[HunterM]

I never ran until I was about 40 either (I'm 43 now) and while I didn't follow a specific program I just slowly increased my running. I started by running for 50 yards and walking for a while. Slowly but surely I found myself able to run a couple miles. What I've found is that fitness seems to come in steps. The body plateaus for a while and then you jump up to the next level.

I'm a former smoker too and that's really a key. You can't get your exercise level up to where it needs to be when you smoke. You get out of breath and are stuck exercise at a much lower intensity level.

I was regularly running up to about a year ago when I shifted back to just walking. I just got my cholesterol checked and did a treadmill test. The treadmill came out fine....the doc told me I had excellent exercise endurance. Unfortunately my cholesterol ratio is not doing real well. I need to get my good cholesterol up higher. I've seen several studies that indicate that the more you exercise the higher your good cholesterol level.

Consequently I'm starting on the running program. Yesterday I did my usual 3 miles but ran about 3/4 of a mile. Hopefully I'll be running a 5k by the spring.