5K race walk report -- I got hardware!!!!!

[Offthegrid]

Background: I started biking in 1999 or so, but gave it up after getting hit by a car in 2001. Got a bike again in 2004. Did a sprint triathlon in 2004, quit training in the winter. I did the minimum I needed to do to finish the sprint tri in 2005, quit training in the winter.

I signed up for a beginner's walking/running program for women in August 2006. When I started, I weighed more than 250 pounds and I couldn't walk a mile. After 4 weeks, we did a timed mile, and it took me 19:15 just to walk one mile.

I was so slow that I was dead last virtually every week. One time one of the instructors asked me if I got lost I was so far behind. But I didn't quit. I gradually started improving. At the end of the program, I finished a 5K in October in 47:15 -- 25th in my age group of 105 in the competitive walk division.

--------------------------------

Today's race: Jingle Bell 5K -- competitive walk division

This is a fun event because everyone wears jingle bells that make noise as you stroll along. I wanted to see how much I could improve from October. I had a goal in my mind to finish in under 44 minutes, but didn't know if I could do it.

I started out strong and really pushed myself. The course had some rolling hills. The only person who passed me on the course was a man.

I finished in 40:21! (4.6 mph pace, if my calculation is correct) That's a 7-minute improvement in less than two months. I was first in my age group, second woman and third overall.

I GOT A MEDAL!!! Me!!! I am still in shock. (Gee, I wonder what people would think if I wore it around the office Monday. )

[snapdragen]

Congratulations! By all means, wear the medal at work.

[Bikingmomof3]

Congratulations!

Yes, wear it to work.

[colby]

Congratulations!! That's so cool. Great story, great race.

[KnottedYet]

Very cool! And WEAR THAT MEDAL TO WORK!!!!!!

[eclectic]

Very cool! And WEAR THAT MEDAL TO WORK!!!!!!

I fourth/fifth or sixth it "WEAR THE MEDAL TO WORK"

I won a "gold" at my first adult swim meet and you can bet it was hanging on a peg by my desk!

[rocknrollgirl]

WAY TO GO!!!!!! Great Job!
Did you get a shirt too? If so I say wear the medal and the shirt to work tomorrow.

I always wear my race shirts to school on the Monday after....most times nobody even notices, but it makes me happy....

Keep up the great work.

Ruth

[spokewench]

Great Job. I'm so impressed with your dedication. Keep up the good work

[KSH]

WOW!!!

What a success story! You did such a great job. Be very proud of your accomplishment.

[Tri Girl]

That's superb OTG!! So very happy for you, and you should be so proud knocking sooo much time off your personal best time!!! A PR and you won, to boot! Way to go!!!!


And, uh yea, wear the medal to work!!! Show that hardware off!

[Grog]

Great Job OTG!!!! Congratulations!

[seychelle]

Very awesome ! congratulations

[mlove]

Congratulations on your success. Keep up the competition. It is always satisfying to compete, especially if you are working on improving your own performance.

I did our local Jingle Bell 5K today. My time was 41.27--a little slower than my last couple of walks but it was very cold and I never even took off my parka. I came in 2nd in my age group (51-60). My husband came in at the same time and was first in his age group. We both got very nice small trophies.

Some of the older women are faster than some of the men! There is one running competitor in my age group who comes in at between 21 and 22 minutes every time.

[bikerchic]

.....IF.....you hardly wear it?

You did good girl, wear it proud!

Yay for you!

[light_sabe_r]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

What an Improovemnet! What a fantastic result!

Be proud of yourself! WE'RE proud of you! WELL DONE! And WEAR that medal!