When I first started running, I felt so overwhelmed. I was ashamed I couldn’t run more than a minute at a time and embarrassed about who was looking at me, judging me, staring at me. It took years of me fighting on my healthiness journey to get to where I am now, where I feel like I’m a true runner.
A couple months ago, I had the pleasure of having dinner with Shauna at FitBloggin’. Shauna, if you don’t know, is the famous Shauna behind The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl. Shauna shared with me about a new community she had created with her friend, Julia. Up & Running provide kickass running e-courses for women, created by Shauna “Dietgirl” Reid and her running coach friend Julia Jones. If you thought running was reserved for sporty types with bouncy ponytails, they’ll help you discover that running is for everyone. Their acclaimed 5K Beginners Course and new 10K Course aren’t the usual boring “walk 5 mins, run 5 minutes” programs. You get expert coaching from Julia, unlimited support, vibrant community forums and a mind and body approach that’s been tried and tested with thousands of women around the world. It is about community – which, if you’ve been ’round these parts of PriorFatGirl, you KNOW I love me some community!
How is this course different from all the free programs out there?
- We get you running safely. We not only work on getting you running, we teach you how to take care of your body and become in tune and aware of it as you run.
- Our program works. Just take a look at the testimonials from previous Up & Running course graduates. Offline, Julia has also successfully trained thousands of women around the world with our 5K beginners program.
- We prepare your mind and body for running. This is most important part. We help you to set goals and understand your motivation for wanting to start running. We show you how to make it happen. Remember, real running starts in your mind, then your body will follow.
- Personal support. We won’t just hand you a list of instructions then abandon you! You’ll get unlimited support on our community forums, where we’ll be on hand to answer all of your questions.
- You’re part of a team. You’ll have virtual training partners in the form of your fellow Up & Running coursemates. Together you’ll be working towards the ultimate goal of completing the Up & Running Virtual race in the last week of the course.
When does the next course begin?
The next 5K Beginners Course starts on Monday 5 September and the 10k course starts Thursday 8 September. Registration is now open!
What does the course include?
- Eight weeks of training plans created by expert running coach Julia Jones, including downloadable workout plans.
- Up & Running Gear Guide packed with essential information on running shoes and gear to help you get organized.
- Bonus “Warm-Up Week” before the workouts begin to get your mind fired up for your running adventure.
- Personal support throughout the course via private, password-protected forums – we’ll answer all your questions!
- Private course blog packed with informative and inspiring content every weekday, including:
- a weekly theme, such as staying motivated and nourishing your mind and body
- motivating videos – weekly exercise demonstrations, plus coaching tips and insights from Julia
- inspirational stories from women runners around the world- Weekly email newsletter to keep you energized and on track.
Enter to win:
Sound interesting? Wanna give it a try? Leave a comment sharing your running goal and you could receive entry into the program launching next week! What are you waiting for? Now is YOUR time!
Fine Print: Open to anyone, all over the world. One entry per person. Contest ends at Friday, September 2nd at 5pm CT. Will will be notified within 24 hours via email.
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This year I achieved my goal of running my first half marathon… but I use the word “run” very loosely. My technique is terrible, and I couldn’t run the whole distance. So, for a while I thought I’d give up on running altogether, but I’ve decided that I really want to run a marathon before I turn 42.195 (in 2013), and I’ll need all the help I can get!
I’m so jealous you got to me my hero, DietGirl.
I’ve been trying to get through the C25K program forever but haven’t been able to make it past Week 4, Day 1 for one reason or another. Maybe some superhero mojo would give me the kick in the ass I need to get through it.
I have a love/hate relationship with running. I want to LOVE it all the time but have never learned the right way to train for a 10k. There is a 10k I want to sign up for around Thanksgiving and this would be perfect! I am 5 months into my Weight Loss Journey, I start grad school next week, and am really struggling with how I am going to continue to focus on fitness! This sounds PERFECT!! If I have accountabilty, I work well!
My running goal is… to run!! To stop making up excuses, stop being so self-permissive, put on my sneakers and just GO!!
I’ve tried to get started several times but have now realized I need help!! I can read plenty but having someone there as a resource every step of the way is what I know I need!! There is a 10k walk/run in 6 months! I so want tone able tompossibly run an equivalent of a 5k and walk the rest! I was planning to stark c25k again next Monday and this program looks so much more enticing, helpful, and motivating!! I really hope for this opportunity!
I would like to start running so I can encourage my husband who has a goal of running a marathon, but lacks the motivation. I’m hoping to inspire him to accomplish his dream.
My goal is to get back into running again. Now that the fall is near, I have restarted my weight loss goal. I have been at a plateau for too long. I have a love/hate relationship with running. I have tried the C25K and haven’t been able to get through it all. My ultimate goal is to run a half marathon and maybe starting this new program will make me start to love running again.
My goal is to be able to run 2 miles in 17 minutes. That was the bar set by an evil field hockey coach in high school years ago and I was made fun of when I couldn’t achieve it. It’s always been in the back of my mind as some sort of measure of my fitness worth and I’d love to be able to conquer it once and for all. Considering that I can’t run 1/4 mile without feeling like I’m gonna die, this simple 2 mile goal still feels a long ways away, but I want to do it!
I “ran” my first half marathon in 2008 and after recovering from a major surgery in 2009 and having a baby this year, I would love nothing more than to be able to complete another 13.1, but this time in better form, shape and attitude!
