I want to run - and I want to run badly. I'm gonna set a goal but need some runners to help me set a realistic goal because since I'm not a runner I have no idea.

I'm currently weighing 249.5

I am working out at the gym 6 days a week - my routine is...

treadmill (walking) 30minutes @ 3.3 - 3.5mph
elliptical - intervals for 20 minutes (gonna push through to 30 this week)

I'm self conscious to use the weights at the gym but I'm thinking this week I'll make an appointment with the guy to show me some of the machines to start using a few.

Now - there are several races that take place here. If I continue to workout hard, eating healthier...........what is a realistic length that a person could train for by next October. 5k, 10k, 13k ?????

I know each person is different - but try to take into account where I'm starting and give me your educated guess as to what I should aim for.

what should I add to my routine???
my gym has a track - should I start walking/jogging in intervals building up my time. or should i wait until I drop some weight before I attempt to start running.

any other suggestions as to what will help me to become a runner?

The best advice I can give you is not to worry too much about specifics and not to put pressure on yourself to reach a certain goal by a certain date. That said, it IS good to shoot for something, and you may surprise yourself by far exceeding your expectations. That's what I did, and I started running at the same weight as you.

Walking/jogging intervals is the best way to start out, and build up until you're jogging more than you're walking. Do it slowly, though, and definitely don't worry about the speed of your jogging. If you're jogging, you're jogging. You can tell the difference. Many months down the road, you can start worrying about your pace.

When I started, back in September of 06, I thought, "Hmm...maybe I'll run a 5k next October," but I didn't imagine it would actually happen. Well...instead I ran a 10k in March, a 5k in April, another in May, a half marathon in September, and ran that October 5k in 28:26, beating my sub-30 goal. Oh, and along the way I became a high school cross country coach! Set your sights on a 5k, but don't pass up other opportunities that come along. You may find yourself falling in love with running and wanting to get ready for a race sooner than that.

You should definitely read and post in the Cool Runners thread, where you'll get lots of advice and support and inspiration from some great runners of all levels and abilities.

Hi Kari - I agree with everything Lisa said (but then, she's my hero ), and will add my own experience for you. I was exactly your weight when I started the 'Couch To 5K' Programme the first week in June '07. I had to tweak some weeks a little bit - ran an extra day rather than move on and such. And trust me, I was SO NOT FIT. It was hard - even running the first 60 seconds. BUT - totally doable

I finished the programme in exactly nine weeks, and am currently building up to running 10K - I now run at least 4 miles, three or four times a week. I LOVE to run, and I was never athletic, never DREAMED I would be a runner. I started training outside, but I have a treadmill now, and have a love affair with it At least once a week I do hill work, just to shake that cardio up a little.

Adding the weights is an excellent idea, but maybe don't add them at the same time you start running - why not run a month and then add the weights? I can only speak from my own experience, but the C25K programme dominated my life - !

Good luck, and keep posting in the Cool Runners forum so we know how you are getting on!!

Heather