Beginning C25k (again)

[faesdeynia]

I've started c25k twice this year, and failed out around week 6 and week 4, respectively. Something would happen, or I'd get really behind on schoolwork and stay up too late, or the weather would be miserable, and then I would be sunk.

But, these last two weekends I've done two 5k's with my work mates - we walked both of them. We participated in the ROC race and the Color Run. I would like to work up to running them instead.

I'm going to try the 5k101 podcast program, since the music is exactly what I want to listen to and I think I would benefit from the coaching he gives during the program. I've used a couple of different apps in the past, and have been pretty happy with them; I want to try something different. The apps I've used start out with a 30s run period; the podcast begins at 2 minutes, and increases each run interval by 2 minutes/week for the first few weeks.

I have a few obstacles against me - I work full time as a nurse, and I know from past experience that I have to exercise prior to work or it won't happen. That means I wake up around 0400 if I want to exercise. I'm also in school for my BSN and have an ungodly commute. I love my team, my work, my clinic, and my patients, which is why I tolerate the 45-60 minute commute each way. One of my problems is that if anything throws off my schedule, it's very difficult for me to get back on track. It's difficult to do anything after work short of make dinner, pack lunches, and fall into bed; even my weekly yoga class at the hospital puts a cramp in my day, since I don't get home until an hour before bedtime.

I am very lucky that I live in TX, if only for the fact that it will stay warm here well into December. Even in January, it's very unlikely I'd be running in below freezing temperatures. I've been giving some thought to joining a YMCA program, though. I haven't decided yet. I despise treadmill running, but some of them have indoor tracks. Typically I don't mind running at night, and I live in an incredibly safe area. But it would be nice to have options for truly inclement weather.

Comments

[rmc28]

Hello and welcome!

I hope you can figure out a schedule that works for you, and I'm glad the local temperature is on your side at this time of year.

[faesdeynia]

The downside of Austin summers is that. . . well, they're Austin summers. It's usually around 100-105F, and this year was particularly humid. When the temperatures are sometimes still in the 90's at night, it's less enticing to go outside.

[angrboda]

Welcome to the community! I'm from Denmark and relatively new here myself, I think I've been here for a couple of months. People here are really supportive. :) I have nearly conquered week 7 now, so I'm past the biggest hurdles now.

I've had trouble motivating myself on work days as well, and it's generally more physcially difficult on those days too. There's no way I could do mine before work, since I'm already getting up fairly early as it is. I've done earlier for about six months when I had the choice between a temporary position and 1½ hours each way or unemployment. That sort of thing does stuff to you and not in a good way! It was the most miserable six months of my life. So for me it has to be after work. I get home around five or so, though, so it's been easy enough. I try to plan dinners that are quick to cook on those days. I haven't yet reached the point where running has become part of the wind-down process yet, although I can see that might happen if I can keep it up.

[liv]

Welcome, welcome! It's really nice to be joined by new folk starting out. Hopefully the community will help to encourage you to keep going all the way through the programme. It sounds like you really have a killer schedule. Good luck with finding the willpower to put in early morning runs.