Just Like That, I am Back

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 If I said I was back, would you believe me? Blogging is complicated, and there are so many "get rich quick" blogging schemes that make it look like you are a lost cause if you are not currently earning money blogging. And why are you even blogging if you don't have multiple streams of income and entertainment. If you don't have a brand? I do have this website, but I do not have Instagram, Twitter, TikTok (you don't want to see me dance), or whatever is next.  Heck, I haven't even updated this since before the pandemic. So why am I here, writing about being back and then, probably ghosting for another two years? Life has been rough. It's been painful and overwhelming. I am so thankful for you my readers, or what is left of you. I am so thankful you are reading this post. I am so thankful that you are still committed to making the world a more exciting and more sustainable place.  Keep up-cycling my friends, and you never know, I might be back again with an

Slow Running

I started the Couch to 5 K(or C25K) program back in November. Basically it takes non-runners like me and turns them into runners.



This little nine week program ended up taking me six months (hey I have kids, a crafting business, and well kids they get sick with pneumonia, bronchitis, and all sorts of ailments that leave a momma stuck inside.)

Now the thing is I am am not fast. I am so not fast that walkers have been known to pass me up on the track (sadly, this just happened on Wednesday).

I completed the program and I would like to say I rocked my first 5K, but I actually ended up coming in fifth from the end of the pack.  I was so slow that they took down the street signs, police were let go and I actually didn't have the same luxury of running toward the finish line across the main street in town with police escort (note to race organizer that is just rude!). Nope I was stopped at the light, pressing the button, panicking that the finish line would be packed up by the time I ended the race.

My time: 45 minutes. I have to say that is the time I was going for when I signed up so I was happy with it and heck it would have been 44 minutes if I didn't wait at the light.

The C25K program is great, but there are a few simple truths it doesn't share (well at least the Iphone app doesn't share) that I wanted to let you all in on when running your first 5k:
  • Whether you are in first place for your age group (like my friend that I ran the race with) or last place (like myself) if you finish you rock!
  • Running outside is not like running on an indoor track or treadmill. Practice it because if you don't you will be sucking in wind and wondering why the heck you can not breathe.
  • When you sign up for a race if you are slow make sure it is a walk/run race. If it is a pure running race and you are not sure of yourself you might want to skip it, or double check last years race results online. If I see someone came in at 49 minutes or more as their finish time I feel safe. I mean I know that chances are there are a few walkers in the mix.
  • It is okay to take you Ipod with you. Who knew.
  • To quote John Bingham (The Penguin) "The miracle isn't that I finished it is that I had the courage to start"
So having finished my first running 5K a month ago and preparing for another one this Sunday (after having to take a total of three weeks off for kids with stomach issues and a sprained hip) I am ready to rock the back of the pack yet again. This time I will do it with pride. I will be a slow runner, but hey after years of dreaming of running I will be a runner. I have walked three half marathons and two 5K's but now I am running them (the 5K's not the half marathons (at least not yet).)

Not a running picture but lets pretend!


I am a runner.


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Comments

Unknown said…
ROBIN! Thank you for sharing this! I too, have always wanted to call myself a runner, but never have felt that I could find a way to do it. I will most certainly look into the ipod app for this and appreciate the tips. I have run / walked a 5k before, but would love to be able to run them from here on. There's a race a year from now that's a little over a 5k so I would love to being training now! I may be contacting you for a)more inspiration and b) questions! Thanks lady!
Jordan McCollum said…
Good for you! I did Couch to 5K for a race two years ago this weekend. I ended up running with my sister who really kept me going. It's totally to her credit that we finished just under 40 minutes. (And were far from the end of the pack! It was 'fun run.')

But I'm really NOT a runner. I'm really glad to find other ways to work out that I don't hate every minute of.

One of the biggest things I learned about running is that you DON'T want to run as fast as you can the whole time. Slow and steady might not win the race, but it sure as heck finishes it!

Good luck with your running in the future from your newest follower!
Unknown said…
Hooray! Good for you that you ran the first 5K! The first is always the hardest as you never know what to expect!
But now you are on your way! Way to go and good luck with your running adventure!
I started racing in 2009 and have never looked back.. I keep getting faster and my races get longer! I love it!
jamie w said…
yay!!! good for you. i want to do a 5k run at some point. i just started running and i am having issues with my knees :(
laxsupermom said…
Good for you! Great tip about running outside vs on a treadmill. It is a completely different experience, and an important thing for new runners to know. Thanks for sharing.

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