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Monday, February 21, 2011

Couch to 5k update...six weeks in

I am starting week six of the couch to 5k program.  The program lasts for nine weeks total.  You can check out the link above, Facebook, Twitter...it's becoming quite a popular program.  I downloaded an iPhone app which helps a lot because it tells you when to switch between running and walking.  And it's working for me!

Here's the schedule:

Week Workout 1 Workout 2 Workout 3
1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
2 Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
  • Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
  • Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
  • Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)
  • Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)
 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
  • Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
  • Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
  • Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)
  • Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)
 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
  • Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
  • Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
  • Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)
  • Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)
4 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
  • Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
  • Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
  • Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
  • Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
  • Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
  • Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
5 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
  • Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.
6 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
  • Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
  • Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking.
7 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes). Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes). Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).
8 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes). Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes). Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).
9 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes). Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes). The final workout! Congratulations! Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).


Basically, I ended week five by jogging for TWENTY MINUTES STRAIGHT.  In week one, I only had to jog for a minute at a time and thought I would die.  I'm really excited to finish the program and am contemplating the Bridge to 10k program to prepare for Bay to Breakers (which is a 12k, or 7.5 miles).  I don't actually plan to run Bay to Breakers, but my back pain has diminished significantly.  I haven't lost any weight per se, but my legs are thinning out noticeably.  The running seems to be working well for me.  Who ever thought I'd be a runner?!  NOT ME!

My next running goal will also include speeding up.  I seem to feel the best when I run 4.5 miles per hour.  That's a pretty slow jog.  But at least I am jogging the entire time.  After I finish the nine weeks, I will run at least once a week, trying to move up to 5 miles an hour -- with an eventual goal of being able to run an entire 5k at 6 miles per hour, which is a 10 minute mile.  Not a marathon pace whatsoever, but fast for me. 

Has anyone else done this program?  I am excited to hear about any changes to your body and mindset. 
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4 comments:

  1. Rita PearsonFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    GO LORI! I am amazed and proud of you. Girl, once you set your mind look out word.

    ReplyDelete
  2. lolorashelFebruary 22, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    Thank you!! Once I got over the pain in the first week, it mostly went away. The first few minutes I run, I am a little careful because my knees feel tight. But once they lube up, I'm fine! :-D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stuff N Junk by HeidiMarch 19, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    Very proud of you!!! I don't invest in apple products, but this sounds like a GREAT program!!! As a girl that NEVER ran the mile in school, I salute your efforts!!!
    Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. lolorashelMarch 21, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Thank you!!! Not sure how much FUN I'm having but its good for me. :-D

    ReplyDelete

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