Ok, so I am way out of shape, and I'm trying to motivate myself to get back into the exercise routine. I'd REALLY like to be able to run a 5K, but I've never ran more than a mile in my life. I need some motivation, and some support, so if anyone's willing to sign on with me, let me know, and we can figure out a time frame and all that that works for us!

I am training for a 5K on May 16th. If you want to get start training for a 5k try the Couch 2 5K program. The girls on here swear by it. I built up by simply running as long as I could at a low pace and then increase by a tenth of a mile each week. My goal this month is 36 Miles!

Try firs to make 2k after a week or two start to run more ! I think after 6 week or more you will make 5k. Don't give up girl!

Keep on going, girl! Man, I wanted to run a good 5k today but my mom made me stay home 'cause I was feeling dizzy yesterday. Yesterday! Not today! Today I want to run! Grrr.

I'm training for a 10k, and I'm hoping to do one in May, but we'll see. The C25K is quite effective, though I've never used it but I know there are thousands and thousands of people who swear by it.

Just keep pushing yourself every time you go out running. There's nothing like the breeze or the outdoors to make you feel so free.

Note: You can actually train on a treadmill, but for races it's better to train outdoors. I'm cheap, so no gym membership and no equipment. Just a pair of running shoes and the adventure of exploring a new route every time I run.

Google the Couch to 5k program, it's a great way to start training for a 5k...

When I started I could barely jog 50 meters. I ran my second half marathon last year. You can do this!
1) Get fitted for good shoes at a running shop.
2) Start slow
3) Build slow.
Couch to 5K seems to be a great program. Also, feel free to join us on the monthly running thread and/or the 2009 mileage thread.

You can do this!

Build slower than that.

You could make a drinking game out of the people who post here that Wow! Just started C25K! Fun! and within a few months are injured and are not running.

Where is the monthly running thread?

another great way to get back into running is to break up your run. So, if you're running on the treadmill, run for 5 minutes, walk for 2, etc. there are a ton of programs out there (fitness magazine posted something recently on training for a 5k) to help you, but that's the biggest for me. OR a fun way, if your gym has tv's, is to run during the show, and walk the commercials. just to get started, then obviously move up to more running than walking.

Are you running a 5K with a friend? That's the best motivation of all - even if you cant necessarily train together, you'll get each other to that finish line, and i bet you'll be smiling!

This is my fear about starting to run.. I've been walking and doing some indoor dvds.. but beyond that I have a huge fear of getting injured and that would stop my progress.. If I've got an excuse... I will use it. So how do you start running without hurting yourself.

Slowly.

Seriously-- First get a good pair of shoes. Then if you've been able for a while to comfortably walk at speed (not just strolling around) for 20 minutes or half an hour, throw a few running intervals into your walks. Run when it feels good, walk when you get tired. Rinse, repeat.

If you prefer a more structured schedule, I know there are slower-progressing "to 5K" schedules online that you can Google.

Do you have links to these slower programs?
I started C25K this morning using the DJ Beatsmith music that actually follows the official schedule. It contains, in the first week, 6 periods of 1 minute of jogging. towards the end of the 5th run I had to go back to walking because, quite frankly, I was ready to toss my cookies. I walked the 6th run.
I may not be able to move it up a notch very week, I may just need a couple of weeks at each level.
We'll see. I felt good physically after, but got quite a headache.
That ever happen to anyone else?

dutchgirl, doing a level for 2 weeks is perfectly ok, do what you can, these programs are not written in stone...

I love DJ Beatsmith I did the week one of the 8k, it was difficult for me but I adjusted and walked more often by the end of the run, and I had a great workout anyways, but I geared it towards my needs...

I agree, the music is great! and I did this at sunrise, it looked so beautiful and the air was still all fresh. I'll have to stick to that time of day on non-workdays, it's lovely.

I initially joined a 5k program at a local running store. It is a good way to have morale support and a weekly (or more) running group. couch to 5k is also a good program to do on your own. I'm training for a 5k in less than 2 months and doing it on my own right now. The basics are start slow, do run intervals, start with low mileage, increase running intervals, reduce walking intervals and increase mileage over time.

Also, get good running shoes and getting fitted at a running store.