If you're thinking about starting C25K...

Well, first of all, DO IT! But I want to tell you about some of the side effects.

Number 1, of course, is improved physical fitness. Can't run 30 seconds without stopping? You'll be able to after C25K. Number 2, you just might lose weight faster and be able to eat more. But Number 3, and the most dangerous of them all: you just might actually enjoy running. Quelle horreur!

I start C25K on October 6, 2014 on the treadmill at my new gym. I didn't particularly want to become a runner, but after losing 17 lbs. from logging food alone, I knew that getting physically fit was the next step so I joined a gym.

About two weeks into C25K, I realized that I kind of liked it and thought I might enjoy running outside. I went to a good running store and got fitted for my first pair of shoes (Brooks Glycerin 12).

Slowly, but surely, I was falling in love with running.

On November 30, I "graduated" C25K and ran my first 5K race in 33:17. I registered for a half-marathon a few weeks later.

Since then, I've been diligently training through the brutal winter and despite some moments of misery, loving every minute of it. I started to think about my weekend long runs during the week. Three miles started to seem so short! But I built up my base, read everything I could about staying fit, eating right, and building strength in other ways thanks to programs like Stronglifts 5x5. I ran more races, always improving on my times, and even have made many new friends thanks to group runs and running groups.

Then, finally, yesterday, I ran the West Point Half-Marathon in 2:23:12, beating my goal of 2:30. It was hard, but I never once felt like I couldn't do it. Even the moments where my mind wanted to stop, my body never failed. I'm a "successful" person, but I had never thought of myself as being mentally tough until I started running... Now, when I think "I could quit," it's immediately followed by, "But why would I? I can do it."

So, seriously, if you think you might want to run or even if you just want to do one 5K and be done, do C25K. Remain focused, remain diligent, take care of your body, and you will reap the rewards—who knows where it could lead?

(As for me, I have many more miles and race goals looming this year.)