On Becoming a "Runner"

For the past few months I have been working to become a "runner." I use the quotations so as to imply runner/walker/runner or rather one who attempts to run more than walk when exercising. Seeing as how college and nursing school had succeeded at ruining any plans for daily scheduled exercise, I find myself starting back at square one.
The past 2-3 months back in Illinois I have been "running" with a friend who was actually training for a half-marathon.
So now, if you will, picture this...
I, Sara, a very novice and poor excuse for a runner trying my best to run beside Mallory, an expert runner training for a half-marathon. Perhaps a famous fable will best illustrate our running relationship.

The Tortoise (me) and The Hare (mallory)

However, unlike the famous ending to this familiar fable, I, the tortoise, NEVER defeat or pass up the Hare (nor does she stop for a quick nap). In fact, our daily/weekly running attempts were actually quite pathetic and humorous on my part...so much so that I begin to consider myself part of campus entertainment seeing as how we would often fashion our runs around inner campus. (whose idea was that anyway??)
Surprisingly enough, within the last few weeks of running with Mallory, I actually began to improve. I become much more comfortable running, began building endurance, and dare I say--even started enjoying it.

Insert now our move to Kentucky

If you know anything about Kentucky landscape versus Illinois landscape, you are most likely already consumed with laughter and giggles. Illinois=FLAT, Kentucky=HUGE and MOUNTAINOUS HILLS (or mountainous at least in my opinion while running up them).
A few weeks ago I decided to venture out on my first Kentucky run. I had been told of a nearby Arboretum that had a 2 mile trail winding through beautiful Kentucky landscaping...sounded good to me, or so I thought....After my first attempt at running through the rigorous Kentucky landscape, I can now honestly say that I don't think I have ever been so excited to see the end of anything in my life!! Unlike the trail runs I had been on in Illinois, flat land does NOT exist down here in Kentucky...it felt as if my entire run was either uphill or downhill which turned my eager attempt at running into a struggle to put one foot in front of the other.
However, I am bound and determined to become a "runner" by some standards and have found a beginner's running plan that I am going to follow for the next 10 weeks.
I will officially start Week 1 this Sunday and will continue on from there.
For accountability sake and any hopes that someone might venture on this journey with me, I am going to post the plan below. Be sure to keep reading as I will be sure to blog about my attempts, successes, and most importantly failures!

THE plan
5 minute warm up. Repeat each rotation for 30 minutes until able to run for 30 minutes straight.
Week ONE: two minutes running/four minutes walking
Week TWO: three minutes running/three minutes walking
Week THREE: four minutes running/two minutes walking
Week FOUR: five minutes running/three minutes walking
Week FIVE: seven minutes running/three minutes walking
Week SIX: eight minutes running/two minutes walking
Week SEVEN: nine minutes running/one minute walking
Week EIGHT: thirteen minutes running/two minutes walking
Week NINE: Fourteen minutes running/one minute walking
Week TEN: RUN THE WHOLE TIME!