How is the -ing form used in the following sentence?
To get in shape for that marathon, Shelby started running around the block a few times each morning.
A.) participial phrase as an adjective
B.)participial phrase as a noun
C.) participle as an adjective
D.) participle as a noun
E.) gerund phrase as a subject
F.) gerund phrase as a predicate noun
G.) gerund phrase as direct object
H.) none of these