GOOD GRIEF!!!  What the hell.  These people must not know I am a fat lazy ******* and can't run for 5 minutes.  I started week 4, day 1 today, and was pretty sure I was going to die on the torture-mill (aka treadmill) before the end.  I was able to do it except for the last 5 minute jog.  I was only able to do 3:30 of the last 5 minute jog.  

Michael - What have you done to me.  You didn't tell me you were going to try to kill me with this C25K stuff!!!!  I thought we were friends!!!?!?!?!

Seriously, this is hard stuff, but pretty cool to accomplish!!!

Yeah the 5 minutes segments are surprising... don't look at next week for sure!!?   :)  

I think they went nuts during week 5... 8 minute segments and then all of a sudden on Day 3 of Week 5..... run 20 minutes!?!?

But you know what is crazy.... I did it!  Then because I could do that, I was like...you know I wonder how long I could last.

So Monday instead of going back to the shorter segments, I just ran!!   28 minutes before I had to walk....!!!  I did 5k in 36:13.   This was running locally around my office, mild hills, etc.

Last night.....I ran for the full 35 minutes!!  (My 5k time last night on the treadmill was 34:48)

Great googly moogly!!  I am not suggesting you will want to jump up that quickly, but I was REALLY surprised at the endurance I had built up!

I am only about 2 weeks further than you... you CAN do it!!!   What is crazy is how quickly your body recovers / ready for the next run.

WOW ... Awesome job.  Keep up the inspiring work!!!

So glad you are blaming Michael and not me .

Belive me that it does get easier, and I will commend you on your dedication to the C25K program as I am a C25k Failure.

Listen to your body and follow it's cues and you will be amazed at what you can and will accomplish!

Oh yeah, I blame you too!!!  Ha!

While it is kicking my butt on the 5 minutes, I am determined to kick it right back and conquor this thing!!!

Thanks!

Hi Charlie,

Like others have said..and you know...YOU CAN DO IT!

I also did the C25K program. It was very daunting at first. There were a couple of weeks that I had to repeat as I could not reach the expected times outlined. Still, I stuck with it and am glad I did. I have now ran 2 5K's, and registered for a 3rd. This past week I ran 3 days of 5 miles each day. I am not very fast, but consistency is the KEY!!!

Best,
Bill

Way to go!!!

I am not working on speed at all right now.  Just building up the endurance.  Then once I can do the distance running/long time without stopping, I will then work on upping the speed.  Ultimately, I need to get to a point where I can run 1.5 miles in 15:38 seconds or less.  However, right now I am only worrying about being able to run...

Thanks for the inspiration!!!

Charlie-
 I'm tellin' ya, this stuff is all within reach. You start out slow, don't kill yourself,  and before you know it you will be upping your goals and accomplishing things you never dreamed you would be doing! It's for real, I'm livin' it!

Thanks Tim!!!!

Keep it up, I'm watching you!!!

 I've thought about doing C25K, but not sure that my old knees could handle it.  My left knee is just a step away from  knee replacement surgery.....I DO walk 4 miles a day though....just think that he stress of running would be too much.

Best of luck with your progress.....

I can certainly understand that.  The important thing is doing what you can to stay active.  My knees have certainly seen better days, but if I want to change careers and do what I have always dreamed of, one of the first hurdles is being able to run 1.5 miles in less than 15:38.  So, C25K, here we come!!!

 Just a thought about knees, mine were in really bad shape at 355lbs, and one of the reasons I had my surgery.  

I started running two months ago in the "Barefoot" running shoes by Merrell.  What I discovered from some research is that the barefoot running forces you up onto the pad of your feet instead of hitting with the heel first!

The heel strike is a major cause of the various knee problems, hips, etc.  So knees have not really been an issue to date!  I actually bought those Vibram FiveFinger shoes a few weeks ago to run in and i really like them too.

Born to Run book by Chistopher McDougall was also a real help, opened my eyes to running injuries related to footwear!

Sam

 research on this is now becomming split. 

Yes you will fins tons of research saying Barefoot running is better for you or Minimalist shoes are the right way.  Maybe for someone who is a trained runner and has a natural ability to maintain this form.

The reality for many of us is that we aren't wired that way and when we get tired our form goes out the window. Yes minimalist shoes will force you to focus on your form more because if you don't you will get hurt.  Just as there are good shoes for minimalist runners there are good shoes designed for heel stirke runners as well.

I spoke to my physical therapist about this while working through a hamstring injury that was caused by a tight muscle and not my form.

My PTs opinion is that someone starting out needs to find what is comfortable for them.  If yuo are a heel strike runner then you can actually injure yourself trying to convert to midsole without the proper training and plan.

