Couch to 5K

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Hey anyone know a good program for toning/strength training? Something I could do mostly in an apartment?

I love the way C25K takes the guess work out of "How far?" "How long?", anything similar for toning?

I get stuck with how many of what exercise and something that would tell me exactly would be great. Anyone know any that they've used/liked?

Thanks!
 
Hey anyone know a good program for toning/strength training? Something I could do mostly in an apartment?

I love the way C25K takes the guess work out of "How far?" "How long?", anything similar for toning?

I get stuck with how many of what exercise and something that would tell me exactly would be great. Anyone know any that they've used/liked?

Thanks!

I like the 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels. It incorporates strength training and cardio and it's super quick (but super tiring!) and you don't need a lot of space.

On another note - I totally fell off the wagon again. After a two week break I'm hoping to start week 4 tomorrow.
 
Hey anyone know a good program for toning/strength training? Something I could do mostly in an apartment?

I love the way C25K takes the guess work out of "How far?" "How long?", anything similar for toning?

I get stuck with how many of what exercise and something that would tell me exactly would be great. Anyone know any that they've used/liked?

Thanks!

I have several friends who love P90x... but it may be more intense than you're looking for!

I personally love the Biggest Loser videos. I'm not sure how many times I could do them without getting bored though (just borrowed school copies).

For the theme of the thread...

I completely fell off the bandwagon with following a training plan & logging hours... but I ran a 1/2 marathon on Sunday in 2 hours 14 minutes! I feel like a winner even though I was #106 to cross the finish :laugh:. I'm already excited to run another! (faster, too!)
 
I like the 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels. It incorporates strength training and cardio and it's super quick (but super tiring!) and you don't need a lot of space.

I can second this. I have a bachelor apartment and I have plenty of room to do the 30 day shred work-outs. They're not fun, just standard jumping jacks/crunches/basic handweight exercises/lunges, but they are effective and short and don't need much equipment (two handweights and a mat).

ETA: Decided to just go for it and do W4D1 today. Whoo! Wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. The first 3 minute run was a breeze, and it didn't get much harder than that, even the five minute stretches. Before I knew it, it was over. 😀
 
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I like the 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels. It incorporates strength training and cardio and it's super quick (but super tiring!) and you don't need a lot of space.

ETA: Decided to just go for it and do W4D1 today. Whoo! Wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. The first 3 minute run was a breeze, and it didn't get much harder than that, even the five minute stretches. Before I knew it, it was over. 😀

Thanks guys that's what I was lookin for!

And congrats Coquette, that's how I felt too, hoping that continues!
 
W5D2, you were mean. I started my milking job yesterday, and while milking ins't too bad, lifting 40lb buckets for an hour will make you tired. Running today seemed extra hard. 🙁
 
W5D2, you were mean. I started my milking job yesterday, and while milking ins't too bad, lifting 40lb buckets for an hour will make you tired. Running today seemed extra hard. 🙁

Wtg, Breenie!!!!! 🙂

I am now caught up to where I was before being neutered .... just finished W4D1. Onwards to W4D2 in a couple days.

I thought W4D1 was a big step from W3. But, you know, I'm feeble.
 
I thought W4D1 was a big step from W3. But, you know, I'm feeble.

I sort of shocked myself with W4D1. I had set up the playlist awhile ago and forgotten about it, so for some reason I thought that the initial jog was 5 minutes. When my phone beeped after 3 minutes I thought, "That's it?" Then when I did get to the 5 minute section, I happened to be going down a hill, so that was a huge help. :laugh:

I'd be lying if the thought of the end of W5 didn't terrify me though! W5D1 seems doable when I get there. W5D2 seems like I could do it at a push. But D3? Yikes.
 
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So after reading the posts about w5d3, I went and looked at it....
Holy jeez! I dunno if im ready for straight 20 min running yet!

Those of you past w5, how was it?
 
So after reading the posts about w5d3, I went and looked at it....
Holy jeez! I dunno if im ready for straight 20 min running yet!

Those of you past w5, how was it?

