5k...again...

Well I got the crazy idea once again to run a 5k! Let me tell you it was NOT something I had in mind...after my first 5k I said I would NEVER do one again, and I seriously had no intentions of it. However, my mom has really been wanting us, as a family, to run one this August. I kept saying "maybe" but probably had no real intentions of doing it until I saw a picture of myself on Facebook the other day. I was wearing an outfit that I wear a lot because I thought I looked great...well the picture said other things, and it finally sunk in how much weight I had put on in the last year. I need to run this 5k so I force myself to exercise...to get healthy again! 

Well it's been a long time since I have ran...since the day of my last 5k. So I am going to use the Couch Potato to 5k training program again.

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What motivates you to keep going?

RUN 5k...check

Remember my insane idea to run a 5k...well...I DID IT. 

Now for the story...

So back in the beginning of the year I decided to sign up for a 5k...yes it was a crazy idea, I had NEVER run before in my life, nor had I ever wanted to (and still don't want to). Well I got the crazy idea in my head and signed up along with many other moms in my MOPS group, two of my best friends from college and two young ladies who were in my small group the year before.

Now if you remember I STARTED out my training doing quite well. Then life happened...remember I had no motivation or training for some time. Well I will be honest, I didn't train well. On Easter Sunday I went for a mile run and thought I was going to die...not because my legs hurt but because my breathing was a struggle. I knew my legs could handle the 3.2 miles, but I did NOT think my lungs could. After some lovely advice from so many runners on Facebook about breathing I felt a little more confident.

Then life happened again and all in one week I put together a garage sale fundraiser, ran it, did a photo shoot, baby shower, and raised a baby...so needless to say no training happened the week before the race either. I went into the race knowing that I would have to walk and that I was OKAY with that.

Well race day came and my two besties picked me up and we headed to the race.

We got our numbers on in the car...snapped some pictures of course! (Thanks Enoch) and headed to the start line. I checked in my with MOPS group to say hi! I must say I was a little shocked at how shocked they all were to see me...like I could really be a no-show after EVERYONE knew I signed up!?

Jen, myself, and Boo [trying to stay dry before the race]

The race was about to start...I wanted to throw up!! The count down was on...Jen and Boo were so calm...I still wanted to throw up!! And it happened...the mass of people in front of us started moving, which meant any minute second I would be moving, slowing, but still moving! And we were off...

Well Jen and Boo had told me they would stick with me at my pace...and they sure did! They helped me get through mile 1 (Thanks Enoch for standing there, cheering, and taking pictures),

Mile 1

then mile 1.5 (this is where I wanted to die give up), then mile 2 (and at this point I KNEW I could NOT walk because I had made it this far) and mile 2.75 (thanks mom for snapping a picture, cheering me on, and running along side us)

Mile 2.75 [about]

and mile 3 (where we heard the sweet music telling me it was ALMOST over) and mile 3.1 (where Jen told me to kick it in, and Kelsey and Leighton were there cheering us on in the rain) and mile 3.2 when we crossed the finish line together!!

I am in pink...see me coming!?

Almost there...

Let me tell you...I have the best friends, they encouraged me, guided me (on what to wear, eat, drink, etc), sang to me when I was struggling, kept encouraging me when I knew I didn't want to walk, and helped me along the way! Oh and did I mention they encouraged me!?!

We DID it

I also had great support from my cheerleaders...my mom, sister and brother all came to watch the race! As well as the other MOPS moms who were running that day as well! And of course my hubby and baby E who stayed home due to the icky weather!!

After the race by the Falls

After all is said and done, I completed my first 5k without stopping or walking and that is a great feeling!! 

Am I going to sign up for another? Probably not...

Lack there of...

My training for my 5k or lack there of...is a major struggle! For two weeks I was going to the gym and following my training guide three days a week. Then life got busier and our routine was broken (Routine being that Josh would come home over lunch and I would go to the gym) and thus began my "lack there of" routine of nothing! It finally hit me that I NEED to get moving for many reasons. The first and obvious reason being that I DID sign up for a 5k for April 30th. The other reasons being that I am slowly putting weight back on and am slowly losing all the muscle I was starting to gain. Let's be honest here...I am out of shape, out of energy and out of time! I NEED motivation! I WANT to run this 5k...not walk it or get pulled along by my friends who have been training! I want to reap the benefits of running; losing weight. being healthy, getting toned again, feeling good and having energy!

Well I am starting somewhere once again. I have gone for three walks (outside) in 5 days, so it's a start!

Elijah and I on our first walk of "Spring".

For those of you runners...how did you get motivated to start? How do you stay motivated? And can you send me some of it!?!?!

Alright...so who wants to come over and help get my butt in gear?

5k Training

Today started my first workout in preparation for my FIRST 5k! I have never ran before for fun or competition except in 5th grade once. However, I got the crazy idea to run a 5k this year...well April 30th to be exact!



I had no idea where to start but a friend told me about this program called Couch Potato to 5k and it's done in 9 weeks. I thought it was perfect because it takes the average "couch potato" and turns them into a 5k "runner". So that is the program I am using. You can find it on the Cool Running website.

Today's workout was a brisk 5 minute walk followed by 60 second intervals of jogging and 90 second intervals of walking for a total of 20 minutes. I ended it with another 5 minute walk.

Things I learned today:
1. Break in the brand new running shoes a little better!
2. Running with a program and breaking it up makes it do-able.
3. Up-beat music DOES help!!
4. Having a goal (running the 5k on April 30th) and putting the goal out there for the world to see (and paying for it) gives you even more motivation!