That's ok. Train the right way, and you can be running in official races within 3-4 months. The secrets below will help you get there, sooner.
1) Doctor's Approval: Before you even think about training, talk to your family doctor and get his approval.
2) The Right Shoes: Bad shoes lead to bad injuries. Think of buying a top quality pair of running shoes, as an investment in your future success.
3) The Right Clothing: Dress for comfort - and have several outfits already chosen, one for each type of possible weather. And when the weather is poor, use a treadmill to train indoors.
4) Water: Staying well-hydrated is crucial to your health, when you're training to become a competitive runner. Official races always have water stations but during training, you may want to use sports drinks instead, due to their confirmed reduction in your recovery time.
5) Food: Supplying a runner's nutritional needs, means throwing out the simple carbs (sugar, sugary drinks, sugary snacks, sugary desserts, etc), and replacing them with complex carbs (fruit, veggies, low-fat dairy and whole grains). The occasional cheat is ok, but make sure you eat healthy carbs especially before and after your training runs.
6) Sign Up: Once you think you're ready, sign up for your first running event. Note that almost all events have an entry fee, which increases as the event date approaches.
