What was your motivation to start running?

I love running now! I used to hate it. I got started with the couch to 5k. I highly recommend it! To quote Nike, just do it. Once you start you won't want to stop. Im now doing the couch to 10k.

My motivation for running is that I play softball during the summer. I need to be able to run fast and a lot because I play center field and rover. And also base running. So I run to stay in shape for sports.

We are neighbors, I'm in Waukesha.

I did not set out to run, I started walking at lunch just to get some exercise. I would then run a little and then a little more. I had been walking an hour a day to go about three miles. I soon realized I could do 3 miles in half the time and burn more calories and it just kinda went from there. I definitely prefer running outside to the treadmill (NEVER thought I would say that). I, like you, don't care so much for running on the icy roads and have been finding alternatives for now until the weather is at least 30+ (stairs have been my cardio of choice these days).

I used to drink and had to stop, -- completely. (ok, i got a DUI, got thrown in jail for a weekend, and had to go to rehab. to keep my license) Needless to say, I was a bit of a screw up. I wanted to prove to myself I could actually accomplish something good for myself . So I started running. It was a complete turnaround for me. A few years later I ran my first marathon at age 49 and now run one marathon a year and a few half marathons each month. I actually get up at 4 am to get miles in at the local high school track in the dark. . Its a great way to start the day.

Last February my friends I was losing weight with wanted us to all sign up for the warrior dash in September. I figured it's only 3 miles and I could walk it and I had 8 months to get ready and get weight off.

Around April I decided maybe I try to ramp up to run 3 miles. I picked the treadmill in the back corner so I wouldn't embarrass myself and I could barely manage a half mile. By the Beginning of May I could run a mile with just a little bit of slowing down to a fast walk and then my buddy wants us to all run a 10K on the 3rd of July! Holy holy, 10k that's way to far..

But. The 10k ends by running out through the giant patriots helmet and across the 50 yard line in Gillette stadium. My buddy says we can walk/run if we have to, so I sign up.

I increase my running I can't really do 10k but I'm running. I had a blast and on that day I went from running because it burns a lot of calories and I need to be ready for the warrior dash to RUNNING IS FUN!!! I ran the 10k in 79 minutes which isn't breaking any records but I did it.

I ran a 5k in August.
In September we did the warrior dash and a 5k the next day where we all got to wear Kilts and there was an Irish festival after.
I found the Rail Trail where I did a lot of my running until it got all snowy and cold, cant wait for spring.

I've run 7 races since september and I have 15 already scheduled/planned for this year and I'm in two different running series. I am totally hooked.

Plus I get the most bang for time vs. calories burned buck by running.

I plan on a half marathon this fall.

I used to love running! I all trough Jr. High and High School and I'm my heart still want to! But I am afraid my body won't let me I'm over 200 and over 30 and Ihave arthritis. I am worried about my back and knees Any advice for getting back into it without injuring myself?

Go slow and listen to your body. If you don't already, ease into it by walking quckly a few weeks to make sure you can handle it. Talk to your doctor for any recommendations, and see if you need light braces to help stablilize and keep swelling at a minimum. If you have pain, cut back on what you are doing. Avoid walking and running on concrete.

I'm currently training for a 5K. I'm training with a friend. We run together 3 nights a week. Having someone to run with has helped us stay committed.

like a lot of them said, I was never a runner either. but my body got used to the running within a week or two. you have to STOP MAKING EXCUSES AND DO IT! thats the key to success

I was always of the opinion that is I was going to run, I wanted to accomplish something. For instance, I love basketball. That gave my running a purpose. Floor hockey in college. that was with a purpose. But just running was, to me, duller than dirt.

But, once you get going, after a few days of consistant running and running longer or faster, I got more of a taste for it. Now, my motivation is the 5-miler my wife and I will be doing July 4th.

Keep it up!

I used to walk A LOT. But when I noticed it wasn't really a strenuous exercise for me anymore, I figured I had to ramp it up. I've NEVER been a runner. But I always saw people out running and wished I could. So I thought I'd give it a try! Modified C25K later....I like to call myself a runner. Done a few 5Ks and looking to more, along with a 10K and a couple 5 milers this year!

A creepy guy with his wife and child

Sounds like you just have a lot of excuses for not running. I began running in June of 2011 and trust me I hated every second I was doing it but I did want to complete my first 5k...I may have jumped the gun a bit to soon on that one because I tried it after only running for about 2 weeks...the good news is...I finished...the bad news...I was dead last...since then I was determined to finish a 5k in 30 min or less...and so I did...my new mission...I ran a few more and so far to date I have run my fastest 5k at 27 min!! Pretty proud, yes I am! I am certainly not a speedy run but I love the feeling when I am finished. So far to date my longest run has been about 5.6 miles...it is more my own drive that wants to do this now. I started because I was getting tired of my exercise videos and wanted to get outside and enjoy the spring, summer and fall weather...I loved my morning runs...and they will happen again...I am now 27 weeks pregnant so running has turned into a very slow jog/walk..stick with it...runners get addicted to running...sounds crazy but it is true!! Soo from one non-runner to another...if you will it you will achieve it;)

Not exactly sure why I started. I suppose I just thought it would help me look better. I simply started doing it. I went one, single block each time, at first. My distances gradually, naturally, got longer. BTW I was living in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, at the time. So, weather is no excuse.

I think the main motivation for me was that I had never been a runner, never imagined I could do that, and in fact, when I was a kid/teenager, I was kind of the "anti" runner. I wanted to prove myself wrong.

I would wholeheartedly recommend C25k. I can't promise you will love running, but it's definitely worth a try. If you hate it (after giving it a proper try!) you can just find something you like better.

If you really want to do this, obviously you're going to have to just go and do it, and disregard all your excuses. However, I don't honestly think there's any shame in waiting until the weather improves. I'm already into it, and find it hard going in icey, snowy weather, especially with the days being shorter at the moment. If you're going to do it, you need to make a commitment to do it, but you could make the commitment to start in the spring, and you might find it easier to motivate yourself when it's a little lighter, and warmer. I'm not trying to let you off the hook, but it's an option.

I always hated running as well. I started running because I was able to burn more calories in a shorter amount of time. Then a bunch or us signed up for run for your lives, and now I'm signed up for the color run at the beginning of April.