Couch to 5K

I found an interesting app for the iPhone that I decided to put to the test this year. It’s called “Couch to 5K” (or C25K), and it does exactly what it says. It prepares you to get off the couch and be ready to run a 5K in just 9 weeks.

The C25K plan instructs you to exercise 3 days per week for about 30-40 minutes per session(including a 5 minute warm-up and 5 minute cool down). During the workout, you alternate between walking and running, eventually building up enough strength and endurance to run for 30 minutes straight.

The iPhone application is really cool. It allows you to listen to your own music while working out at the gym (or running outside), and then it provides audio promts every time you need to switch from walking to running. That way, you don’t have to constantly watch the timers on the screen — so handy! It also tells you when you are halfway through the workout, so you can turn around if you’re running outside.

I started the workout tonight at the gym. The Week One exercises are pretty easy. For 20 minutes, you alternate between running for 60 seconds and walking for 90 seconds. Each week it will get harder, but I’m hoping to make it through the full 9 week program so I can run a 5K sometime in March.

Wish me luck!