In one year I have become a runner. It feels strange for me to say that but all evidence points in that direction. last year I remember nervously training for my first every 5k event. I only began to run to train for that event. Before then I’d routinely say things like, "I can’t run." "I’m not a runner." and "Me? Run? HA!"
I was scared, nervous and REALLY out of my element.
I ended up completing that first 5k in 32:40. My goal was 35 minutes and I was ecstatic to not only complete the event but to surpass my goal. My exact quote was…
"…the feeling post race was more then I expected. I was so happy I finished! "
That post race feeling is what seduced me to run in 6 other events since then including my recent 10 miler and half marathon.
This morning I ran the same race I did a year ago. I loved the idea of running it again to see how much I’ve progressed. This time the experience was VERY different. This time I was confidently waiting for the race to begin towards the FRONT of the starting line. This time I chatted with runners and felt I belonged. This time I guided newer runners I overheard who seemed nervous and unsure.
The track was familiar and as I ran I remembered the spots at which I had to stop and walk the year before. I ran at a good pace. Not effortlessly but not killing myself either. The end of the race is quite an uphill adventure and it did kick my butt but I didn’t realize why until I approached the finish time and saw the clock.
My goal this year was 28 minutes. I believe my fastest 3 miles was just over 28:30 and I thought I could beat that with the excitement of an event run (I always run a bit faster in events then I do on my own.) Well beat it I did!
As I approached the finish scanning the crowds for the husband and toddler I see the clock… 26:11
WHA? Is that even humanly possible?
There must be some mistake. There is no friggin’ way I just run 3 miles in 26 minutes. Is there?
My focus shifted as I scanned the crowd for my boys. This year the husband agreed to walk with the toddler in the 1 mile run/walk. They were no where to be found. I searched and searched. I couldn’t have possibly beat them, could I?
Turns out they were on the other side of the track looking for me! They completed the 1 mile in 20 minutes and they missed me at the finish. :( The toddler was excited to be apart of the race but disappointed he couldn’t run with mommy. Here he is before we left. Just look at that smile as he wears the event shirt!
Post race was a bit of a catastrophe. Apparently the husband’s water bottle leaked in his bag and fried my camera. So we couldn’t take any post race pics. It’s since dried out THANK GOD! Not sure what I would do without it and I really don’t have funds to buy a new one right now.
There was a playground at the park (finish) and the toddler and I had fun playing on the monkey bars until it was time to leave. Then he had a build of a meltdown and refused to run in the kids races. We moseyed on over to the area where they post the finish times and as I pushed my way through the crowd I caught a glimpse of my name. I scan over. I see…
- Gun Time – 26:11
- Net Time – 26:02
SO it IS true! I didn’t believe it myself until just now as I checked the results online. There it is on Internet (so it must be true). Scroll down to 401st place. That’s me!
This year I shaved an unbelievable 6 minutes and 38 seconds of my 5k time. I gained confidence, experience and an overall joy of running (even though sometimes I question why the heck I’m doing it.) What a difference a year really can make. This is one of the reasons why I blog/journal. I’m not sure I’d see and celebrate my progression without being able to easily look back at my past.
If you don’t journal I highly recommend it. This is the kind of thing that inspired me to start the BlogToLose Community. I know not everyone is a web geek like me. But there are so many easy ways to blog and find support online you must try it! And who knows… next year you could be writing a post about how far YOU’VE come in a year! :)
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
What an inspiration.
Wow, you are amazing!! Good for you!
that’s awesome! I was invited to do a 5k at the end of July and I’m by far NOT a runner. But I want to be? I’m working up the courage to start running though by having bought a soccer ball and to building up stamina that way with running. It doesn’t work with my work schedule to do the 5k, but I’m still going to start with running somehow. I figured “tricking” myself into running with soccer will, um, do the trick. :)
Congrats on your progress!
Roni, congrats! YOU ARE AWESOME! I identify with your running story so much even though I’m a bit behind you… makes me think *I* could run 3 miles in 26!
Well done Roni! That’s almost 5 minute k’s!!
