NatashaRuz

So how did you do?? :)

You're a wise lady Snark :) Building up the muscles around your knees is super important. That was the main thing I learned from going to physical therapy for my constant knee pain last year.

That sounds like something I'd really like! I'm going to a pot-luck dinner on Saturday, and the main course will be vegetarian chili....this may be a great idea for a side! :)

Congrats for finishing!!! :) There's a ton of programs/apps to work up to the 10K from the 5K.....I've been toying with the idea too, but realize that I HAVE to do something to strengthen my knees before I attempt a 10K....

CONGRATULATIONS!!! So so so awesome!!!!! :)

Not silly in the least! Yay you for making good choices!!! :)

I finished the program a few weeks ago. My goal through the whole thing was endurance, versus speed. I'm a slow runner....real slow....but getting better! ;) The average speed is @ 14.00min/mile, so just over 4mph. I'm working on speed, but am not going to stress over it. Good luck to you! Keep it up! :)

Thank you all for your kind replies! XXOO

Congratulations!! :) Keep it up and can't wait to hear about your SECOND 5K :D

Yay!! Huge congrats!!! :) :) My first 5K's on Sunday, so reading your experience helps ease my nerves!! Keep it up! :)

This made me smile :) So glad you pushed yourself, and reaped the rewards of doing so. Congratulations! (Sorry about the audit....that sucks!) Can't wait to hear about your 5K next week. My first one's on Sunday and I"m so scared!!! :D (Met my husband in Charleston....love that city, it's beautiful) :)

I met my husband on a political discussion board 7 years ago :). He was living in S Carolina and I was in Maryland. We met in person a few months after meeting online, and he moved to MD a few months after that. Married for almost 5 years. :)

I love NSV's :) Congratulations! Keep it up, before you know it, you WILL be needing a smaller pair of pants!! :)

I'm finding that I love running in the colder weather. High 30's in the mornings and a long pair of running pants, double layer of running top and a zip up sweatshirt is great. I can undo the sweatshirt as needed. I also wear gloves which come off 1/2 way through. I did find that my ears got cold, and didn't really warm…

Ditto to all the above. Time of day really makes a difference for me. Dramatic difference. During the program, I tried to keep the runs at the same time of day (my best time) which is early in the morning. I also went for time, rather than distance. Figured it was better for me to actually finish the program than let…

Hiya! :) Congrats on your decision! Suggestions..hmm.....Stretch first, wear good shoes, don't be discouraged if the first day is hard. Keep at it, have faith in yourself and let your body start feeling the positive effects of what you're doing for it. I promise you that if you stick with it, and get yourself into a…

I'm not sure if this is where Ford got it from or not, but this poem always reminds me of it: If you think you are beaten, you are If you think you dare not, you don't, If you like to win, but you think you can't It is almost certain you won't. If you think you'll lose, you're lost For out of the world we find, Success…

You and me both, and not even PMS'y! :) So happy for you and "YAY" for kick-*kitten* husbands! :)

I hear that stretching your legs muscles and warming up properly before starting helps. Also, a real biggie is shoes. Make sure you have the right shoes. The wrong ones, will make you miserable! Congratulations on starting the program. It is truly phenomenal and very achievable to finish, and finish strongly. :) I was just…

Way to go you sexy thing you!!! :) Keep running and enjoy it!!

Wonderful :) It's great to look forward to running isn't it? :)

Congratulations! So much hard work, and it's paid off. :)

I vote for keeping going with the 5K's and/or start a quest towards a 10K. Keep trying to find the joy in running. Remind yourself of why you started, and when you run next, be present in the action. Feel yourself, your legs, your breathing....it feels good, and it feels even better when you're done! Here's to the flame…

Thank you all! For those of you in the middle of this journey, or starting it out....STAY with it!!

That's great! Keep it up!! :)

Way to go!!! Congratulations!!!

You had me close to tears. Congratulations!!! So happy for you and for your accomplishment and guess what? You get to be my inspiration. I will return to your blog post in less than 2 weeks to re-read it before my FIRST 5K. You're an inspiration Wendy!

Yay!! Such great NVS's!! :) :smile: :smile: :love: :love: :smile: :smile:

That's SO great!!! :) What a feeling huh?? :) :) Happy Friday!!

:) You're a pretty awesome superstar yourself my friend!