I think I mentioned this earlier, but W5D3, for both times I've done the C25K, was mentally the most difficult day to get through. More so than W6D3 where you run 25 minutes for the first time, more so than weeks 8 and 9 where you run 28 minutes and 30 minutes for the first times, respectively. My advice is to just do it. Go slow, breathe slowly and deeply, and just focus keeping some semblance of a jogging gait. Don't give up-you can do it!
 
Finished week 2 today.

I'm glad to hear that each week has been doable for everyone, because it makes me less nervous about it. That said, I'm glad I'm only looking at 3 minute runs and not 20 minute runs right now 😀.
 
My advice is to just do it. Go slow, breathe slowly and deeply, and just focus keeping some semblance of a jogging gait. Don't give up-you can do it!

This has been my mindset through the whole program so far. I was originally going to give myself an extra day on Week 3, but I figured, I might as well just try. If I can't, who cares? But if I don't try I won't know. And sometimes I surprise myself. I got home today and mapped my distance and I was amazed how far I'd gone and in such a short amount of time. I'm on a little high right now. 😀
 
For those of you with Vibrams, do they stretch out a bit? I got a pair at 40% off (woo!0 but they seem a bit tight. However, I tried on a size up at another store and they seemed too big. They kinda pull between my... ring and pinky toes? And on one, the heel seems to pull a bit too. But only one. Trying to decide if I will be able to break them in. And maybe they will inspire me to run again. 😛
 
Eeee everyone is doing so awesome!! I did Week 8 Day 2 today. Normally Wednesday would have been my Day 2 day, but I took my dog to class for a presentation, and I usually run after that class but I had to take my dog back home and stuff so by the time I got back to the school it was time for my second class. So I just gave myself Wednesday off, had a pretty good workout at my riding lesson yesterday, and then had an AWESOME AWESOME run today. Seriously. Best. Run. Ever. I didn't get any side cramps whatsoever, was able to keep a nice steady pace the whole time, and never once felt like I couldn't breathe. After I was done I recovered really quickly. It felt so amazing. I'm going to do Day 3 tomorrow. I never usually run on consecutive days but I have to get this week finished. Anyway, I'm home for the weekend so I can run my old route out on these country roads, which is going to be wonderful 😍

Keep up all the great work guys!
 
For those of you with Vibrams, do they stretch out a bit? I got a pair at 40% off (woo!0 but they seem a bit tight. However, I tried on a size up at another store and they seemed too big. They kinda pull between my... ring and pinky toes? And on one, the heel seems to pull a bit too. But only one. Trying to decide if I will be able to break them in. And maybe they will inspire me to run again. 😛

They do a little bit. They basically get easier to put on overtime. What model did you get? BE REALLY CAREFUL. It is SO easy to get a stress fracture if you run too much too fast in them. I would recommend walking around in them for a month, and then running maybe 100 meters in them a couple of times a week for a few weeks on a soft surface, and slowly building up your mileage on a soft surface before you even THINK about running any mileage on a hard surface like a sidewalk. It took me months to work my feet up to the point where I wasn't going to get a stress fracture and I already have two years of consistent running training under my belt. Even so, I only run in them maybe 1-2 times a week for my speed workouts on the indoor track (which is a softer surface).

That said, I love them. 😍
 
Just completed C25K!! Now, I hope I can just continue to stay motivated to run at least 3-4 x a week. I didn't really lose that much weight (about five pounds over the ten weeks), but I am definitely aware of the cardiovascular benefits. I used to almost have a chronic case of tachycardia and arrhythmia before starting this program, and now my heart rate is back to normal. That is enough of an incentive for me to continue running. Hope everyone is doing well. Another thing I wanted to mention is how important it is to stay with the program, not trying to do more. This week, I ran an extra five minutes the first day and ended up lame so I actually had to take an extra day off before the second run. Better to slowly progress than to try to rush through it, end up lame, and not be able to run at all. Anyways, I finished at a pace of 4.5 mph, which is like moving in slow motion, but I actually enjoyed it, did not lose my breath, and am still physically sound. Good luck to everyone. 😀
 
. Even so, I only run in them maybe 1-2 times a week for my speed workouts on the indoor track (which is a softer surface).

What kind of shoe do you alternate with, and how often do you have to replace your vibrams?
 
