I am a 42 yr old who has always wanted to run a mini-marathon.  I am not a runner.  I used to run track in high school 20 some yrs. ago and was a state qualifier in the 400 meters, so I used to be a sprinter.  I decided to just try to run a mini, so I signed up for the Giest Mini in Indianapolis in May.  I got on the treadmill yesterday and ran 2 miles in 24 minute and thought I was going to die!!!!  I printed out a schedule from a training website and if I start on Tuesday I should be ready for the mini, but after not being able to run 2 miles without feeling like I would die, now I don't think I can do this.   My son has signed up with me to do the mini and I really don't won't to let him down.  Does anyone have any advice for me???      Thanks

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Fear not! I began running at 42, and hadn't even run in high school. Each run will feel better! One thing that got me through runs in the beginning was knowing how good I would feel when I was done. I hated running for a long time, but loved the feeling of accomplishment and well-being when I finished. Now I can say that I enjoy the run itself. If you can, find someone to run your long runs with you (your son?). When I am running with a friend, I can enjoy her company. Sometimes when I run alone, I tend to focus on every little ache and pain. If possible, get off the treadmill! I think that it is much harder to run on a treadmill than outside. I can run miles outside, but won't do more than 3 on the treadmill. It is just harder, and very boring! Find a mantra to get you through the tough times. I always told myself that if it were easy, everyone would do it. When I am tired, I tell myself that I really don't feel any worse than I did a mile ago, so I might as well keep going. I ran my first half marathon in October. It was amazing! I have no regrets about the time and energy I dedicated to training. Two of my daughters were at the finish line, and they were very proud of their mom! One had driven home 3 hours from college to attend the race. I hope that I am teaching them that with a little work, anything is possible! Good luck to you! Posted by: jstath on Feb 07, 2011 at 09:07 AM

Yay! I started with Galloway a long time ago and I swear I never would have kept at it were it not for his book, Jeff Galloway's book on Running." I kept it like the bible right next to my bedside and whenever fear and doubt cropped up I just read more and realized that everyone feels this way as a beginner. I am sooo happy you didn't give up, your 3 miles is awesome! Just stick to the schedule (and don't beat yourself up if you stray a little. It DOES get better - even enjoyable (ha, ha). But you knew that! ;-) You can do it! Posted by: bmoore on Feb 06, 2011 at 08:02 PM

thanks to both of you for your encouragement. I did look up the jeff galloway training schedule (great tip) and after reading your comments I feel much better. ran 3 miles easily yesterday, and you were right it will get easier and I want to do this. I have until May 21st so plenty of time to work out a good pace for me. right now I will stick to the jeff galloway schedule that you suggested and I will not be last, and I will finish! Thanks again!!!!! Posted by: lreneeanderson on Feb 06, 2011 at 07:21 PM

Irene, Please don't give up. I felt like I was reading my own post when I saw this. I too was in the same boat as you, not to long ago. I was a high school track star and was only a sprinter. Thus, when I got back into running years later, I still had the mind set of a sprinter. I also went out, almost killed myself (or so I thought) that first run. I SWORE I would never run again. I SWORE I was not a runner. I had to take my stairs backwards for a week after that. I couldn't even sit on a toilet! It was terrible! But after a few days, I felt "normal" again and also felt horrible. I let myself down. I felt as if I let my family down. I thought to myself, "What am I proving to my kids if I give up now?" So with that, the next day I did some serious thinking, and came to the conclusion that 1. Yes. I am a runner. 2. I am still a sprinter (for now) until I can educate myself how to train right. 3. I CAN DO THIS!!!!! ........ so, I did some research and found a plan closest to what I was at the time (a sprinter) and went with it. I ended up running mail box to mail box for weeks and educated myself too. I found the Jeff Galloway program (which was really close to what I was doing, but with more of a "plan") and have been loving every second of this adventure ever since. I now run marathons at a consistant 8:30 pace and will be trying for a Boston Qualifier this year. I hope this little bit helps. I suggest you look up the Jeff Galloway run/walk/run program and hope you stick it threw. And please remember, EVERYONE is afraid of failing and we all fail at one point or another. But try not to think of it as "failure" anymore, but as a "mistake" because we all learn from our mistakes but seem to dwell on our failures. Posted by: firegirruns on Feb 04, 2011 at 06:29 PM

Oh Irenee you can SO do this. EVERYONE feels this way when they first get on the treadmill after years of not running. Trust me, everyone. You are going to be so surprised how quickly you will get into shape for your mini once you start training. The important thing to do is to not get discouraged by this first time out. I am not sure what training program you are using, but he Galloway programs are REALLY good for when you are just starting back. You are so courageous for doing this and having your son for motivation is just the right thing. And believe me - you will NOT be the slowest one in your race. How many weeks until your race? Posted by: bmoore on Feb 04, 2011 at 05:38 PM