Congratulations to all, you have much to be proud of!

Last year at this time I could barely run 1.5 minutes; this past weekend I ran for 1.5 hours.  I had never run before, except freshman year gym class in high school.  I started in Nov of 2010 using a program similar to Couch to 5k, ran/walked my first 5k in April, and have done 3 more 5k's plus a 10k since then.  My long run last Sunday was 7 miles - a new milestone for me!

Okay, I’ll join the bragging.  My profile: running for 3 years now, got started to see if I could run a marathon.  Did that, struggled with IT band injury that I never thought would go away.  Still run pretty low milage (15-20 MPW) and I don't consider myself a runner, but I might have to reconsider that given the goals that I reached in 2011. 

2011 Goals/Accomplishments

Break 20 minute 5k (18:35)

Break 1:35 Half Marathon (1:34:34)

Break 4:00 in Marathon (3:48)

Run first trail race (Did 3: two 10 milers and one half marathon)

Bonus Unanticipated Goal: Run First Relay—Hood to Coast; time not important, it was a blast.

So it seems like I set the bar too low in 2011, I think my goals for 2012 are to run a trail marathon and an ultra.

My inspirational thought: You can accomplish more than you might think.  Train with intensity, listen to your body, and most of all, have fun!

I started running in August 2010 and ran my first marathon this year.  Disappointed with my time (4:08) but proud to have done it.

For next year I'm planning at least 2 half and 2 full marathons.

Just started any exercise on August 29.  In September I started trying to run, a challenge!  In November I ran/walked my first ever 5K.  I've now lost 45 pounds and ready to RUN another 5k.

I'm now hooked on my better/healthier lifestyle and looking forward to 2012!

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.

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

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