They do a little bit. They basically get easier to put on overtime. What model did you get? BE REALLY CAREFUL. It is SO easy to get a stress fracture if you run too much too fast in them. I would recommend walking around in them for a month, and then running maybe 100 meters in them a couple of times a week for a few weeks on a soft surface, and slowly building up your mileage on a soft surface before you even THINK about running any mileage on a hard surface like a sidewalk. It took me months to work my feet up to the point where I wasn't going to get a stress fracture and I already have two years of consistent running training under my belt. Even so, I only run in them maybe 1-2 times a week for my speed workouts on the indoor track (which is a softer surface).

That said, I love them. 😍
I love my Vibrams (I have 3 pairs!), and run on asphalt with them all the time. Watch the videos on youtube about running in them, it's a different gait.

Niri, I have had mine for more than an year and haven't had to replace them. I ripped a small spot on the toe, but I used Plumber Goo on the spot and it fixed it.
 
What kind of shoe do you alternate with, and how often do you have to replace your vibrams?

Just a normal running shoe. I have the adidas adizeros because they're very light and minimal and they just "feel" right when I'm running in them. I haven't had to replace a single pair yet because their sole doesn't break down like regular running shoes and anything that falls apart can easily be fixed with glue. 🙂
 
I have to take a few days off since I'm traveling around. Just got to Missouri to look for apartments and boarding for the pony, and I figured it'd be hard to work the running in. Glad I decided that, because it is currently tornadoing out there. I'll finish W5D3 next week, I hope!
 
YAY for everyone!!

....except me. I have to come here and hold myself accountable for how bad I've been doing the last couple days. I never got to do Week 8 Day 3 because my weekend was PACKED. Today I decided I would just do Week 9 Day 1 because I feel ready for it, and my whole day was just a huge cluster. I left my key at home (my parents' house) this weekend and my girlfriend was up that direction too so I had to share a key with our roommate. I was all set to go to the gym but then she got called into work so I had to go home or not be able to get into the house till 11 pm. Then I had to stay home because if I left I had no way to lock the house.

All this on top of the fact that I'm trying to nurse a feral 3-4 week old abandoned kitten back to health. So that's kind of cramping my life. But my GF will be home tonight so she can help me with the kitten tomorrow, which will give me time to go running either in the morning or the afternoon after class. I'm definitely not giving up when I've come this far!!

I can't believe Weight Watchers continues to progress for me. I never thought I was capable of losing this much weight or getting back down to the weight I'm currently at. I lost 2.2 lbs this week putting my total weight loss at 21.2 lbs total for 12 weeks. I tried on my dress from my senior prom this weekend and it FIT! As did my dress I wore to my high school graduation, which will now be recycled and worn to my college graduation! None of my pants fit me anymore because I've gone down a size. My mom bought me a new bathing suit this weekend as a "congratulations," and it's a full size smaller than last year's bathing suit. SO excited.

Perhaps the best thing is the impact this has had on my family. Since I've been on WW, my aunt, dad, and mom have all signed up for WW and are doing amazing. And-get this-my parents started the C25K this week!

So maybe I haven't been a total failure 😉
 
Congrats everyone!!!
Elliegirl, I just bottle fed my first kitten yesterday and was a little bit smitten. Luckily she wasn't staying with me, so I just got to try and then send her on her way 🙂

And WW has been working great for me!!! I'm not always losing weight super fast, but I am getting into the good habits I need for school next year! I was terrified of starting vet school like I ended undergrad and putting on more pounds/ never working out ever!

That's what c25k is for too and so far I am loving it!!!
 
*pant*

Someone remind me why I am doing this?

Anyhoo... still in week 4. Thinking I may stick an extra Week 4 day in before Week 5 because I'm feeling awfully wussy right about now.

On the positive side, I maintained the best pace tonight ever since I started. I guess that's improvement, however slight.
 
Way to go LIS! That's awesome that you're listening what your body is saying and working at your own pace.

