I have never ran before so do I just start running? I would like to do a 5k in 9 months. How do I accomplish this?

Slip on a pair of good running sneaks and set out the door, or on to a treadmill. Start small...try 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 mile distance and don't worry about speed. Just move for as long as you can at a tolerable pace. You will be sore the day after but you will grin from ear to ear because you did it!

They day after, walk or bike instead of running to give your muscles a break and then try another run the day after that. Over time, you will know when to push a little farther and a little faster. Your body will let you know when it's ready.

Good luck to you and enjoy!

Thanks for the tips

There's that couch to 5k app.

I started running 10 months ago. I did my first half marathon in April, and I'm doing a full in November...hopefully.

I wish I could say it's as easy as running down the street, but I needed to put more into it than that. My body is banged up from years of being overweight, and I did not want to end up with a knee injury or PF like so many runners. So I spent some time learning good running form.

This website is a very good, simple overview of the form I use and it works great to prevent injuries. I have one torn ACL and two torn meniscus and I run without any knee pain whatsoever....

http://goodformrunning.com/

Also, the C25K app is a tremendous help. Stands for couch to 5K. Download it on your phone, then hit start and do what it says. It will have you alternating between running and walking. And each week you'll do more running and less walking. There is a huge C25K thread in the fitness subforum that has many successful members. The great thing about C25K is you advance at your own pace. If you're not ready you can repeat a day...or a whole week. But as you move ahead you get better and better. I don't think I could have done it without the C25K. Why? Because I would have not seen the improvements from week to week. With the app, you know exactly how long you're running and each week it's slightly more.

The last thing I'll say is...running shoes. Everyone will tell you to get fitted for a good set of running shoes. I say running shoes are about as critical for running as driving gloves are for driving. If you're form is correct, it doesn't matter what shoes you wear...within reason of course.

Good luck.

I did a 5k obsticale race last weekend (Savage Race). I used the Zombies, Run 5k app to get me running. It gets you ready for a 5k in 8 weeks. It has a really good story to it as well.

I just started getting to the gym four to five days a week for the past month. I have now worked up to walking (3.5-5.2 mph) a 5k a day. It is 3.1 miles and I do it on a steep incline so that I can burn more calories. I never thought I could get ready for a 5 k so fast but it is very doable. Good Luck