Yay Shannon!!!

Keep it up! When I started running (years ago) a lap around my neighborhood (2mi) made me throw up (literally), and now I regularly run 3x that distance...I ran a 10k last year and I'm training for a half marathon this fall

Thank you jennierose and forestroad. I know it might sound dumb but i never imagined running 100 feet let alone almost 1/3 of a mile without stopping. I was actually that excited that i stopped and called my hubby and told him and then kept walking/jogging..LOL I really was proud of myself last night. Totally made all the sore leg issues i am having today worth it..lol

Well...it looks like you've done it now--you are now becoming addicted to running! Yes, super exercise and exhilarating too..best of all, always there and FREE!

Good work.

Hey--want to mention something to you..

when I first started to run I could only go about 50 yards...well, I would run it and then walk, and then start to run as I could...

Without knowing it, I was actually running INTERVALS! That is the most effective way to burn fat actually and I didn't even know it!

My point is, you are doing great--so yes, continue your walking until you catch your breath and begin the jog again..you will absolutely be amazed at how quickly you "build" your run

And sore thighs are the best!!! And if you jog on a regular basis, in my experience you stop getting them the day after. If my thighs are sore after a run, I know it's been way too long since I've done it and it reminds me to keep up with it. Plus it just feels good to know you are building muscle!

Also, have you tried cycling/spinning? On Saturday I went for a hike and felt so good that I actually started running up the mountain for about 10-15mins (not like a Rocky Mtn or anything, but still a 3300-footer), and the next day my legs were DYING. On Monday, I went to my spin class and just did very light resistance, very fast spinning, and spun out all the kinks...it felt soooooo good.

That is great. I can hardly run for 1 minute never mind 1/3 of a mile. Congratulations!

YES! I thought I was crazy, but spinning always makes my legs feel less sore. They're tired the next day, but it definitely gets all the soreness out.

Not dumb...I didn't have a clue what it was for a while either.

Essentially, it's exercising with a group on upright exercise bikes. Spin bikes are usually analog as opposed to digital or recumbent bikes. I like it because it's motivating to go to a class, and the spin instructor puts on music that usually has a good beat and it's nice to be able to listen to music not on ear buds while you work out. A lot of times it's designed so that the beat matches the pace you are supposed to be keeping. The instructor tells you to heighten or lower the resistance depending on if you are doing a hill section or a flat, and also leads intervals in different positions (you can stand up and pedal on a road bike kind of like on a real bike). Give it a try, I highly recommend it!

p.s. I also recommend getting padded bike shorts before you do!

Also, it can be good for someone just getting into regular exercise, because unlike in a step class for example, no one else in the class knows what you are doing so there isn't a stigma in taking it easy at first. Know one but you knows how much resistance you actually have on!

Shannon--congrats! I couldn't run for a while and then I started doing intervals where I would walk for 5 minutes, run for 1 minute, then I gradually increased it each time on the treadmill and now I can almost run a mile at a time!

Aren't "runner's highs" great??

Um yeah. Definitely a good point.

In my experience, the instructor really makes the class. The ones at my gym are really motivating, and they actually REMEMBER who you are and talk to you by name.

Also - I second the padding of some sort - I bought a padded bike seat, but honestly haven't used it in a while. Once you get used to the seat and the position you should be in (abs always up and tight) your butt doesn't hurt. It also gives you a great core work out

The other great thing - NO SHIN SPLINTS!!!