It's been an interesting week so far for me. Monday, like I said, I didn't have enough hours in the day to do Week 9 Day 1. I completed Week 9 Day 1 yesterday, and it went really well. Then today I made the mistake of trying to do Week 9 Day 2. It was a mistake because I haven't run two consecutive days during my entire time doing C25K, so attempting to before I'm even solidly and confidently running 30 minutes was a poor decision. I ran the first 22 minutes, struggling a little, until it literally felt like there was a knife stabbing in my ribs with every step I took. I have never ever ever stopped when I was running before, but I had to today. I stopped and walked for 2 minutes, then kicked it back into gear and ran the last 8 minutes. It felt like a pretty big failure to have to stop and take a break. But it also felt really good to be able to finish the last 8 minutes strong and pain-free.

Still, I don't think I can rightly count it as Day 2, because I didn't run a straight 30 minutes. So what I'm going to do is run Week 9 Day 2 on Friday and then pick up Week 9 Day 3 on Monday. I'll finish out the rest of that week running 30 minutes, and then the week after that I'll start adding a little time, probably going up to 32 minutes, then 35, 38, 40, etc. It's a little frustrating for me because cardiovascularly, I'm there. I don't have any trouble breathing when I'm running, and when I stop running I recover very, very quickly. It's just muscularly I'm not all there-my legs and arms give out on me (or a side stitch tortures me) long before I'm uncomfortably out of breath. Oh well. I'm just really excited to put the C25K behind me and start doing some real running.
 
Well folks, 1 x-ray, 1 MRI, and 2 pelvic stress fractures diagnosed later...I am out for the season. sad 🙁

Back in January I registered for the SheRox Philadelphia triathlon on August 7th. As I am no longer capable of competing in this event and can't cancel my registration...I was wondering if there's anyone who lives in/around/near the Philadelphia area (or anyone who's always wanted to visit!) who would like to take my spot. It is women only, which shouldn't be too much of a problem in this forum 🙂. I'll definitely discount the registration fee from what I paid back in Jan, and I also think they increased the fee recently.

Here's the race website for more info: http://www.sheroxtri.com/Philadelphia-PA-1162.html

I don't know for sure if I can transfer your name to my registration...but if not I have a really great name! PM me if you'd like to do a triathlon for a great price! (We can coordinate meeting up, race packet pickup, etc.)

Thanks,
laitmanvet
 
Well folks, 1 x-ray, 1 MRI, and 2 pelvic stress fractures diagnosed later...I am out for the season. sad 🙁

Back in January I registered for the SheRox Philadelphia triathlon on August 7th. As I am no longer capable of competing in this event and can't cancel my registration...I was wondering if there's anyone who lives in/around/near the Philadelphia area (or anyone who's always wanted to visit!) who would like to take my spot. It is women only, which shouldn't be too much of a problem in this forum 🙂. I'll definitely discount the registration fee from what I paid back in Jan, and I also think they increased the fee recently.

Here's the race website for more info: http://www.sheroxtri.com/Philadelphia-PA-1162.html

I don't know for sure if I can transfer your name to my registration...but if not I have a really great name! PM me if you'd like to do a triathlon for a great price! (We can coordinate meeting up, race packet pickup, etc.)

Thanks,
laitmanvet

From the site:

"There are no refunds and no transfers of applications. We do allow entries to be deferred into 2012. Requests for deferrals must be made by completing a deferral form by midnight EDT the night before the 2011 race date. You do not need a doctor's note to defer; you can defer for any reason. You will not receive a refund for your 2011 entry fee, and you will be required to pay the full fee for 2012, but a slot will be reserved for you for the 2011 race. Instructions for entering the 2012 race will be sent to you around the time that 2012 registration opens. Click here for our refund and deferral policies, and to access the deferral form."

Perhaps you can defer?
 
From the site:

"There are no refunds and no transfers of applications. We do allow entries to be deferred into 2012. Requests for deferrals must be made by completing a deferral form by midnight EDT the night before the 2011 race date. You do not need a doctor's note to defer; you can defer for any reason. You will not receive a refund for your 2011 entry fee, and you will be required to pay the full fee for 2012, but a slot will be reserved for you for the 2011 race. Instructions for entering the 2012 race will be sent to you around the time that 2012 registration opens. Click here for our refund and deferral policies, and to access the deferral form."

Perhaps you can defer?

Yeah I saw that. The biggest problem is that I'm going to RVC, so I don't know when I'll be around Philly anymore. I just figured if someone was willing to race under my name for a discount price, then I could at least get some of the money back I paid for it.
Plus, I don't really think they ever sell out so quickly that you'd need to reserve a spot.
 