I’m a web geek too! It helps me a lot.. even if no one ever reads it!
I just ran a 5k (first one in a few years) and I ran a 28:30 and am SO proud! That’s much faster than I usually run. I’m super impressed by you. You’re more than a runner.. You’re a GOOD RUNNER!
WAY TO GO!
I just did a post with our dork-o pictures. May I suggest NEVER wearing your fanny pack in the front with tights?? I looked like I was a man in Swan Lake.. VERY Unfortunate.
(also at: jacobandgeorgia.blogspot.com)
WOW what a speedy time! Congratulations! A wonderful inspiration as always :)
Congrats! I’ve been wanting to speed up my post-baby running times and you’ve inspired me to get off my arse and do it already! I’ll be signing up for my running club’s interval training today!
Awesome Roni! I just started the C25K training last week & I’m excited to sign up for my first 5K. I never thought I was a runner either, but I’m realizing I wasn’t a runner because I decided I wasn’t not because I couldn’t, there is a difference. I’m now realizing I can do much more than I thought! I think running gives a great athletic confidence that I never knew I had!
Wow Roni that is so great! I am always in awe at how much our life paths seem to go side by side. I am running my first 5km race this Sat the 13th. I also am going back to work part time, I will still be running the Bootcamp with Nikki, but back to work just the same.
I have been watching your progress with your running with such happiness for you, I hope I too will get the running bug as I sound the way you did a year ago. I sure hope to see you again if your ever in Toronto, I still talk about the day we met. Keep up the great work Roni and good luck with the job.
Chris :o)
That is so great! I love that the toddler is excited to be taking part in the races! :)
I had the same kind of experience this year. My first race this year was a repeat of one I’d done 2 years prior. The last time I ran it, I finished in just over 30 minutes. This year 26:42. It was so exciting.
Great job Roni!
I’ve been running for over five years and I have yet to finish a 5K that fast! (Well, except the one where the course was only 2.9 miles!)
Aw, what a great post Roni! I’m so thrilled for you! I’m on week four of the Couch To 5K, so this was a the perfect post for me to read today. I’m looking forward to the day I can also say I’m a runner. :) (Although I doubt I’ll ever be making that kind of time! 26 minutes? Damn woman, you’re a MACHINE! :D )
AMAZING JOB AS USUAL RONI! so proud of you!
that picture is pretty cool, it shows off the flat tummy you have!
Congratulations Roni! I would be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous how much progress you have made (and feel like a failure because I haven’t made near as much progress.) I started running last April (C25K) and ran my first 5K in September. I’ve remained diligent in my running- getting at least 2 runs in every week including about 5 races, but I’m still sloooooow. I’ve only broken 30 minutes a few times. I know you didn’t mean to hurt any one’s feelings, and you DO have a right to brag about your success, but it’s kinda discouraging to those of us who are trying our hardest but aren’t fortunate enough to see the same results as you.
Maybe by sticking around some of your “mojo” will rub off on me!!!
Way to go!! Excellent!! You are a RUNNER!! Believe it!!
I had a similar experience last year I was watching my hubby complete a half, and at the finish line I was like no way I can not do that, I was just barely running 3 miles – but I continued to plug along and to day I have completed in a 10k, various 5k’s, 15k, a dualthon, and a 181.2 relay race personally running 15.5 miles (over 24 hours). So yea, a year can make a helluva difference!!
GO US!
Wow, what an amazing time! I’m training for my first 5K and, like you, I only started running because of this challenge. I’m not a runner, hate running, etc. But I can already imagine doing another one after this one coming up. What’s wrong with me? :)
Amazing!
I’ve been thinking about starting C25K this summer, but I’m barely a walker, never mind a runner! You’ve definitely given me something to think about, though, and your times are a definite inspiration.
Wow! What an awesome time!!! Yep, you’re a runner, alright! (I couldn’t even run a 5K that fast when I was running cross-country in high school!!!)
Emily – I must replay as this is a fear I have by sharing my life online. Please know it’s not meant to “rub anything in” or gloat. I hope by sharing my story and my achievements I can positively affect others.
