Couch to 5K..anyone done it?

Hi Bella -

Joe has done this in the past (within the past year) - he says it was a good natural progression. He was a non-runner as well.

He says it may seem like a slow progression, but don't try and do more than the program calls for at any interval.

He gives it a positive rating. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

A few months ago I did a 5k run for Cancer Research UK. For the first few weeks I tried to go running 3 or 4 times a week and gradually build up how much I was doing, but after a few weeks of doing that I got bored and started running once a week, if that, and also got too bored part way through to run the full 5k so would stop and go do something else, so come race day I was terrified I wouldn't be able to do it. But the adrenaline of doing an organised run with lots of other people there really made a difference, and I not only completed the 5k in...I think just under 30 mins... but I somehow found the energy to race some other woman on the final stretch! My point being - it is easier on the day than during training, and you will probably enjoy it more at the time than you think you will! Not that I'm saying DON'T train, that would be silly, just that...you'll probably surprise yourself on the day

Bella: I know several people who have done it and said it's very doable.

Pegosaurus: I've found the opposite. I get to where I can do a 5k on my own, but then when the day comes I run WAY faster than I've practiced, because of all the people around me. Then I run out of energy. I need to learn how to pace myself!

I don't know if I'll actually run a 5K at the end of it..I'd really just like to build stamina to become a runner. I really need to focus on making some healthy decisions!

Thanks for all the input! Dave & I are going to start next week..Dave is a beanpole and could probably go run a 5K tomorrow and do better than most people..but he's a personal trainer on the side so he'll probably be helpful!

I am stuck in a vicious cycle. My knees would like me to lose a little weight before I start running again, but if I started running again it would be much easier to lose some weight.

I've done a program like couch to 5K and it was really helpful. I find that having a goal race at the end of the program helps to motivate me, but also gives a great reward when you finish it at the end. Good luck, Bella!

Bella - We are in the same boat...my little one is 10 months. I've actually lost the weight I gained with him, but I need to lose more. My goal was to do the Wine and Dine 1/2...and I watched as it whooshed right past me. Then I wanted to do the Princess 1/2. I set out my little training schedule and everything...and then, one by one, we kept all getting sick, which knocked me off my schedule. I could probably still make that one, provided it didn't fill up before I could get myself trained!

SO - I think I need to scale back and make a 5k my first goal. Maybe we should start and thread and support each other?

I didn't know you had a 10 month old! Oh LizzyB you are so in my boat! Holden just turned 13 months. You have an older daughter right?

I was all excited to start today (can't start Mondays because I have meetings on Monday evening) and I even bought a cute running outfit (priorities...yes?) but then it's been rainy ALL day!

That sucks! Hope it clears up for you soon.

Yes - 10 mos and my girl just turned 6 years. It's a big difference, but it works for us - she's so helpful, plus she can do things for herself.

I'll return to my walk on Monday, fingers crossed. This week has been a lost cause, what with work and getting back from Atl (hmmm...excuses. That may be part of my problem.)

I started today..and other than the part where my dog bolted down a hill & I almost fell to my death after him..it wasn't so bad! My legs are already sore..but I'll definitely stick with it! I felt great afterward!

I'll be up for some sort of 5k thread...although the snow in the UK is so deep everywhere is so slippery at the moment that running isn't possible for now! (yeah I know, excuses already )

I know excuses! Mine are usually "the FL summer is so hot I can't bear it." I feel your pain

That's awesome, Bella! (Um, it's too cold here to get out this morning. But next Monday. I promise!)

Oh Lizzy B you live in Florida! That excuse won't work!

Did a 5k once in Arizona for a sorority fundraiser. It wasn't so bad. I've heard good things about the program!

I want to do it - I want to run one this spring, but don't know if my bad hip can handle it

I was supposed to run today..but I went to Qdoba instead.

The more you post, the more I like you! Hey...Qdoba is about 5 miles from my house...maybe I can walk there, walk back, and justify it!

I just discovered Qdoba this summer and it changed my life. Luckily Dave likes it as much as I do.

I know...DELISH. I fell in love with them when we lived in ATL, and they built one down here not too long after we moved back to FL. I was one happy girl, since I'm not a big Moe's fan.

So...should we start that thread? What is your target date? I know you weren't necessarily planning to run one, but I guess we should at least pretend that we are to set a goal!

Maybe we should even just pick a date and call it the WDWFGU 5K! What do you think?

Lol, I like it! I was hoping to figure out someway to finagle this into a Disney trip (to run a marathon of course..a short one..preferably with cocktails at the finish line).

mmm I would run 5k for a long island iced tea

Giving you motivation with alcohol seems to be a common theme of 5ks. I think it's a great idea!

There we go! Get me a treadmill!

Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Oct! With wine at the finish line! And snacks! If that's not motivation, what is?? (AND you can relay with a partner and only do half!!)

Unfortunatly my job kind of prohibits me from going on any king of vacation in October.

I'd need a relay team of about 20 to get a half marathon down to a manageable distance for me.

Bless your heart....are you SURE you don't want to move to FL? Disney? Warm temps? AND Super Target?

Lol, it's..um.. warmish here..sometimes. Well not today..today it's 40 degrees!

(I ran today! I discovered my in-laws treadmill so I went over there to run. Who knew they had it under all those clothes??