First 5K

I think that it's great that you are out there tackling 5Ks. To go out any more than 5 minutes requires both mental and physical endurance. It means that you are strong - you could remain seated firmly on the couch, but you have said F that, I'm an athlete, and that is something incredible right there.

I'd like to share something I witnessed just this past Friday night. There were two athletes both coming in about 48 minutes. They were both pushing themselves hard - batlling the heat and battling the will to continue on. But, it was amazing, they saw that finish line and suddenly they both started pushing themselves even harder. The people still watching the finsihers, myself included, were hooting and hollering like nobody's business. You would have thought that they were competing for the olympic gold medal.

The great thing about running is that it's an internal competition, unless of course you are running at a sub 5 minute pace. You are racing against yourself- to get a better time, to run without stopping, to go a little further, to tell that little voice in your head to bugger off, that you are amazing. You have to run your own race and you have to know why you're doing it. If you know that, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Keep your chin up, I know you will accomplish great things. And believe me, there is nothing better than completing your first 5K, except, well, maybe your first 10K or your first half marathon. Good luck tomorrow!!

I have to applaud your bravery to run! My heart is yearning to run, however, I have never run before. I am so scared due to my stamina, weight and confidence, but you took the bull by the horns.

The fact is that you completed your first 5k, where I am just dreaming of one day running. You have inspired me!

Congrats on your run!

I ran my 1st 5k last year- it took me 47 mins and i ran the whole way. i was 230lbs.

the point is that it was never about doing it for anyone else- it was all about me! i admit i felt fat, sweaty and jiggly, and i pulled my hat down so i couldn't see the spectators looking at me (i was so self conscious that everyone would be looking at the fat chick trying to run).

but after i did it i felt proud, motivated, and different- everything changed when i realised that i could do it. something just clicked in my head and i wanted to keep having that amazing feeling of setting a goal and achieving it.

i've now ran in a few 5ks, 10ks, done 5 half marathons and i have my 1st full marathon next saturday. and i have that same feeling in the pit of my stomach as i did before that first 5k. i'm really slow- i still get overtaken by walkers! but i'm comfortable with my place at the back of the pack. and i've finished every single race that i've done.

some of us are built more for endurance than speed, but the only person you're racing is yourself. when i used to get hung up on how slow i am, i always thought that 'i'm lapping everyone on the couch'.

so, i've accepted that the time isn't important. what is important is that you're doing it, and making great steps towards being a much happier and healthier individual.

well done you!

And I told him it took me a while (50 mins) but that I finished and I was just happy that I did. The look on his face and the sound in his voice when he said "oh.... yea that is a while."

your co-worker doesn't know a thing. the first time i ever successfully jogged an entire 5k, no stops, it tood me 45mins, and i was 125lbs at the time. to complete it in 50 is great. the very best i ever managed was 34mins.

it sounds to me like you're much more of a runner than i ever have been or will be if you're hitting 50mins with short stops.

Good for you! Keep that enthusiasm and positive spirit, and you'll just have more and more fun with each race--regardless of your times.

You'll always be faster than your couch, and you're making wonderful strides (pun intended) in your life!