(Editor’s note: Richmond Register editor Lorie Love Hailey and feature writer Tinsley Carter on are participating in a training program designed to take them from sitting on the couch to running a 5K in nine weeks.

The two are sharing their fitness journey in the pages of the Richmond Register and on a weekly blog at www.richmond

register.com.)

On Sunday, I did something that I once thought was impossible. Actually, on Wednesday, I thought it was impossible. I ran for 20 minutes straight without stopping, without slowing to a walk and without giving up.

It was day three of week five’s running schedule and is by far the longest time Couch to 5K has given us so far.

Earlier in the week, we ran intervals of five and eight minutes, and it was uncomfortable but not impossible.

I almost gave up before even trying the 20-minute run, or at least, that’s what my mind was setting me up to do. All week long, I kept thinking, “What if I can’t run 20 minutes? I can’t run 20 minutes! Eight minutes was probably as long as I can do.”

I was scheduled to do day three on Friday, but with my negative mindset, I put it off until Sunday.

Even as my husband and I were walking into the YMCA on Sunday, I was having inner dialogue that was the opposite of my usual pep talks. We met Tinsley there, stretched and then began our brisk, warm-up walk. When it was time to run, we took off, and as I rounded the track for the first time, I was thinking, “That was just one time around, how am I going to do this for 20 minutes?”

Soon after getting started, my side started hurting. Tinsley ran past me, and then Steve did. And from somewhere inside myself, positive messages crept in.

“Push through the pain in your side, Lorie. I thought you wanted to be a runner? Tinsley will run past you and that’s OK. She has experience running. Just keep your head up and keep going.”

Before I knew it, Steve was beside me, telling me we that we had been running for almost 10 minutes. I couldn’t believe it. We were halfway through! I had made it halfway through.

I kept running, focusing on keeping my eyes straight ahead and listened to Susan Tedeschi belt out the blues in my headphones. Tinsley ran by me and said we had three minutes left.

When the C25K program chimed in and said it was time to cool down, I couldn’t believe it. I probably could have kept running.

It was such a wonderful feeling, and I almost missed out on it because I was scared of failing. I’m so glad I made a commitment to do this, to Tinsley, to Steve and to you, our readers. It makes a huge difference.

Today, we begin week six, which means we’re only three weeks away from being able to run a 5K. We’re planning to run a 5K on March 6, which benefits Cardinal Hill. I know we’re going to be able to do it.

This past week has also brought some new fitness challenges, lessons and obstacles.

I am trying to improve my posture. I’ve been “slumping” for at least half of my life and it is starting to cause problems. Working with a personal trainer, I’ve learned that my poor posture has caused the muscles in my upper back and shoulders to grow very weak. He says I have to started standing and walking around like I’m wearing a cape, like a superhero. Tinsley is threatening to sew me a pink cape to wear around the office.

I’ve also learned how important it is to stretch before and after working out. Not being properly stretched or warmed up is a good way to get injured.

This week, we also learned our body fat percentage. I was not happy with my number, but was glad to see it was at least in the upper range of average. I can’t ever remember really being average at all, so average I will take.

Since we began running and working out every day my muscles are getting toned, my body is growing stronger, I feel wonderful and my clothes fit better than ever.

A few tips from a self-professed weakling:

• Even if you’ve never tried a group exercise class and you are self-conscious about how you will do working out with others, go anyway. There are lots of beginners and the instructor will help you. On Thursday, the instructor in the Pilates class had to sit a weight on my ankles to keep my feet from coming up when I was attempting to do sit-ups. I thought it was funny and helpful.

• Keep your inner dialogue going, and when it turns negative, combat it with opposites. Turn, “I’m fat,” into “I’m healthy and growing stronger.” Turn, “I can’t do that,” into “I can do that.” Keep it positive.

• Don’t be afraid to try new things. The way we’ve mixed up our running with Pilates, weight lifting and cardio exercise has kept things fun and interesting. No one can stay motivated doing the same thing day after day.

• Don’t wimp out. Just because you think you can't do a chest press with 30 pounds doesn’t mean you can’t. How do you know? Have you tried?

• If the machines at your gym look confusing or overwhelming, ask someone who works there to show you how to use it. I had never used a pull-up assist machine until a few weeks ago, and it is not as cumbersome as it looks.

• Get a workout partner and get started! Remember, no more excuses!

We’ve been updating our blog on our Web site, www.richmondregister.com, a couple of times a week.

To comment, e-mail me at llove@richmondregister.com or Tinsley at tcarter@richmondregister.com. We’d love to hear from you.

If you’ve started a fitness journey recently, tell us about it. We’d love to include you in our blog.