Wanna train to run a 5k--help

I decided to start running. I've never really done this but, I can run about 5min at a time. I figure it will be a good way to burn a ton of calories. Any advice??

never done this.

but like you i can run upto 5 minutes. so what i do is 12 x 5 minute intervals which brings me an hour of movement.

don t know if this would be good enough for what you are planning to achieve.

good luck to ya ...

Google "Couch to 5k"

It is an awesome training schedule to work up to running a 5K. I did it at the beginning of the year and it works! In 9 weeks I was running a 5K, and I had never run a mile before in my life

You will love it. Very rewarding experience!

I just started C25k, I didn't think I would be able to do it but I just successfully finished the first week. I have asthma and I already notice that I'm wheezing a lot less at the end than I was at the beginning of the week. There's a challenge on here that's currently going on, I don't know if its possible to join a challenge after its already begun, but maybe you can take a look and see the comments that others have left.

I started C25K in May 2008. After "becoming a runner" through C25K I've gone on to run numerous 5Ks around town. In 2009, 10 months after starting C25K, I ran a half-marathon (that's 13.1 miles). This past Spring, I ran a full marathon (yep, that's 26.2 miles). This December I plan to run the Pine Mountain 40. That's a 40 mile mountain trail race...but at those distances you don't run the whole 40...you have a walk strategy and then there are the parts of the trail that are really "technical" (ie, hard and lots of steep, narrow, rockiness) where you HAVE to walk.

Anyway, when I started C25K I weighed 180+ (I am a 5'4" female). I now weigh 150lbs. However, I will say that for me...somewhere along the way I began running for the love of running. For the love of how running made me feel. And weight loss was eventually disconnected from running for me. It still is. Weight loss/maintenance is nearly completely about diet. Running is about me.

And it can be about you, too!

So, download that C25K training schedule, get yourself a decent pair of running shoes (get yourself fitted at a running store...the fitting is free), and get an Timex Ironman watch with the interval timer and HIT THE ROAD!

I second, third, fourth, Nth the couch to 5K recommendation. I hated running, and I'd never run an entire mile in my entire life... not even when I was a skinny little dancer kid.

One day I was sitting at the computer and thought to myself, "I want to do the couch to 5K." Literally five minutes later I was on a treadmill trying to make it through W1D1. I didn't make it through, but my stubbornness kicked into high gear and I decided that I was going to finish this come hell or high water. It took me several weeks longer than the plan, for a couple of different reasons, but I did finish it.

One of the things that I found out is that I'm not all that wild about running, but that's OK.

I have found it's not so much about the physical act of running but my fitness level that made it so difficult to start running in the beginning. I have never been able to run in my life and with a bad knee, I have started a lot of bike riding classes when I re-joined the gym early last year. By the end of last year, I got reasonably fit with a resting heart rate in the high 40s, low 50s.

Then Xmas pudding guilt kicked in on Xmas day - with the absence of the proper gym, I ran on the treadmill, ran 10km, just like that. The only reason I stopped was because I got bored. (Treadmill is really not my thing)

Haven't got back on the treadmill again since... but last weekend, while I was waiting for my gym class to start, I ran 2km in 10min, just to warm up. No worries there either.

So I suspect it's all down to one's fitness level - how your body is used to being in the "aerobic" zone.

Good luck.

Yes make sure you get yourself really good shoes. Injuries often discourages people from running.

Hi, I suggest you try running one min, walking one min. And build your way up. I've been doing that, then I started doing two mins running, 30 seconds walking. And eventually you don't need a break, and when I do its for 30 seconds. I honestly started out not even being able to walk 20 mins at 4 mph. Hope it works for you!

Started the 'Couch to 5K' program this morning. I downloaded the app to my phone to make it easy. I think I did pretty good. Towards the end of the last running session I was kinda begging for it to be over, but I felt good.
Now I just have to get some more music loaded and I'm set. Thanks you guys for all the advice and support

This thread has made me decide to do the Couch to 5k too! I'm excited to get home and start.

I didn't do the couch to 5k, but when I started to run, I made it 3.5 minutes before I either had to stop or die. This may be partially due to my prolific cigar habit.

I think it was within 6 weeks that I ran 5k without stopping. Best time so far is 28:44. Not bad since I still smoke cigars.

The C25K program sounds like an excellent tool to start running.

Made it through week one of C25K program. I'm feeling better than I thought I would. I'm sore but, I can handle it. I treated myself to a 90min deep tissue massage to celebrate!
I'm kinda proud of myself

Try to find a running buddy! You can't skip a run if someone is counting on you. If you can't find a friend willing to run, there are tons of "Learn to Run" programs through parks and rec or even some businesses (Running Room). Good luck!

Okay these all sound great but I tried running as well and ended up with shin splints or what I think were... I started out slow with intervals walk 2 mins run 1 min, but after about two weeks and about walking 1 min running 3 mins my shins were killing me. Previous to this running decision I went to a running store and got fitted for the right shoes, but still got shin splints. What would this be from do you think? I have since given up and would really love to try again, but am afraid because it hurts when this happens...

Okay I at this point I am not running due to the fact I was recently told I have asthma. As soon as the dr clears me though I am back at it. I have always been a sprinter so distance running is hard for me, but in a week I went from being able to run 2 min to running a mile in 30 min. First, the shins are due to the improper shoes for the shape of your foot. I know crazy but true. Depending on if you have a flat, high arch, or normal arched foot depends on the shoe support you need. Make sure before you run you do a short warm up for your legs (lunges, squats, or even a 1 min walk will do the warm up), then put on a watch that has a stop watch and time your nonstop run, when you stop running stop your watch and don't restart it. Take a 60 sec break (walk) then start running again, if you can do this for an hr. Everyday increase your time so if you do a 1 min run then the next day run for 2 min. For me a run looks like a power walk, but I can maintain that for a mile without walking. So running right now is not about speed but about what you can maintain. Don't get discouraged because your legs hurt,trust me they will for a period of time. Make sure to start you are doing this on a flat surface. For the first two weeks you do not want any hills just a flat area, after two weeks you want to push yourself on hills and doing some sprinting. Running is really the best way to lose weight quickly. Good luck

Way to go!!! I'm working on C25k... "at my own pace" lol, but I think it's a great program. I will say this to encourage those who are just beginning: for me (and many others I've chatted with on various forums), the shift from week one to week two and then to week three was surprisingly easy. I found that, even though I struggled with week one, during week two I recovered faster and had an easier mental time with it.