At work, I’ve just completed an intense, high-visibility project and the pressure of the past two months has lifted. But, having been glued to my chair for the duration to take care of deadlines and deliverables, the time has come to take care of me.

Seeing as the only exercise I’ve gotten since my project started involved dashing up and down the stairs for coffee refills, followed by swan-diving onto the couch, exhausted at the end of so many long days, I needed a plan of action – one that would have me up and running in time for the Turkey Trot 5k in November.

Enter the Couch to 5k program, promising it’s users the ability to run 3 miles straight without stopping in just nine weeks.

Sedentary to sensational, right? We’ll see.

I had read online that the best way to get through the program is to find a buddy. When my husband begged off, my nine year old stepped up.

I was skeptical. I’ve “run” with him before. He’s a whiz and can run circles around me. On the track, he does just that – literally. But he’s the most kind-hearted little man I know, oozing encouragement by the bucket full.

The first workout of the first week’s first night is this: warm-up for 5 minutes, then jog for 1 minute, walk for 1.5 minutes. Repeat for the next 20 minutes. Cool down with another 5 minute walk. Easy right?

We trekked out just before dusk. Five minutes later, we were at our destination. The full moon was rising and my knees were starting to ache before I even stepped foot on the course.

My mini coach dashed passed me, calling, “C’mon!” over his shoulder.