Learning to run in minimalist shoes will take most people time if someone doesn't realize they are a heel strike runner and goes gets a pair of viabrims and than knocks out 6 miles on the first run they are in for a world of pain.

The best advice for anyone starting out in a running Program is to FIRST FIRST FIRST get a proffesional fitting from a running store where people understand the impact and dynamics of your foot and can get you into the correct shoe type.

I'm glad that minimalist works for you but I know for me I would have trashed ankles going that route.

 Absolutely, your mileage (heh) may vary! 

This is basically going to be a hot button issue for years to come with no definitive answer.  For some folks, minimal will probably be the way to go, for others, they need support and that is why the research is probably split as well.

As with all "GOOD" advice on the internet, please take mine with a grain of salt!   :)

I didn't think I could run, that is why I never bothered with C25k, but then I ended up running after my nephew as he learned to ride his bike.  I was wearing those Merrells and figured out, hey, my knees are not hurting?  Next day, still not hurting...?

I bought em for comfiness / more protection than flip flops but ended up finding they helped me to actually run right.

But I do realize this is controversial and would recommend taking it easy no matter what you do!!  Even starting C25k despite the number of folks you see on here running... you may have issues that are unique.  Whether that is running, biking, lifting, walking or swimming!!

Tis all good and really glad to hear of the success we are seeing!

Just my 2 cents on this subject-
My pre-op cardio consisted of walking barefoot on soft beach sand several times a week throughout spring and summer last year. Running was not an option. When I kicked up the excercise in October, I bought a pair of Vibrams for treadmill walking. When I hit 200 lbs. I told myself that it was time to start running. I did interval walking/running through winter and when I felt confident enough, ran the whole time.  This spring I started running outdoors. I am registered for my third 5K in a couple of weeks.

That being said, the Vibrams were the only shoe I have run in. It took a while to get used to them, but I honestly do not experience any additional pain or discomfort as a result of wearing them for this kind of excercise. I don't have a huge stride and that may contribute to my individual cir****tance. I also don't see anyone else wearing them, and therefore get alot of looks and comments as a result. But they work for me, I'm sure I could do it in conventional footwear, I'll just have to wait and see what happens. It really hasn't been a long time in the scheme of things, but if wearing them ultimately has a negative impact on my progress, I'll let ya know...

Just sayin'

Tim T.

 Tim don't sweat it.  You learned to run in them and started out in them so you should have little ill effect as your body is trained to run the correct way. If I have to guess your stride is more of a shuffle type look.  Here in ATL I see a lot of runners in them doing medium distance stuff.  You have found what works and that is the key.

I too have some Vibram FiveFingers and LOVE them.  However, I haven't tried them for running.  I bought them to wear as beach shoes and light hiking when I go to Hawaii next month.  I picked them up at the "running store" when I went to get fitted for running shoes.  I was having trouble with my knees and ankles when I was told by a friend to try "On The Run" which is a running store here in Houston.  I went and they sold me on some running shoes that are super comfortable.  I love them.  Running in them without any discomfort at all.  

However, while I was there, they had Vibram FiveFingers on sale so I bought a pair for me and so did my wife for Hawaii.  I started wearing them to "get used to them" but found that I love them!!!  No need to get used to them.  That being said, I don't think I could run in them.  I think I need the cushion of the running shoes.

Thanks for the 2 cents.  Very helpful!!!!

 Hi Charlie,  Sorry about the late post but as you can see from my Sunday Morning Weigh In I've been crazy busy this week.

Anyway, I am so glad that you are persevering.  Funny that we get in our mind that we can't do this but as others have said we all can and you will do this.  I totally remember getting to those 5 minute jogs and having the "What the Hell am I doing?" thoughts but kept Paul C.'s (I think it was him and will give him credit for his inspiration anyway) mantra that "Fat Boys Quit" running through my head and as hard and as impossible as that next 90 seconds may have seemed, I just kept going.   Next time you get to that point that you feel you can't run another step just ratchet the treadmill down to a slower recovery speed but never, and I mean never, stop jogging even if you feel like a snail, keep pumping your arms and jogging instead of walking if you are on a running mode in C25K.  You will be surprised how quickly you can recover and get back on track in that session.

I am very impressed with your accomplishments.  You may not realize it but you are not only inspiring the veterans on this forum but also I am pretty confident that there are some lurkers out there who are reading your posts and getting the spark lit in the back of their minds.

Good luck and keep it up!!

Talk Soon!

That is what I have been doing.  This week 4 has proven to be hard as hell, but I am not quitting.  I am going to get it down, and move on to week 5.  I have a goal, and I will not fail!

Thanks!

 Way to go brother!!  Keep up the good work!