Has anyone used this app? What do you think of it?

The company I work for is one of the sponsors of a local 5K run that's held on Thanksgiving - and crazy woman that I am, I'm thinking of signing up for it.

One small problem: I have never run before. (The ice always falls out of my drink when I do.) Is it possible to get ready for a 5K in eight weeks?

Tips, encouragement, and smart remarks welcome.

Genesia said:

One small problem: I have never run before. (The ice always falls out of my drink when I do.)

Switch to beer or whatever alcoholic beverage fits in a can for the run.

tinaz said:

Totally possible as long as speed isnt your goal... Its only 3.1 miles...

Are you taking her inebriated status into consideration?

tinaz said:

Totally possible as long as speed isnt your goal... Its only 3.1 miles...

[img:$uid]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g216/rebecca8273/emoticon/0002.gif[/img:$uid]

Honey, it might as well be 3.1 million miles. I'm starting from absolute zero here.

I did a learn-to-run class that was similar to doing the couch to 5k app and at the end I could run a 5k, but I ran awfully slow.

It depends on your fitness level to start. Do you keep active with other things? Or have you been a couch potato for years?

I can tell you what I did that was a lighter version of couch to 5k if you’re interested, but if you’re starting with at least a bit of fitness you can probably do the couch to 5k and be successful.

I'm no runner, for pretty much the same reason as you. But I would think that taking up a running program is the same as taking up any other fitness program, and that the same precautions should be exercised.

Check with your doctor, and then hire a trainer or join a running club. I just think there's absolutely no substitute for real human interaction and experience when it comes to physical fitness.

CarrieMpls said:

I did a learn-to-run class that was similar to doing the couch to 5k app and at the end I could run a 5k, but I ran awfully slow.

It depends on your fitness level to start. Do you keep active with other things? Or have you been a couch potato for years?

I can tell you what I did that was a lighter version of couch to 5k if you’re interested, but if you’re starting with at least a bit of fitness you can probably do the couch to 5k and be successful.

Carrie, the company I work for actually has a class (starting next week, called Zero to 5K) to get ready for the run. I've never really been a group fitness sort of person, but having the support/accountability of a class might be good initially. The Couch to 5K app would be a helpful "add-on" - or a substitute in case I can't get to class on a particular day.

I do keep active with other things (walking, biking, etc.), I've just never been a runner. And I don't care a whit about running fast - my goal is simply to not embarrass or injure myself.

Genesia said:

CarrieMpls said:

I did a learn-to-run class that was similar to doing the couch to 5k app and at the end I could run a 5k, but I ran awfully slow.

It depends on your fitness level to start. Do you keep active with other things? Or have you been a couch potato for years?

I can tell you what I did that was a lighter version of couch to 5k if you’re interested, but if you’re starting with at least a bit of fitness you can probably do the couch to 5k and be successful.

Carrie, the company I work for actually has a class (starting next week, called Zero to 5K) to get ready for the run. I've never really been a group fitness sort of person, but having the support/accountability of a class might be good initially. The Couch to 5K app would be a helpful "add-on" - or a substitute in case I can't get to class on a particular day.

I do keep active with other things (walking, biking, etc.), I've just never been a runner. And I don't care a whit about running fast - my goal is simply to not embarrass or injure myself.

Oh, you can do it then, and be very successful. I never in a million years thought I'd be a runner and I was completely inactive (not to mention obese) when I started.

I will say, doing the class was very helpful for me and I highly recommend it. Having a set schedule and meeting with a group helps hold you accountable. After a couple of weeks you'll be amazed at your progress and those little tastes of success become very motivating.

Yeah, you can totally do this.

I will add, rest days are very important. Don't run more than your schedule (at least not more than once a week). A good rule of thumb is not to add more than 10% of (distance or time, however you track your runs) to each week of training.

Thanks!

Yeah...rest is always an issue, for me. Especially when I'm just getting going on a new workout thing, I want to do it all the time because I'm afraid that if I miss a day or two, I won't start up again. (I know myself.)

I'm going to need shoes, too - but I don't know if I should get them right away or save them for a "reward" once I've successfully done a few weeks of the program.

Honey, at my age, a rest day will be needed.

tinaz said:

........... I bet your younger than I am...

if it is free...sure. if not there are many such programs that have programs. or google for local running clubs they often have such programs.

and someone close to me who is a woman that is 190ish lbs runs and does 1/2 marathons so it is possable to do...

[Edited 10/3/13 16:35pm]

Genesia said:

Has anyone used this app? What do you think of it?

The company I work for is one of the sponsors of a local 5K run that's held on Thanksgiving - and crazy woman that I am, I'm thinking of signing up for it.

One small problem: I have never run before. (The ice always falls out of my drink when I do.) Is it possible to get ready for a 5K in eight weeks?

Tips, encouragement, and smart remarks welcome.

Yes it's possible. 5K isn't a terribly long run, so if you just sort of jog-walk instead of run, most of the ice will probably stay in your glass.

