300 lbs and ran my 2nd 5K. I feel like a superhero! (w/pics)

supergirl6

Last night I ran in my second 5K and despite spending most of the summer with an injury that prevented me from doing more than very slow walking, I managed to shave a few minutes off my time from the first run I had in April. I'm still very slow, but it was exciting to see improvement!

After the race as my husband and I walked back to the car, emotion suddenly overwhelmed me and I had to stop and have myself a little breakdown on the side of the road. I cried like a lunatic for a couple of minutes because despite how tired I felt and how much my feet hurt, I'd just finished my second 5K and it didn't kill me. You have to understand, I'm 300 lbs. Six months ago I was more than 330 lbs and walking up the stairs to my living room was a challenge. It really hit me how hard it was to do what I had just done and how many years I'd spent thinking running was out of my reach forever.

Running. I mean, our bodies are made to move. Walking and running are things that should come easy to us. They should never be out of our reach. And I realized that I was easily 3x as big as some of the other runners out there and yeah maybe I didn't do it as quickly as they had, but I'd still done it right beside them. For much of the race I even kept pace with the runners.

I cried because I didn't think I could do what I'd just done for the second time and how much of my life I spent thinking about things I couldn't do. It's such a waste of time and energy. I'm so tired of thinking my weight holds me back. It doesn't.

I mean, here's proof! This is a 300 lb girl who ran 3.10 miles! Say it can't happen!! I dare you!

steph1278

That's awesome! I started running at 250+ pounds and I caught the bug. I love to run.

BigDaddy0825

AWESOME!! that is SUCH a great job ma'am!! i am nearly 400 pounds, and i just recently started c25k ... i can't WAIT till i can run a 5k!! your story is SO INSPIRING!! keep up the great work!

brideson85

amazing nice work!!!

WalkingGirl1985

Great job! Very inspiring photos. If you can do it, I strongly believe anyone can! :bigsmile:

I'm a runner myself, and in training for my first 1/2 Marathon next month. Add me if you want from one runner to another. :happy:

butters1

You are simply fantastic! Big congrat's!

dayone987

Awesome! Great job!
You are a superhero:flowerforyou:

keeponsteppin

So So awesome. Keep up the great job you are doing.. Just Keep Moving

moxiecowgirl

This is awesome! There are a lot more of us 300 lb runners out there than I ever thought! Congratulations on a great victory. :flowerforyou:

peacemongernc

I love it!! You are so inspiring! My 10 year old daughter loves to run and I've wanted to tell her that she and I can run together after school while we are waiting to pick up her brothers (they get out later than she does) but I keep stopping because of that "I can't" message in my brain. I was over 300... I'm down to the 230s now, but it still hits me as foolish to try to run! I'm afraid I'll get hurt or I'll fall... although I can't even remember the last time that happened.

You are really inspiring and I'm going to go running with my daughter this week after school. I'm so proud to call you a MFP friend!!

I love your pictures and your story!! You are so beautiful!!! And contagious (that's a good thing! LOL!).

Shannon

jennajocummings

You are truly inspiring! WTG!

postrockandcats

That is AWESOME!!!

JessyLovesJCS

Inspirational! Wow! :happy: We're near the same size...and I can WALK over 3 miles, but gosh, I don't know if I could run it. But perhaps I shouldn't say can't, right? Could I add you as a friend??

lovinmyselfagain

Wow! You're a super hero in my book!

Music_is_my_soul

That is GREAT!!! Such inspiration!!!

kat65

That's so awesome! Congratulations.

jerber160

you make me smile. huge congratulations

Athena413

WOOOO!!! That's AWESOME! I started running at 290 lbs and just ran my first half marathon in March at 220 lbs. It gets addicting! Keep up the good work!

c_porcayo

Thats great! Keep it up! I am just starting that C25K and I can't wait to actually be able to do a whole 5k.

embersfallen

YOU are incredible! Rock it girl!!!

chelledawg14

So happy for you!!! What an accomplishment! I'm running my first 5K in September and can't wait!

honeywiggs

I am so thrilled for you! I spend 25 years of my life between 250 and 320. I found a great health program that helped me lose weight quickly and had an educational component! Now I know how to eat 6 low glycemic meals a day and stay healthy for life! I am starting to run. I don't like it but I am committed so I admire you tremedously!

Honey Beth

cddonald22

I have been wanting to run, but my doctor has told me not to run until I get at least 30 lbs off because if I start now it will tear my knees up (no previous knee injuries). This makes me think "why not!" Good job!

EricNCSU

YOU ARE AWESOME!! And you are a superhero. I hope since this is your second that means that one wasn't enough and you're going to keep going!

I started my running as well at 300+ and am now (just today) under 250, so KEEP IT UP!!! You are doing awesome.

And congrats on your PR! (Personal Record) ...a few minutes is nothing to sneeze at.. I've set new PR's by less than 30 seconds but it still counts!

Smiling_Sara

WTG Girl!! Keep it up!

Judyann6

That is amazing. WTG :flowerforyou:

Deedsie

Wonderful job!

danimal5867

That is beautiful. Keep on running. Keep on breaking your own records. You're a great inspiration for anyone who says they can't do it.

nmzeta

Inspirational

jfatheree78

You are awesome! I haven't worked up to running yet. My body feels so awkward when I try, but I want to. I'm thinking maybe I'll try the Race for The Cure in October. You are so inspiring! Great job and keep it up!

rubyautumn4

Way to go!