Finished my first 5K !!!!

Well it was a great day today. I woke up nice and early excited with the anticipation of running my very first 5K race! I was nervous very nervous because I did not know what to expect. Then I began doubting myself a bit like thinking what am I doing? I could not wrap my head around the fact that my fat self was going to be running, really running in a race. It was hard to accept and I think it is because really for so many years I doubted myself and thought I could never get into shape and never accomplish anything related to fitness. It was my self doubt and hatred that put me in the fat messy place I was in these past few years. But I knew I had to swallow all those fears and quite all those little voices telling me I could not do it.

 My daughter and I in out matching fit bee shirts before the race!

So I set out to accomplish the first of what I hope to many more challenges to come. The weather was perfect cool out but not too cold and no rain, the sky was overcast so the sun was not blazing either. It was a perfect day for a run :) My beautiful daughter and her father came to cheer me on, and my very best friend and her family came it was so sweet and so awesome! It was a nice feeling to have people there supporting me, cheering for me to finish this race. Then I thought of everyone else online and following me on the blog and everything and knew I could not let everyone down! I am so thankful for everyone's support and continuous encouragement!

The first few minutes of the race were a little chaotic people trying to run fast and others falling behind but once we set our paces it went pretty smooth. I kept a steady pace and just kept telling myself keep going keep going. I did not feel pain in my legs, I did not think oh no I need a break. I just kept plugging along the path. It was kinda cool running with 300+ people and all of us working hard to obtain the same goal. It was a rush once I could see that finish line, I sprinted forward to cheers and clapping as I pushed myself harder than ever to cross that line.

And cross it I did! I ran the race in 28 minutes and 10 seconds. I came in 153rd place and placed 8th in my group of females 20-29. I felt kinda good about that being that I am on the older end at 27 hehe! I had been running about 29-30 minutes while training for it these past few weeks so I was very excited to beat my time. I stretched before and after  the race and I ended the race with my ISO 100 protein shake!

Drinking my ISO 100 shake!

My daughter and I post race. I was a little red don't you think? :)

It was a lot of fun and I would recommend it to anyone! You feel such a feeling of accomplishment crossing that finish line. It was exhilarating! For all of you who are sitting there thinking wow I could never do that, it takes me 28 minutes to walk a mile, STOP right there. Stop doubting your self, start telling yourself I can do it and I will do it. You will do it! And do not think you need to sign up for a 5K and run it, there were lots of people jogging and walking. Lots of beginners out there. It was a great experience meeting new people and seeing people from all walks of life, young to old running! It truly was inspiring and I am already planning when the next one will be! I hope to get in 2 more 5Ks before old man winter sets in up here in New England!