Hello. I'm new here.

A good friend of mine runs marathons. Hearing her talk about her running got me interested, so I decided to start running.

I used to be a big walker (6 miles, 4 days a week) but I never could stand to run. The jiggling, the pounding... not good. Last time I lost weight, I went to Jazzercise toning classes, walked, and did yoga. Anything but run!

This time around, I started using the treadmill at my fitness center. I started out in March doing intervals for 30 minutes. Then I turned that into a modified Couch to 5K program. Last week, I ran (and by 'ran', I mean 'shuffled hurriedly without walking breaks') for an entire mile. I was thrilled with that!

I'd love to be a person who wakes up and runs 6 miles in a single hour every day -- that is my image of a fit person. I'd also like to start running outside, but not until I can outrun my local muggers. Right now, my 'running' speed is about 4.3 mph. I have a ways to go. Those muggers are speedy.

I'm doing 3 miles a day, about 5 times a week, while I work on speed and endurance.

I do want to tell you all that you have inspired me. One day last week, I wasn't planning on going to the gym, but reading about the running here got me motivated and I put on my sneakers and went. Thanks to all of you!

Hah! I totally agree with every part of that! Only you worded it in a much cuter way!! My HB is VERY fit, and loves anything outdoorsy, so I'm aiming to one day be able to keep up with him, so we can do more than just -my- activities to bond. (And poor Honey Bunny sits through more than enough Sex and the City marathons to deserve a good day out rock climbing or snow boarding! I hate that we can't because I just can't keep up. VERY weak lungs over here!)

So far your doing much better than me with your one mile shuffle, I haven't made it to a quarter mile yet! But hopefully I'll catch up soon enough! Good luck with your running!!

Yippee, very exciting! You'll do great, I really liked the program and it's what got me into running!

Welcome! You keep holding that image in your head and eventually you WILL get there! 10 minute miles are a great goal to work towards and definitely achievable!

Helloo everyone. I need a little bit of that motivation today. I packed all my running stuff, then had train trouble- which started my workday behind the eightball and now ...sort of just don't want to. Also, I'm battling that can't have just a little bit of sweets thing. A little lends itself to wanting more and more and more...
Tomorrow I am planning to do that neightborhood 6 mile loop and the added 2 miles, if my bod is feeling game. I am also getting LASIK on my eyeballs tomorrow afternoon so I think the run will help my nerves... which are popping.

Oh, that can be a tough one! We had same sitch. I love that the kids can scooter in the house!! I'm sure my guys would love to play with the zinketwins!

Oooo Kitty, I've always wanted lasik and I've always been too scared! I've been wearing either hard lenses or gas perm lenses since I was 15! It would be such a joy not to wear them! Tell us how it goes!

Good luck with the 8 miles, kittycat, and with the eye thing - hope it goes well. I haven't been running since Thursday but walked 6 miles yesterday and 5 miles today so not bad. Running to work tomorrow - just wish I didn't have an early meeting ...

Was W1D1 on C25K And I am just SOOO excited about this program!! I love love LOVE it! Thanks SO much to everyone who recommended it! It's only the first time, but I just love it so much already. Feeling those endorphins kicking in! It makes it so much easier to stick to my eating plan too - to have it all charted out and set in time. I didn't choose the podcast for it after all, as I found that music with lyrics I tend to sing along to in my head and get distracted enough to make it bearable. My friend and I did make little charts though for when to run and when to walk (Ie - 13:30 - 14:00, 14:00-15:00, 15:00-16:30 etc) and that made it a lot easier. We met our tiny goals so fast, and it was hard to get discouraged when there's "Only fifteen seconds left!"

GREAT program! Looking forward to Wednesday!

Hello All.

I've strayed away from 3FC for a while but started working out and such doing ellipticals for the past couple of months. I used to go out for leisurely 2-3 mile runs when I was younger, 10 years ago, but quit and of course gained a bunch of weight.

