Thanks to lsMinnesota for directing me to this group. I posted this on the general RA boards, but perhaps it will be a better match here. After years of working with other people to help them get healthier, it is time to do it myself. I worked to lose 20 lbs to get to the point where I could run; now I'm starting C25K and would love to find others who are also ready to begin. Race for the Cure is in my city in about 12 weeks, so that's the goal. I think I can recruit some others from work to do the race with me, but they are already at the point where they can run that far, so I'm looking for some other newbies to join me in these beginning weeks. Thanks for the support and encouragement that this community has already given--I've been lurking for a while before revealing my secret running identity. Wink PolePole (slowly, slowly)

Thanks so much! Wingz--I work in Raleigh.

Currently--teach for WCPSS. I regularly volunteer as an interpreter at a free medical clinic in downtown Raleigh. Love doing both! A question for everyone...there is a lot of encouragement to slow down as a beginner. That's advice I can live with! However, how do I figure out how slow is slow? I can walk for miles at about 3.8 mph on the treadmill and it's a manageable challenge...in other words, it makes me work, but I don't feel like I can't do it. How do I figure out how fast is fast enough, but not too fast? I feel like I hit a comfortable rhythm at about 5.2ish, but find it difficult to sustain much above that for very long or for many reps. Slower than that, in the upper 4.'s, I feel all wonky trying to hit a smooth rhythm. Suggestions are welcome! Thanks, Beth