I DID IT!!!! (and you can too)

I did it y'all!! I finished running my very first 5K. It was pretty chilly this morning and really the first time I had run in the cold, and since I haven't been up to 5K but for a few weeks, I've never tackled hills before. Luckily for me, (insert sarcasm here) there were 5 really big hills to tackle. UUGGHH I actually walked the last two for like 30 seconds. But, let me back up a bit.

I started off the race a little faster than I intended. I think that's a pretty common first timer thing. When I reached mile 1 (no hills yet), my time was 8:52. I was shocked honestly. Then the hills started. I reached mile 2 at around 19:20 or so, then there were two more MAJOR hills and around 2 3/4 miles, I entered downtown again. It was awesome starting to see people and hearing people cheer for me. My cute little boy met me really close to the finish line with my friend Jennifer who was cheering to run faster, so I sprinted to the end. My finish time was around 30:45. See the picture with 30:46? I had already crossed the line at that point. My official time will be on the internets by Monday, so we'll know for sure then.

Jennifer who had never ever run before either started C25K in June. This was her first 5K. She finished at around 27:45. I started C25K in August. So, for those of you thinking that you might want to try C25K, let this be your inspiration. Jen has lost between 65-70 pounds on WW since January, so we both started where some of you are. :)

This is my lunch walking/running group. "D" is in the yellow shirt. He's lost around 50-60 pounds since the beginning of the year. He began walking with me around February or March and began running in June. I started running with him a couple of times, but really wasn't ready. He started running at night when he got home and was up to 3 miles in no time. This was his first 5K to run. His time was around 26:50 or so. WOW!! I was so proud of him. He made me tear up a bit when he was telling my parents that he wouldn't have lost the weight or started running without me. Awww... :)

Next, we have "S". She is down around 83 pounds since Jan doing WW also. She was who inspired me to start WW. LOVE HER!! She walked the 5K. This was her second to walk this year. Her time had improved since the one in June. GO S!!!

Last, but most certainly not least, is "T". LOVE THIS GUY!! He began walking with me back when D did. This guy walks 1 hour every single day at lunch without fail. He also usually gets in an hour or so in the morning before work or after work. Weekends, he usually knocks out 4-5 miles and even on business trips he makes time for exercise. He finally broke down and started WW and is on his second week. He's down 4.6 pounds so far. It should be a breeze for him with him already having the activity part down.

After the 5K, there was a 1 mile fun walk for the kids. Only a few kids did it and they all wanted to run. We were scared about them and the cars since it was downtown, so Jen and I accompanied them. I took her youngest daughter and LG was in the stroller. Jen bravely took her older daughter, LM, and another couple of kids. And we all ran. Yep, ran. Another mile. Dear Lord I'm an idiot. Luckily, her youngest lacked the stamina of the older kids and we walked a couple of stretches. LOL!!

That was only the beginning of the day, but you can hear about the rest later. I hope this does make you see that ANYONE can do a 5K. ANYONE can make the decision to begin activity and even running.

Oh yeah, and SMILE!

Melissa