I Tried the Couch to 5K Running Program (full experience)

couch to 5k full experience as a beginner runner and plus size first time runner! 3 months of training took me from running for 1 minute, to finishing a 5k race and running for 47 minutes straight- here's how I did it!

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I Tried the Couch to 5K Running Program (full experience)

Sierra Schultzzie

[Kathrdda]

Sierra, thank you so much for this!! As a plus size girly, I thought running was not for me. But when you started C25K, it really motivated me to try. And guess what? I just ran my first 5k today, the same day you published this video!! Thank you again so much, and congratulation for your run!

[elliebellierox]

I love that you learned the lesson that everyone learns when they start running - the treadmill sucks!

[cassieorosz]

One tiny note that I have, that font that was used for the run interval times is a little difficult to read lol!! I couldn’t tell the difference between the 3 and the 5, but maybe I just need new glasses 😅😂

[shelbyjs]

YAY! I have been waiting for this video! I started the couch to 5k because I heard you talk about and now I'm running my second 5k tomorrow!

[DevHazy]

Thanks for saying how you “felt bad after” one time!
As a crossfitter and Olympic weightlifter I have had those rare workouts where I don’t feel endorphins or joyful After! lol! It’s so weird but so important to acknowledge!! You are also such a wonderful inspiration!!!

[glferrer]

Girl you just made me cry. About 14 years ago I did this and that was the start of a journey that eventually led me to triathlon after two years into running I decided to learn how to swim, yes, learn. I was not a big girl yet I was 42. At age 43 I did my very first mini sprint triathlon and that was the start. I just loved it and progressed through the years to a sprint distance, Olympic, half Ironman (doing half marathons and a marathons along the way) and loving every single goal reached and feeling the positive impact this made into other aspects of my life. A month ago I went after a 9 month hard preparation for the ultimate goal for a triathlete: my very first full IM, a 2.4 mi swim followed by 112 mi bike and a marathon. I failed. I could do the swim, the bike and after 14 km of the run I pulled off, couldn’t go any further, I was crushed mentally, up to this day can’t understand what happened, physically I could have walked / jogged but mentally I just couldn’t push myself anymore. You might be thinking: and what does this have to do with me?, seeing your video made me remember the joy I once had doing what you just did, like wowww 5’ non stop running was like conquering the Everest for me at the time, and it was great. Now even after 12 hours of non stop swimming biking and running I feel so depressed because I couldn’t get to the finish line, like somewhere sometime along the road I forgot how to enjoy what I once loved and don’t know anymore how to get that back. Congrats for your achievement and thank you for sharing.

[katelynrunsdisney]

I am so proud of you! Thank you for sharing a realistic and safe approach to starting a running journey. So often we see those online jump from nothing to running a half marathon without proper training/injury prevention which is so dangerous for others to emulate. I really appreciate you sharing the importance of building up to longer intervals safely!!!

[phillipaaldridge]

Good on you friend! Running for 47 minutes is a bloody big achievement regardless of the distance covered. That is massive mental and physical strength unlocked! You should find a local parkrun and get along to that to keep yourself motivated and find other people who can become running buddies. Running is the best and such an inclusive sport. You're a rockstar! ❤

[NJ]

These workout challenge videos of yours are definitely by far my favorite! It's just so motivating! Whenever I feel like I'm stuck, I usually watch your peleton video, so I'm glad to now have a new video to throw into the mix. It's just so refreshing to watch someone doing this whilst being kind to their body, yet you also make it look doable. I'd love many more of these videos!

[emilyl]

I started couch to 5k because of you and it has been game changing to my mental and physical health. Thank you for inspiring!!! So excited for my 5k in February!

[loganneedslessons]

I have never cried over someone else's fitness journey before, but seeing the support that your family gave was something new! Congratulations on hitting all of goal that you made for yourself, and giving yourself graces when times were tough!

[mrbcallis]

Wow, Sierra, you absolutely smashed it! 🎉 Watching your journey and seeing my little app, Watch to 5K, be part of your training is an incredible feeling. Your video truly captures the highs and challenges of training for a 5K, and I’m thrilled the app helped you along the way! Huge congratulations on nailing your first 5K—wishing you all the best as you keep crushing those running goals! 🏆🏃‍♀

[amyjoydiehl]

This is SUCH a beautiful way to approach movement. I recently started running again and was struggling to overcome the comparison of what I once accomplished to what I am capable of now. I loved your perspective. A celebration of what can be achieved and how it can aid our mental and physical well being. So proud of you ❤❤❤❤❤

[TheHahafunnyguy]

Thank you so much for making the distinction that this workout was about goals and not about how your body looked. That is something I get hung up on a lot and that message is so helpful!

[beaslewee]

Couch to 5k is such great program! I consider myself a runner - typically running 4 to 5 days a week. But there have been many times when life was busy and I needed to ease back in and this program was SO great. It’s so incredible that you did this!

[victoriam]

I’ve been waiting for this video!! Mostly so I could leave a long thank you comment. I’ve always hated running and I really got into working out this year, but never running. You inspired me to go on this journey with you, and I wanted to thank you. I’ve never felt so in tune with my body before I started this. My boyfriend is an avid runner, but he had never ran a proper race before so he joined me on the race. We chose a race that landed on our two year anniversary, and it was so much fun for both of us. I was immediately emotional at the start of the race because I was so damn proud of myself. We did it!!

[alynicrespilho]

You got me crying when I watched the 5k vlog, and here I am again teary eyed at the end. Congratulations, you did amazing

[jasmynbarca]

It's amazing how strong your body can be and yet how much our emotions can make our workouts feel terrible. Just a part of life! It shows us how much human work we still have to confront outside of our physical struggles. SO glad you gave up the gym for running outside! Even if the run is bad, looking at trees, hearing birds, noticing the sky/ weather are consolation prizes that make it feel worth it!

[thepandaknows]

I just ran a half marathon while listening to Hamilton. It is THE BEST running music! Way to go! ⭐️

[lauraladyll]

I’m due with my first baby at the end of this year. This makes me hopeful about getting back into an exercise routine postpartum (with drs approval)! Also, shoutout to Jess for starting the program, even if she wasn’t able to finish it. She tried something new and that’s still worth celebrating