Couch to 5K Graduate & First 5K Race! 3/7/09
Well I ended my last blog saying that I would come back with a success story, and here I am!
I was 115.2 lbs this morning, so I FINALLY got those few extra pounds back off.
I completed the Couch to 5K program AND I ran my first 5K Saturday. I placed 192 out of 466 participants at 30 min 26 sec with a pace of 9 min 48 sec per mile. I never ran before January 5 and was able to complete a 5K by March 7.
It was a LONG day. My BF is normally a very slow patient driver, but he was running people over trying to get to Lumberton for the race. He was so excitied he couldn't wait to get there! Men are so competitive!!! He is in good shape strength wise, but he did not do the Couch to 5K program with me and quite honestly I did not think his heart and lungs would make it the whole way.
I have been running in 30 or 40 degree weather with a scarf around my neck and ear muffs. But the day of the race it shot up to 80 degrees! There were a LOT of people there and my BF and I got seperated almost immediately. He went ahead and took off at a faster pace. But as for me.... I went SLOW AND STEADY. It was very hard to find my pace in so many other people, but once I found it I stayed exactly the same the whole way. The heat was awful!!! I struggled most of the way, but stopping was not an option. My heart rate was at maximum (177 - 180) which concerned me a bit.
I was so focused on the finish line that I didn't even realize there was a clock so I didn't see my final time! I forgot to stop my stop watch right away, but when I did, it was 30 min 30 sec so I knew it was slightly less than that. I later found I finished in 30 min 26 sec and my BF fininished in 25 min 49 sec.
I'm not sure where to go from here. I first want to focus on getting comfortable with the 3 miles runs, then maybe start increasing the distance. I would consider a 10K, but doubt I'd do much more than that. We shall see.
I started out on the treadmill, then transitioned to a track, now I am transitioning to the road. This morning I ran at 5:15 am. It was about 60 degrees and still dark. It seemed like for the first time I could run without the pressure of making a certain time or distance... it was SO relaxing and my heart rate stayed at 155. I ran 30 min. I feel good.
I was 115.2 lbs this morning, so I FINALLY got those few extra pounds back off.
I completed the Couch to 5K program AND I ran my first 5K Saturday. I placed 192 out of 466 participants at 30 min 26 sec with a pace of 9 min 48 sec per mile. I never ran before January 5 and was able to complete a 5K by March 7.
It was a LONG day. My BF is normally a very slow patient driver, but he was running people over trying to get to Lumberton for the race. He was so excitied he couldn't wait to get there! Men are so competitive!!! He is in good shape strength wise, but he did not do the Couch to 5K program with me and quite honestly I did not think his heart and lungs would make it the whole way.
I have been running in 30 or 40 degree weather with a scarf around my neck and ear muffs. But the day of the race it shot up to 80 degrees! There were a LOT of people there and my BF and I got seperated almost immediately. He went ahead and took off at a faster pace. But as for me.... I went SLOW AND STEADY. It was very hard to find my pace in so many other people, but once I found it I stayed exactly the same the whole way. The heat was awful!!! I struggled most of the way, but stopping was not an option. My heart rate was at maximum (177 - 180) which concerned me a bit.
I was so focused on the finish line that I didn't even realize there was a clock so I didn't see my final time! I forgot to stop my stop watch right away, but when I did, it was 30 min 30 sec so I knew it was slightly less than that. I later found I finished in 30 min 26 sec and my BF fininished in 25 min 49 sec.
I'm not sure where to go from here. I first want to focus on getting comfortable with the 3 miles runs, then maybe start increasing the distance. I would consider a 10K, but doubt I'd do much more than that. We shall see.
I started out on the treadmill, then transitioned to a track, now I am transitioning to the road. This morning I ran at 5:15 am. It was about 60 degrees and still dark. It seemed like for the first time I could run without the pressure of making a certain time or distance... it was SO relaxing and my heart rate stayed at 155. I ran 30 min. I feel good.
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WOW Maria, that is such a great accomplishment.. I know it must have been harder to run in the warmer temps since you were training in cooler weather. BUT YOU DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sheila jumps up and give maria a HIGH FIVE!!!.. I think you rock girl.. Congrats... Oh i am sheila, i am new here today, well kinda new.. I was here in 2000 and lost my way back.. nice to meet you.. sharthejoysheila
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Thank you for the kind words! And welcome back home. Now don't you go AWOL on us again or we'll come looking for you!
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