Has Anyone Done the Couch to 5K

You are an inspiration to me! I have incorporated a bit of the interval walk/run thing and felt the increase in energy, also.

Yes - I attempted it for the first time in 2008 and got to week 5 day 3, saw the 20 minute run, laughed and never really made it past that. I did complete a 5K that year in 39 minutes by alternating walking and jogging. Little did I know that that time would be my fastest ever - I thought it was embarassingly slow at the time.

I got back into it in 2011 to train for a triathlon. Still couldn't get past W5D3 and jogged/walked the 5K part of my triathlon and several other 5K races that year, as well as a 10K. Finally, last year, I pushed past W5D3 and actually completed the program. I did 3 more 5Ks and a triathlon last year and didn't run the whole thing in any of them, but walked very little. This year I did a 5K in May where I only walked for about 100 yards in the last mile after going up a hill. My "running" buddy (in quotations because at 44 minutes for a 5K it hardly counts as running...) and I are doing a 10K in October that we'll train for starting in July.

Anyway...I really enjoyed the program and it changed my attitude about running from "hell, no!" to "yeah, I can do this!"

You should pick a 5K race to do! There are always people who are really slow and walk at least part in any race. It's really fun, and running around here in the fall is amazing. Another fun race is the Shape Diva Dash, will be in Marshfield the 2nd weekend in September. It's a women's only obstacle course race that has about 3 miles of running mixed in. All fitness levels - it really was a blast last year. Or if you really want to challenge yourself, sign up for the Tufts 10K for Women in Boston on Columbus Day. It's an amazing, inspiring event. Run as far as you can and walk the rest. There are lots of people who walk the whole thing.

Good luck getting through that first 20 minute jog this week - it seems impossible but really, it's not - you can do it and you'll feel so good when you break through that point!

My daughter, at 40+, has done this. She just ran a 5K a couple of weeks ago, and finished in the top third. She hasn't lost weight, but boy, is she toned! I'll bet you can do it, too.

I did my own version of it... I just added time/distance intervals as I could, without following any pre-drawn up plan. Be sure you do some stretching after your run. You may not realize it, but you can end up with strains/injury from not getting the muscles relaxed afterwards. A too tight muscle in the wrong place can cause things to flex/rotate at the wrong angle and cause stress elsewhere.

Google some post-run yoga stretches and do them as/after your cool down. They don't take but a few minutes, and it makes a world of difference for me. Sometimes I can't sleep well if I neglect to stretch my legs after a good 3 mile run. They are just still too bunched up and tight for me to rest.

Oh... I am 44 and just became a runner a little over a year ago. I always HATED running before. Now I love it, when the weather cooperates and it isn't a steamy 98% humidity and 90 degrees F.

You will also be pleasantly surprised to find that your arms will tone up as well. :)

I did it and loved it. Lost about 20 pounds total with really watching what I ate and following a mostly diabetic diet. I ran a color run and had so much fun. I found that every single day of the program I could do it and wanted to push to the next level. I just started again after having a baby and I am on week 4. Can't wait til I can run the full 5k again.

Good for you! I have friends who have been happy with that system. Are you watching what you're eating? You might want to do that now, instead of upping your training. Your body needs to rest after it works hard, so give it a chance to rest (or just exercise lightly that day). Keep a journal of what you eat, how much, when, and why. It might help. Also keep in mind that you're building muscle, so your weight loss might be less dramatic - but your health gain is more dramatic!