Did I seriously just run a 5k?! (pics)

horseryder77

Hey all! My name is Paula. I was one of those "chubby kids" back in grade school.. basically all through middle school/high school.. and peaking at almost 200 lbs my freshman year. I have definitely aspired to be athletic my whole life.. trying to run, failing cause I went to fast and could only keep a decent jog going for about a minute. I horseback ride- and that's awesome exercise-but cardio has always gotten to me.

Then, 10 weeks ago, I started the C25K plan. Oh my gosh. running 90 seconds the second week seemed to be ridiculous to me! I was gasping for air and not able to keep a decent pace! NOW. This morning.. I ran a 5k! I was slow, yes.. and actually I looked at my iphone half way through to check the weather, and it was 85 degrees with a 65% humidity! So I guess running it in 37:10 wasn't too bad after all! Only had to walk twice.

Definitely going to do another 5K sometime soon. I'm training for a half marathon in September as well! How is it that this formally chubby girl can now run?!
Thanks MFP for always motivating me and giving me a place to celebrate my victories!
Oh, and I'm down to about 135 now

yaaayyy!!

Here are some pics of me at 14 years old.. probably around 185.


And here's me about 4 years ago


And here's one I just took after my 5k (scale says 135.. and ignore my pasty legs lol.. horseback riding will do that to you)

shanmont

So Awesome!! Way to go!!

Fit4Vet

great job!! You rock!

NuttyBrewnette

:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:
yahoo!
congrats on your achievements!

:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

skinnymeinaz

Wonderful!!! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait till I can run 5k, I will get there soon

vhuber

That is sooooo awesome!!! You are an example for alot of people!!! Good job and best wishes!

niclagi

Huge congrats!! You look great!!

lbardranch

Wow, You are Awesome!

DaniNei

Yay on the 5k! You look great!

xdannigirl

Congratulations! You look great! How tall are you?

Haha, I used to get pasty legs from softball. We had to wear sliders (kind of like biking shorts but with reinforcements to keep them from ripping on the gravel) under our shorts (both came 3/4 of the way down our thighs) and then knee high socks. Wear that for an all-weekend tournament? HELLO, TAN LINES! (stupid ones at that, too. I'd rather have a farmer's tan!)

Sheanna3

That's GREAT!!! Running a Half is a wonderful goal!! Good luck!!!! Plus you look great!!

nickfn

Brilliant on the 5k- that's awesome! Keep up the great work!

LisaCFSF

Fantastic! Slow my A**, you did great! My first 5K I did interval walk/jog; the second the same but a little faster jog and only did it in 42:01... Planning on a third on 6 Aug, but will have to brisk walk due to recent shoulder surgery.

I also grew up with horses and love to ride (although rarely get to now). My brother owns & trains race horses (quarter horses) in OK (and is a farrier too).

YOU LOOK FABULOUS! Good Luck with the half marathon!

horseryder77

Congratulations! You look great! How tall are you?

Haha, I used to get pasty legs from softball. We had to wear sliders (kind of like biking shorts but with reinforcements to keep them from ripping on the gravel) under our shorts (both came 3/4 of the way down our thighs) and then knee high socks. Wear that for an all-weekend tournament? HELLO, TAN LINES! (stupid ones at that, too. I'd rather have a farmer's tan!)

I'm 5'4.. maybe 5'3''.. it's always somewhere around there hehe.

Yeah! And to top if off, I normally run in my nike compression shorts that are a bit longer than the ones I'm wearing in the picture. Awesome farmers tan, I know

And thank you!!

capNramsey

Thanks for sharing! This keeps me motivated. And for a first 5K 37 minutes is great! I really hope to get down to your current size. I was just reflecting on my weight loss journey and a C25K class got me running for the first time also. I was also chubby in high school weighing in at 225 senior year. Since September I've ran 5 5K's and keep on reducing my time each time. At 182 lbs competing in the Athena category at my most recent 5K, I won third place in my category running it in 35 minutes. Us chubby girls can run now and it is something to celebrate! Keep on running and best of luck on your half marathon!

broadsword7

Congratulations on your 5K! Doesn't it feel wonderful? Keep on trucking and have a great half marathon! You can do it!

wjkirby

Congratulations! Now you've got the bug!

vanlaura

Awesome ! I am in week 3 of c25k at the moment and it's inspiring to hear people's stories of how it DOES get better

horseryder77

Awesome ! I am in week 3 of c25k at the moment and it's inspiring to hear people's stories of how it DOES get better

Keep it up! it's totally worth it and you'll be amazed what you can accomplish!

horseryder77

Thanks for sharing! This keeps me motivated. And for a first 5K 37 minutes is great! I really hope to get down to your current size. I was just reflecting on my weight loss journey and a C25K class got me running for the first time also. I was also chubby in high school weighing in at 225 senior year. Since September I've ran 5 5K's and keep on reducing my time each time. At 182 lbs competing in the Athena category at my most recent 5K, I won third place in my category running it in 35 minutes. Us chubby girls can run now and it is something to celebrate! Keep on running and best of luck on your half marathon!

That's fantastic! Who knew such an awesome program could get us off our butts and running?! Sounds like you're doing great!! Keep it up! I'm still so euphoric from finishing my 5k

I think I thought I was slow just cause I finished close to last-there were only 40 people there and I was the only one in my age group. And my friend that did it with me won overall female at 23:15! So I felt slow in comparison hahaha

OttawaJeannie

So great! You should be so proud! Congrats!

UltraRunnerGale

AMAZING job and amazing pics!! I hope running becomes a lifelong passion!! I started 9 years ago at age 44 while battling breast cancer!! I'd never run a step in my life. That was before the C25K program was around. I just kind of muddled through. Why I didn't just quit, still amazes me. It wasn't easy and it wasn't fun!! LOL!! Now, 9 years later... I finished my second 50K trail race yesterday!! I told my boyfriend (this morning). I remember when I was more sore than this the day after a half marathon!! Runners are amazing, fun people. Trail runners (what I mainly do now) are even more so. I think it's that whole "you could die out there" thing that really bonds the trail runners. Runners are so helpful and offer great advice to one another. I have even traveled to races and shared rooms with them. Talk about craziness at 5AM with a roomful of runners that have to quickly get ready and all packed up before the race starts!! You will share fun and stories and will have friendships that never die!! Good luck on your journey!! :drinker:

talecca

Way to go!! That is awesome!!

jessradtke

I am *TOTALLY* inspired!! Such an incredible accomplishment!

greenhydrangea

Great! I want to be able to do this too!

Nikstergirl

Awesome job! Actually, that time is really great for your first time!!!! So happy for you... and you look amazing!!!

cshore54

Congratulations!! That is an awesome accomplishment. Reading stories such as yours keeps people like me motivated. I am in week 3 of c25k and this morning did not want to do my run. I am so very happy now that I did. Some day soon I hope to be able to proclaim that I did a 5K too. Keep it up. That is really good time too.

ladderguy055

That is so awesome! keep on runnin'.

CatharinaC

That is so awesome, I knew you could do it ... But at the same time you have given me and so many others hope. We can do it.. it may be hard and a challenge, but the ending result is amazing.
I agree with you about the legs, my horses have kept my legs white .. lol It is only fun to ride in shorts when you ride bareback.

Cath

horseryder77

I'm glad I can inspire so many of you just keep on trucking!!