Any non-runners have success with the couch to 5k program?

[Anonymous]

I've never been athletic, and for the last couple of years (aka all of my adult life - I'm 20) exercise for me has been LOTS of walking and time on my feet during the week (I'm a nanny), and going to the gym a couple times per month. The last 6 months I've dealt with tons of illnesses including mono and, most recently, a week of norovirus, so my level of activity has dropped significantly, even at work. I want more energy, I want to lose the 1pm crash, and most importantly I want to be a runner!

So, I'm starting the couch to 5k program. I am determined to stick with it and will be running in conjunction with a weight training program. I've joined a new gym (where my boyfriend and cousin also go, so I will have some accountability and workout buddies) and am meeting with a personal trainer. But if you've transformed from total non-runner to a master of 5k's, tell me about it! I want to know that it's possible!

[Anonymous]

Yes, after a very happy 10-year absence from nearly all forms of exercise, I did a Couch to 5K a little more than a year ago. I used a treadmill for the "training" part. Ever since I completed it, I have logged MANY miles on roads and paved trails and did a 10K race this past April. I now run between 16-20 miles a week.

I am 43 years old, a mom, and work outside of the home! It IS possible!!!

Here's the C25K program I used:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

I am a non-runner but found when I had kids it was the quickest way to stayin shape.

I have successfully run 3 5K s doing this program and am on week 5 of the program right now.

I sort of feel crazy in this area where everybody has 26.1 on their car but I am not a runner. I also do yoga.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I had never run before in my life. I had to do each week twice but within a year I was running 10 miles on a regular basis.

[Anonymous]

I was a non-runner all my life...until I did C25K in 2009. After that, I did a woman's running program through a local running club and ran my first 5k race in 34:11. For a few years I was a fall and spring only runner and hovered around an 11 minute mile.

This past fall, though, I kept at it when the weather got cold and went from 3 to 5 days per week. Found an amazing running partner. Added hills and a day per week at the track. On Mother's Day weekend, I ran a 5k in 24:12.

You can do it, OP!! Running can be so so good, physically and mentally. Take it easy and keep at it. Don't worry about pace at all...you should be able to talk while you run. Over time, add more time to your runs and build up endurance. When I was struggling with C25k (maybe around wk 5) I just repeated a workout or two until I felt comfortable.

Don't add any speed work until you have a solid base.

[Anonymous]

I was a non-runner until I did couch to 5K. I couldn't finish the one mile run in high school, ever. After high school I never ran unless it was a short distance (trying to catch bus, etc). The first few weeks of couch to 5k KILLED me. I had to repeat week 5 twice. But then it got easier. 2 years later, I've run 5Ks, 10Ks, and 15Ks. I want to do a half marathon someday but don't have time to train for it right now. It's totally worth it, especially if you're not a runner now, you'll be amazed at what you can do!

[Anonymous]

I was never good at running, not even when I was in school. Couch to 5k worked for me, though. When I started, I couldn't even run a few minutes without stopping. I had to modify the program a little/repeat weeks, but if it can get me running, it can do the same for anyone.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Was never a runner until I had a baby (to lose weight). Started slowly and worked my way through several 5ks, then 10ks and 10 milers. I've now run several half marathons. I never was able to run a mile before that.

[Anonymous]

Of course!! C25K is for non-runners. That's the point, to get you to be a runner.

[Anonymous]

C25K didn't work for me, but it would have if I'd had one simple piece of advice: run SLOWLY. Like snail's pace slow. My legs wanted to move faster than I could really handle, and as a result the running periods even in just week two or three felt too hard to me. I started running again later on my own ( no program), and did so much better running slowly. In the 8 months before getting pregnant I worked my way up to slow 8 mile runs, and much faster 5Ks, and now post-baby I'm working my way back there again with some good, slow runs.

[Anonymous]

This is an extremely helpful thread, OP! I'm 36 and have 2 little kids and haven't exercised in nearly 10 years. I've just been feeling so BLAH! I should also say I started on the treadmill after the birth of my 2nd, but experiencd really bad knee and foot problems, so I quit. I'm going to have a "shoe fitting" and see if that does the trick. I just feel so lazy, but moreso like I don't have the time. Really, I have every excuse in the book, but being in a bathsuit all the time at the pool makes me feel like a cow.

I never heard of this app, but dowloaded it! I always envy runners, but even as a kid, hated running.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a treadmill service company in the Arlington/Falls Church (or surrounding) area?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

This is an extremely helpful thread, OP! I'm 36 and have 2 little kids and haven't exercised in nearly 10 years. I've just been feeling so BLAH! I should also say I started on the treadmill after the birth of my 2nd, but experiencd really bad knee and foot problems, so I quit. I'm going to have a "shoe fitting" and see if that does the trick. I just feel so lazy, but moreso like I don't have the time. Really, I have every excuse in the book, but being in a bathsuit all the time at the pool makes me feel like a cow.

I never heard of this app, but dowloaded it! I always envy runners, but even as a kid, hated running.

This was totally me (hated running as a kid, although I was fairly active in other ways pre-kids). After doing C25K in the fall, I'm running regularly (training for a triathlon actually) and up to about 6 miles for my long run. I'm planning on doing a running program in the fall with 10Ks and longer races in my sights once I cut back on the swimming and biking and have more time.

I used to have knee problems as well, but getting a good pair of shoes and following the guidelines about not increasing mileage more than 10% a week has kept me pain free this time around. After doing a bunch of reading about proper training, I also run slooooooow most of the time.

I feel so much better than I have in a long time and, especially with little kids, running is by far the easiest activity for me to find time for. It feels so great to be at a point where I'm able to run decent distances. When I first did C25K, I did it with a friend, which helped tremendously in the motivation department. She was much faster than me, but I'm running longer distances now.

[Anonymous]

I did the Cool Running Couch to 5K and it was life changing. For several years running was a wonderful, stress relieving, sweaty, fun part of my life. I got a little derailed with pregnancy but I will get back there someday, I hope! Go for it OP!!!