@4kids4us , you’ve got a good plan and your past history will serve you well and along any rough patches that may occur getting back in a routine!
Are you thinking about doing C25K? It wouldn’t be a bad idea to even do a few weeks of it just to get a routine going and confidence (which is what I always need!)
I am that 3-4 mile runner. I can and have run more but I just don’t desire the long distances. Exactly as you said, I do it for fitness/good health and combine (in good weather) running about 3x a week with lots of brisk walking and other things as well.
There are several runners - and not all marathoners! - that hang out on the other fitness thread as well and you are welcome to post all ups and downs there as well! Honestly that thread IS sort of an accountability thread - if we don’t have specific info to share we often just post our activity.
OR if you are really looking for accountability start a “March Exercise Accountability” thread. Almost March and people like to get on a new monthly bandwagon!
Welcome 4kids4us. You have a great walking habit! Honestly I never walked that fast (maybe because I’m short?), and my first/only 5k race time (after walk/run a few months in winter of 2017) was 46:04. You’re already ahead of many Americans on your fitness. If you can ease into running again, all the better.
In the beginning I liked having an interval timer on my cellphone to Ding every minute (or whatever interval you set). I was recently cleaning up my phone so don’t know which free app I used, but there are probably many to choose from.
After you get started, come back and ask questions here. Probably previous posters will return to help AND you might inspire other newbies join in on the fun too.
@abasket, I will probably use the C25K app to get started but may not need to follow the whole program, but I will see how it goes.
I was planning to start tomorrow but depends on weather. It’s supposed to rain in the morning, but clear up later in the day. I’m normally a morning exerciser (if I wait, I lose motivation) but as long as it clears by noon, I’ll start.
I do follow the other fitness thread but even tho it included both light & hardcore, it’s still a little daunting. I did just start using that Tank Top Arms workout someone recommended recently and found a couple of other videos from that same instructor that I liked. I’ve added them into my rotation of other home workout videos I use.
The one motivation I have is that my oldest graduates college in May, and my younger son graduates high school a week later. Not sure yet if there will even be an in person ceremony for the college graduation or whether we will be able to go (we have to fly and may not be vaccinated yet), but that is my first goal for now.
Thanks for the welcome @Colorado_mom. I downloaded the trademarked Couch 2 5K app and just played around with it. Looks fairly straight forward. I also have a Garmin watch that is synced with MyFitnessPal so I use them for tracking exercise and food intake. Tracking my food intake helps keep me aware of what I’m eating when I’m trying to lose some weight - some accountability and it’s good to see just how much salt, fat, carbs, vitamins I’m eating. Makes me think twice before I eat (and drink!).
You sound like you know the ropes! I think the C25K app is easy to use and also FLEXIBLE to use. Use it best for you - the main goal is to get out there and get started!
Weather is unpredictable and out of our control. Start with a plan A, have a plan B and C in place - otherwise it’s easy for nothing to get done.
I’ve heard good things about the Couch 2 5K app, but I have not used it myself. When I started walk/run 4 years ago it was through a Couch 2 5k weekly community class, conveniently held a my neighborhood lake trail. There was a great instructor that would break us into small groups by fitness level. She’d give each group goals (ie 2 min walk / 2 min run … reallllly hard at first). Then she suggested we do 2 similar solo workouts during the week.
I also do food tracking (and enter fitness info too). I originally used it for calorie tracking / weight loss but now mostly for nutritional breakdowns. I use the MyNetDiary app (first the free version, then $4 updgrade, now the $60/year version that has great long term tracking ability). But from my reading and discussions, very many people use and like MyFitnessPal.
Hoping to see some more newbies pop in and be encouraged. I started at age 55, without previous running experience… it can be done (but slow start is smart). Now that I’m retired during Covid, my schedule revolves around when I can cherry pick the best weather for running outside. Due to snow, I switched it up on Friday and did cross country skiing. It is just great to get outside! Running or Walking…or XC ski - next I want to try snowshoeing.
Can you pause C25K? I was using Nike Run Club and felt like I was making real progress in increasing distance/stamina - but there’s no way to pause things - I was in Orlando area for almost 3 weeks in August & no way a Minnesotan like me is running (well, okay jogging) in FL heat & humidity - plus I was doing a ton of walking - so I had to jump up in distance when I got back to MN. Later in the program my I started getting plantar fasciitis & the only real option is to quit, let it delete everything and start over : <.
