Hi Toni!  I'm Melissa and your post caught my eye because I am turning 40 myself on Feb. 8!  There is a 5k I'd like to do in April, so that's my motivation. It's on 4/15, right around your birthday.  Have you started jogging yet?  I've done the workout from Week 1 a few times, very spread-out though, not all in 1 week.  I don't think it hurts to start even slower if you're really coming right off the 'couch' like I was -- like maybe half of the first workout the very first time, 10 mins instead of 20, if your body hasn't run in years.  Mine certainly hadn't.  Keep us posted on how you're doing and I'm going to try to remember to stop back here!

Oh goodness, you are definitely not coming right off the couch then!  You sound very active and fit already. If you're going about 3.1 miles in 35 minutes, does that mean you just need to shave off 5 minutes to meet your goal?  Sounds like you're easily on the way to doing that. 

I haven't regularly exercised since college, so about 17 years. I ran for fun back then with friends, and it came easy because of being in the marching band there (Univ. of Michigan). But it's been many years and my body needs to start this up slowly -- I can tell.  Week 1 workouts are feeling fine and I'll just keep working up gradually.

Good job on your workouts so far!

Toni,

I am a first time runner.  I have been doing Zumba for about a year on a pretty regular basis.  It is a pretty intense workout.  The most intense I have ever done until I started this.  I did W1D2 today.  I thought this was going to be a challenge but I figured it wouldn't be too bad because of all my Zumba hours.  I was wrong. My friend asked how I felt after day one and my response was winded, wobbly and wet with sweat (the 3 W's I'm calling it).  Running is the most intense workout I've done as well.  I am a little slower than you are.  I am resting at 3.5 and jogging at 5 on the treadmill my goal is to make it through the first 9 weeks keeping this pace and then consider starting over and picking it up.  I am training for 150 mile bike ride this August.  It takes place over 2 days and I really don't want to be the person that they have to send the truck out to get because they couldn't finish.  I'm trying to find a variety of workouts to keep me moving until the weather breaks in the Sping and I can get on my bike.  This one seems like it varies enough that it could keep me from getting board and quitting.  I love Zumba but after a year sometimes it is hard to keep up my motivation.  I need some variety.

Good Luck.

Tonya

Hey Toni,

Last year was my first year of running at age 45-46, I ran 4 5K's and each one of them I was able to do 2 minutes better than the one before! It got me addicted! I am trying to eat better, I am trianing harder and better than I have ever before! I never was one for working out, I would try it modivated to get in shape and stronger but fizzled out in a month or so!  But running is so different I am geeked to do better each time, to learn a better way of running of traing to get a better time, to feel ALIVE! and healthy and in Good Spirits! Running is my life now, well God, My wife & family comes first but I am all about RUNNING!  This year I am moving up from the 5K and have signed up for 2 possibly 3  half-marathons !  I wish My wife shared my passion of running but physical exercise is not something she enjoys! But we have plenty of things we share together!

Keep Running!

Toni, you are doing great!  Did you jump from week 2 on Jan. 3rd  with 3 minute stretches to week 9 on Jan. 10th to 3 miles?  If you did that is awesome!