# Starting C25K, anyone with me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 3, 2010, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474 "2010-09-03T10:56:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/21 "2010-09-08T00:07:48Z")
> [@mittu](#): > > Did my Week 2 Day 1 this morning. Managed to run the whole time I was supposed to be but the last run was more of an amble/trot, I was very tired!! > > Out of interest does anyone else use GPS tracking for their run? I set my GPS going at the start of the warm up and stop it when the cool down ends. Today I covered 4.36km during 29:29 which was actually less distance than I did during Week 1 though the duration was 2-2.5 mins longer during Week 1. I have a Garmin 205 that I use when I run, but mostly to help know how far I’ve gone. I don’t care too much about how fast. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/22 "2010-09-09T13:32:30Z")
My third run of the season was the worst of the group. I struggled almost from the beginning. I still hit my target, but I had a harder time today than I did all week. It may be because the pollen count is very high in our area. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/23 "2010-09-09T13:40:51Z")
I had to take yesterday off because my calves are hurting so bad, but I’ll go again today. I do hate the days I skip because it makes me feel like Jabba the Hut. My running partner had to get an MRI of her knee yesterday and is not really walking anymore; it’s more of a shuffle. I think we are killing ourselves! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/24 "2010-09-09T13:45:05Z")
> [@ShelliBean](#): > > I had to take yesterday off because my calves are hurting so bad, but I’ll go again today. I do hate the days I skip because it makes me feel like Jabba the Hut. > > My running partner had to get an MRI of her knee yesterday and is not really walking anymore; it’s more of a shuffle. I think we are killing ourselves! I am no expert, not in the least - but aren’t you \*supposed \*to give the muscles a recovery time? ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/25 "2010-09-09T13:47:32Z")
Yes. I’ve been giving them just over 24 hrs which is not enough I’m sure. But I like to run every day - I just have to keep reminding myself that it’s been about three years since I’ve done so and I’m not in the body I used to be. 🙂 ETA - never take running advice from me, or follow my example. I’m one of those people that will drink a cup of coffee and eat a couple aspirin and go running even if I hurt. ---
**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:** [September 9, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/26 "2010-09-09T16:21:29Z")
I completed C25K more than a year ago. I’ve run several 5Ks, an 8K and a 10K, and am currently training for a half marathon in December. Those first few weeks were definitely tough! I used to take the dog with me for moral support, back when I was struggling to run 2 minutes without panting. Today, I’ve lost close to 30 pounds, completed a 7 mile long run last weekend, and am probably in the best shape of my life. I started doing Jeff Galloway’s run-walk method for my half-marathon training, and it’s working out fantastic. The ratio that works best for me is 6:1 (basically what **runnerpat** mentions above), and with an 11:45-12:00 pace, that works out to a walk break about every half mile. As far as frequency goes, my current 16-week training plan has me doing three runs just about every other day for the first 6 weeks with rest/cross training on off days, and a few four run-weeks after that. I’m going to a personal trainer to get a good CT program. Stretching after my runs also helps with muscle ache and stiffness – simple stretching programs are available all over the place. ---
**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:** [September 9, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/27 "2010-09-09T16:25:38Z")
> [@ShelliBean](#): > > Yes. I’ve been giving them just over 24 hrs which is not enough I’m sure. But I like to run every day - I just have to keep reminding myself that it’s been about three years since I’ve done so and I’m not in the body I used to be. 🙂 > > ETA - never take running advice from me, or follow my example. I’m one of those people that will drink a cup of coffee and eat a couple aspirin and go running even if I hurt. The general rule is 48 hours is needed for recovery though individuals may vary. I’ve known athletes who can do two hard days before taking an easy day and others who need 2-3 days easy after each hard day. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/28 "2010-09-09T16:37:15Z")
Yeah, my running partner just let me know she is now on crutches with a stress fracture. Like I’ve said: I’m only here to serve as an example of what not to do. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/29 "2010-09-09T18:42:51Z")
I’ve done C25K previously, and just restarted it recently. I’m at the end of week 6, and once I finish the 5k plan I am graduating to the 10k after. It really is a great program for gradually increasing running endurance, and I have to say the successes of people in the thread have encouraged me to continue on to the 10k. I have found that I absolutely have to run outside, a treadmill is not an option for me. I get bored far before I get tired, and moving outdoors has really improved my running morale. I can honestly say I don’t hate running anymore (well, not as much as I used to). Which is saying a lot. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/30 "2010-09-09T20:43:49Z")
I can’t believe I am doing this, because I absolutely hate running with a burning passion, but what the hell. I’ve done the C210K program in the past, and I’ve run a couple of 5Ks and a couple 10Ks. My husband is currently about halfway through training for another half marathon, and watching him inspired me to give running one more try. So, I’m in. I’ll start the C210K program in earnest on Monday, but we’ve been hitting the gym every morning for a few months now anyway. Race Day for me is November 14. ---
**Author:** ![mittu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/31 "2010-09-09T21:47:42Z")
Did my Week 2 Day 2 this morning, went pretty well except for at the end where I managed to yank my headphones out of my ears which instantly became tangled in the 1,000 knots of hell so I didn’t know when to stop running! One thing I didn’t expect to happen is that the muscles I feel aching most whilst running are my stomach muscles (where my 6-pack would be if it weren’t currently a keg). Does anybody know why this would happen? My legs feel most tired long term but during the run itself I feel like I have been doing lots of sit-ups rather than running! ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/32 "2010-09-10T16:23:06Z")
