I'm trying for the ColderBoulder, which is a 5K on December 7. I haven't run more than a quarter since junior high.

1) My goal right now is to be able to run the whole 5K on the 7th and the 10K in May.  We'll see.

2) My training program I'm making up with a freind who's a distance runner. Since I started from nothing, and I'm severely overweight, it's been baby steps. I started a month ago by running 30 seconds and then walking 5 minutes. As of last night I'm  running 2 minutes and walking 2 minutes for 4 miles every other day, I run the first quarter mile of each mile. The pace is just under 14 minutes a mile. My goal is 11.5, but right now I'm just trying to be able to at least jog the distance.

3) I'm doing the "run" every other night.

4) On my off days I do a recumbant bike for 52 minutes. Every fifth day I take a day off.

5) I'm running on a treadmill now. I've got twin one-year-old boys, so my only time to workout out is after they and my daughter go to sleep at about 10 pm. Going to start going outside before much longer, but I'm kind of embarrased about it. 

6) I'm tracking my progress by writing to my "coach" when I'm done with my workout, so I've got some accountability. Would have quite  a long time ago without her. 

You sound like you're doing great, by the way. Your 10K will be a cakewalk for you !!!!!

I'm training for the ING half marathon in Miami in January, it will be my second one.  I strated running about 2 years ago, just to get in shape, as I was  inactive for way to long :).  Some how, some way I got hooked.  I always thought running was crazy....it just didnt make any sense to me.  To this day I am not sure I undstand why people do it, all I can say is that I enjoy it.  I think back when I first started and only running a mile at a time, I thought it would take forever.  Now I have to force myself not to run on my rest days.  To answer your questions:

1.  My goal is to run a marathon in 09.

2.  I use the training programs of the Runners world web site.

3.  I usually run 4 -5 times per week.

4.  I do trrain on non-running days, I usually use wieghts and ride the bike.

5.  I prfer running outside, but living in Michigan forces me inside during the winter.  Must say staying motivated is much harder on that treadmill.  Its not the same as running outside, so I put it on a 1% incline.

6.  I track my progress with a written running log.

I'm sort of a newbie - i started running last spring but stopped b/c i was traveling all summer and now am trying to get back into it.

1. What is your overall goal? I would at least like to be able to run continuously for 30 minutes and maybe try a 5k race.  I'm trying to build up my endurance. Once i do that, then i want to work on speed.

2. What training program are you using? I'm using the couch to 5k program and i'm now starting week 3. I'm really loving it so far.
        

3. How many times per week are you running/walking? I run every other day.

4. Do you train on non-running days? If so, what do you do?  I try to, but haven't been as consistent with this as i'd like.  I do pilates usually or circuit weight training (though i prefer to lift weights after my runs).  I may start swimming or biking (i live in a very bike-friendly city).

5. Running outside or inside?  During the week, i run on the treadmill, but the weather has gotten nice and cool (i live in the desert); so to avoid the weekend gym crowds, i run outside around my local park and i'm actually finding that easier than the treadmill (though my knees don't like it as much hahaha).

6. How are you tracking your progress? I use a nike+ ipod that uploads my data onto the nike website.

I didn't actually notice the questions before when I posted, so I'll do that now:

What is your overall goal?

My immediate goal is to outrun my boss who has taken up running alongside a couple of my colleagues.  A few of us are running a 5K next weekend, and I'd love to beat him!  Other than that, I just want to burn off body fat.  I have been weight training for a while now and my body fat is <8%, but there's this little bit around my waist I can't seem to get rid of!

What training program are you using?

I have been getting on a treadmill, setting the pace I want to finish the 5K in and then running until I hit 5K.  I started with a 10 minute pace then increased to 9'13" or so (6.5 setting on the treadmill).  I doubt I'll improve much between now and the 23rd (day of the race).  Other than, no formal training regimen.

How many times per week are you running/walking?

