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Let me preface this post by informing everyone that I am not in very good shape. I'm probably about 50 pounds overweight and have been living a pretty sedentary lifestyle for the past few years. I was in decent shape about 9 years ago when it was a requirement of my job but I did not keep at it. I have been active since then but I was working out with weights and the only cardio I did was on a stationary bike. I recently agreed to run in a 5K at the end of June so I have to start running. I should also mention that I HATE running. I started week 1, run 1 & 2 on a treadmill and surprised myself by completing both runs. This evening I took on run 3 outside which seemed a lot more challenging than the treadmill, I also began to experience some knee pain which I am attributing to being fat and out of shape. I plan on getting better running shoes before week 2 starts and maybe this will help the pain. I am in the northeast US and it would be a shame to waste the nice weather by training inside.

I have a few questions to some of the more experienced runners here. Does anyone do any other training between runs? I was thinking about some light weight training and biking on my non-run days. Not only am I training for this 5K but I desperately need to lose weight. Also, does anyone really enjoy running? The only thing I can think of while I'm running is that I can't wait to stop running. I keep hearing all these experienced runners tell me how addictive it is and how great they feel while running. Maybe its just me.

All this being said, I think this program will work for me, although, I cannot envision myself running for more than a minute at a time, I will try my best to keep motivated and, God willing, start to see some results within the next few weeks.

Honestly, I am probably the very last person you'd expect to enjoy running, but I do. It wasn't always like that: when I started, I hated it! HATED IT. I still don't enjoy the physical act of running (hot! sweaty! cramps!), but I like the way it helps relieve stress, and feeling of achievement after I'm finished is enough to make me keep coming back. If I'm having a very stressful day, I often find myself thinking "I wish I could go running right now!" because it really does wonders for my frame of mind.

Right now, I don't do much besides running. On Wednesdays, I get together with a group of friends: we all bring workout DVDs and pick which one we want to do. I do this after my run, so that's always hilarious to see. Then on Thursdays we all get together again and go walking all over the neighborhood, about 4 miles total. And that is all the extra exercise I do! I'm trying to get to an hour of running, and I'm almost there: today I did 50 minutes.