My First 5K ~ Workout 189

Crossing the Finish Line, it's blurry, but notice the huge grin on my face

Yesterday was a huge day for me.  I completed the first thing on my fitness bucket list: a 5K.  When I began this blog, on December 24th, 2009, I had just gone for a short run the night before.  I found the Couch-to-5K running plan and had grand plans to complete it and get back into shape.  On January 18th, 2010, I realized my dream of getting back into running was not going to happen thanks to knee and ankle pain.

I did the elliptical for a couple of months and then got into Jillian Michaels and happily got into the best shape of my life over the next 2 years.  Then, this spring, at a wedding shower for my cousin, Ramsey, my Aunt Karen recommended I try Glucosamine Chondroitin for my joint issues.  I researched it and learned that it would take about 6-8 weeks of taking it to feel a difference.  I immediately ordered it and began taking it.  On May 6th, 2012, I went for my first run and was able to run 2 miles at a decent pace.  And so it began, my journey back into running.

All summer, I worked through the couch-to-5K running program (or really the Ease-into-5K running program with the iPhone app) and completed the program on September 5th, 2012, and yesterday, I ran in my first 5K race.

So how did it go?  Well... My friend Jessalea and her husband, Marshall, ran with me and we did a good job pacing the first mile.  I was shocked to learn we completed it in like 9:45.  At that point, we got excited and started going faster than we should have, making us have to slow down later on.  The last mile was a bit excruciating because a lot of it was at a steady incline and my lack of pacing for the 2nd mile made the 3rd that much harder.  BUT, we did it!  I ran the entire time (or jogged, only walking for 3 steps to down a bit of water at the halfway mark).  I finished in 33:28, 84th out of 172 finishers and 39th out of 102 female finishers.  Jess was only 2 spots behind me :).  Her in-laws came to cheer us on and thanks to them, I have documentation of crossing the finish line at my very first 5K!  :) 

I am so proud of myself for working towards this goal.  I took running for granted in high school.  I was never fast, but it came easy to me (not many people can say they transferred into cross country having only ran 1 mile a month before and were able to run an entire 3 miles with only mild problems--I refused to walk unless I had low bloodsugar and often would have to down 16 ounces of juice and then would continue running).  It was a fight to be able to run again, and I appreciate every day that I am able to run now.

Our next 5K will be November 17th, the Color Run in Dallas.  I can't wait!

XOXO,