Hi all - no I haven't raced. I am in the middle of going through this eight week 'start running' plan I saw on another website (or a version thereof!)
It recommends exercising for 30 minutes three times a week - starting off running one minute/walking two and building up until you are running 30 minutes. I am really running because I have a very sedentary job and have found myself recently putting on weight. I also can drink a lot, so have cut that out and am seeing if I can get fit...