I try to run every other day; I've heard you shouldn't run every single day, which is fine with me.  I don't particularly enjoy running yet.

Do you train on non-running days? If so, what do you do?

I'm at the Y doing weight training  most days.

Running outside or inside?

I like the treadmill because I can see my actual pace.  I used to live in North Carolina and there was a city park with a running track made from recycled rubber tires; that was very comfortable to run on.  Haven't found any of those down here in Clearwater, Florida though. 

How are you tracking your progress?

I just run on the treadmill and try to slowly increase my rate until I hit a good pace that I can sustain for 5K.

Hi! I've only recently started running. After complaining at work about not being able to lose any weight, a coworker suggested that I train for a 5k that she was prepping for on December 20th. Like me, she's a beginner. I've always exercised, but it's been very spurratic, and I prefer weight training to cardio. When I was younger, I was competitive in track, but I was a sprinter, so to me, a mile is "long-distance" We actually just found out about another local 5k taking place on Thanksgiving Day, that I think we may participate in as well. We're not quite ready yet, but we think it might be a way to gauge our progress thus far.

1. What is your overall goal? - To be able to run the entire 5k on 12/20 without walking at all. Afterwards, I hope to participate in a couple more 5k's & focus on improving my time during Spring 2009. Then, I would like to move on to a 10k. Ideally, this will help me shed these troublesome 10 pounds I've been toting around these last couple years. They seem permanently affixed to my sides & back!X-(# I'm very task-oriented, so date-driven, event-specific goals seem to be working for me better than some vague hope to be built like Ms. Fitness USA...

2. What training program are you using? -My coworker & I are both following the Couch to 5k plan & using Robert Ullrey's podcasts from itunes, and loving it! I start Day 1 of Week 5 tomorrow. I've found that I'm becoming quite addicted, and will not miss my training for anything. I ran at about 10:00 Friday night in the pouring rain - quite invigorating!

3. How many times per week are you running/walking? - I strive for every other day, but at least 3 days per week

4. Do you train on non-running days? If so, what do you do? - I try to do some strength training at home - push ups, crunches, dumbbell work, etc.

5. Running outside or inside? - Outside - I started on the treadmill, but I was worried about doing all the training on the treadmill and then getting to the actual race & not being able to do it. Running outside seems much more difficult for me, so I've done all my training outside (on the road) for the last 3 weeks.

6. How are you tracking your progress? I guess I'm not really tracking it at all. I've been following the interval schedule for the Couch to 5k religiously, and I have the distances marked in my neighborhood, so I know how far I'm getting in the time allotted. I try to make sure that I get a little farther each day. This week, the running intervals get a little longer, so I'm going to switch my focus to distance rather than time. The Couch to 5k shoots for a 10 min mile, and I'm not running at that pace yet, so if I can only run for 30 min, then I'm afraid I'll fall short at the race. - My brother is in the Army, and is coming home for Christmas. He supposedly has some excruciating boot camp training exercises that will really help my time. Part of my motivation is making sure I'm not too embarrassed when he tries to work with me

Good luck!

Amanda

1. What is your overall goal? to be able to walk/jog a 5k

1. What training program are you using? the 'spark your way to 5k' training at Sparkpeople.com

1. How many times per week are you running/walking? every other day, and walking on days that I dont try to jog/run

1. Do you train on non-running days? If so, what do you do? walking the treeline several times.  a little over 1/4 mile for each treeline completed.

1. Running outside or inside?outside

1. How are you tracking your progress? Not really tracking progress - just trying to be able to get past 1 minute of running after 4 minutes of walking.  Trying to get that breathing thing down to a mangageable level after the 1 minute.

My husband got the whole family started on running.  He just finished his first half, (San Antonio) and is going to Ft. Worth for the Cowtown.  My daughter, 15, is planning on running the 5k at Cowtown, and maybe!! I can get in there to walk/jog the 5k in February. 

Diane