I think this would be great for me. I did get into running a few years ago when I lost a lot of weight and would like to get back into it but I am a lot heavier than the last time and just can’t seem to get into the couch to 5k program. I think this would be a great option for me
I just recently started running. I am in my mid-twenties, and am finally coming to the realization that I can’t keep treating my body this way. I went through high school as a thin girl, and as soon as I left – that changed. Between college, turning 21, working full time and going to school…my body took the punishment. I still work full time and go to school, and finding time to take care of myself is a challenge. I am always reading PriorFatGirl for those motivational tips, tricks, and anything that can help me, but I am slowly realizing that only I can help myself, but I might need the help getting there. I have always wanted to be able to just walk out the front door and be able to go for a run, and I am just not able to do that. My body is in pain, I am out of shape, and then I lose any motivation that got me out the door. Having the proper techniques and proven results, I really hope this program can help me!
I have been running off and on for 2 years now, and have finally set myself a goal of completing a half marathon on 11/5/11. I am so pumped, but I admit I am struggling at bulding my endurance. I am following some online guides I found for my weekly schedule, but it’s just not enough. I want so badly to be ready for the half marathon and to have a successful and enjoyable race.
I have wanted to RUN a 5k for years, I just can’t seem to conquer the mental aspect of continuous running. This sounds like it would tackle my physical and mental blocks and help me accomplish my goal.
TO just run! Not worry of how big I am and how I will look. I would love to run the r&R marathon in November. Just dont know if I am running “correctly”.
I’m running a 10k in November! Would love this! Thanks Jen!
My running goal is to learn to run without thinking. I’d love for it to be second nature. I’m always worrying about whether my stride is right, my breathing, whether I’m going to fast to maintain the speed. I’d love to be able to strap on my asics, and just hit the streets for some “me” time.
Currently I can hardly run for long and only if I’m on my treadmill. I’d love to participate in 5k/10k runs instead of just doing the family fun walks at charity fundraisers. I’d love to be comfortable with my body and think of it as strong.
I was the girl that couldn’t finish the mile run in high school. With 71 lbs. lost and still going, I would LOVE to be able to run a 5K.
Being a prior fat girl, I avoided running my whole life. Although, I lost 91 lbs. and ran my first 5k, getting 2nd for my age group. Sadly i’ve been up and down over the last 3 years, and with the 20 lb. weight gain, i did not place this year in the annual 5k on Father’s Day for Prostate Cancer Awareness. Although I still workout 7 days a week, and run 2 days a week- totaling 12-14 miles on average. My long-term goal is to run a half marathon. My short term goal is to run a 10k.
I would absolutely love to win this! I run A LITTLE but I’m trying to work up to a 5k and I want to run in some local races over the fall. My biggest problem is injury and it would be great to talk to someone knowledgeable about preventing that.
my goal is to get back to running 4 days a week. I moved out of state 3 months ago and have only ran 2 times! This would def motivate me to get back in the swing of things
I have always struggled with running – primarily due to knee issues. I would love to get up and going with real guidance.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE this. I am planning on training for a 5K and was going to start C25K on Tuesday so this is PERFECT timing!!!
I have been running 5k’s but would love to run a 10k. I still do the run/walk but would like to beable to do more running than walking! I really don’t like to run and would like to go to lovin’ it!
My SIL just ran a 5k this way and raved about it. I’d love to try!
I want to be a runner!! I have walked a few half marathons but want to actually run one. Plus I feel better when I run (even the very little I do now)
I have been trying to become a runner for years now. I get started and can never keep it up. It’s something I’d really like to stick to. Eventually I want to be able to run a half marathon. Something like this would be the kick in the butt I need!
I would love to get some professional training in running. I have done a 10K and a half marathon, but I feel like I have reached my peak performance. Would love some help with running form and such. Thanks
My goal is a half marathon next summer. I have ran a few 5Ks but have got out of my routine over the past few months and really need to get back on track and a schedule! This would be perfect!
I’m honestly scared of entering this giveaway because I’m kind of scared of winning. I’ve only just recently learned that I can actually run and having fallen off the wagon when it comes to going to the gym, I think I could use some help getting back into the groove and back onto the track.
On my 30th birthday I signed up to run my first 5k. I’ve been training with the C25K plan, but I feel like I’m getting nowhere. The 5K is in less than a month and I’m petrified. Alas, I will run/walk/crawl across that finish line. I even signed up for another road race in November. I’m not ready to give up yet, but having the right tools would be amazing to help me get there.
I started running last winter and got where I couldjog at a steady pace for about 12 minutes, I couldn’t push past that and ended up slowly stopping running. I really want to get back into it and would love to be able to run a 5k on my 30th birthday weekend 11/11/11!
I would love to win this. I tried the C25K program, got up to the 25 min run and then just quit. I’ve listened to Julia once or twice on Shauna’s podcast and I think her program could help me break down my running barriers (all mental).
I’ve been “running” for about a year and want to improve my 5k time. Someday when the weight is gone and my speed and endurance are up I’d love to run a marathon…thinkin’ Disney Princess so I can go to Florida, Disney and all that fun stuff too!
I’d love to try this! I’ve tried to start running on my own, but just haven’t been able to stick with it. Running is something I’ve wanted to do for so long, but just never had enough faith in myself to try.
Whoa.. only 2 hours to spare!! I have attempted running more then once. I would love the opportunity to have someone ‘teach’ me the ins and outs of running. I’m signed up for a 5k in a few weeks.. this would be awesome to boost my running to a different level:)
I literally just started being even remotely interested in running this week-on Monday I alternated jogging/walking for 25 minutes and I did pretty well! This would be an AWESOME tool to get me on the right track.
annae07@aol.com
I was NEVER interested in running until this spring when I met some of the local blogging community. Shortly thereafter, I began C25K. I’ve finished that now, and would LOVE to continue on to a 10k program. I’ve had concerns over whether I’m doing all of the correct stretching, rehydrating properly, and such, so it would be most excellent to have some proper training!
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