Every time I ask someone I know that is an avid runner what they would recommend to get started running, I keep hearing Couch to 5K. The name of the program is quite self explanatory… it takes you from your couch (i.e, potato) to running a 5K (i.e, not a potato). Since I am looking at running not only as a minimum standard for minimum entrance into the United States Navy, but as an answer to a healthier lifestyle… this is going to be one of my tools in my arsenal to get me there.
The Couch to 5K is a simply program that can be found at CoolRunning.com. It is a 9 week program that progressively increases your running time week by week. It is a slow buildup, that takes you from a more-walking-less-jogging work out to a more-jogging-less-walking workout. The program is as followed:
Couch to 5K
| 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:
|
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
|
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
|
| 4 | Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
|
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
|
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
|
| 5 | Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
|
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
|
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking. |
| 6 | Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
|
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
|
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). |
We will see how well this works out for me, I am pretty confident! I will be doing this Tues-Wed-Thurs. And then do a timed 1.5mile for my IFA every Saturday. Sun,Mon, and Fri are off days 🙂 So yes… I will be starting today!
Don’t forget, tomorrow is Weigh-In Wednesday!
