Want to become a runner? It’s easy. It’s just like walking except faster. Start off by putting one foot in front of the other. Next, put one foot in front of the other quickly. Great! Now you’re a runner. Basically anyone can become a runner you just have to prepare your mind for it and naturally your body will fall into place. You will only be able to go as far as your mind allows, so get started today and mold that mind into a running machine.
I have found that many people find success by taking advantage of an easy running program like the COUCH TO 5K. This type of program allows you to work your way up to running your first 5K. It’s great in that it pushes you towards your goal gradually and is very straightforward. I have added links to a few Couch To 5K programs. Now there is no excuse…you have the tools to start running today…or tomorrow.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
http://www.fromcouchto5k.com/articles/training/the-couch-to-5k-training-plan/
Running On Empty 
thank you for this article. Finally! an article that gives me hope that I can do it even little by little ^_^
Thanks
This is great. I’m going to try it!
Let me know how it goes… 🙂
I’ve just finished Week 2 of the C25k iPhone app (it’s slightly different – week 2 requires you to run for 90 secs followed by 2 mins walking) and I have to admit I feel great!
I never thought I could be runner, but working up slowly is making me more and more confident. My aim is to run a 5k and hopefully a half marathon one day so will follow your blog religiously! 🙂
That’s awesome!! A lot of us thought we would never be runners and suddenly here we are…I have worked up slowly too. Find a 5k in your area and aim to run it at the end of your training so that when you want to stop you know you have a goal in mind and can’t. Commit yourself to a 5k today. They are usually $15 to $25, but you get a free t-shirt 🙂 I have run a couple of 5k’s with people who trained with the couch to 5k and they did great! Each one wanted to run another 5k the next month. You are a runner now!! Keep it up!! I am proud of you!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing ‘Couch to 5 K’ I wasn’t on the couch when I started to train for my 5k, but it was helpful to look at it…shooting for a marathon in November 2011, one race at a time!!
Thank you for sharing and guiding me here!
Another addition to my favorites and an extra kick in my butt to get started!
No problem!! We’re all in this together. Feel free to ask any questions and I would be happy to share my experiences with you. This really is a great way to get started. Sometimes we all need a kick in the butt…I know I did. 🙂
Thanks. I’ve been thinking about taking up running. I’m sure this will help.
I played soccer in high school and was never the fittest guy on the team, but I could run pretty well. After a couple years, my endurance has gone down substantially. I saw this and got really interested. Just completed week one and am on way back to getting in shape. And for once in my life… I don’t dread getting on the treadmill! Thanks for the post!
Glad to hear it is helping!! I was a lot like you…never the fittest but I could run pretty quick. Once I took up running a couple of years ago everything changed. You are going to find that you can run much further than you ever thought possible. Not only that but your endurance will go way up! I know treadmill running is crazy boring, but it does help a lot!! Let me know of your progress and if you ever have any questions feel free to ask…
I just recently had a friend suggest the Couch25K podcasts, where apparently the music is all set up for you to work the idea. Doesn’t get easier than that, I suppose! I can’t wait to get out and run, and I’m thankful I found your site for some motivation!
Glad I could help! We all need a little motivation sometimes.
Wow,it really helps me,because after I tried it out,i found that I runs quicker than bofore,I was thinking that am I a professional runner now?That is simple and works!!!Thanks for the post!:-)
What about shoes? I am excited to start a running program, but have heard that I need to make sure that I have good shoes.
Look up running specialty stores in your area. I don’t mean like foot locker or anything like that. I mean a store that specifically deals with running. All the people there will be very knowledgeable concerning the best running shoes for you. They will be able to analyze your gait.
I LOVE the chart…I’M GOING TO DO IT!
Let me know how it goes…you can do it!!
Thanks for this post! I feel like it is SO doable!
I’m sitting here on my couch. I have already started the Couch 2 5k program. Already, after one day, my legs are sore. This is so much fun!
I started using Couch to 5K a year ago and it helped me a lot to get started. I actually stopped using it after a couple of weeks because I didn’t like the music, however I learnt how to plan my workouts and now – a year after – I am proud to say I go running for 30 minutes twice or three times a week and I love it!
That’s awesome!!! I never thought I would love running, or even like it, but it’s a big part of my life now.
Great simple advice but it is that simple, I try to tell people that they are runners the moment they run for even 20 seconds.
I agree!!
I just want to let you know that I’ve been following this program for four weeks and feel so good and proud of my physical accomplishments, which I never really imagined possible. If you have a way to get from the 25 minute run (which will probably only be a couple of miles for me) to the three-mile distance for the half marathon training, let me know! I’m signed up for an 8K in Philly in November.
Hi! I have always wanted to be a runner and now its time to do it! I am so thankful that this plan exists to help people like me. I am hoping to run a 5k in oct this year and feel confident this plan will help me make a dream come true.Thank you!