Its official, I decided to do the Couch to 5K program again!  I’m sort of in shape, and I’m certainly past being a couch potato, but running requires dedicated training.  I couldn’t believe how hard Week 1 was for me the other day, so I decided to challenge myself to do the whole program again.  This time I plan on continuing on to the 5K to 10K program.  But, unlike I did with the half marathon training, I won’t try to cram it in a few weeks.  AND…. I’m finally going to make my 5K to 10K podcast!  I think I need it to push myself to the next level of running.  Making a good quality podcasts takes a long time.  But, you guys can expect to see it this summer.   I’m so excited about it! I get so many requests for it, so hopefully it will help others keep running past the 5K too.  Today was Day Two of Week 1 of my 9 week training program.  Week 1 consists of eight, 60 second interval runs spaced by 90 second walks….Even though I ran errands after a full day of work and didn’t make it to the gym until after 8:30 pm; today’s run was still a lot easier than Monday’s run.   I finished 1.5 miles in less than 30 minutes.  I felt good.

After running, I went down to the elliptical machine and did 20 solid minutes.   While I was working out, I could see this dirty old man watching me in the mirror. Then he started walking towards me.  I looked down, but I could only look down for so long without the blood rushing to my head as I pedaled.  He grinned and said “You’re looking good!” despite the sweat pouring down my face and the sweat seeping through the funky t-shirt that sat in my basement for too long.  I was polite and gave him a half fake smile.  And then, he sat down and continued to watch me work out!  I’m not lying y’all; I couldn’t make this stuff up if I wanted to.  He pretended like he was sitting down to check his blood pressure, but he kept giving me that dirty scan looking up and down my body.  I almost got off the machine, but I only had a few minutes left, so stuck with it despite the pervert.  It’s ironic that Monday I was all excited about getting my confidence and my mojo back when the cute man touched my shoulder, but now I’m attracting snaggletooth old grandpas. LOL ….Anyway, it was great workout, and I’m ready for Day 3.  If you’ve been thinking about starting, I hope you will run along with me and my podcasts.

24 Comments
  1. This post was so funny. I really look forward to reading your blog. I can totally relate, I used to go to a gym that a senior citizen program called Silver Sneakers and I swear all the old men just went to the gym to sit on the weight machines and “people watch”. I eventually switched gyms. Now I just run outdoors and luckily and outrun all the old foggies in my neighborhood!

    Btw, do you use a heart rate monitor? Happy running Carli. I can’t wait for the 10K podcast.

    • NY Chic, it was so crazy that I ran into the same old guy the next day at the grocery store! …I don’t have a heart rate monitor, but it is a good way to track your fitness level and see if you are reaching your target rate.

  2. I’m so glad to hear about your 10k podcasts. I just completed W3D2 this morning. I have been thinking about commenting on here about a 10k podcast but thought I might be jumping the gun a little since I’m just getting in to the c25k program. I’ve browsed the web for other podcasts (out of curiosity not because yours isn’t GREAT!) and yours is by far the best! It fits most to the music I personally like. Keep up the great work! Thanks for doing the podcasts that keep my little legs moving and my mind occupied with great music.

    • Stacey,You’re welcome, don’t be afraid to comment! It let’s me somebody is reading.

  3. Hi Carli,
    I ran for 60 minutes and 40 seconds today. Without stopping. It was a HUGE accomplishment, thanks in a large part to your podcasts. Some months ago I could barely run 5 minutes without panting and today I did 60:40. Woohoo!
    I love your podcasts and want you to know they made a huge difference in my workout! I was so tired of Robert Ullrey’s podcasts and thrilled when I found yours! Thanks so much!!

    • Kara, Robert helped me get started, but I’m glad that my podcast could help you run for an hour!!! Congrats.

  4. I *LOVE* your podcasts and was super excited when I found them. Thank you so much! I’ll be running W6D3 tomorrow. When I graduate I hope to continue on and work towards the 10k. I’ll be looking forward to your 5-10k podcasts! Again, thank you sooooo much. You really keep me going.

    • Mama on the Run, that’s great! You’ve made it past Week 5, which I think is one of the hardest, congrats!

  5. SO excited about the 10K podcasts coming up. I hope I can stick with it. I’m doing week 9 next week and will then look for an official 5K to run and send to you. You are such an inspiration…and you have good taste in music to move to!

  6. ok Carli…my first 5K is sunday…hope to send you a picture of someone who finished! agree with kara that Mr.Ullrey’s were good to find but techno didn’t do it for me.

    post how you do this weekend! 🙂

  7. Hi Carli,
    I’ll be looking forward to your 5K to 10K podacsts when they’re ready. Hopefully I’ll be ready by then too.
    I completed 5K for charity in 56 minutes today although I did have to walk most of it as I’ve only got to the end of week 3 of the plan. At least it gives me something to beat next time.
    Week 4 here I come
    x

  8. Oh yay I am excited for the 10Kpodcasts as I haven’t seen any! Would it be silly to request some fun 80’s hairband tunes LOL

  9. Thanks again for the 5K podcasts!! If I make it through that and try to brave a 10K, I will surely use those too! I completed W2, D2 this morning. 🙂

  10. I am using your C25K podcast right now. Thank you for making it! It is perfect!!

  11. Hey Carli! I just wanted to tell you that I’ve started running again too… Finally!!!!! I began the c25k program again and am loving it just as much now as I did last year when I did it. I still use all your podcasts. My new goal is getting in 10 mi/week. So far, I’ve met that goal for each of the 2 weeks I’ve been running. 2mi/day x 5 days. I’m feeling really good and am halfway to my weight goal. I’ve lost 20lbs, 20 more to go!! Good luck with your journey, and thanks for inspiring me in mine! 🙂

  12. Hey Carli! I just wanted to give you a huge THANK YOU!! I am running my first 5k on Thursday, and there would be no way I could’ve done it without your podcasts. And now I am so excited to hear that you’ll be making 10k podcasts! I can’t wait to try them out. Good luck with your journey, and another big thanks for helping me through mine!

  13. Oh I am so excited that you will be working on a 5-10K podcast. I can not tell you enough how much you have inspired me. My first official 5K is 7/11, but I have been doing 3.1 on the treadmill now for a few weeks, and yesterday was my first full 3 miles outside. I even have my mother running along with me and she loves you too! We will definitely have to send you some race day shots.

    I could not have done this without your podcasts. Not only was the music excellent, but you are motivating. I have lost 30lbs, and a ton of inches but the real positive change is that I am truly proud of myself. Thank you thank you thank you…and I look forward to running the next 3.1 with you 🙂

  14. I think I, too, am going to do the C25K program over again. But I can’t wait to train with you in your upcoming 5K to 10K podcasts!!!!!! You’re amazing and inspire me to greatness.

  15. Can’t wait for the 5-10k podcast!! I’ve kept up running since completing the program in October 2009 and run between 13-17 miles a week now but I’m taking walk breaks and want to stop that. I KNOW I can run 5 mi without stopping but I always let myself walk a few minutes once or twice; I need the disapline of your podcasts to keep me focused!!

    • Hey Cathie, That’s great to hear that you’re still running after you made your claim to fame on my Wall of Fame! Keep it up. I’m working on getting the music together now for the 5K to 10K.

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