Also, it has you do trials that the app says it will use to customize your plan - but I never saw it make any difference in what it planned for sprints, long runs, etc.
When I did C25K while it recommended a 3x a week plan, you could definitely take longer if needed, only do 2x a week or whatever. I even redid some weeks/days because if I felt like I didn’t really “master” that part of the challenge. It was very individual. Mine was the C25K through the Active app?
I’ll never forget seeing a run - probably a little past midway of the program - where the task was to run 20 minute straight - 20 MINUTES?! How was I ever going to do that?! But it happened - even if it took me a couple of re-do’s of that day.
Well, it wasn’t pretty but I did it. Before I gave the C25K app a try, I wanted to at least see if I could make it the loop around my peninsula, which is a mile and a half. It rained all morning, but I checked the weather before I left to make sure radar was clear and rain was done for the day. We’ve had at least 1.5” of rain since yesterday, and that combined with all the snow/ice/rain lately meant huge puddles every where as my neighborhood has no sewer/drainage. I ran the 1.5 miles and though my pace was much slower than when I was running regularly, it was actually a decent pace. I tried to slow down further thinking it would prevent me from tiring out, but I can’t seem to figure that out.
Anyway, once I reached the 1.5 mile point, I decided I’d at least finish out the 30 minutes using the C2K app (I actually had it on while running, but was ignoring it). A couple of minutes in, I noticed some really dark clouds in the distance but hoped they would stay off to the north of me. Nope, a few minutes later, raindrops, followed by a downpour. I was still about 3/10 of a mile from my house so I ended up sprinting (well, for me anyway LOL) the rest of the way back to my house. So I only got about 25 minutes in out of 30, and was soaked but glad I did it. And of course about 15 mins later the rain passed and it has been clear all day! Taking my dog out for a walk shortly.
Going to do the C25K app for a few weeks and see how I feel. I may try to do another full run on my own and see how it goes but if I’m still struggling I will continue with the app.
Nice job getting a run done @4kids4us! Sorry about the rain.
Your prior life as running likely helps a lot. (Not the case for me, a runner newby 4 years ago at age 54. Even 2 minutes slow run was a challenge in the beginning. Of course I weighed more then too, so I joke I’d have a hard time running now “carrying two jugs of milk”, the equivalent of weight lost). Just try not to overdue it too much in the beginning.
We had a lot of snow last weekend. (Not kidding on that… about 2 feet of heavy wet snow in about 12 hours. It’s the first time hubby ever took the snowthrower out 3 times in one day. He had a covid vaccine appt next day, wanted to be ready.) I’ve done a bit of inside exercise, including some time on the trainer bike. But in honesty, mostly I’ve been lazy. Hoping to get back in the groove soon.
Normally i walk almost 20-30 minutes a day, but due to snow and weather changes i cannot go for a walk but i am doing some exercise inside which is very helpful for me.
I think daily 20-30 min is ideal, weather permitting. It’s great that you found some indoor exercise opportunities. I like Fitness Blender freebie videos but am always glad to read about other ideas.
I just started a 5-week Couch to 5k class. The first class the teacher told us about proper attire, so I bought some better running shoes, and the homework was to run 1.5 miles 3 times during the week. So far, so good.
As I’ve just started to return to the gym, I have to build back strength. Have been “aware” of my muscles, but not really “sore”. Also bought new running shoes (Saucony Guide 13) and have done intermittent walk/runs on the treadmill for 2.25 mi. Used to easily do a 5k (3.1) intermittent on the treadmill. Ill get back there.
I’m impressed you can already run 1.5 miles. When I started (4 years ago, at age 54) I could barely run 1 mile done with 30 second walk/run intervals.
@jym626 - Yes, you’ll get back there on stamina as you train a bit. I had also considered Saucony Guide 13, based on the online reviews. A stability model works well for me, especially since some of my usual running trail is dirt with a bit of gravel.
I run 5k (or more) a few times a week now. The thing I am too lax about is post-run stretching …though in garden season I often do weeding etc when grungy after a run, and that does give a bit of stretching.
I did just start using that Tank Top Arms workout someone recommended recently and found a couple of other videos from that same instructor that I liked. I’ve added them into my rotation of other home workout videos I use.