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

supergirl6
supergirl6 Posts: 224 Member
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!

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Replies

  • steph1278
    steph1278 Posts: 483 Member
    That's awesome! I started running at 250+ pounds and I caught the bug. I love to run.
  • 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!
  • amazing nice work!!! :)
  • WalkingGirl1985
    WalkingGirl1985 Posts: 2,046 Member
    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
    butters1 Posts: 1,540 Member
    You are simply fantastic! Big congrat's!
  • dayone987
    dayone987 Posts: 645 Member
    Awesome! Great job!
    You are a superhero:flowerforyou:
  • keeponsteppin
    keeponsteppin Posts: 4 Member
    So So awesome. Keep up the great job you are doing.. Just Keep Moving
  • moxiecowgirl
    moxiecowgirl Posts: 291 Member
    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
    peacemongernc Posts: 253 Member
    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. :D 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
  • You are truly inspiring! WTG!
  • postrockandcats
    postrockandcats Posts: 1,145 Member
    internet-high-five-place-hand-here-480x444.jpg

    That is AWESOME!!!
  • JessyLovesJCS
    JessyLovesJCS Posts: 169 Member
    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? :wink: Could I add you as a friend??
  • lovinmyselfagain
    lovinmyselfagain Posts: 307 Member
    Wow! You're a super hero in my book!
  • Music_is_my_soul
    Music_is_my_soul Posts: 792 Member
    That is GREAT!!! Such inspiration!!!
  • kat65
    kat65 Posts: 124 Member
    That's so awesome! Congratulations.
  • jerber160
    jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
    you make me smile. huge congratulations
  • Athena413
    Athena413 Posts: 1,709 Member
    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!
  • 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
    embersfallen Posts: 534 Member
    YOU are incredible! Rock it girl!!!
  • chelledawg14
    chelledawg14 Posts: 509 Member
    So happy for you!!! What an accomplishment! I'm running my first 5K in September and can't wait!
  • 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
    cddonald22 Posts: 39 Member
    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
    EricNCSU Posts: 699 Member
    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
    Smiling_Sara Posts: 203 Member
    WTG Girl!! Keep it up!
  • Judyann6
    Judyann6 Posts: 22
    That is amazing. WTG :flowerforyou:
  • Deedsie
    Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
    Wonderful job!
  • 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
    nmzeta Posts: 381 Member
    Inspirational
  • jfatheree78
    jfatheree78 Posts: 78 Member
    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
    rubyautumn4 Posts: 818 Member
    Way to go!
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