First 5k report!

It's kind of hard to find the words for going from this...



to this...



and to this...



...in around a year. 

There really are no words for the emotions associated with such dramatic change, from many perspectives - physically in terms of weight loss, physically in terms of fitness ability, mentally/emotionally in the relationship with food and health, day to day improved mobility, and just all around quality of life.

The race itself was yesterday morning - around mid to high 30's throughout the morning.  While I had road run a few times, most of my training has been done on a track.  It was a completely different experience doing trail running - first section was thick grass, leaves, twigs, second section was dirt packed trail leading to a waterfall (the trail had a lot of mud and some inclines) and the last section was again back on the grass.  

I didn't wear a timer, which I most definitely will do next time.  I didn't want to fret about time for my first trail race - but I think it would have helped me mentally.  I felt like I was running through a pool of molasses and going far slower than my training runs, and yet I was running my best time yet!  If I could have seen that, I think I would have given myself permission to slow down during some of the sections where my lungs were really hurting. 

Speaking of lungs.  They're still hurting today.  :)  I definitely have not adjusted to the cold weather... I know it'll take time.  

My finish time was 43 min and 35 seconds.  My fastest training time was 42 min, 39 seconds, but again that was on the track and that was without the .1 that the 5k includes.  So I'm pleased with the race result - my goal was to hit it under 45 minutes. 

I ran with 3 other WLS folk - between the four of us, we've lost over 500 pounds.  According to my scale I'm responsible for about 170 of those :)  

What's next for me?  I'm not sure.  A friend wants to do the Chicago half marathon in June.  I'm unsure.  I'm down about the outdoors being so dark early in the evening - not fond of the idea of running in the dark, nor treadmill time.  So I need to get creative and devise a plan for keeping up with this.  Our group would like to keep going, so hopefully we can find some 5 mile or 10k events early in the spring to work towards.  I did join my employer's wellness program last week and now have access to fitness facilities, so there are a lot of options. 

Today I rested and boy did I need it.  But back to exercising tomorrow!  :) 

Thank you all for sharing your stories here - it gave me a lot of hope that I really could do this. 

 Great job!!!  I remember my first 5k, they are so emotional!!!  I am sure you will be doing more races before you know it!!!

Good job! You look great! Congratulations on your first PR!
Mary

Atta girl, congratulations!

Jenny

I find myself looking for inspiration from other athletes.  Sometimes its, professionals, but mostly just average joes like you and I.  You definitely are on my list.  Congrats to you on your first 5k and you personal success.

Oh, by the way, you look amazing.  No matter how much we change on the outside, people will never know how good we feel on the inside.  Achieving goals like running a 5k never existed in our previous lives, and knowing we can do them now, is just an amazing feeling.

Keep up the good work.

ROY TYSON
www.roytyson.com

Heck yeah, I'm an average joe!  I also prefer to read about the experiences of folks who have come from similar cir****tances, like WLS folk.  There's a certain understanding, a certain camaraderie, that is really indescribable.  I get chills and beam ear to ear reading about your and others' races here.  Many thanks for being open about your journey!

awesome!  stories like these keep the inspiration fires going.  try to find some more events, they can become addicting.  also, don't be afraid of the treadmill, it will suck, but it is a good alternative when it's dark and freezing outside in the winter.  great job!

Great job , you are doing awesome.

OMG - you did so FREAKING GREAT!!!

I ran my first trail race a few weeks back and was thrilled to be under 45 minutes too.... that is WAY harder than running on a track, like you've been.  

Truly, a superior effort! (i've got goosebumps!)

Ok, this goes down as "best supportive response ever!"  It made me beam reading what you said!  Sometimes I see just how fast folks can go and think "holy heck, I'm so slow!"  But most of the time I focus on the good.  It's really nice to have someone else understand how big of a milestone it can be to finish a 5k with a time like this.  It means the world, in fact!  Thank you for sharing your experiences on this board as well... hearing about your races and everyone else's really has me inspired to keep it up!