My husband and I ran a lot of races in 2011 (44 combined, to be exact). And we got a lot of cool race tshirts. But this one is by far our favorite:
So I was really excited when Holli and I started talking about making the Race to Read the graduation race for a New Year’s C25K Group.
Wait…what is C25K?
Couch to 5K is usually abbreviated C25K. And, to put it in simple terms, it changed my life. It is the program I used to start running. And I can’t even count the number of people I know who have used it. The program uses timed intervals of running and walking that build until you can run a 5K. You can use a stopwatch or the clock on a treadmill or an app on your phone or iPod. It typically takes 9 weeks program to go from “couch” to “running a 5K.”
With the assumption, though, that you will run a 10 minute mile. And I still don’t do that. I’ve never ran a 5K in 30 minutes. (I hope to this year, but that’s a story for another day). I’ve put together a 12 week plan so that there are a few extra weeks to build running time so that you can actually run a whole 5K!
Using a 12 week plan, if you start the program the week of New Year’s, you’ll be on track to run a 5K at the Race to Read on March 24th. How cool is that?
I think New Year’s is a great time to start running. We all make resolutions. And mine was to run a 5K for years and years.
Is running something you’ve wanted to try? Is it something you used to do and want to get back to it? Do you just want to meet some new people and get moving already? Do you know someone who wants to run but says she’s too (insert false statement here) to run? Let’s show her she’s wrong.
Over the next few days, I’ll be posting info about C25K, the program itself, and general newbie info. If you’d like to tell your C25K story, email it to me at lexrunladies at gmail dot com. It doesn’t matter if you finished yesterday or years ago, we just need to encourage our friends.
Start thinking. Start doing a little walking. And be prepared to run for 60 seconds (and repeat a few times) in 2 weeks. That’s all. You won’t have to do this alone. I’ll be in touch. (Maybe even with prizes.)
happy running!
krissie
I did the C25K training at the Beaumont Y with Y trainer, Donna Aikens. I was slow and unfit, but with her patience and guidance, she got me to the Komen 5K. I didn’t run a lot after that for a variety of reasons, but the Komen race came round again and I signed up to walk. As soon as I joined the crowd, momentum took over and I remembered what Donna had told me. I heard her voice in my head, giving me pacing instructions, how to use my arms and reminding me to breathe! While I wouldn’t recommend running without training, my C25K experience got me through it and I felt so great. The slowest 5K ever, sure, but my 5K!
Ps definitely support the Run to Read. The program director is also my daughter’s Irish dance coach and I know that it’s a very worthwhile educational program, serving hundreds of in-need children in Kentucky
[...] about my food intake. I’m going to follow my training schedule. I’m going to get the LexRunLadies C25K group ready to start the New Year. I’m going to give myself a break. I’m going to enjoy my [...]