My first 5K!

HipsterWhovian

I've never been a runner. I never enjoyed it, and only did it when necessary like running to catch a bus. Earlier this year, near the start of my MFP journey, I discovered the Color Run (I hate writing that word without the 'u' but it's a company name...what you gonna do?) and thought it looked awesome! Before I could change my mind, I signed up for it. At this point, I remembered how much I hated to run, but I decided to try it.
On the 24th June, I started to run. I ran for 10 minutes - managing to do a mile - and I was knackered by the end of it, but found myself strangely enjoying it. Maybe it was the fact I didn't have teachers forcing me to do it, or having other people around me beating me. It was just me, my music and a run. On the 27th June, I went again, and pushed myself to run for 13 minutes at the same 10 min mile pace. I was impressing myself at this point, and kept it going.
Through the weeks, I managed to increase my pace, managing a 9 min mile at one point - but mostly maintaining around 10 minutes per mile, and increasing the time I would run, from 10 mins, to 15, to 22 minutes. I did feel a bit disheartened that I had never managed to run a full 5K on any of my jogs, but I didn't mind too much - I was running!
So Saturday 20th September came along, and I was ready. I was running with 5999 other people, on a beautiful sunny day. At 11am, I started. I ran, happier than any other run I've ever been. At the 1K point, I was covered in pink paint powder, 2K blue, 3K yellow and 4K orange. The only part I walked was at the halfway point where water was given out. I walked maybe 0.5K while I drank it, then carried on running. I crossed the finish line 27 minutes after I started - a time I was amazed at. I celebrated my achievement by dancing and throwing paint for over an hour - such an amazing experience and one I would recommend to any one!
I never thought I'd be a runner, but after the Color Run 2014, I will keep on running!

PrizePopple

Doing the Color Run or Run or Dye is one of my goals. I'd like to do Warrior Dash some day. :happy:

Congrats on doing it and enjoying it! Starting off with a 10 minute mile is awesome too! :drinker:

phyllb

FANtastic

Juliemoo1960

That is a brilliant achievement. Well done.

kjurassic

Yay for you!!! I've run one 5K on July 4. On Sept 27 (the day before my 60th birthday) I am running in the Color Run with my 16 and 20 year old nieces and two of my good friends. It sounds like so much fun. I can't wait. I too never cared to run, but watched my niece in a 1/2 marathon and got caught up in the "aura" of it all. Quite contagious.
I don't track my speed - I'm slower than slow, all I care about is finishing and keeping my body active - and....if there's fun involved that's even better!!!

kar328

Congratulations! :drinker:

I did a 5K yesterday too. Technically my second one, but the one I did last year was a disaster and I took a wrong turn, so I'm not really counting it. My goals were to run all of it (last year I started out too fast and walked about 1/3 of it), do it in under 40 mins (36:17 - my own runs were in the 37 min range so I'm happy with this) and not to be dead last. It was a small 5K, my subdivision does one to raise money for a charity and there were about 150 people. I was happily not last and amazed when I passed some people younger than me.

It was nice to check this off my 2014 goals list.

divainsneakers

Awesome! Great job!

ImpracticalGirl

Awesome:drinker:

PowerfulHunt

That's wonderful and a really great time!

bubblesl40

Fantastic! I experienced my first 5K on Friday. I wanted to finish under 40min (I still walk too much). I finished in 39:29, woo-hoo. Looking forward to my next October 25th.

sweetcurlz67

congrats!

Penthesilea514

Great job! Thanks for posting

skippygirlsmom

Welcome to the world of running races, you will now be hooked and run in many many more. :bigsmile: Great time and congrats on your first 5K!!!!!

skippygirlsmom

Fantastic! I experienced my first 5K on Friday. I wanted to finish under 40min (I still walk too much). I finished in 39:29, woo-hoo. Looking forward to my next October 25th.

Great job!

lunglady

Congratulations! :drinker:

eleanoreb

awesome!! congrats!!

KameHameHaaaa

Awesome! Love the pics. I did a zombie themed 5k on Saturday. Definitely wanna try one of the color themed ones they look like so much fun

otter090812

Great job! I ran in the 4pm race at Brighton! It was not my first 5K, but it was the first one I signed up for back in May - so it was technically the one that got me started! It was fantastic fun, would highly recommend.

brandiuntz

Congrats and great job!! One's first 5k is always special.

zanne54

You know the only problem with running your first 5K?

It's the gateway drug to more 5Ks and then longer distances.

Congrats! And welcome to the club!

Snip8241

Congratulations! That looks like lots of fun. I am still running like Tim Conway as the old man. So from someone way far behind you, that's awesome!!!!!

HipsterWhovian

Awesome! Love the pics. I did a zombie themed 5k on Saturday. Definitely wanna try one of the color themed ones they look like so much fun

So this sounds awesome!

You know the only problem with running your first 5K?

It's the gateway drug to more 5Ks and then longer distances.

Congrats! And welcome to the club!

I know! I'm already thinking of more 5Ks, then going onto 10Ks and possibly half and full marathons in the next year or two!