> [@mittu](#): > > Did my Week 2 Day 1 this morning. Managed to run the whole time I was supposed to be but the last run was more of an amble/trot, I was very tired!! > > Out of interest does anyone else use GPS tracking for their run? I set my GPS going at the start of the warm up and stop it when the cool down ends. Today I covered 4.36km during 29:29 which was actually less distance than I did during Week 1 though the duration was 2-2.5 mins longer during Week 1. I’m on W5 and tomorrow I will (supposedly) run for 20 mins straight. Yesterday, had me running two 8 min intervals. That wasn’t too bad, but I’m not certain I can do 20 mins straight yet. I have an Android phone and I use a C25K app in addition to Endomondo for GPS tracking, both of which update to Facebook. I’m also on [Dailymile.com](http://Dailymile.com) for inspiration and social networking with other runners. PM me if you want to hook up on DM for extra support. Keep it up! I’m seriously loving this program. It’s all I can to _not_ run on recovery days. Although I took a week-long break after Wk 1 (then started over again) and had a couple extra recovery days early on for tendinitis, I’ve eliminated the two-day recovery, so I’ll probably complete it about the time I would have without the missed days. Just in time for the Komen 5K, which I’m considering doing. I have never run a race in my life. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/33 "2010-09-10T16:47:09Z")
One cool thing for me is: I remember when I started and I couldn’t get past _3_ minutes straight! And I didn’t even believe I ever would do so. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/34 "2010-09-10T20:41:38Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > One cool thing for me is: I remember when I started and I couldn’t get past _3_ minutes straight! And I didn’t even believe I ever would do so. I know! It wasn’t that long ago that a whole minute was not that easy to do. Now I’m doing 25 straight, getting ready to start week 7. It’s great! ---
**Author:** ![mittu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/35 "2010-09-10T21:35:26Z")
Just did my Week 2 Day 3 the day after doing Day 2 so I could get my running days sorted out. To say I did it 2 days in a row it went pretty well and now I have a day off on Sunday before I move on to Week 3 on Monday. The 3 minute run looks pretty daunting right now but i’m up for the challenge! ---
**Author:** ![DirtyHippy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtyhippy/32/107_2.png) [@DirtyHippy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirtyHippy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/36 "2010-09-11T17:18:50Z")
I finished the C25K last year Oct 19th. I used the iPhone app, one of the first apps I got when I got the phone. It is a great way to start running, it doesn’t push too hard. In June, I ran a half marathon in under 2 hours, and a month from now, I will do a full marathon. My first, at age 53. A couple of weeks ago, a guy at work came over and asked me how much weight I had lost. All proud, I said, “About 30 pounds over the last year.” His reply? “Are you dying?” My moment of humility, well, one of many. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/37 "2010-09-11T18:52:14Z")
Hey, good for you! Good luck! I have said that I will never do a marathon - but there was a time in my life when I said I would never run regularly, so who knows? On my forth day I did a full mile - it wasn’t too bad. We go out at the crack of light so that we catch the coolest time of the day and run into fewer people. It isn’t like the place is crowded anyway, but I like to have the trail to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/38 "2010-09-11T20:58:16Z")
I completed W5D3 today and to my delight and surprise, I discovered that I _can_ run for 20 mins. straight. Further, I can run yet another mile after a little cool-down in between. My fastest laptime was 10:02 min/mi during the second mile. Once I finished the cooldown, I was still some distance from home, so I started running and continued until I got home (another mile). I can’t believe I could do this. And now, about 1.5 hours after doing it, I still feel awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/39 "2010-09-20T01:07:45Z")
> [@me](#): > > I’m also signed up for a half marathon later this month, but I fully expect to run/walk it. I’ll run the first 5K and then maybe walk a little, run another 5K, etc. I’ve walked a half marathon twice, so I know I can finish. The question is, how much of it can I run? Stay tuned! Update time! My half marathon was today, and I finished in 2:37:something. Imagine how well I could have done if my training routine hadn’t gone down the rathole! I was worried about whether the amount of walking I ended up doing would inhibit my ability to truthfully say that I’ve run a half marathon. I varied a little bit from **runner pat** ’s advice and basically walked through the 11 water stations, plus a few more short breaks. I’m guessing that I ran about 3/4 of the total distance and walked the rest. But I saw plenty of other runners around me doing the same, and I came in at roughly 2/3 of the way back in the pack. Not too shabby. So I feel pretty good about putting that “13.1” magnet on my car. And may I say that I got more than a little verklempt, shortly after starting (“Holy crap, I’m running in a half marathon!”), on turning the corner and seeing the finish line a few blocks ahead (“Holy shit, I’m gonna make it!”), and just after crossing the finish line (“Holy fuck, I just ran a half marathon!”). I actually started hyperventilating a little bit and had to cup my hands over my mouth (in lieu of a paper bag) to get my breathing back to normal. My only regret was that I had no cheering section, but Mr. S had to work, and my mom can’t drive yet after her surgery and wouldn’t have been up to sitting around waiting for me to show up. Oh well, next year. And there were plenty of people cheering along the way. It’s amazing, the camaraderie among runners. Everybody I talked to and joked with was super nice. Got my picture taken after finishing (not up yet, curses!) and bought a metric assload of T-shirts/sweatshirts in addition to the “free” finisher shirt and really cool medal. I think I’ll try to improve my time in the local half next spring, walk a marathon in June, and then try the full marathon (eep!) at this same event next year. Holy crap, I’m a jock! ---
**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:** [September 20, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474/40 "2010-09-20T01:19:19Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > Update time! My half marathon was today, and I finished in 2:37:something. Imagine how well I could have done if my training routine hadn’t gone down the rathole! > > Holy crap, I’m a jock! Congrats!! Actually, your half marathon time matches up well with your 10K. [MacMillan Running Calculator.](http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/mcmillanrunningcalculator.htm) All that really counts is finishing. Nobody cares if you walked some, most or all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-c25k-anyone-with-me/552474.md?page=3)