If you hire a personal training professional, don't neglect to ask them their qualifications. Some health clubs try to pass off anyone as a personal trainer, when in fact real personal trainers must be educated and certified by an accredited training school.
Don't be too optimistic at the beginning of your personal training regimen; you won't be able to do a ten-mile run right away. Ease into your training, and work your way up. Before long, you'll be amazed at how far you've come, and your ultimate goals will seem more attainable.