Why I started running? Simply put: I had a baby. The multitude of reasons being I wanted to lose weight, I needed to do something to be active, and running was cheap (or so I thought). The idea of just walking out of the house, going for a run, and being done was completely appealing to me.
I started doing the Couch 2 5K program via Cool Running's site in early 2012. I was also spurred on by a Biggest Loser competition at work - which I won! My original goal was just to run a 5K. The first summer, I did that and was pretty dang proud of myself! My time was 30 minutes and some change.
I kind of slacked off during the winter, but was determined to come out fighting last Spring. I ran another 5K that Spring with a PR of 27:00 and thought "that was really fun!" Then I got the crazy idea to do a half marathon. I'm not sure what part of my brain thought 5K to 13 miles was a natural jump, but I'd signed up and committed before I knew it.
After a long, painful summer, where I wanted to quit many times, race day arrived. I was incredibly nervous, but I knew my training would kick in and carry me through. And it did! I finished my first half in 2:03:01, and couldn't have been happier! I've been bitten by the running bug. Next half-marathon: June 2014. Here I come!
 |
| About to cross the finish line of my first Half-Marathon! |
Check out Amanda's story and more!
Enjoyed reading your story! I did the similar somewhat crazy thing of jumping from a 5k to a half. But after that, there's no turning back! I just finished my first marathon in November. Good luck in June!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Congrats on your marathon as well!
DeleteYou are too funny :) Thanks for linking up with us! I liked reading your story. You are awesome! What a fantastic time for your first half marathon. My first half was 2:08. I was SO excited when I finally worked my way down to under 2 hours. I cried like a baby. haha.
ReplyDelete5K to half marathon is a big jump but you did really great! Thanks for linking up and for sharing your story.
ReplyDelete5k to half - heck yeah! My reasoning to start running is pretty similar - I had a kid and needed something to make me less miserable during the day to myself and to others. God bless that rascal.
ReplyDelete