NSV!!! I can run a full mile!!!!

kimbtaylor1

I have been working towards a 5k for some time now. When I first started to prepare it was a year before I actually trying to loose weight. Where I work, they had just put in a gym and started sponsoring a 5k to benifit 9/11 victims. I started using the treadmill but a month into that an old injury came back to bite me in the butt. I ended up having to have donor cartlidge and metal screws and a bar put into my ankle. Needless to say I was out of commision for a while. I also gained a good bit of weight durring that time. So a little over a year after my surgery I was ready to not only get ready for a 5k but loose the weight and be healthy for the first time in my life.

So back to the gym I went and I made great progress and I signed up for my first 5k back in March. However, around the same time I started having chest pains and spent some time in the hospital with that. Ultimatly I was diagnosed with a congential heart defect with back flow from my aortic valve. I was released from the hospital the day before the 5k and even though I knew I shouldn't I went and attempted to complete it. I was only able to do the 1k part and did get 1st place in my age group in that however I felt like I was going to die doing it. The sad thing is I didn't even run it all I walked a good part of it.

So now its June and I have kept trying to improve and with guidence from my cardiologist and a great work out partner I have. For the first time EVER I ran a full mile without stopping or walking. Its a small win but for me its huge!!!! The best part is I could have kept going but I am doing what the doc said is reaching a goal then working towards the next one. He doesn't want me to push myself too hard...a little bit a time!!!

dolcezza72

GREAT JOB!!!!! I REMEMBER THAT FEELING!!!!!

dolcezza72

Don't underestimate this victory, it is NOT a small win! You have a heart defect and an ankle made of donor parts and metal! You earned this badge! WEAR IT WELL!

PaytraB

That is awesome!! What a great feeling! You're on your way now and can call yourself a runner!

Congratulations. This is big news.

carrielofton

Congrats! That is great! Keep up the good work!

alexveksler

You are awesome!!! I remember the feeling of my first nonstop mile. This is a great feeling and what is better is you will improve going forward. Few extra steps at the time and you will eventually run 3.01 miles!! I am so happy for you. I just did mine 5K to benefit St. Jude research for the first time ever in May

kdeaux1959

Remember your health is #1. That is ultimately why we do this. Always keep that in focus. Congrats on the NSV but make sure you are clearing with your doctor... A 5K is not worth a heart attack.

kimbtaylor1

Remember your health is #1. That is ultimately why we do this. Always keep that in focus. Congrats on the NSV but make sure you are clearing with your doctor... A 5K is not worth a heart attack.

My doctor is very supportive of me working towards it. Since this is a new thing for me (both running and the defect) he is with me every step of the way. The only thing he tells me is when I start to feel pain to stop or slow down. I have to monitor my heart rate all the time because just a fast walk can put me at 150 or so. After the mile today it was starting to get to 200 so I stopped. Per the doc I am never to have it over 210.