Ah gotcha! Well good luck! It looks like a lot of fun and something I would totally try some day. I don't live near Philly though 🙁 And SO sorry about your injury! I wish you a speedy recovery!
 
I'm just really excited to put the C25K behind me and start doing some real running.

Don't discount what you're doing! You are doing real running! We don't all have to do marathons to be runners. 🙂 I just had this chat with my boyfriend-- he was supposed to do a marathon this weekend, but due to injury, illness, etc... he wasn't where he should have been, training wise. I suggested he drop down to the half, and that there was no shame in that. Many people couldn't handle the end of C25K, and most people can't handle a half-marathon. Be proud of what you've achieved!

I repeated W5D2 today since I'd had almost a week off for my trip to Missouri. I felt all springy and fresh starting out, so I think I ran faster. I'm still intimidated by D3, though, which I'll tackle Friday or Saturday. I'm extra tired tonight since I milked right after running. Wooooo work those arms and legs. 🙂
 
breenie: w5 day 3 was not NEARLY as bad as I had thought it would be! It actually felt good. Who knew I was really working up to something. I think sometimes when I would watch others run around the track or run forever outside I felt like a loser walking every 3-5 min, but it worked!

I hope I can keep this up in vet school!

Congrats Elliegirl on getting up to the 30 min mark! At least you are being consistent, there are so many people who go out and run far but only every once in a while and end up hurting themselves, you are getting into a healthy lifestyle!
 
I'm so glad someone posted this! I was doing interval training about a year ago to build up my stamina based on some info a friend told me her bf was doing. It was a bit slower paced (He was overweight and was doing week 1 for a month) and she wasn't getting the info to me quick enough (because she had to ask him) so I'm very started to start this up again having the plan right in front of me 😀 Too bad I got a horrid blister jogging yesterday so I might not be able to start for a week or so.
 
breenie: w5 day 3 was not NEARLY as bad as I had thought it would be! It actually felt good. Who knew I was really working up to something. I think sometimes when I would watch others run around the track or run forever outside I felt like a loser walking every 3-5 min, but it worked!

I hope I can keep this up in vet school!

Good to know! If I have time before work today, I will go for it. 🙂 Maybe we can be running buddies in the fall!
 
Great job on tackling W5D3 Kanariya! That's a great hurdle to overcome. Good luck if you go for it today, Breenie!

YAY for being done with W9D2!!! It felt so stinking amazing. No side stitches, no pain, easy breathing, it was AWESOME. I started out slow, then picked it up in the middle, and then I REALLY ran the last 2 and a half minutes, even sprinting the last minute. It was fabulous to actually feel like I WANTED to go faster rather than feeling like I NEEDED to go slower. So. much. fun. I can't wait to run W9D3 on Monday, and then start increasing my time after that.

I ran in some new duds today =) Last night I went to the store to try on some new pants (~70% of the ones I have are too big for me now) and I didn't find any I was in love with....so I bought some new running clothes instead 😀 Bright green shorts and (cover your eyes LIS) a bright pink sports bra. It was fun to have a little extra spark of motivation-new clothes always does it for me! Also, I'm finally confident enough to actually WEAR shorts when I run instead of longer running pants. I'm actually seeing some definition in my quads and calves so that's even more reason to keep pressing on-it can only get better from here!

Have a great weekend everyone!
 
Didn't have time to do my run yesterday before work, so I did it this morning. W5D3 wasn't as bad as I thought, but I was definitely cautious and running slow. I mapped my distance and time and realized I was going at a snail's pace. Urggghhh. Proud of myself for pretty painlessly running for 20 minutes straight, but I think I was too careful with my pace.

Next week maybe I'll be a little speedier!
 
Awesome job breenie!! Speed can come later, just being able to jog at any pace for 20 minutes is a great accomplishment.

I'm posting today because I'm home for the weekend and did Week 1 Day 3 with my parents today. I'm so proud of them for getting out and doing this. When they started Week 1 they skipped half the running segments. Today they only had to skip one running segment! They are going to do one more week of Week 1 to make sure they have it down before they move on to Week 2.

