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Millions Have Moved From This Couch to Become 5K Distance Runners

August 6, 2015   14 Comments

Isn’t that couch cute? I would love to sit on it for a while.

Couch to 5K

Maybe a few hours or days more like it but I am not going to do it because I have joined a revolution.

“Let them eat cake!” (NO not that revolution)

This is a fitness revolution that is happening because our phones have awesome apps that can help us get off the couch and moving. I downloaded a FREE app onto my very expensive iPhone that is teaching me to become a 5K distance runner.

C25K is also know as “Couch to 5K’” and is designed for first time runners and supposedly has been used by 5 million people. Whoa! What the blank have I been doing?

I was hooked immediately because:

a) C25K is free!
b) someone wrote in a review that if you hate running this is the app for you!
c) It promises only 30 minutes per day – 3 times per week.

Supposedly, if I do this app for 8 weeks, I will be able to run a 5K (about 3 miles or so). It works on both the iPhone and Android.

The app talks to you and tells you when to run and when to walk and I like the voice. I can also play my music while I am attempting to run.

Here is my progress so far:

First day: ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow

Second day: ow, ow, ow

Third day: ow

Fourth day: starting to feel like I can run a bit without going “ow”

What I can tell you so far is that I am beginning to run without noticing that I am running. I won’t say it is enjoyable because it isn’t but I can see how it might be fun.

I love the idea that I could get regular exercise by putting on my running shoes and cruising out my door instead of driving to the gym. Look at me! I am saving fossil fuel and money!

The running workouts change over time to help you get to your goal. I am finding them to be at an excellent (slow) pace and you can repeat workouts if you can't finish them.

Have any of you tried a fitness app that was great at motivating you off the couch?

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14 Comments:

I am starting this program in a few weeks once my older two are in school and I am pretty excited! I even have a friend whose offered her jogging stroller so I don't have to figure out what to do with my youngest. :)

Way to go Lisa! I used C25K to get me started with running. I stopped running for a while because I was going to the gym and going to spin class, zumba, and playing squash. Now I'm back running again. I do it more than 3 days a week though. I need to add strength training to my routine though. Probably an app for that too. :)

I started it back in mid-June. I'm getting ready to start week 8 tonight. It has definitely helped with running endurance - if I was running on my own I would have stopped way before the voice told me to. I am signed up for my first 5K in mid-October and now that I am almost done the program I have a few weeks to work on my speed since the endurance is now there.

Good luck on your running journey!

I didn't have a lot of success with this or other running apps when I was first starting out, but this was due to personal health reasons. I didn't realize I needed support shoes for quite a while! I find I enjoy jogging (I move way too slow to say I'm running!) most out on the trails. It's shady, the ground is softer, and way less crowded!

C25K is a great app! I am 61 and wanted to run in a 5k with my older brother. The first time I ran 3.1 miles without stopping I cried. I have since run in 2 5k's and I love it! It is the one exercise routine that I have stuck with.

I love the c25k app. I used it about 5 years ago when I decided that I wanted to start running with my husband. It was definitely a challenge, but I love running now and I've completed 2 full marathons, lots of half marathons & 10ks. I think it's awesome!!

So funny. I like the couch, yes, cute. I think I will try this c25k thing. Thanks for the inspiration.

Lisa thanks for posting this because I have never heard of it.. so I am going right now to download app to my smartphone..Maybe I will get to move more with the app and shed some unwanted pounds!!

Lisa, how long does it take you to run 5K? Is there a goal of time? Sounds interesting, I'm a walk-lover myself.

I'm like Lisa, I prefer walk instead of running....I always heard that running wasn't good for females !!!! you walk at your own pace,,,,,so I will stick to walking.....or bike riding......that's good too....

@BarbL - My husband says it will take me 30 minutes (a slow pace). I also like to walk but sometimes I need something to work toward. Thanks for your question!

I've used a similar couch to 5k app and it worked great! I have never been a runner and in the beginning of the app I could barely jog for an entire minute. Now I love doing 5ks!

I also recommend Zombies Run! Each episode is a chapter in an engaging story that plays in segments over half an hour, interspersing with your music playlist. It is designed to build up running time. I think it costs $5 but is a good investment to help motivate walkers or runners.

10k runner is also a good one. The 5k runner is free. I went from 360 pounds to 180 -- and have run over 50 races, 32 of them half marathons! The apps work of you work the apps!

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