:36Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I’m not sure why, but for some reason I lost barely any weight for the first 3-4 weeks of doing this, and then suddenly it really started coming off. I hope this trend continues. > > Congratulations on getting through Week 4 Day 1! We don’t have that many hills where I usually run, but the ones we do have just kill me. I think they are probably good for training purposes, though. (Is it just me, btw, or does anyone else have more trouble running _down_ hills than up? I always feel like I’m going to hurtle down into a pile of broken limbs, and the strain in stopping myself from doing that is tough.) The hills in this part of Atlanta are large and long, especially when you’re running around a public golf course. Running down hills are a different kind of hard, but I’ll take them over uphill any day of the week. I think a good bit of the weight I lost was due to the diet. I went to the doctor during Week 1 and he said I was down around 20 pounds (I’m 6’5", so that isn’t as much as it sounds), so I can’t attribute much of that to running. I need to dig my scale out of the basement at some point to see how I’m doing now, but I think I’ll wait until my week of vacation is at least a couple of weeks in the rearview mirror. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/177 "2009-07-06T16:36:07Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I finished Week 5, Day 3 today, which is the 20-minute uninterrupted run. Holy flarking schnitt. > > Also, as of this morning I have lost 8.5 pounds since starting this program. I did the same run yesterday. But I haven’t lost weight - gained a little in fact. But I was within range to start with so I don’t have much (if any) to loose. But I have noticed improved muscle tone. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/178 "2009-07-06T19:15:50Z")
I had a kind of crap run on Sunday. I did my first mile in 10:46, which is pretty much an all-time high for me, and then as I neared the end of the second mile I got a sharp pain in my quad and stopped. I stretched it out for a bit and then started running again, and the pain returned. I decided to walk the rest of the way home (about six blocks) and took it easy for the rest of the day. I think it’s just a cramp or something, but would hate to end up with an IT band issue that keeps me from running for a while. Especially as I have another 5K in a few weeks. But the running is still great! I get seriously hyper and chatty after a run. Post stretching and drinking water, I yammer at my husband or the dog for a good 30-40 minutes, or pace around the apartment. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/179 "2009-07-06T19:26:38Z")
**Judith Prietht** , IT band syndrome usually manifests on the side if the knee not in the quad. Is the spot still hurting? If it is, ice, rest and elevation. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089/180 "2009-07-06T20:02:54Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > **Judith Prietht** , IT band syndrome usually manifests on the side if the knee not in the quad. Is the spot still hurting? If it is, ice, rest and elevation. Ah. That makes me feel better. Sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, yes? It doesn’t hurt anymore, which is probably good. Thanks! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone-with-me/499089.md?page=10)