Hi Donna! When I started running a few years back I was lucky to make .25 miles on the treadmill. I would set mini goals for my self like "Today I will do x number of minutes, walk and then x number minutes." Or simply just walk and then do a set amount. I wasn't running fast but I just kept challenging myself to go a little further, usually just 10-25 more seconds. I was starting from a very sedentary life and believe me it hurt like crazy when I started.

I built from those little .25 miles to doing 6-7 miles. Organized events are a lot of fun and really get you excited. Just watch for flyers, for instance we are having a 5k to benefit the high school in my own neighborhood. You won't find it on Active.com or anything but there was flyers around town and ads in the paper.