Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

Any helpful hints or positive stories about it?

I really need to work on working out, losing some weight for my health, but am just afraid again I won't stick to it

I really need to change my mental attitude about it, huh?

Re: Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

I am starting today!

Re: Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

I did C25K and I loved it. It's a great program that slowly builds your endurance. You can also repeat weeks if you need to. I highly recommend it. There are free podcasts on itunes that will walk you through the first few weeks.

Re: Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

Loved it! I actually tweaked it to make it an 11 week program rather than a 9 week program by repeating weeks 5 and 6. Totally recommend the podcasts.

Re: Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

There is something addicting about those types of programs - you don't want to miss a workout because you don't want to fall behind - I say go for it - you have nothing to lose by starting it. Even if you start and stop it, then you will be in the same place anyway, and there is a good chance you will stick with it, so you will be in a better place....

Someone once told me "Doubt Kills". It is so true. We doubt ourselves before we even start somehting, and then wind up killing our good intentions. Just go for it and commit to it! You can do it!

Re: Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

Re: Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

I started it in July. I am still running. I love running now. I go with my kids in a double jogger. It is very addictive. I get a great natural high after and have so much energy from it. The weight loss is also an added bonus. I downloaded free podcasts from running into shape. It's not always the best music but she tells you when to run and when to walk. I can now run for 45 minutes and not be winded. That is while pushing 85lbs (55lbs of kids and 30bs stroller).

Re: Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

Re: Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

GO FOR IT!

I'm doing it also... I just finished Week 7 and it feels incredible!!!!!!!!

Re: Debating to start the C 2 5K walking/running plan

I did it and I loved it! I had never run a day in my life but was an avid walker. I was also 225 pounds when I started and never had to repeat a week.

Things that worked for me:

Figure out your pace - if you are having trouble with the workouts SLOW DOWN. It should be a challenge, but you shouldn't feel like you are going to fall over and die. It isn't a race, yet :)

Sign up for a 5K around the completion date of the program - this way you are working towards a pretty tangible goal rather than just completing the program.

Get a HRM - I loved being able see that as I got further into the program my heart rate went down, it took more work to burn the same amount of calories because I was becoming more fit. This was VERY motivating for me. I tracked my max and average HR and my calories burned for each workout.

Figure out the time of day and location that are best for you. I would run in the afternoon along trails in the woods. I started out this way because I was afraid of people seeing me try to run and I didn't want to be discouraged by insecurity. It wasn't long before I didn't care about the people and just loved running in the woods, jumping over roots, smelling the leaves and the water. If I got home from work late and had to run at night I would run around the pond near my house because it was well lighted, but running on the road wasn't as enjoyable for me as running on a wooded trail.

Enjoy it and believe you can do it!

Message edited 11/13/2010 12:05:53 PM.