I turned them into runners!!

Last November I ran my very first 5k – which just so happens to be for the company I work for (a non-profit that runs several day programs for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities).  This coming Sunday is that very same race…the annual Gobble Gobble 5k & 10k.  I’m doing the 10k this year instead of the 5k, celebrating my first year of running & racing.  In September I recruited two other women I work with to train for their very first 5k.  One has been my BFF since kindergarten (like 25 years!) and the other woman is one of my case managers and is in her early 50’s.  When we started running we were doing lots of walking, very little jogging and even less running.  We did the route every Tuesday after work and these last three weeks have done it twice a week. 

We had our last “practice" tonight and I was so proud.  We have shaved almost 14 minutes off our initial time and they finished tonight in just over 38 minutes.  All week long they’ve been bubbling over with excitement and talking about the “big race" on Sunday.  One of the women pulled me aside to ask if I would help her on Sunday and make sure she’s got her number pinned on right and with her timing chip so she could “look like a real runner."  They are so excited about their first race and I’m pretty pumped that I’ve turned these two ladies onto running.  I’m probably almost as excited about them running and finishing on Sunday as they are.  Tonight I’m making signs that I’m going to hang up all along the course on Sunday morning for them – there is glitter, paint & poster board all over the place right now, but I just had to share this great feeling with you guys. 

Anyone else have any fun stories to share about turning their friends/co-workers into runners?

I didn't directly turn any of them into runners, but since I trained for and ran my first 5K at the end of September, two of my co-workers (already fit people, but not runners) have also run their first, and both said they were inspired by my motivation to start at basically zero and see the thing through.  I LOVE that!  

My sister has run 5Ks in the past, but inspired by me she tried her first 10K with me this past summer.  After coming to some of my races, her son joined us for his first 5K in September (and beat me - a come from behind win for him!).  The 3 of us will be running our second race together in 2 weeks.

My favorite recruit so far is my boyfriend, who hasn't run in 15 or so years until he met me.  We are now training for the 2012 Goofy Challenge!!  We ran a trail race last month and on Thanksgiving Day we will run an official 5K. This might be my last chance to beat him in a "short" race cuz he's got speed from years of soccer!!  We have 2 5K in December (including the one with my family) and a 5 miler on New Years Day. 

While I love having my boyfriend running with me, I truly was tickled to have my butt kicked by my 13 year old nephew.  Can't wait for our re-match!

What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing! You have been a big inspiration and you probably didn't even realize it until now. There is nothing better than sharing and passing along such a great gift. Keep on shining your bright light for others to follow. Enjoy the race!