First 5K - Mission fit for 40 ahead of schedule :)

Hello All!

Yesterday, I ran in my first 5K race! I finished with a time of 35 minutes and 1 second. That 1 second bothers me a little but not too much, because I know I gave it everything I had and even "sprinted" at the finish line. I won a trophy for the second best time in the (self-selection) Athena division -women over 150 pounds.

My road to fitness started with walking. Walking at lunch, first slow and then faster and longer each time. I started running using the Couch to 5K program on July 29*. Yesterday would have been week 9 day 1 of the program. I never would have started the program if I hadn't seen all the MFP C25K success stories. Thank you!

I am proudest of the fact that I demonstrated to my daughters that we aren't "non-runners" as I had previously taught them (Shame on me for that!) I discovered that being "in training" was very motivational. It was hard at times, but I never dreaded going out there. I always felt so proud of myself when it was over. My new "in-training" goal is to complete in a sprint triathlon in about a year: 1/4 mile swim, 10 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run.

Thank you all for sharing your successes. I hope I can inspire even one other person. We can do it together. Just get out there and walk!

----
*I started logging daily in mid-April, I had just turned 38 and was about 202lbs with a goal of getting fit for 40. I wanted to focus on my health and fitness verses losing weight since years of focusing (or not focusing) on weight result in the typical yo-yo experience and 224 pounds at my highest.

I waited to start running until I shed pounds using the guidelines in IPOARM - In Place Of A Road Map (macros 40c 30p 30f). Thank you Dan! I am somewhere around 168 - 165 now. I weigh-in once a month. My knees still bother me, but icing them after running really helps.

Replies

  • DMUND
    DMUND Posts: 299 Member
    CONGRATS!!!! You should be very proud!!! Thanks for sharing your story, very inspirational!
  • Jedi_Jewel
    Jedi_Jewel Posts: 83 Member
    Congrats!!! 35 minutes is a great time for a 5K!! You should be very proud of yourself!! You and I have similar stories, I also began walking/jogging in January, and I will be running a half marathon next month, and a full next January. I started out at about 192lbs, now am at 169. Still need to lose more, but I'm making good progress! Keep at it, it's the best thing we can do for ourselves!!!
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    Congrats. That is one thing that won't be on my list due to arthritis. Not running anyway. Hiking 5K I can do as long as I cam careful. Swimming 5K. But not running.
    There is a group where I work doing the couch to 5K challenge. I asked them if swimming a 5K counts. :) Got no response.
  • Congratulations on your awesome success. You are very inspiring as I am working on the C25K program as well!!!
  • Overboard_Eater
    Overboard_Eater Posts: 105 Member
    Thank you!
  • Congratulations!
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    Great inspiring story. Congratulations and just think of that 1 second as a goal to beat for the next 5k. Amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.
Do you Love MyFitnessPal? Have you crushed a goal or improved your life through better nutrition using MyFitnessPal?
Share your success and inspire others. Leave us a review on Apple Or Google Play stores!