First place in my first 5k!

toots99

Today I participated in a 5k for a camp that provides therapeutic support for families who have lost a child. My good friends (a husband and wife team, the ones who run the boot camp I do every Saturday), lost their daughter when she was almost five months old, and every year they do a 5k in her honor during her birthday month. It also hit a little close to home because I have a brother whose son passed away as a baby, so he was my inspiration too. A whole bunch of us from work got together and participated, and people were asking if I was going to run it. I said "I'll try, but I've never run that far outside before, so I'll probably have to walk some of it." I stuck in my headphones and put on my special playlist that I listen to when I need to remind myself that I can kick *kitten*, and off I ran. And ran the whole time...nonstop. Never have I done that before. It was just me, off by myself. I kept picking off the people in front of me "Just gotta pass that girl, just gotta pass that guy..." and on and on. I started to lose it a few times, thinking about the fact that I was running my *kitten* off, thinking about my nephew and my friend's daughter. And I started just bawling outright as I came upon the finish line. Luckily I had sunglasses on so everyone wasn't noticing me crying like a baby, but my guy friend came over and just hugged me and he told me how proud of me he was. Like I said, he runs the boot camp I do, and I've known him for three years. He's a big part of how I do so well today, and a big part of my getting fit. It was his daughter we were honoring, so he started to tear up too. It was very emotional.

Then, the group of us were together afterwards, hanging out chatting and they start doing the awards. Out of nowhere, I hear my name over the loudspeakers throughout the park...I was so confused, and thought someone was playing a joke on me. I ran up there and they gave me a small porcelain tile that kids at the camp had decorated. Then I thought that it was something that my friends were giving out., and they were like "No, you won that! You came in first place in your age group!" I said "My age group from the people in our group here, you mean?" She goes "NO! From EVERYONE who ran in the race!" I was f'ing floored! I was like "There's no chance I beat everyone in my age group in this whole damn race...impossible!" But I did! I did! I started to cry again. LOL

Had anyone ever told me when I weighed 249 lbs that one day, I'd not only run a 5K, but I'd beat everyone in my age group, I'd have thought they were nuts. But I did it...and every step was worth it. Everyone was so proud of me, and I am so proud of myself. If I can, you can.

From this: (249 lbs, 2000)






To this, today:

cindy4mica

Omg excellent story! Congrats:)

cindy4mica

PS. You look amazing!

fordguy74

Awesome job! I bet you're very proud.

RunChristyRun

Amazing transformation! Congratulations on your win...that is awesome!

tageekly

That's awesome! What a transformation - physically and mentally. Congrats!

Meggles63

What a great story! Congrats - you deserve it!

BreakinTheChains

Awesome story you look amazing !!!

love22step

Wonderful! You're officially a runner! Even better that you did it for a cause. Keep it up!

maggie4097

Best thing I've read in a long time. You look incredible and obviously deserved every bit of that sweet victory!:drinker:

nazashi

Congrats! Awesome job! You're inspirational!

Colbyandsage

Awe. I got a tear reading this. You are an inspiration!

I ran my first today as well. I came in around 30 minutes. I went in thinking that if I get in before 35 mins, I would be floored. When I crossed the line, I asked a lady, is that clock right. When she said yes, I didn't believe it.

hwesp

Yeah - you inspire me. I'm doing my first 5K in May and I have the same plan - run when I can and walk otherwise.

elri1908

Congratulations girl! That's excellent.... Very heartwarming and inspiring story. Well done on all the hard work that it took for you to get here.

jessemerson86

You are absolutely incredible! I am so inspired by you and your story! Way to go

ratsyroo

That is AMAZING! You should be so proud of yourself. Such an inspiration!
And on top of that, you look great too.....Way To Go!
My first 5K is May 12 and I hope to feel as wonderful as you did when I finish that race

JAllen32

You look amazing!!! And fantastic job with the race!!! WOOHOO!! What a great feeling!!!

jkleon86

I would love to be able to run in a race like that. That is so cool. You have done a great job and look great, congrats

Serah87

WTG!!!!! :flowerforyou:

LeisureRunner

Aw thanks for sharing. What a beautiful story. Love it! Congrats! And you look amazing!

samiam321123

Congratulations! That is amazing!

becoming_a_new_me

Thank you so much for this!! You know I am totally proud of you for what you did, but also what it stands for. I have had many miscarriages, and I have tears streaming down my face right now because I am so proud of you.

PrettyLydie

That was so inspiring! Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your success!

2shoes123

So happy for you! Truly inspiring.

abfit4life

Its people like you, and stories like yours, that have truly made MFP so invaluable to me. I got emotional just reading about your victories on so many levels today. It truly resonated with me. I applaud you on a job well done! Thank you so much for sharing!!

valeriebpdx

GIRL. You rock out loud. Congrats on the AG award--that is terrific!! Toots, you are a success story in every sense of the words, so this was the right place to post this news. Good for you.

shyandemily

What a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. You look absolutely amazing.

LeanerBeef

What a great story! Congrats to you on all your success!

hbehrle

Wow! Way to go! I ran a 5k as well today, didn't win a prize, but took 30 sec. off my time from the week before. Thank you for running for such a great cause. It means so much to me, as I am a bereaved parent. I lost my 17 yr. old son almost 3 years ago while were were vacationing at Disney. He suffered a massive brain hemorrhage upon entering the gates of the Magic Kingdom. Two days later he was pronounced brain dead and we donated his organs. My 5k was dedicated to him today, as it was a race raising money for our local transplant organization. So your story really hit home for me, and I was glad to hear of an event raising money to help bereaved families. Also nice to hear of organizations out there that offer support like that. There is nothing here where I live for families like mine.

What a great victory for you today! Oh and it's ok to let that emotion go, it is well deserved!

toots99

Thanks so much everyone. It was a great day. :flowerforyou:

SaraTN

Amazing!