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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
A couple running questions
I downloaded C25K. It's only a 3 day/week program. Can I accelerate this? I want to work out more than 3 days per week.
After my workout yesterday, I got shin splints. Is there a way to avoid these?
There is a 5k on November 5th that I am thinking about running. It's 6 weeks away, and I've been running for 1 week so far. Do you think 7 weeks is enough time to train? It's a run/walk, so I think I will do it regardless and walk some if I have to.
What was your finishing time in your very first 5k?
TIA. 
Re: A couple running questions
Not an expert runner by any stretch of the imagination, but here is my contribution
Your shin splints are likely caused by weak muscles and going too hard too fast. Really take your time easing into running and you will be much more successful. Make sure you have shoes that fit you well and provide enough cushion and support. Running on a track or grass always helped my shin splints. And make sure to build strength in our core and legs. Sparkpeople.com has fairly large database of moves that you can do and it is free.
If you want to workout more than 3 days a week, how about incorporating strength training on your off running days? Or cycling?
As an adult (about 4 years ago) my starting back up 5k was around 32 min. I had been running on and off but had trained specifically for that race for about 8 weeks. If I were to go out today and run a 5K it would be more like 39 minutes, I'm sure. The second one you run will definitely be faster.
If you have 7 weeks, I think you could handle the 5k. Just don't push too hard in the first weeks of training. C25K is designed to make sure a new runner doesn't rush it and get an injury. I would modify slightly and listen to your body.
Shin splints can be caused by ill-fitting shoes and doing too much, too soon. You can ice your shins to help the pain. Also look up some exercises you can do to strengthen them--drawing the ABCs with your toes in the air, for example.
If you've only been running for a week, I'd stick with C25K for your running days and supplement with other workouts (weights, swimming, biking?) the other days you want to work out. Maybe toss in a yoga DVD for some good stretches. Where did you get the shoes you're running in?
As long as you don't push it and burn out, I think 7 weeks is enough time to complete a 5K as long as you're ok with a run/walk approach.
My first 5K was 34:18. It was not my slowest, and I did not run the whole thing.
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Thank you for the advice!
I think I will shorten my "week" from 7 days to 6 days, and see how that works doing c25k. I'll also throw in some bike rides.
My shins don't hurt bad. Just a dull pain that I feel only sometimes when walking. I will try the conditioning excercises...I don't want them to get worse.
I'm really excited about this, but a little worried that it's going to take me 45 minutes or so to finish.
Ahhh.
You're doing awesome! And yes, I think you can do a 5K in 6 weeks. You can always walk part of it if need be.
I agree with all of the previous posters - shin splits are most likely a result of doing too much, too fast - so follow the schedule and do something else on your off day. Also could be caused by ill-fitting shoes so make sure you get fitted at a running store.
It doesn't matter if it takes you 45 minutes or 45 hours to finish - you're out there and you're doing it. You're always faster than the couch potatoes doing nothing. :-)
Great job! I'm going to pretty much echo the advice you've already gotten. It's fine to walk part of it if you need to and I think 6-7 weeks is fine for 5k training. There have been several races where I've been the last person to finish (including my first 10k in Saugatuck in April), but what matters is that you finish.
I used to struggle with shin splints. The best thing I did for myself was get professionally fitted for shoes--I went to Gazelle Sports in Grand Rapids. My shins have never given me issues since, even when training for Riverbank.
I never run more than 3 days per week, any more than that is just too much for my joints. My current workout schedule is M, W, F--weight lifting (currently New Rules of Lifting for Women) and T, TH, SAT--running.
My understanding is that C25K builds you up pretty slowly (properly), so if you follow the plan and have the right shoes, you shouldn't run into injury issues.
My October issue of Shape just showed up today. In it there is an article on proper form & 5 weeks to a 5k. It doesn't look like article is online but you could pick up the magazine and see if that schedule works for you (it has cross training & strength training).