Guess what?! I "stumbled" into running

Hey all,
I used to post here way back in 2001 when I suddenly decided to start
running. (Personal problems, depression etc...made me realize I had to do
something to get my mind off of things) I was really pysched and pumped and
right away entered the WDW 2002 marathon. Anyway, I found there was only one
real problem. I COULD NOT RUN!!! Now, mind you, I had all sorts of
schedules and training plans that were supposed to get me running 30 minutes
in anywhere from 9 to 12 weeks. I would always stall in my schedules at 5
minutes running with 2 or 3 minutes walking. But, I couldn't run any longer
than that without collapsing on the ground and gasping for air. I really,
really, tried hard and even completed my marathon....in a little over 6 1/2
hours. I called myself walk/running but it was really walking with very
little run. Anway, I stopped trying, stopped exercising and got fat. I
told myself there were two kinds of people: people who can run and people
who will forever try but can't.
In 2004, I joined WW and started exercising. Not running, because I
couldn't do it, but I started walking at the track. Gradually I kept
getting faster and faster at walking because I walked with a sportswatch and
my goal was for every lap to be either the same time or faster. In a year,
I was walking 7.7 miles in the same time it took me to do 6.6 when I
started. (about 1 hour and 40 minutes) Then, last summer, I got a
treadmill and I started walking with the incline levels. Now, my workout
is two hours (8 miles) in the morning with the incline level starting at
either 4 or 5 and going up to 7 or 8 at 4mph or it's the "killer hills"
which I walk slower because the advanced levels I do start out at a much
higher incline for two minutes then go up 4 levels for two minutes. (like 7
to11). In the meantime, I've lost 60 pounds. (A lot is due to exercising,
however WW taught me portion control, and strategies to control my eating.
And now I'm a lifetime member.)
Anyway, just recently, when I was helping a friend of mine start walking at
the track, I told her that I felt like I could run it. So, once I did run
one loop around (approx 1/2 mile) and I was shocked that I could do it.
Thought nothing of it though and still kept my same routine. Then, last
month, after a whole week of not working out due to vacation/being sick, I
got on the treadmill and just for the fun of it, I set it at 5.5mph and
decided to run until I couldn't run anymore. I ran 2 miles in about 22
minutes then I got scared and stopped. Don't ask me why. I told myself,
What it wrong with you? You know you can't run...you tried all this before.
A couple of weeks ago, cleaning out my sewing room, I saw one of my
schedules to get me running 30 minutes in 10 weeks. So, last Tuesday, I
decided to see if I could run 30 minutes. And, guess what? I could. 30
minutes non-stop. I couldn't wipe the goofy grin off my face for the rest
of the day. I still can't believe it. However, I ran again, 30 minutes on
Thursday. Then, on Sunday, I ran 60 minutes. Not straight, because again,
I got scared ( I don't know why) but I stopped at 30 minutes, walked for a
quarter mile, and then ran another 30 minutes.
Now, I don't know what to do or where to go from here. Do I try to run
longer, or faster? Or, should I just be happy that I can run 30 minutes? I
would like to be able to run 3 miles in 30 minutes. (But it's not
urgent...just what I would LIKE to do) So far the longest I have run is
2.65 in 30 minutes.
The thing is, I really miss my two hour workout. I am so used to getting
on that treadmill and working hard for two hours in the morning. When I run
instead, I don't feel like I've worked out. I guess I could try running for
two hours though. Or, I could run first, and then finish out whatever time
is left with my workout. Or should I keep my regular workout in the morning
and just run 3 times a week in the evenings? Any input would be greatly
appreciated! I guess I should say that I am 42 years old, female, and in
good health.
My next thing to do, this weekend, is to run the track like I've always
wanted to. Just like everybody else who could run was doing!
Gwendolyn