Active Community: Message List - 2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:15:20 GMT

I was over 85 pounds overweight when I started this journey in 2007. I did Weight Watchers and started running with c25k. I lost 75 pounds before getting pregnant. Two kids and several years later I started my comeback this past June. I used c25k yet again and now I'm in the midst of training for my first half-marathon on 2/5/12. Pics and more in my blog!

Re: 2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:26:16 GMT

I returned to running two years ago (Fall 2009) after 10+ years off. I used to run just as cross training for cycling, but gave it up when I started getting lower back pain that I attributed to running. I didn't follow a plan like C25K, but did start very easy, just 600m at first. My goal was a marathon in 2010, but knee trouble made me put that off. I finally ran my marathon in Dec finished in 3:27:19. A BQ by the old standard, and 2:19 short by the new standard.

And although I'm very proud of that time, I've remained fit all my life. What truly humbles me are people for whom becoming runners has been part of a major life change. I hear from people who have lost lots of weight, stopped smoking, had heart surgery, etc and I'm amazed. Everyone who makes that move to get off the couch, and stay off, has my utmost respect.

2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:57:27 GMT

I'll play! This time last year I had never run in my life. I was about 30lbs overweight and all I did was work, spend time with my kids and feel frustrated that I had no time for myself. I started running in February of 2011 because I realized I'd never have time to go to the gym and I was tired of being tired and frustrated about how I looked and felt. I signed up for a 5K in March because I knew it would give me a much needed push to keep going. I also found two people I work with who were "Real Runners" and had a local series jacket to prove it. I was intimidated by them, but they welcomed me with open arms and I started running with them after work just about every day. I finished that first 5K in March and I haven't looked back. I now sport the same series jacket as my running buddies (I completed my first 10K as part of the series and the feeling of acomplishment I felt just can't be matched). Last month I ran my first half marathon and now I feel empowered to take on the challenges that come my way, both in running and in life. My goals for 2012? I'd like to finish a 10K in under an hour, cut my 5K time down to the "28 minute zone" and finish a half marathon in under 2h30m. But, mostly I want to stick with it, keep enjoying what I'm doing, stay injury free and maybe even inspire others to join the club. I love reading everyone's inspirational stories. It's such a powerful, exciting sport. There's just nothing like it!

2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:36:12 GMT

Please do steal it. Let me know how your race goes.

I got the idea after my friend ran a half marathon in July. The idea for the medals and numbers came after cheering on runners at the Twin Cities Marathon and the Monster Dash. I have committed to trying to get an entry in to the Twin Cities 10K in 2012 (It's a lottery). So I have my work cut out for me in 2012.

pam

2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:50:30 GMT

Loved your story! What a great idea. I'm trying to figure out how I can steal it.

2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:22:03 GMT

I decided back in August that I was going to run a 5k for my 40th birthday on December 10th. I got two friends who are runners to committ to running with me. I couldn't find a local race (MN) on my birthday so my friends and I decided to make our own, unofficial race. The next day I severely sprained my ankle. I literally had done W1D1 and the next day was out for 2 months! In October I started the C25K again. THis is not my first attempt at the C25k, but this is so far my most successful.

Since October I have made it to W5D2. I am a 200+ pound runner and extremely slow. I have had a few shin issues along the way so my pace through the plan has not bothered me. I feel so much stronger with where I am at than I have in the past.

So back to my birthday race. Since we were making our own race, I decided to invite more people to join us. I sent out FB announcements and emails. One of my friend's suggested a starting and ending point along the Mississippi River in St. Paul with access to his condo lobby as a warming house for those who weren't running or had already finished. I made number that said Pam's 40th 5k run for everyone and participant medals/Christmas ornaments for everyone.

The day dawned the coldest of the season at 6 degrees with several inches of snow on the ground. 20 people braved the cold to run or walk the 5k route on a beautiful sunny December morning. My mom, both brothers, a niece, a nephew, and a bunch of my crazy friends all ran and walked it with me. One friend who has run 10 miles and half marathons stuck with me the whole way challenging me to run "light pole to next tree" and the like. (I was having too much fun talking to friends and enjoying the pretty mornign and kept forgetting to run my intervals!)

I didn't run the whole way, but I finished in less time that I had been doing on the treadmill and had so much fun. My sister in law, also not a runner, had so much fun that we are going to run a 5k again on New Year's Day. Again it will be one of our own making, but we are doing it nonetheless. That New Year's Day run should be W6D1. We'll see how it goes.

Happy New Year everyone and keep running!

pam

2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:03:04 GMT

Congratulations Everybody! You are all so fierce! I feel so fortunate to be among you.

I turned 62 in January 2011 and never even considered I could run, just wished I could. After my daughter and a friend posted about C25k on fb and a second friend said I could do it, I gave it a try. That was the hardest part, getting started. Since May, I finished that, trained myself to 5k, ran a mud race, two trail races and a bunch of other 5ks, completed my first 10k and recovered from my first injury. I finally feel like a jogger. My goal this year is to run the Flying Pig HM, hopefully meet Stephanie there, and have fun this summer repeating those races that gave me such a hard time this year. Happy New Year to you all!

2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:38:40 GMT

I got pregnant when I first came here and then started the c25k in August 2010. I still run 3 to 4 days a week

2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:32:07 GMT

Managed to finish all the races I entered this year!

I feel biggest accomplishment is not wondering if I can finish a 1/2 marathon but now which one(s) do I want to do next year. Far cry from my start 4 years ago with a 45 min 5k.

I also rode my first century this year...now all I need to do is a tri!

Happy New Year to all

2011 toot your own horn and inspire me!

guest — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:28:25 GMT

I started running in 2009 and was happy to be able to run 1 mile without stopping. This year, I ran my first marathon and qualified for Boston (3:39:54). I am will be 56 next month. I also set a PR in half marathon this year at 1:38:22.

My plans for 2012 are to run the Boston Marathon and compete in a 70.3 Ironman Triathlon.