First off we live in a not so friendly running zone. Our house is along a fast road (55 MPH) with no sidewalks. We have acreage but then we also have rattle snakes and chiggers. I have 3 children under the age of 5.
So with that, I've started running in place using my Wii "Active" software which corrects you if you don't do something right.
I've already worked my way up to a medium run, which can be done in a minute. The next is a long run then from then on a longer run that I have no idea what its all about.
Dh has asked me if I want him to buy me a compact Igym treadmill that was $99.00 at the Acadamy sporting goods. Thing is that the thing you run on is narrow and wasn't recomended by the sales person for running. Dh doesn't want to fork out money on a Gym membership b/c it would mean that I would have to leave the kids with him every night or at least 3 times a week so that I can do this for an hour.

So is running in place good enough? I would love to get to a place where I can just take off and run for a mile or two, once a week without getting winded.

We live in Texas, We used to live in So Cal where I would walk 3 miles a day. I was doing this for 4 months and I got to the point that I started including jogging on my way. Then I got pregnant with #3 and everything ended and 6 months after I had her we moved to Texas. Where the weather is extreem and the place where our house is located sucks.

to a fellow Texas resident.

You might want to talk to your husband about this. Explain that this is important to you and that you'd really appreciate him being there for you to take care of the kids a few nights a week.

<rant on> Personally I'd be kinda pissed if I had kids and my S.O. begrudged me a few hours respite each week to workout. Maybe you could agree to take responsibility for the kids for a few evenings so that he can go fishing or spend time with his buddies, cause that never happens, right? </rant off>

Alternatively, you could get up early in the morning while he's still home and perhaps the kids still asleep. Is there a park nearby that you can drive to and walk in? Or even a subdivision with quieter streets.

That said, some gyms have a daycare option where someone will watch the kids while you workout.

If you get a treadmill, be sure to get a good one. I don't own one, but you could ask around here for recommendations on which brands and models would be best for running. Rocketbunny makes a good point--many gyms have daycare so the little ones can play while you work out. Taking care of 3 little tiny kids 24 hours a day is a big, big job--doesn't seem like it would hurt him to spell you for a few hours a week, but that's just my opinion.

Best of luck to you!

Do you have a high school anywhere near you? Many high schools will let people in the community run on their tracks.

Also, is there any running friendly areas near you beyond those immediately in your vicinity?

Ditto this. My local high school is 1/2 mile from my home and I use the track three times a week. Sometimes other people are there, but many times I have it all to myself. Even with other people there, it is a really peaceful and safe place to practice running.

Local parks often have jogging/walking trails and they can be very pleasant places to run. Although you can run in place and get your heart rate up, it is limited, and would get pretty boring IMO.

I don't think it's unreasonable at ALL to want to join a gym, and they offer much more for you besides just a treadmill. My suggestion is to check out some of your local gyms (do all of the homework), see how much they cost and if they offer child care, and go back and negotiate with DH. JMHO!

WOOT! Texas in the house here too!

There are some running Dvd's you can get. You can easily do them in your living room. On FREE ON DEMAND there is one called One-Mile Jog. It is by Leslie (the walking lady). I really like it. It is gentle and if you can't make it just walk it until you catch your breath and then start the jog again.

I love running. I do the Dvd when I am not able to get out of the house--kiddies home sick or weather or what not.

I did three miles this morning! I'm glad the storms are gone!

My dh isn't like other guys, He is awesome. I go out on mom night outs 1-2 times a months. He comes straight home after work and if I need it...he will do grocery shopping on the way home just so that I don't have to do it.
Last month I had to practically push him out the door to go on a dads night out with my friends husbands. He had a good time but he ended up coming home early b/c he didn't like that he left me home with the kids. That was the first time he's been out on his own without me. Normaly he wants me to go with him.
I think he just fears that all kids will go nuts while he watches them, thats never happened though. They usually behave very well when he has them. I think the thought of leaving them 3 times a weekwith him overwhelms him. Especially since he's had a long day at work.
We do have a HS near by, I would have to see if they have a track. Since in the part of Texas where we're at, its either super hot in the summers or freezing cold in the winters. My 19 y/o HS is all indoors. I rarely see any students in the fields.
Great idea, I'll go scope it out today.

to get an idea. How long (as in terms of time) should I start off at....running wise?
I need to gauge this: I tend to over do it with exercise and diets. But if you give me a starting point and how long to do that for. And by what point I should already be able to do a mile. I'm talking about weeks or months.
Seriously I've been known to exercise to a point that I'm in pain the next day...not good pain. I've never exercised in my life till now. Actually 3 yrs ago was my first time this is the second time for the same reason....to lose weight. I don't know how to put goals on myself when it comes to this too.

Except those five days every week that he's at work while you're home with three kids under 5?