So, it’s been 6 weeks since I’ve posted any progress on my Couch to 5K.  It’s not because of a lack of activity, but more of a series of events that have come up.

Starting with my completion of W2 of the program, I had a hard time getting around due to my knee acting up after completing W2.  We were in the middle of moving houses and then on the 30th of August, my wife, Tracey was hit by a car.

I attempted to do W3 of the program, with little luck as my knee was in major pain and I couldn’t run the 3 minute portion without letting up.  I tried redoing the running starting with W1’s regiment, but still no luck.  My last run during this period had me in so much pain that I couldn’t stop shaking and my teeth were chattering (an odd side effect).  I decided that I needed to give my body a rest, so I stopped and took 2 weeks off.

In that 2 week period, i received this email:

“I just came across your webpage after running a Google search on ‘”couch to 5k”.  Being an iPhone user for the last 3 months (got a 3GS), I have been amazed at the number of apps available.  Also, I just recently spent some vacation time in Spain with a childhood friend who made several indirect references to me carrying a few pounds (or even kilos!) too many.  As a result, I found a few exercise apps, including Get Running and RunKeeper Pro, which I have been using to try to lose some weight (was at 175 lbs when I got back from my trip, now down to 165lbs, were I was at for a long time before this summer).

I see you have been trying the c25k plan (your page states you were finishing your second week).  I actually completed the 2nd day of my 2nd week but had to take a break for a couple days because of leg pains (which even prevented me from sleeping at night). I think I am going to do my 3rd run for the 2nd week today.  Have you started the 3rd week?  It is a tough plan, and I guess I am looking for some inspiration to move forward.

Sorry to take up your precious time (I see you have many other passions) but I wanted to let you know that you may have inspired at least one person by posting on your site”

I thought this was a joke at first.  How could I inspire somebody to get fit. Kind of absurd if you ask me.  Turns out the person is real and recently moved from Belgium to the states.  He has been sending me his C25K updates via Facebook, and I the same.  Turns out we are now both at the same week on the program.

After reading his posts, last week I decided that instead of of jumping into W3 unprepared, I would do Week 2 over again.

Here is the breakdown of Week 2 (Mark II):
Starting weight: 188.6 lbs
Ending weight: 186.0 lbs
KMs run: 12.39KM
Fastest KM: 6:36

Couch to 5K – Week 2, Day 1 (Mark II):
Run felt pretty good, I was pleased with my results here, finally breaking the 4KM mark.

Couch to 5K – Week 2, Day 2 (Mark II):
My fastest and furthest run yet.  Near the end of the run, I was attacked by a small dog that got away from a little girl.

Couch to 5K – Week 2, Day 3 (Mark II):
Had a 3 day rest after the second run and it made this one a tougher run, plus add to the fact that the day before I was shooting an event for 6 hours and was pretty sore from holding a camera rig all day.

All runs were tracked using RunKeeper Pro.  I have totally abandoned the C25K iPhone app as Runkeeper will allow me to program my intervals in, and give me audio cues while I run.  Now, If only the people at RunKeeper would add the C25K program into the application, they dominate the app store when it comes to C25k apps.

I now feel that I am ready for W3.  I know it will be challenging having run it before, but I’m ready.