That's really great, emmy!!

I was thinking of starting an exercise topic, but I might as well tag on to yours. For as long as I can remember, I have been weak. My aerobic ability is very poor. When we did the physical fitness running test in high school, I would always come in at the very end, with all of the overweight kids (though I was thin). It would take me 20+ minutes to do a mile.

Anyway, I've been getting more into exercising over the last year or so. It started with group classes with co-workers at the Johnson Space Center fitness center, which we all have free access to. That was fun, and I did notice a little improvement in my strength and aerobic power, but it was too irregular. Each type of class was only once a week, and we did a different routine every week. Irregularity is not good for training, plus it was hard to know if I was improving. (If I found the class to be easier one day, was it because I was stronger or because the routine was easier?)

So, after thinking about it for a long time, I finally signed up with a 12-week program they have at the fitness center which is called "Health-Related Fitness". This program has been going on since the early 80's. At the beginning of the 12 weeks, we take a series of physical fitness tests, including an optional strength test. Our instructor then provides us with a personalized aerobic training plan and optional strength training plan. The aerobic training is three times a week (for now), and the strength training is twice a week. In addition, we have two lectures a week on health-related fitness topics. After the lectures, we warm up together and then go exercise according to our plans. (Well, sometimes. Sometimes people will take off after the lectures and do the exercise on their own time, which is fine, too.)

After 6 weeks, we re-did the tests, and we will do so again at 12.

I'm enjoying the program. The lectures are more substantive than I expected. There are equations and stuff. :-)

Anyway, back to your topic. The aerobic portion of the program was the hardest for me to get into. We were given a variety of choices as to how we worked out. I chose the treadmill. My plan had me starting out running at 4.4 mph at a 4 degree incline for 18 minutes. I felt like I could barely get to that speed, much less maintain it. So I ended up fast-walking it the first few times, though that was murder on my calves. But now I have worked my way up to being able to run at 4.2 mph for 19 minutes straight! (That's 1.33 miles.) If I pause or slow down for a bit, I can speed up again and go on, but to do it continuously is tough.

My goal right now is to be able to run 1.5 miles continuously outdoors (which is harder due to the heat, but easier due to the lack of incline). You see, one of the tests we have to do is a choice between a 1-mile walk and a 1.5-mile run. In the beginning, and at 6 weeks, I opted for the walk, which is the less accurate test. I'd like to get myself to the point where I feel comfortable trying the run.

You're way ahead of me. Congrats!