I'd like to get back to running. I have always told myself I was too heavy, but the other day at the gym, no one was round and I got onto the treadmill and said, I'm going to jog for 5 minutes and I did it. I was SO proud. So I've added the five minute jog as a little something to tack on after I do 30-45mins on the elliptical while I'm nice and warm and streched out. I will soon add another minute for a week or two and go up from there. Does that sound like a plan?

Where can I check out the podcasts? I'll go onto itunes and search around. But I would like to start posting here although I'm not a "runner" and maybe eventually I'll earn my title?

I hate the treadmill because I always feel I'm going to fall off. But I think I'm too embarassed to actually try this outside at the track just yet. Do all of you find a huge difference between treadmill and ground? Also, when can I stop considering it a "jog" as far as pace? I'm only jogging at 4.0 - for me that's a really fast walk lol not sure because I'm so heavy or because my legs are so short or what.

Thanks for your help - you guys are an inspiration!

Welcome Girlie! Whether you're running 5 minutes a day or 500 minutes a day, you're a runner because you are doing it and have the desire to continue -- and you belong on this thread! There is a pretty big difference between the road and the treadmill, but both are good for working out so just go where you are comfortable right now. And "jogging" is just another word for "running" as far as I'm concerned, so don't worry about the vernacular.

Eskinomad -- you sound like me when I did C25k! I was just so excited to be doing it, to be actually running for ANY amount of time was just awesome! I'm glad you are enjoying it, it is all that enthusiasm you have the will make you fall in love with running!

southofriver -- hope you had a nice run into work, are you very far from the office? I used to bike back and forth for work (about 10 miles each way) but it was SO hot (I'm in Florida) and the lockers/showers they provided at work were kind of icky that I always felt a bit grody for the rest of the day.

Good news for me, my knee feel almost back to 100% and I did 5.15 miles this morning and it didn't bother me at all while I was out there!

I'm getting towards the end of c25k, so I figured I'd just post here.

I did 28 minutes of running at 5.8 mph. I really want to get to 6.0 mph for the entire 3 mile run (this weekend). I think I'll be able to do it as long as I can keep up the running this week.

I've got a question for you runners out there. I got fitted for some running shoes last week and I've worn them twice. Every time I run, my left foot goes kind of numb on the bottom (I don't think they're laced up too tight). Is this normal, or is it the shoes? It never did this when I wore my old shoes.

ShadesofGray -- my feet have never gone numb in any of my shoes even during my longest runs (half mary). I'd maybe call the shop and tell them about the issue, maybe you can exchange of different shoes!

Is that you in your avatar rock climbing? So cool!

Thanks for the advice! I'll give the shop a call. They seemed really nice when I was there, they said I could return them if I had any problems at all.

And yep, that's me rock climbing. It's such a great sport, you should try it sometime if you get a chance! I work at a rock climbing gym, so if you have any questions let me know!

Congrats on the knee, Josephine!! Have you ever taken cod liver oil tablets for sore joints? My hips pop a LOT from a dance injury when I was younger, and they're like oil to the tinman. It helps me out a lot. So if your knees still bother you, you should give it a try if you haven't already.

And ROCK CLIMBING! Wooo! We should start a new thread on questions about it. My SO tries to get me to go every week, and I always say no because I don't want to be stuck up there with my booty in the air, out of breath and half dead, just proving to him that I can't do it.

Very negative thinking - I know. But SO is SO fit, and I'm SO not, and lets face it - it's just not cute. He's very supportive, but it all sounds very embarrassing for me. I'm hoping that the running will get me in shape enough to enjoy rock climbing!

Eskinomad, there is nothing wrong with being a beginner in a new sport! Your rock climbing fitness would improve the more you do it, so I wouldn't let that hold you back! You sound like you're being very hard on yourself!

Today's run was a bit over 4 miles and I was hot and draggy and glad when I was done. Sometimes it is nice just to get FINISHED and take a cold shower!