# Couch to 5K, anyone? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 16, 2011, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813 "2011-10-16T15:05:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![HappyDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f08c70/32.png) [@HappyDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HappyDays)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/41 "2011-10-23T09:50:53Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > I had a friend who doesn’t run - he bikes. But when I first got to know him he was 300 lbs. He bikes 100 miles a day with some regularity now - and is slim and trim. I always had him in mind as I ran - I figured that if he could get his 300 lb frame on a bike and be successful, I could move mine through the run. Later, I met a coworker of my husband who runs 5ks. She is NOT a slim person, but again, she moves half again my weight through a five k. If she can do that, I can get through week two. [This article](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15330421) made me feel the same. If a 100 year old man can run a marathon, surely I can run for 90 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/42 "2011-10-23T21:02:20Z")
> [@HappyDays](#): > > The dog and I are on week 2 and are enjoying it, so far. I am using an interval timer on my iPhone and Johnny (the dog) has figured out what the walk/beeps and run/bells mean. He likes to run so he starts running as soons as he hears the bells, but takes his time slowing to a walk when he hears the beeps. He also keeps me going just a wee bit faster than I would go on my own. This is so cute. I wish I were there to see it! I did something unfortunate to my right ankle during last night’s run, so I may have to take a break for a couple of days. I guess it’s a good sign that I’m bummed out by this instead of relieved. 😛 Also, I wanted to share this excellent song for ending your run with: U.N.K.L.E.'s [“Restless” (with Josh Homme)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igRcOdtfQsM). When the drums really kick in at 2:53, it won’t matter how dead you are, you’ll think, “Shit, I want to sprint!” and take off flying. ---
**Author:** ![purple\_haze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@purple\_haze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purple_haze)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/43 "2011-10-24T00:53:29Z")
Great song, thanks! What else is in your playlist? ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/44 "2011-10-26T17:09:16Z")
I finished C25K three times, stopped each time, soon after completing the thing, and went back to walking 10K steps a day (which I like _so_ much better than running). Of course then the guilt sets in and here I am once again at week 3, which I really like. So, I think I’m going to stay at this level indefinitely. Week 3 three days a week, 10K walk the other four. I’ve made my peace. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/45 "2011-10-29T13:13:24Z")
I’m about to head to the gym, as soon as I’ve finished my coffee, for the last day of week one. I followed the forum tips at [c25k.com](http://c25k.com), and slowed down a bit and it has made a WORLD of difference. Granted, I’m doing 1.6 miles or so, instead of the 2 miles I was doing previously, but they said you should work on running the times first, and worry about distance later. And I agree. Better to feel accomplished by finishing, then finish but be totally destroyed in the process. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/46 "2011-10-29T22:59:26Z")
I just finished week 5. I ran, _ran_ for twenty minutes. Best of all, I wasn’t that winded at the end of it. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/47 "2011-11-01T14:29:16Z")
I tried running again this Sunday, but I think I aggravated my ankle even more. I don’t know what I did to it the other day – I didn’t fall or injure myself in any apparent way, but it’s slightly swollen and painful to the touch and when I walk, so I think I’m going to have to rest for a couple more weeks. This is so irritating…I was really doing well so far! On Sunday, I even ran for five minutes straight, a personal record! **purple haze** , I just tend to listen to my iPod on shuffle, but I think U.N.K.L.E.‘s music is great overall for running because they tend to have strong beats. On Sunday, I pushed myself to that five-minute run while listening to Stateless’ “Bluetrace” – it’s another one of those songs that starts off mellow and then has the drums kick in much later in the song (this one has them start at ~3:45). 3:00 had previously been my limit, but I knew those drums were coming so I kept running, and then they gave me the boost to run until the song ended (at 4:57 :)). ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/48 "2011-11-01T19:56:31Z")
I finished week one, as indicated above, but am now going to be starting week 2 on a Wednesday. Not sure how I’ll fit all 3 runs in before Sunday, but I’ll figure it out. Oral surgery on Monday has screwed my entire week up. ---
**Author:** ![Blisters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Blisters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blisters)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/49 "2012-01-30T05:33:37Z")
I hope it is not frowned upon or against the rules to post to an old thread like this. I figure if I start a new one with my question it will get answered (thank you in advance) but if I post to this one maybe others who may be doing the C25K can chime in and maybe we can keep each other motivated. I started doing this in mid-December. Progressed to week three (where you do two rotations of run for a minute and a half/walk/run for three minutes/walk) and had some health issues that made me take most of the week off. Long story short: I’ve been on week three for a few weeks. It is a struggle most of the three minutes (sorry runners: I am out of shape! I am trying to do something about it though!) and I am not sure if tomorrow…which would be the start of week four…I should start week four or repeat week three. Any advice for me, please and thanks? Also: any other types of advice or encouragement is appreciated ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/50 "2012-01-30T05:36:59Z")
My advice: Try week 4. The worst that can happen is that you wind up having to try again in two days. Often while doing C25K, a new week’s program would seem impossible, but then when I tried it, I found I could do it after all. The most important thing, though, is not to quit. Your body is building fitness and endurance every time you go out, bit by bit. Eventually you will look back at your starting program from weeks 1 and 2 and laugh and think, “wow, that seemed hard?” But only if you don’t quit! ---
**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:** [January 30, 2012, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/51 "2012-01-30T05:48:24Z")
> [@Blisters](#): > > I hope it is not frowned upon or against the rules to post to an old thread like this. I figure if I start a new one with my question it will get answered (thank you in advance) but if I post to this one maybe others who may be doing the C25K can chime in and maybe we can keep each other motivated. > > I started doing this in mid-December. Progressed to week three (where you do two rotations of run for a minute and a half/walk/run for three minutes/walk) and had some health issues that made me take most of the week off. Long story short: I’ve been on week three for a few weeks. It is a struggle most of the three minutes (sorry runners: I am out of shape! I am trying to do something about it though!) and I am not sure if tomorrow…which would be the start of week four…I should start week four or repeat week three. > > Any advice for me, please and thanks? > > Also: any other types of advice or encouragement is appreciated It sounds to me like you’re not recovering well-poor sleep, life stress, not enough/right kind of food or you’re not fully over whatever the health issue was. ---
**Author:** ![Blisters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Blisters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blisters)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/52 "2012-01-30T06:09:40Z")
MsWhatsit: That was my thought (worst case scenario) but I wasn’t sure if I was setting myself up for failure by moving forward when what I am doing currently is only barely doable. I suppose there is nothing to be lost by trying it…worst case I go ahead and repeat week three. 🙂 (and I am not going to quit!) RunnerPat: You are one correct. I have an auto-immune disease…so I’m not one hundred percent. I am not seeing one hundred percent any time in my future, but I know that the exercise makes me feel better…not worse. Maybe I should have mentioned that in my initial post. Thank you both for responding 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![YoDoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e68b1a/32.png) [@YoDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoDoc)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/53 "2012-01-30T06:32:42Z")
I’m actually starting tomorrow! When I was in the Army, the one thing I always found true was that your brain will call it quits long before your body will. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813/54 "2012-01-30T15:07:31Z")
**Blisters** -given your physical limitations, I would recommend you somewhat abandon the C25K plan. It’s built around the average rate of progress for a new, _healthy_ runner. That’s not to say you need to give up running or exercising. You do need to find your own rate of progression. Take week four and cut the increases in half (rather than jump from 1:30 sec to 3:00 , jump to 2:15 and so on) or you might try brisk walking instead of running, your heart rate still gets up but the impact forces are less and may allow you to increase the time per schedule. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couch-to-5k-anyone/599813.md?page=2)