Start running. Maybe try a treadmill first, or a school track, then head out into the streets. If you can work in 2-4 serious attempts a week I bet you could knock out the 5K without killing yourself.

CarrieMpls said:

I will add, rest days are very important. Don't run more than your schedule (at least not more than once a week). A good rule of thumb is not to add more than 10% of (distance or time, however you track your runs) to each week of training.

Not more than once a week? Really? I mean, I'm not doubting the truth or importance of your advice. But everybody I know who runs does it much more often than that.

Oh yeah! I can't agree enough with the stretching advice! When I was younger I would hike miles with a 50lb pack without warming up at all and never feel it. Now if I don't stretch for a good 15-30 minutes before and after I cramp up ALL OVER the place and feel like crap the next day.

kewlschool said:

Cerebus said:

CarrieMpls said:

I will add, rest days are very important. Don't run more than your schedule (at least not more than once a week). A good rule of thumb is not to add more than 10% of (distance or time, however you track your runs) to each week of training.

Not more than once a week? Really? I mean, I'm not doubting the truth or importance of your advice. But everybody I know who runs does it much more often than that.

Oh yeah! I can't agree enough with the stretching advice! When I was younger I would hike miles with a 50lb pack without warming up at all and never feel it. Now if I don't stretch for a good 15-30 minutes before and after I cramp up ALL OVER the place and feel like crap the next day.

That was poorly worded. Whoops.

I meant don't run longer than your training schedule says to more than once a week. The couch to 5k is either 3 or 4 days a week and if you really want to push yourself you could make one of those a bit longer of a run but in general you should stick to your schedule. That's all I was saying. Excessive training and trying to go too far too fast is one of the biggest causes of injury. Running is one of those things that you really need to build up over time.

^ I got what you were saying.

Well, I did the first C25K workout last night. The first ten minutes were pure hell - but it actually got easier after that. In fact, during the final 90-second "brisk walk," I actually jogged about half of it.

And I feel good today. My hips and lower back are a little stiff, but I have no real soreness.

I must get new shoes, though. The ones I have (which are very old) are fine for riding the spinning bikes at work, or doing kettlebells and Indian clubs (where you actually want shoes that are less supportive, so you use your stabilizing muscles). But I am risking injury if I run in them. I'll have to get that handled tonight or tomorrow.

Of course, I feel terrible that I have to buy new shoes.

Ooh! On the shoe thing! Please go to a store that can give you a proper fitting for your feet. They will take a look at your feet and probably watch you walk without shoes on back and forth a bit. You can read up on it but there are 3 types of running shoes (depending on how you "pronate") and it really helps to get the right style for you.

I also recommend not caring about what they look like and once you know what kind to get, try on a BUNCH of that kind and pick the one that feel best when you walk around a bit. I spent over an hour picking out my shoes and I don't regret it a bit. They were awesome. And it really makes a difference.

Brands are pretty meaningless too. It's all in what fits YOU best.

CarrieMpls said:

Ooh! On the shoe thing! Please go to a store that can give you a proper fitting for your feet. They will take a look at your feet and probably watch you walk without shoes on back and forth a bit. You can read up on it but there are 3 types of running shoes (depending on how you "pronate") and it really helps to get the right style for you.

I also recommend not caring about what they look like and once you know what kind to get, try on a BUNCH of that kind and pick the one that feel best when you walk around a bit. I spent over an hour picking out my shoes and I don't regret it a bit. They were awesome. And it really makes a difference.

Brands are pretty meaningless too. It's all in what fits YOU best.

Oh, I will definitely get a proper fitting. There are several places here that specialize in endurance footwear. One place I plan to check out (Endurance House) actually does a video analysis of your gait. And there are at least three stores near me where I can try stuff on.

One thing I have going for me is that I know next-to-nothing about athletic shoe brands and feel no allegiance toward those I do know. And I have about a gazillion pairs of shoes I can wear for looks. This is about function!

CarrieMpls said:

Ooh! On the shoe thing! Please go to a store that can give you a proper fitting for your feet. They will take a look at your feet and probably watch you walk without shoes on back and forth a bit. You can read up on it but there are 3 types of running shoes (depending on how you "pronate") and it really helps to get the right style for you.

I also recommend not caring about what they look like and once you know what kind to get, try on a BUNCH of that kind and pick the one that feel best when you walk around a bit. I spent over an hour picking out my shoes and I don't regret it a bit. They were awesome. And it really makes a difference.

Brands are pretty meaningless too. It's all in what fits YOU best.

Yes anything more than a 5K for sure get fitted. You should be able to find good running shoes for $100. Once you know your type you can find them much cheaper online. Many running clubs have discount codes or free shipping deals just for being a memember and they also have access to secret sales and special deals.

CarrieMpls said:

That was poorly worded. Whoops.

Nope, nope. Makes perfect sense when I read through the entire thread and, ya know, like, pay attention.

Genesia said:

Of course, I feel terrible that I have to buy new shoes.