Fitness success!

JenRunTriHappyGirl

I have been in maintenance since April 2013. It took me a little over a year to loose almost 40 pounds which I was very proud of. Now, I am proud of what I have achieved with fitness and I want to share!

About 6 years ago, I was a pack a day smoker, a regular drinker and overweight. I was struggling with my inner demons. I started slowly working on my mental health, slowed down on drinking and eventually quit smoking.

I joined MFP with just the goal of loosing weight. Walking and Zumba were my exercises of choice and I really enjoyed it. I was exercising and having fun and that was what mattered.

I was out on my walk one day about a year and a half ago and I decided that I wanted to try to run. So I did and it lasted maybe a tenth of a mile.... and I liked it. So the next day I did it again and everyday after that I would add a driveway or two just to see what I could do. The goal was to be able to run a whole mile for a mile fun run I was doing on my birthday that June.

I did it.

Then it was to run a 5K. My mom (who is an amazing athlete) talked me into signing up for my first 5K last September. It was HORRIBLE! I was so slow, it was really hot and I felt like crap. But, I did it and I finished!

At that point, I decided that running was my thing. After a few more 5Ks, I signed up for my first 10K last May. I hurt my knee in that race, walked the last 2 miles and was out of running for a couple of months.

I was determined to get back to it and I did. After getting back into it, I was able to run another 10K on Thanksgiving and last Saturday I ran and finished my first 15K. I will be running my first half marathon in February and the closer it gets the more excited I am!

So, the real reason why I am writing this post is because of yesterday. I was out running a 5 mile run yesterday and it all kind of hit me. I'm a runner. And not just a 5K runner a sort of distance runner.

I am NOT fast. Like at all. I usually finish in the bottom half of the athletes in races. Sometimes I have "water stops" in the middle of my runs (I just walk for a minute like I would in a race at a water stop). I do not have the kind of body that can run in a sports bra only. And, I do not run in running shorts because my thighs rub together and the shorts ride up and thats annoying.

But, I can run 10 miles. And soon I will PROUDLY have a 13.1 sticker on the back of my car. And a 5 mile run is now something I consider to be an average distance for a workout for me.

6 years ago, running was not even a concept to me. A year ago, I dreamed of the day that I would be able to run for an hour and not die or throw up at the end. And today, running for an hour is something that I can do without too much thought.

Whatever your goals may be, don't give them up because they are hard. Trust me.... some days I hate running. It sucks. But I do it anyways and I feel great after.

So, that's my running story.

The end.

cuinboston2014

I love this! This also reminds me that a race, even while I view it as a competition, is not solely about the time you finish in. It is about the person you are, the person you were, and the transformation that took place.

Thank you so much for posting this.

And congratulations. I hope you have a blast at the half!

krawhitham

Congratulations, you're an inspiration to me. I'm on the road to lose 40lbs and run half-marathons with a friend of mine who has also been losing weight and getting fit! You're awesome!

nielsonfam

LOVE THIS! I'm in the beginning running stages but am convinced that I WILL BE a runner in 2014. Thanks for the inspiration!

alpine1994

I remember a lot of these milestones that you had and I am SO SO SO proud of you! You've always been such an inspiration to me. Thanks for sharing your story and best of luck at your half next month!

tfleischer

Not THE END, Jennifer!
Great story, but it is not THE END yet.

MGinAK

Way to Go, Runner Girl!!!

morty1966

I love this! This also reminds me that a race, even while I view it as a competition, is not solely about the time you finish in. It is about the person you are, the person you were, and the transformation that took place.

This is how I feel about running. It's about me and no one else. I've not run for months because of a knee injury but it's time to get back out there and do what I love the most.

Thanks OP for inspiring me again.

ZiezieO

Great accomplishment! Keep going, keep being successful!