first 5K, never thought I'd say that

Last year I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and promptly put on several different medications that did nothing for me but help me gain 50 pounds in a year. I was in pain every day, couldn't sleep, and it took everything I had just to take care of my then-3-year-old son. I ballooned up to almost 400 pounds and I was utterly miserable. I hardly left the house because I was in pain and embarrassed about my weight and just plain exhausted. It wasn't until I found a natural supplement that reduced my pain and helped me sleep that I was able to start recovering. Once my sleep was back to normal, I was able to quit all the nasty medications I was on and start working on losing weight.

I have lost 50 pounds just since July of this year, and am working on taking my body back from obesity and fibromyalgia. I still have painful days, but have decided that I can either sit and hurt, or exercise and hurt. I choose to exercise and hurt. I started walking on my treadmill daily.

When my local YMCA class catalog came, I noticed an ad for a 5K on the back and thought, I can do that. So I signed up and started getting ready for the race. It was great motivation to get up and do something even when I didn't want to.

Yesterday, at 330 pounds, I completed my first race in just under 57 minutes. My son held my hand and walked with me across the finish line, yelling "you won, mommy!" And even though I came in last place, it really did feel like I had won.

Next year I plan to run it.