Couch to 5k: Get Off Your Ass!

Posted at May 19, 2009

HomerMy friend Kappy, a bigger guy by most standards (his nickname is Grande Rojo), has been following the “Couch to 5k” plan on CoolRunning.com over the past few weeks; I decided to check it out and make sure he’s following a good plan.  After going over the website, I am now fully supportive.  I’m a big fan of interval training, so I’m glad that this program is built around them; it’s a great way to exercise both your body and your heart.

My recommendation?  Sign yourself up for a 5k race and time it so the race occurs at the end of your “couch to 5k” training cycle.  Sure you can skip your training and just go to the 5k, but I don’t think you’ll be to happy when you get passed by a 75 year old grandmother pushing a stroller.  Hopefully this will give you the motivation you need to actually follow your training regiment for the race.  Now, once you finish one race, sign up for another one, and work on improving your training and your time.  Always have something to look forward to, something to strive for, and a goal to reach.  Once you there, set another one!

If you’re reading this in a desk chair or your couch at home,  maybe the Couch to 5k is the kick in the pants you need to get started.  Follow the directions exactly and in 9 weeks you’ll be crossing the finish line.

What are you waiting for?  Put down the remote, buy a GOOD pair of running shoes, and start the Couch to 5k plan today!

-Steve

PS – I do have one complaint about the Cool Running site.  The first ad I saw on there was for PIZZA HUT!  Come on people.  Try running a 5k with Pizza Hut in your stomach and tell me it’s a good idea.

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Exercise, Level Up Your Life
  • I've definitely had the most success with distance running alternating run/walk cycles from the start - doesn't take to long to get to a point where you can do that almost indefinitely but it's not too hard on the body. I fond out about it first from Jeff Galloway's books on marathon training - his website has a lot of good info as well: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

    As for Pizza Hut while running? Actually Dean Karnazes recommends Round Table as they are the only major chain that will deliver without an address - he just picks an intersection where he expects to be in 30 minutes and they'll show up. Of course he's usually in the middle of a 100+ mile run when he's refueling on a large pizza, cheesecake and coffee, so it may not be such a good idea if you're just working up to a 5k. His book ('Ultramarathon Man') is a good read though if you're looking for inspiration - he's done stuff like run over 300 miles non-stop, but he didn't really get into running seriously until he was 30 after not having run since high school.
  • Ha, that's hilarious on the Round Table being able to deliver to an intersection. I guess if you're going to run 300 miles, you can eat whatever you want. I've heard of carbo-loading, but good lord man that's crazy!

    Once my toes get all better I'm gonna get me a good pair of running shoes and probably sign up for a 5k. Gotta practice what I preach right?

    -Steve
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