Fitness - Couch 2 5K

 Has anyone done the Couch 2 5K?  I downloaded 9 weeks of it to my iPhone.  I gave week 1 a try the other day to test my ankle because I haven't jogged, well ever!  I had major ankle surgery 2 years ago and I've been able to walk for a year now, but jogging was off the table because it caused too much pain.  I remember the only time I ever ran as an adult.  It was 1991 and I was in Cozumel.  I saw the ferry boat about to leave and I took off running.   That was the last time.  Really!  But now that I'm down 75 pounds I'm ready to give it a try.

So if you never heard of it, this is how it works.  There's nine weeks to be trained to run a 5K which is perfect for me because the lake in front of my house is 5K.  Each week gets repeated 3x during the week before moving on to the next week.  It's done 3x a week with a day in between.

The first one that I did was 5 minute brisk warmup walk.  Then 8 intervals of 60 second run/90 second brisk walk, ending with a 5 minute cool down walk.   I did it on my way to work.  Maybe a mistake because I was dressed in my work clothes but wearing my sneakers.  Good thing I have a private office!

I'm going to do week one until I get back from New Orleans because I want to take it slow and don't want to jeopardize my ankle and walking ability while on vacation.

Anyone game for giving it a try with me?  If yes, I'll post the iTunes link where I downloaded the podcasts for free.   I like that the guy gives cues when to switch from running to walking so that all I have to do is move.

I'd love someone to challenge with.

 The first three weeks were easy for me.  Week four is this week, and I took a peek at week five and said "EW."  It's been tough to run at all right now because it is SO hot here.  It's hard to stay hydrated.... in fact, it's hard to stay upright.  I was so dizzy today that I had to stop.

Dani, be careful running in the heat.  Are you feeling better this morning?  Thanks for the tip on week five!  Thankfully I have awhile before I get there.

Woke up with a migraine so I guess I won't be running this morning either!  Hope it goes away soon!

Dani, migraines and high temps just don't get along.  I hope it goes away quickly.  I used to have to sleep to get rid of a migraine.

 Hi Lee,
  I'm so excited for you for this!  Apparently, I'm already running 5k (just looked it up and apparently that equals a little over 3 miles - 3.106 or something).  My experience is that the first 2 miles are the hardest to run, adding above that (to a certain point) feels pretty great.  
  Have you run (pardon the pun) this by your orthopedic surgeon?  Running/jogging is pretty rough on our joints.  Walking is just as effective, I hear, it just takes longer.  I'm not adding this to be wet blankety, just want to make sure that you have ankles (and knees) that work for all of your long walks.  Maybe there are braces or something to wear to prevent injury?
  Hopefully surgeon clears you for all the running your heart desires!   I cannot wait to see where this takes you - I bet you're about to be marathon mama at 60 (40/35).

Awwww, thanks for looking out for me!  I haven't run it by my surgeon yet.  So far my knees are great.  My right knee gave me problems for awhile, but that's because I was off my left foot for so many months between the fracture and then surgery 7 months later.   I'm going to shoot him an email about my ankle this week to see what he says.  I'm happy with walking but just want to "be able" to jog/run if I want to! 

Congrats on running that 5K!

I did this early last year, and I like how it ramps you up to the full running. 

I'd do it with you, but I already do the 20 minutes of running.  Now I need to extend it to 30....

Oh boy, so maybe next year I'll be able to say I'm running for 20 minutes too!  Good job Jody!

Leeeee,
i kinda did my own thing a few months ago building it up my 1st 5k is this sunday omgggg im so excited and trying to get tips from anyone that wants to give it lol i read that the top runners stay in the front of the line and the slowest runners stay last i guess ill stay somewhere in the middle and hope for the best i have to be there at 7am so i guess i wont eat anything i wouldnt be able to have a shake and then run oh god no lolol