Starting from Scratch:: Couch-to-5K
You have probably heard that we are putting on a race in October– Run the ‘Hood Virtual 5K/10K & Kids’ Run. It’s for anyone, really, walkers/runners/woggers… any age, any ability. I’ve now finished 3 half-marathons and several smaller races, but I’ve never had a race where I am able to consistently run {slow jog?} for more than a few minutes at a time before switching to a brisk walk. I have never gotten the “runner’s high” that I have had so many friends rave about. I don’t care about being fast and with any race I do, my goal is simply to finish and not be last.
I would, however, like to be able to claim that I can run for longer than a mile at a time. Enter the Couch-to-5K program… The program boasts that anyone can go from a couch potato to consistently running 3 miles in just two months. Thirty minutes a day, 3 days a week, for 9 weeks. It almost sounds too good to be true, but guess what? It works! I have heard so many success stories from my fellow “non-runner to runner” friends and have been amazed at their progress each time. Read about Erin and Megan!
You can find the printable Couch-to-5K plan at Cool Running. I purchased this app for $1.99 to use instead and it’s awesome! 
You can use your own music, and a little voice will speak to you at the appropriate intervals to tell you to jog or walk. The program also uses GPS {if you choose} to monitor the distance you travel. When you are done with your workout, one push of a button and voila! you can share your accomplishment with your Facebook friends!
I know that several people signed up for the Run the ‘Hood 5K are planning on following this program and decided that I will finally take the plunge and follow this program from start to finish. You all know that I get bored easily and like to quit things halfway through, so I am COUNTING on you to keep me going, k? I will do the same for you, promise! I created a nice little place for us to go and share our triumphs and whines:
Couch-to-5K group on the ‘hood!
Yesterday was Week 1, Day 1 for me. I pretty much thought of every excuse of why I SHOULD NOT do this workout. It was way too hot, I was grumpy, I’m too fat for my workout clothes… Finally, I told myself to shut up and at 4 o’clock p.m., I laced up my shoes and got my butt out of that door. It was hot, yes, and I felt disgusting for not having exercised for so long, but I DID NOT DIE. I did each and every interval the workout called for. It was not pretty, but I finished. 2.07 miles! You can follow all my C25K workouts on DailyMile!
So, who’s with me on this Couch-to-5K adventure? Leave a comment below telling us who you are, if/where you blog and twitter handle if you tweet, and how you feel so far! Look for weekly updates and check-ins each and every Monday until the big race on October 22nd! I’m @lissajoy on Twitter, and I will be writing here on Mondays and on my personal blog throughout this journey!
Are you new to running completely? This “getting started running” guide will be your new best friend.
Have you signed up for the race yet? If not, we’ve got a swag and a finisher’s medal awaiting you!
Disclosure: I bought the Couch-to-5K app with my own money. If you click the button provided above, you will be able to purchase the app through our affiliate program, and we will make approximately $0.06 for every purchase, which might earn us enough for a pack of gum in a few years.
Category: Couch-to-5K, MIND IT, Motivation Monday, MOVE IT, Run the 'Hood '11
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