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Couch to 5K

by Jessie Aylesworth
(New Brunswick, NJ)

I’m 24 years old and have hated running for as long as I can remember. I’m naturally thin, and wasn’t looking to lose weight, but I knew that I needed some sort of cardio activity to stay healthy.

I learned about the Couch to 5K plan on a fitness blog I found through Glamour magazine and thought that it sounded perfect. The plan started me out jogging and walking, but increased the jogging time and decreased the walking time over the course of nine weeks.

It is ultimately designed to have the participant running a 5K by the end of the program. And since it was catered to self-professed couch potatoes like myself, I thought I would give it a shot.

The first week was challenging but not impossible, and that gave me the motivation to continue.

Each week demanded three identical runs, and would increase with difficulty each week. I can definitely say that the first run of any given week was difficult, but that I could feel it getting easier by the third run.

Each run was about 20-25 minutes.

I tried it alone at first, but then came down with a cold and, sadly, quit. I started up again recently with a friend, and having someone else to run with definitely made all the difference in the world.

I’m currently on week 5 of the plan and can definitely feel a difference in my breathing and endurance.

I would definitely recommend this workout to anyone looking to pick up running, and who might be intimidated by it. The plan is gradual, while at the same time challenging, but not at all impossible.


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Comments for Couch to 5K

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5K Surprised Me
by: Mary Ann

This is a great workout. I did the combination walking and running until I could jog 3 miles.

I worked up to a date for a 5K sponsored by my work. I was surprised at how motivated I was by having a deadline. I knew I would not be competitive but just having that date posted on my refrigerator kept me going!

When the race started, again I surprised by the energy of the 700+ runners! There was such a feeling of enthusiasm!

I beat my best time by 5 minutes! I agree with the author, take it slow, but set a goal, and go for it.

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