As for me, I can't believe how far I've come. Doing W1D3 at this point, my heart rate barely even went up! Just 9 weeks ago, that same workout had me out of breath. Crazy what our bodies are capable of!!
 
So the foot injury is showing no sign of healing enough for me to get my sneaks on. I can even wear them to work, leaving me in a sneaker on one foot and and flip flip covered with a surgical bootie on the other (with about a half inch of height difference). :bang: I've got a coworker calling me gimpy.

So it is off to Academy tomorrow for some backless sneaks. 😀

I ran in some new duds today =) Last night I went to the store to try on some new pants (~70% of the ones I have are too big for me now) 😀

Now THAT is what makes it all worthwhile! Congrats EllieGirl!
 
After some personal life craziness, I am back on track. I finished week 4 day 1 today. It was hard but I feel amazing. I can't believe how I never thought I'd be able to run for even a minute at a time. 😀
 
Chug chug chug! Starting Week 5 on Monday. I know I said I was going to do a second week of Week 4, but ... after tonight's "run" (a fourth day of Week 4) I decided to keep pushing ahead. It felt really good.

P.S. Nuevaburra, you still out there? You started this ... I blame you. 🙂
 
Today my boyfriend is running the half marathon! Send him some good running vibes. I dropped him off a little while ago and he should be running now. I'm going back downtown to find some parking and stake out a spot to cheer from! Woooooo!
 
Taking a brief hiatus for my body to recover. My barn had a horseshow yesterday, and I was in 10 or classes (including some awkward clinging to the saddle while Coquette pitched a fit during barrel racing - I now have the unfortunate nickname of velcro butt). Plus we had all the set up for the show the day before - setting up the jump course, bathing/banding the horses, moving tables around... Ow! I hurt everywhere today. Plus today I have to move all my furniture into a different apartment (same building, different apartment).

So I probably won't be running anywhere until at least Tuesday.
 
Okay, I officially started up today and I have to say that W1D1 kinda kicked my butt! 😛 But I timed it very well and pulled through the entire time, decreasing speed by my 6th interval. It started raining just as I decided to leave my house (Damn you Louisiana weather)! But I trudged trough it and it cleared up pretty quick.

I did decided to do this immediately after the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (which I am doing with the bride in order to shape up in time for my bridesmaid fitting), which may have lowered my stamina bc I was already kinda tired; but I will definitely keep this up! I have always wanted to be able to run (and of course I'd like to regain my six-pack, I know it's still there, somewhere! 🤣)
 
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So with the last day of the C25K looming tomorrow morning, I have been thinking about what I'm going to do after. I really want to train for a 10K, but haven't been able to figure out how to do that. I planned originally on just adding a couple minutes to my time every few workouts, but that seemed like it would take a long time. I like the idea of doing intervals to increase running time while allowing for brief recovery periods, but again, where would I find that?

Introducing (drumroll, please) the Bridge to 10K! My mom found this plan for me and I'm suuuper excited to get started!!! It really looks do-able. My first planned 5K of the summer is July 9th, so if I start the B210K on Wednesday, I can work it out so I've completed the B210K by the time my 5K rolls around. Hopefully this will make the 5K seem like a big piece of cake, and maybe improve my time some. I'm really looking forward to starting this new running venture!
 
Week 9, Day 3 DONE!! I am officially (for the second time!) a graduate of the C25K. It feels awesome!!
;
It was a little rough today. My parents and I were going to get up at 7:30 to do our respective C25K days before it got too hot out. Well my mom works two jobs and today is her day off and she was really tired and wanted to sleep in. So at 9:30 I was ready to go, but she and my dad thought it was too hot out. But by about 10:30 they'd changed their minds. I told them it was probably too hot but they wanted to go.

So off we went to the high school track, and yes it was really hot and difficult but we did it! I'm still a little slow; I did 5K in the entire 35 minutes (the walking plus the 30 minutes running), but that's okay. I am trying to decide if I want to take two more days (Wednesday and Friday) and just run 30 minutes on both of those days and then start the B210K next week, or if I want to jump right into the B25K. I have a feeling it will be the former. Either way, I really look forward to continuing! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!
 
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