Also know that our goals and our progress towards those goals are completely different. I run at least 3 days a week and I’ve been running crazy long distances as I train for the half and full marathons. I can only assume that they are helping my pace on the shorter runs. But who knows.. maybe I’m built to run.. I’m tall… I have long legs… maybe my lung capacity is greater… we can go on and on but who cares. Our stories are different. We are different.
My point with this post is to inspire others to start something and show them they can make a difference by working towards and tracking that goal. I’m sure in a year you’ve come a long way. Longer or shorter then me is irrelevant.
Here are two links to older posts I hope you have a moment to read…. (geesh.. I feel like a teacher lol)
http://ronisweigh.com/2009/04/do-you-say-only-a-lot.html
http://ronisweigh.com/2008/09/just-enjoy-the-trip-youll-take-as-a-train.html
Both, I think, are pretty relevant to you comment.
Thanks and Congrats on YOUR runs!
Oh crap… one more thing before I go.. As cheesy as it is I have to quote someone…
“If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself”
Max Ehrman
that is certainly a time to be proud of! Way to go!
Great Roni, you continue to be an inspiration as always! Ryan looks so cute!!!
I was so excited for you when I saw your tweet! :) Way to go! You’re doing what you’re meant to do!
Wow! Great job, Roni!
How awesome! I cannot wait to start shaving my time off like that too :)
CONGRATULATIONS!!! It’s awesome to see your progress (long-time follower of your blog, never left a comment b4)! But I was so glad to hear that your toddler & husband participated & also the smile on your toddler’s face is priceless! You are truely changing his outlook on health and fitness for the rest of his life :)
That is a solid time. Good for you. Shows what hard work, dedication, and the support of a few friends can do!
Roni – This is such an awesome inspiration! I just started running in April, I love it. I’m not doing any formal training, just running until I get tired, walking briskly until I recoup and then running again, but it’s working for me and I’m hoping to do a 5k this fall (I would try sooner but work schedule doesn’t allow it during the summer…ugh). Reading your accomplishments and those of other BTL’ers gave me the motivation to get out of the gym and onto the pavement! I am so grateful for you creating the BTL community and sharing your story and accomplishments with us! Congratulations on your progress! :)
Great job Roni!!!
That’s an awesome time!
Not to take away from the rest of the article…..
but this cracked me up “There it is on Internet (so it must be true)”!!!
I have just finished my first 5k run,,,,,I’m 52 years old and never thought I could run……I started run—walking about a yr. ago and never thought I could become a runner,,,,,,well I have progressed,,,,I finished in 32m 42s. All I wanted to do was finish in under 35m and no walking……I am so proud of myself,,,,,next a 10k in aug. Oh and by the way I won a 3rd place medalion in my age group…..50-55….ya hoo
Congratulations!! I too am a newly self-recognized runner. I did the NYC Marathon last year, to the shock and laughter of many friends but nothing felt better. Keep up the good work!! I applaud your efforts! Go Roni!!!
Wow, that is so motivating- I am getting ready to run my first 5K in less than 5 weeks and I’ve never been a runner- I just keep pushing myself- this is something that has always been on my list of things to do in life. Any tips for a first time runner?
Melinda – Sounds simple but… Keep running! find the time.. take the time… it’s for you!
Thanks- it’s simple but it makes perfect sense!
WOW! What a terrific race time RONI! You should be so proud of yourself! That is amazing. I have to say that my life is quite paralell in that I ran a 5K last weekend at the Airport – so cool running on a runway with planes taking off and landing right beside you – anyway, I ran the 5K which is 3 miles in 29:29! I could not believe it. This is the fastest I have run in about 10 years. You are right – what a difference a year makes and all those long races and training you go on and doubt yourself on, etc. It really is worth it! Congratulations…!
OK, holy moly is that a good time. I just did my first one yesterday and my unofficial (my own watch) time was 28:54, which is close to my best time during “training.” 26:02 is AMAZING, and I can’t even imagine taking 3 minutes off my time.
But I’m going to try!