I want to love running

And I have the opposite advice.

I like the Couch to 5K Training Program.

It has you walking/running 3 days a week and is designed to get you ready for a 5K in 9 weeks. (Not sure how long you have to get ready.)

You can read about it here:

http://www.coolrunning.com/cgi-bin/moxiebin/bm_tools.cgi?print=181;s=2_3;site=1

dont go too far too fast, you'll pick up an injury - steady building is best, follow the c25k and you'll be fine. The adrenalin on the day will give you a big boost!!!! Good luck and enjoy yourself

Bump - me too!

Take your time. Run/walk combinations are a good way to keep running over longer distances. You might also want to look for a running group that would be at the same pace as you. Paying for longer distance runs has helped keep me motivated. I've done 3 marathons. There's a lot of energy from doing a big organized run. I put about six months of training into each one. I'm a very slow runner, but I will finish. I pick events in cities that I want to visit. It's a good way to see a city is doing 26 miles on foot. I find running such a love/hate thing. I often hate it when I'm doing it, but I like the way I feel after I've completed a long run. Good luck.

I did the C25K program and it worked very well for me. I went from not being able to run 1/4 mile without "dying" to a pretty good 5K time. I've now moved on to the bridge to 10K (the next program) and am up to 5.5 miles in an hour. My advice: don't push too hard. Rest on rest days (or do non-running exercises). I only run the three days a week and have seen improvements in how I feel and my distance/pace each week. Good luck!

Training for your first race is always the hardest mentally, so just stick with it. It seems far away now, but it will come a lot quicker than you know it. Once you've raced your first race, it becomes absolutely addictive, and makes it a lot easier to get outside or on the treadmill each day. Crazy Legs is supposed to be a great race, and that area is beautiful. Enjoy it!

Also, If you're looking for a little continuing motivation, there's a great podcast called Two Gomers Run a Marathon on iTunes. It's about two normal guys who grew up in Madison, and their journey from not running at all, to running a 1/2 marathon (season 2), a full marathon (season 2), and hopefully a faster marathon this year (season 3). They're been a huge inspiration to me, so I highly recommend checking them out. I think you'd get a kick from them if you start at the very beginning under Two Gomers Run A Half Marathon. http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-gomers-run-half-marathon/id291021013

This link should help - it's a DIY training program for a 5k.

8 Weeks to Your First 5-K (Prevention Magazine):

http://www.prevention.com/health/fitness/walking/fitness-walking-goal-8-weeks-to-your-first-5-k/article/98b088dc78803110VgnVCM10000013281eac____

(Copy and paste it exactly as it is above - that line at the end is part of the web addy)

It sounds like you're already onto a great start! Just do your best. You'll start to improve and get motivation from that. Celebrate the small victories, like making it a few feet farther than you did last time, or being able to take a hill that you could only walk up before. I like to run in our neighborhood because I use landmarks to gauge how much I'm improving. Keep it up and you'll be surprised at how much you improve in only a few weeks.

RE races: don't get down on yourself if, during the race, you have to stop and walk. Just the fact that you're actually doing it and finishing is a great acomplishment. Use your race time as motivation for your next race. Example, if you run your race in an hour, try to beat that time on your next race.

I was in exactly the same boat as you. I've always hated running and was always the last boy finished in High School when we had to run long distances in gym.

I did C25k last year and I honestly now enjoy running.

I do have to tell you that I had to repeat several weeks in the C25k and took probably 12 weeks to complete instead of 9, but who cares.

My only concern is deadline may be a bit agressive if you want to run the whole thing.

My recommendation is to do the C25k program and be kind to yourself, if you're struggling and need an extra week before going on, take an extra week. Do your 8k run and walk what you need to and be proud of your accompishment. Next year you can set the goal of running the whole thing or getting a better time.

By the way, if you have an I-phone the C25k App from Bluefin Software is worth the $2.99.

I absolutely LOVE the C25K program. We have a thread of other new runners who are doing it, if you're interested.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/157757-new-couch-to-5k-c25k-thread-anyone-out-there-in-week-1

Let me just tell you that I hate exercising. But after starting the C25k, I have been looking forward to my runs. It's a great program. But I wouldn't recommend jumping ahead, even if your fitness level might be at, say, week 5, just go thru the motions of the first few weeks. You'll get to there. I could barely jog half a city block when I started. Now I can run five minutes straight (which is huge for me). I've always found working out at a gym to be soooo boring. I'm constantly looking at a clock. I'm going batty with boredom. That's why I run outdoors, which I know can be difficult for those with bad weather. I really enjoy the changing scenery of the outdoors and I get to pick where to go -- do I want to run along the bay today or thru Little Italy or to the park? Don't write it off yet and just take it one day at a time. When you're feeling discouraged, let your MFP'ers know and we'll encourage the heck outta you. That's what we're all here for. Good luck!
~melanie
ps. just re-read your post and I misunderstood. Ignore the part that makes no sense :huh:
Go at your own pace and repeat weeks if necessary. You know your body.

I did C25K last year and did my first race in August. I was totally hooked after that first race. There is a kind of a fineline you have to follow with running. You have to listen to your body, don't push yourself too hard too fast but, don't be afraid to push yourself past your walls. I suffered many injuries. But, you get past them and move on. I had issues with my achillies, shin splints, my feet, but you just take time off and soldier on. I was never a runner but I thoroughly enjoy it now and look forward to my runs. They are so freeing to just think or listen to music. Running gives me so much energy too. There are free podcasts out there that give you the start and stopping times, which are really helpful. I really recommend doing strength training a few days a week. It really helps strengthen all your body and muscles that you need. I don't know if you like researching, but Runnersworld.com and active.com are great resources for running information. You can find out anything you want to know about running. Good luck at your first race. There is nothing like the rush you get from your first. The running community is great! People will be cheering you on the whole way to the finish line.

I used to hate running too! The part that really got me into it was running with a friend in college. We would go for what we called "green light runs" in the city (we went whichever way the light was green --within reason of course). It was great because I had a friend to pace me and I got to explore a bit while I was at it! Sadly, I haven't been on a green light run since I graduated last spring

My main motivation is having music I enjoy.

My friend is doing the C25K & I text her every couple of days to check in & get updated. She's not a runner but is enjoying it.

I want to do the C25K but am fighting a plantar fasciitis injury (a tear in the ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot) so I know that the C25K program wld be pushing it too hard. My answer - a motivating running playlist. I went through my iTunes & picked out all the "thump thump" songs & I run in time with them.

I also constantly talk myself into being a runner. Running is what I do. I am a runner. I use lots of positive affirmations & talk in the affirmative - "I am", "I can", "I do".

Slow, slow, slow and what is not to love?! Your favourite music, and .... slow, slow, slow! You've been given some great advice - enjoy and good luck.