This month we're talking about our favorite person to train with, or our favorite training routine. Since I typically run alone, favorite person is kind of hard for me. However, I know for sure I have a favorite training routine. Cool Running's Couch to 5K. I know you may be thinking "well gee, Alison, you're a little beyond training for a 5K, aren't you?" Yes, probably true, but without Couch to 5K (C25K), I would never have even started running.
Here's what I love about it:
- C25K is a 9 week program that gets you ready for a 5K. Plus! Coolrunning.com also has a bunch of other training plans to take you beyond a 5K. I used their plans to train for my first 10K and half marathon.
- C25K gets you ready with just 3 workouts per week, 30 minutes each. That's what the doctor prescribes anyway, so how could that be any less perfect?
- C25K works. I swear to you, it does. Just stick with the program. So many people that I know, including myself, had trouble with the first day the plan calls for 20 minutes of running with no walking. (In week 5, I don't want to scare anyone off here!) But we can do it! Trust in the training, it doesn't lie.
Want proof? Here I am about to cross the finish line after my first 5K, using and sticking with C25K. I ran the whole thing! My time was 30 minutes and some change.
I was so proud of myself!
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| Look how little Emily is here! Awww! |
Some tips to starting and sticking with it:
- Run outside if you can. The treadmill just isn't the same. Yes, you will hurt for the first few days as your legs build up some muscle, but your body will adjust.
- Write the instructions on your hand so you know when to walk and when to jog.
- Keep going! Just do it!
I never, ever thought that I'd be a runner. That is 100% true. I used to hate running. Honestly, it took a good 2 1/2 to 3 years of running before I could actually say that it's something I enjoy and need in my life. But finishing that first 5K opened so many doors. Now I believe in myself and that I can do the longer distances if I just stick with the training.
Want to hear more tips and training advice? Join up here and check out what the other runner's have to say this month!
Also, there's a giveaway! This month's give away is an Under Armour
fitted Heat Gear tank and headband, modeled by lovely Beka from Sunshine to the Square Inch. Who doesn't love
Under Armour?
Love this! I am a fellow Couch to 5k-er and I tell anyone who even mentions wanting to start running about it. I completely credit it with my learning to run and can't say enough good things about it.
ReplyDeleteYes! I do the exact same thing!
DeleteI've not done the couch to 5K program but I know a lot of people have. I just decided to get out there one day and go for it. 5Ks are my thing now! Not sure if I'll ever go beyond that...
ReplyDelete5K's are a lot of fun!
DeleteI've never actually completed C25K but I have so many friends who have done so well with the program! It must be good!
ReplyDeleteI think it's just an easy plan for a newbie runner to follow so you don't get overwhelmed or feel like you don't know what to do. For me, it was good to see the exact thing I needed to do each day.
DeleteI'm glad to hear the C25K actually works. I have never tried it but always thought about it. And I completely agree with you about running outside, it is so much better!
ReplyDeleteEven in the cold and snow, I'd much rather run outside!
DeleteSo fun! I have heard wonderful things about the C25K program! I think with most plans if you just stick to the training it will work! I agree that it takes time to truly enjoy running. I go to crossfit 3x a week and sometimes they have running in the workouts. It usually consists of 1 mileish and people freak out! I keep telling them they need to just keep running and they will eventually love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting with us this month!
Ha, that was me a few years ago! Run a mile?!?! Are you crazy??
DeleteThanks for the opportunity!
This sounds like a great website, I wish I'd have known about it when I was looking for a 10k training guide. Definitely one to explore more.
ReplyDeleteLaura x
Yes! I actually did C25K twice, after I slacked off over the winter and needed help getting up the miles again. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI hear you. It took about 3 years before I actually thought running was fun :) I think it's an acquired taste for some people. haha! Glad you could cohost with us this month!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity!
DeleteOne of my friends asked if she'd ever like running. I told her "just keep it up, enjoying it will eventually come." Not to say I love every run, but I'm definitely in a different place than when I first started!
I have the Jeff Galloway 5k app that I'm using now to help improve my 5k time - and I LOVE IT. It tells you exactly what to do and when and there's no me trying to figure out how to get faster, it's all programmed into 3 workouts a week with most of them under an hour! Anytime anyone asks me about starting to run I always recommend one of those apps, it takes the guesswork out of it and totally works.
ReplyDeleteI always forget about the apps! I'm so old school that I don't even think about all the cool stuff that my phone can do.
DeleteI have never actually used any of the cool running training plans, but I have heard that they work really well. I do use the cool running pace calculator ALL OF THE TIME! I'm always punching in numbers to figure out how fast I need to run per mile to hit my ideal race times. It's a helpful website!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love their pace calculator as well! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI don't recall how I got started running exactly, but I would have loved a plan like Couch to 5k. I totally agree that it's great to stick with a plan and see the results on race day!
ReplyDelete