Completed my first 5K!
 

I didn't stop or walk at any stage, and even though it took me about 40 minutes I am actually glowing from being able to do this!
Tried the 'Couch-to-5K' challenge a couple of months ago, and quit after a couple of weeks as I just didn't feel ready. At the time I was really angry with myself as I'd set a goal to run a 5K by Christmas, but my confidence was so low and I couldn't stop thinking 'I'm an obese woman, there's no way I can run 3.11 miles!' And before today the longest I'd managed without stopping was 10 minutes. Something just clicked, and as I was on that treadmill I could almost feel myself becoming stronger. I felt like I could've run forever!

I hope others may see my achievement and be driven to try something they never thought possible. Just because you might think that you 'can't' or shouldn't be able to do something, doesn't mean that you aren't capable if you really want it!



I'm not usually smug, but... :p

You are a star :o well done

What an awesome accomplishment!!!! I am so proud of you!! I also have a goal of running a 5k in 2011. I plan to start the C25K once I get below 200. I would love to be able to run my first in the spring.

I am so glad you posted this. It makes me feel like I can do it!!!!

Felicity, that is SO exciting! I could probably walk it, if I HAD to, but my daily 20 minute mile is good for now (especially now with heavy winter boots on).

40 minutes for 5k seems really good. When's your next one? :D

Regards,
Michael

Awesome! Enjoy the smugness. I would recommend signing up for a 5k run in the spring. They're really motivating because you see ALL types of people with all types of running styles. It's amazing to see big crowds gather for something that's actually good for them!

Congratualtions! What an accomplishment! I have the feeling this is just the beginning for you!

Congrats, Felicity! A very much well-deserved pat on the back to you :D.

gmantych, your comment also struck me...you CAN do it...just start where you start and go from there.

I also agree with nottango. Signing up for an official race would be a great step a few months down the road. I just did my first one a week ago and the experience is overwhelming.

You ARE stronger, you are athletic! Enjoy basking in your glow today!

Outstanding! Congrats on your 1st 5k :D
It can be addicting tho....

Felicity, that is just incredible and very, very inspiring to me. I never thought I would be able to run again. I just started running at the end of October and I'm trying to work up to a mile. Going a 5k would be a dream. Your story has inspired me to push a little bit harder toward that goal. Thank you for sharing it. :-)

congrats!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Woohoo!
 

Way to go, Felicity! :) I know exactly how you feel! I never would have pegged myself as a runner 6 months ago but I too ran my first 5k race this fall and it is an incredible feeling! I am so thrilled for you!

And like SW07 said, it can get addictive but hey it's a habit I never want to break.

Felicity! I just noticed in your signature that you are halfway to your ultimate goal! That is wonderful! Hope you can treat yourself to a nice, well-deserved reward :D. Great job!

Thank you very much for the kind words everyone!!!

I would definitely tell everyone to give it a go! I honestly just got on the treadmill, set the speed to a pretty slow 4.4MPH and started jogging away.
I'm still taking baby steps, but I hope to start increasing the speed and maybe next year doing one of the 5K charity runs, or more than one!
At one stage I was too scared to be a fat woman running on a treadmill, but I hope now that I will inspire other overweight/obese women at my gym to run. :)

cjohnson728, Yes I noticed that I was about halfway to my goal weight! I bought myself a lovely, purple Adidas tracksuit this morning. Can't wait until it gets delivered! :D

Do a local 5K race!
 

First off Congratulations! You will do even better when you do a "live" 5K. You will draw from the excitement around you. Keep up the great work.

Get on line and find some 5K's in your area and sign up! Most of them are for charity and you can write them off on your taxes! Plus you get a goodie bag at each run which usually includes at the very least a T-Shirt and some local coupons. I don't wear most of the T-shirts but I make quilts and pillows from them.
:D
We have 8 scheduled for January in my area, I won't be able to do them all but I'd like to a few. I usually try for one a month during season. I live in the south so most of our runs are in the winter.

Great job and keep going!

I've done a couple 1/2 marathons but can honestly say that I could not run a 5k without stopping. One day I hope to be able to but to be honest... I can't even jog a 1/2 mile without having to stop and walk. :mad: Oh well... I guess. I have another 1/2 scheduled for February, I'm wanting to finish in 2h 30m but I don't see that happening.

It is addicting though, when I went to the expo for the last one in Sept, I signed up for 2 more. :D

Wow, Felicity. That is AWESOME! ^5!!!!!!

You have achieved so much already, but that must be a fantastic boost! You go for it in that purple track suit (hope it wasn't too expensive, at this rate you are gonna need the next size down pretty soon!) Well done to you!