I Ran a 5K This Morning!

[Velocivixen]

So I took up running in the winter of 2009 and started with the Couch to 5K running program and completed it. I ran a few 5Ks and trained for and ran a 10K in 2010. I have essentially quit running because of a tight IT band that I don't regularly stretch. I do so many other things at the gym and including bicycling, that running has gone by the wayside. So my town is having a Celebration day (annual) with a parade, etc. and this year they had their first 5K & 1 mile run/walk. I wasn't sure I'd do it, then last minute I thought, "Why not?" I showed up and did it! I ran the entire way! Whoohoo. It was my slowest 5K ever, but considering my IT band was painful and I haven't run that far in more than 16 months I think I did just fine. I even was awarded a medal for finishing. It was a beautiful sunny morning and the run went along the parade route and folks were already getting their spots to watch the parade. I felt like they were there to cheer me on (even there was no cheering, except for one family with kids!). I said "good morning" to people and said "Hi" to the Police Volunteers (I'm a police volunteer, but didn't want to volunteer to stand around for 5 hours during a parade).
Anyway there was a 13 y/o boy who was walking during the last 1/4 mile or so and he looked discouraged. I ran up beside him and said to come on and we would finish together. He said he was new to running & that his dad told him that if he finished he would take him to Tom's Restaurant for waffles (they're famous for them), so I distracted him asking about what he was going to have on his waffles, etc. and before you know it we approached the finish line and I sprinted and said, "Come on, let's make a great finish". He crossed just before me to applause. Afterwards he came up and hugged me and his dad thanked me. I felt really good about encouraging him

[redrhodie]

I love that story! That kid was really lucky to meet you. I'm sure he feels really proud of himself!

[azfiddle]

That's sweet! Thanks for sharing that.

[Velocivixen]

Oh thanks. When I ran my first organized 5K run it happened to be in the park right behind my house, so I knew the course well. Early in that run I was passed by a tall man who was Power Walking (I was running my best). I met up with a woman who had been a runner, had injury and was just coming back to running. She was just a little bit faster than me so we ran together. She really encouraged me and would ask me, along the way, "How is this speed?" and "Let me know how you're doing" because we decided we would run the rest of the way together. Since she was a little faster I had to push myself, but she distracted me. I will never forget how her kindness encouraged me to finish that, my first 5K. So I will always pay it forward. It's my pleasure.

[goldfinch]

Thanks for the great story. It is amazing what encouragement will do. When I was doing a ride that was my longest yet I was pooping out with a couple of miles to go. But this big powerful guy came along and rode with me. Me, and my speed, suddenly perked up. I ended up doing not just two more miles but 9 more miles.

[Cynedra]

That is awesome. I've done the C25k but have yet to gather up the nerve to run in an event. And way to go on helping the boy/young man along.

[Velocivixen]

Thanks. My husband reminded that my 36 minute time today was NOT my slowest ever 5K. My first one took me 43 minutes! So I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought. The main thing I thought about as I ran is how I was honoring my body and my body was honoring my spirit by allowing my legs to carry me and my heart & lungs were fueling me with oxygen. I enjoyed the sky, the trees, the people. I felt thankful that I was even able to do it. For so long I lived wanting and wishing I could live life a certain way, but because of my weight I couldn't. I was more than 100 lbs. overweight and had been sedentary for years. I would see people biking and running and wished that I could do it too. Finally I made my move, took the necessary steps and did it. Now when I exercise and I feel tired or that it's hard, I actually am just so thrilled that I am able to do it. That my body will allow it. I am so thankful.

[Velocivixen]

@Cynedra, you can do it. My first 5K was a very small local one in my own neighborhood, and even at that I was intimidated. I recommend that you find a smaller one and just sign up and do it. It is so fun and if you've trained for it 3.1 miles is really not that far. It's a very reasonable distance/time to run. Don't over think it. Just do it. Or at least do one.

[channlluv]

...The main thing I thought about as I ran is how I was honoring my body and my body was honoring my spirit by allowing my legs to carry me and my heart & lungs were fueling me with oxygen. I enjoyed the sky, the trees, the people. I felt thankful that I was even able to do it.....

That is beautiful.

Roxy

[Bike Writer]

Thanks. My husband reminded that my 36 minute time today was NOT my slowest ever 5K. My first one took me 43 minutes! So I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought. The main thing I thought about as I ran is how I was honoring my body and my body was honoring my spirit by allowing my legs to carry me and my heart & lungs were fueling me with oxygen. I enjoyed the sky, the trees, the people. I felt thankful that I was even able to do it. For so long I lived wanting and wishing I could live life a certain way, but because of my weight I couldn't. I was more than 100 lbs. overweight and had been sedentary for years. I would see people biking and running and wished that I could do it too. Finally I made my move, took the necessary steps and did it. Now when I exercise and I feel tired or that it's hard, I actually am just so thrilled that I am able to do it. That my body will allow it. I am so thankful.

This is worthy of admiration. You are an amazing woman.