'Girls' creator and star Lena Dunham gets a running coach

NEW YORK, July 30 (UPI) -- Girls creator and star Lena Dunham posted a photo to Instagram Wednesday saying she's done with the days of running "like a wounded baby Pterodactyl."

Dunham, 29, posted a paparazzi picture running through New York streets in a black tank top and blue workout pants, complete with an arm brace and holding a music device. In her caption, she explained that she has always hated running, saying it was an "embarrassing" activity and she did not trust herself to "even move briskly towards a buffet."

However, now that producer and writer Jennifer Konner is directing the final season of the hit HBO show, she and Konner decided leading character Hannah Horvath has evolved and so should her run. To that end, Dunham was given a training session with Matt Wilpers from Mile High Run Club. Within an hour, Dunham claims, her attitude towards running was completely changed, making her feel "strong, swift and proud." She added that she had no plans to embrace "that triathlon life" but that it is "a true joy" to become more connected to her body and "its powers."

Three months ago, Golden Globe-winning Dunham had also posted a picture of her in camouflage leggings and a yellow tank top. Her caption revealed that working out had helped her manage her anxiety, OCD and depression. She added that it took her 16 years to listen to the annoying suggestions that she could exercise, concluding that "it ain't about the ass, it's about the brain."

Dunham has been outspoken about her efforts to get others to "move for your mind," an initiative which seeks to raise awareness of the vitality of exercise in promoting mental health.