I want to review the Couch to 10k Training Program today. I just started week 10 and the program goes through week 13. The program boasts that through building endurance it will help you be able to run the distance of a 10k, which is about 6.2 miles.
As I have said before, my friend Amanda and I are training for two half marathons in one week. It seems like an insurmountable task, especially after we began running at the end of October. But now that I am a couple of months in, I realized that I am a lot better prepared and feeling a lot more confident then I originally thought I would be. This is in part to the training program. I originally downloaded this app for my Ipod touch a year ago. I never had cause to use it because I felt like the beginning of the training program was "too easy" for the level that I was at. However, when Amanda first contacted me about being a training buddy, I thought that this program might be a good program to try using.
The first couple of weeks were confidence building, we walked more than we ran and we felt like this program would be easy to complete. For those of you who have never used this program, it gives a 5 minute warm-up and cool down, and then you run in intervals to build up endurance. The first week was 30 seconds run, 4:30 walk. Then we saw the walking decrease and the running increase. In the beginning, we had difficulty going up hills, even the "hill of death" as we dubbed it was a lofty foe. But as the weeks progressed, our mileage increased and we became better and stronger runners. We realized the training program has its benefits. Today we completed a 10 minute run followed by a 1 minute walk for 4 times. We averaged over 3 miles in that time period.
My conclusion is this that the Couch to 10k is worth the investment if you are first time runner or a short distance runner looking to build up strength for much longer races. Overall, I have seen my endurance increase and the miles I am able to complete steadily increase as well. However, completing the program may not guarantee you will be able to run a full 6.2 miles in a 75 minute time period. I am slow, so it will take me longer than that amount of time. Some speed workouts are required if you want to go faster. Just keep that in mind that you may be running for a little bit longer. If you average a 15 minute mile pace, then anticipate about 90 minutes.
You can also do this program on your own without the app. I personally like the app because it keeps me motivated to continue to run until I hear the woman tell me to stop. When my Ipod needed to be charged and I tried it on my own, I tended to cheat or give up before the time to stop. Just something to think about. As a side note, you can also download the couch to 5k program if you are looking to accomplish your first 5k.
Here is the link to review the Couch to 10k program, along with some FAQs:
Couch to 10k App
Happy Running!!!
As I have said before, my friend Amanda and I are training for two half marathons in one week. It seems like an insurmountable task, especially after we began running at the end of October. But now that I am a couple of months in, I realized that I am a lot better prepared and feeling a lot more confident then I originally thought I would be. This is in part to the training program. I originally downloaded this app for my Ipod touch a year ago. I never had cause to use it because I felt like the beginning of the training program was "too easy" for the level that I was at. However, when Amanda first contacted me about being a training buddy, I thought that this program might be a good program to try using.
The first couple of weeks were confidence building, we walked more than we ran and we felt like this program would be easy to complete. For those of you who have never used this program, it gives a 5 minute warm-up and cool down, and then you run in intervals to build up endurance. The first week was 30 seconds run, 4:30 walk. Then we saw the walking decrease and the running increase. In the beginning, we had difficulty going up hills, even the "hill of death" as we dubbed it was a lofty foe. But as the weeks progressed, our mileage increased and we became better and stronger runners. We realized the training program has its benefits. Today we completed a 10 minute run followed by a 1 minute walk for 4 times. We averaged over 3 miles in that time period.
My conclusion is this that the Couch to 10k is worth the investment if you are first time runner or a short distance runner looking to build up strength for much longer races. Overall, I have seen my endurance increase and the miles I am able to complete steadily increase as well. However, completing the program may not guarantee you will be able to run a full 6.2 miles in a 75 minute time period. I am slow, so it will take me longer than that amount of time. Some speed workouts are required if you want to go faster. Just keep that in mind that you may be running for a little bit longer. If you average a 15 minute mile pace, then anticipate about 90 minutes.
You can also do this program on your own without the app. I personally like the app because it keeps me motivated to continue to run until I hear the woman tell me to stop. When my Ipod needed to be charged and I tried it on my own, I tended to cheat or give up before the time to stop. Just something to think about. As a side note, you can also download the couch to 5k program if you are looking to accomplish your first 5k.
Here is the link to review the Couch to 10k program, along with some FAQs:
Couch to 10k App
Happy Running!!!
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