Couch to 5K running app

Running is one of my favorite exercises. I know not too many people who see exercise as a necessary evil to burn calories will say this. And I should say that I prefer running outdoors over running a track or treadmill. I can't really explain it except to say it's a bit like Zen time for me. Where I can zone out and think about what's going on in my life.

I began running around 2004 when a guy who I thought I was dating told me he was spending the weekend with his girlfriend - he was single when I met him (whatever, he married her, and I have the most wonderful boyfriend  that I could ever hope for now) - and I felt the need to work out my feelings. Once I was over feeling bad though, I stopped running. Until my next heart break which coincided with my need to lose weight. A year long relationship ended with me about 25-30lbs over weight (depending on where you put my bmi).

I began running again. It was winter at this point so I hopped on the treadmill. I didn't really know what I was doing, so I just ran.  I started out running 5mph, and slowly increased it until I could manage a 6 or 6.2 for a full 30 minutes. I did it incrimentally.  Some days I would do alternating cycles of run/walk others I would run a mile, walk a mile and repeat. Other times I would try to beat my longest run - if I could go 10 minutes with out needing to walk, I'd try again for 12 minutes etc. Eventually I started playing around with inclines and speeds when doing run/walk cycles.

Fast forward to now, where I am a little bit out of shape (back in a happy relationship!) with a few pounds to lose (5-10). For the last year or so (at least since februrary) I have been focused on exercise dvds, particularly those by Jillian Michaels and the Biggest Loser, which are really a mix of cardio and strength training with the emphasis on strength. I think this is great if you have a lot of weight to lose, because just moving is like cardio when someone is obese. But, I noticed that my progression is not where I want it to be, and here I am needing to up my cardio. So I am ready to really focus on my running.

The other day Amazon.com was offering a free app for their digital deal of the day - Couch to 5K pro (or C25Kpro). I already own the free version C25K lite. And it's pretty good. Basically it is a running program for the absolute beginner with 20 minute runs w/ 5 minute warm up and cool downs 3 times a week. It begins with very short run times alternating with slightly longer walk times and over time it increases your run time and decreases your walk time. Eventually you are running the whole 30 minutes (I believe it eliminates the w.u. and c.d.). Now, is that really a 5K? Maybe if you're a decent runner consistently running 6mph, but probably not if you really did start this with no prior experience. But, that's not really the point. The point is the achievement of running for 30 minutes.

C25K pro and lite basically work the same way.

You pick your workout starting at week 1 day 1, and progress from there. Lite will give you a tone for starting and stopping your run/walks. It's up to you to know which you are on. It also claims to not support using the app and listening to music at the same time. But I got it to work, by choosing my music first then going to the app. The Pro version has a mechanical voice that tells you to start and stop. She says things like "great job, get ready to walk" and "that's it you're done." She's not overly encouraging, but it's a little nicer than the tone. It also allows you to start the app and then choose music from with in the app.

My boyfriend asked me over the weekend, why I use the program, when I could easily just run until I am tired, walk, and do it over again. The reason I like it, is first, the visual. those green stripes say I am making progress. When I complete a workout it turns green telling me I've progressed. And second, The varying running/walk times also means that I can really go all out on my runs, push myself to go a little faster because I know I only have to do it for a limited time.

C25K pro is $2 from Amazon App Store or Droid Market. C25K is free.