[hdallas78]

Since 2007 I have wanted desperately to be a runner. My weight has been up and down between 118 lbs and 163 lbs in these 4 years, but even at my fittest I was only ever able to run/walk. I would run until I thought I was going to die, walk to recover, then run again. I could never even do a mile straight without stopping to walk. This January I started C25K and this March I ran a 5K for the first time in my life. Unfortunately I had a setback and stopped running after the 5k and put 16 lbs back on, but I got back on track in May. Starting back was rough. I had horrible shin splints and I had to just walk in the beginning, and it took me a couple of weeks to even be able to jog a mile again! This week I ran 5 miles for the first time in my life I NEVER thought I would be a runner - I didn't think I was "built" for it. Even though I did the 5K, until I hit the 5 mile mark I didn't really feel like a runner (silly, I know).

My bf has been doing 10K's and half marathons for years and is training for his first marathon in December. He has been encouraging me to do the half marathon but I never in a million years thought I would be able to do something like that. Now...I think it is time to stop telling myself "you can't possibly run 13.1 miles" and just go for it!! In 6 weeks I have gone from barely being able to jog a mile to running 5 miles straight. I have 5 months to train for the half marathon, and I am bound and determined to DO THIS!!

[fatferretfanatic]

YEAH! Great job! I just hit my first five mile mark as well, and it felt great so I am sure you are on cloud 9!! You are indeed a runner, and I would go as far as to say you were a runner when you took your first step runner because you intended to keep going! Great job! So proud of you!

[Slim CB]

Wow...such an inspiration! I too always wanted to run. I started the C25K late last year, ran a 5K in January....and then quit. Just like that! Didn't do any more 5K runs at all!

I have been trying to summon up the courage to run but for some reasons I have not been doing it. The last time I did any run was in mid-April and that was just for 20 mins. I have been focusing on weights lately but deep down I still want to run..

I think you should aim for the half marathon though, seems you have the knack for it!

[hdallas78]

Thanks for the support, guys! I ran 10K this morning!! Yep, 6.2 miles :-) I am so excited to keep going!

[tuende]

Get it, girl! Absolutely go for the half marathon! I clearly remember a time when I could barely run for 2 minutes, let alone a whole mile, let alone 13 of them, but I just did my first half marathon in May! I found a training schedule on Runner's World's website and it was SO helpful!

Have fun with it- embrace that runner's high !

[PBmama]

Woooo Hooooo Congratulations! I am SO excited for you! I can only imagine how excited you are. I just started jogging/running on the Elliptical at the gym. I have knee problems and its the best I can attempt. But I worked up to 2 miles! Thanks for posting this inspiration! I will keep working at it!

[hdallas78]

Thanks everyone! I had to take several days off from running because my knee started acting up but I'm up and going again! I think I may have progressed a little too quickly. In the course of a week and a half I went from 3.5 miles to 6.2. Even though I got through it I probably shouldn't have. I think the rule of thumb is not to increase more than 10-20% per week. I started back at 3.8 miles and my knee was fine. I'm going to take a little more time to increase gradually before I attempt another 10k, but at least I know I can do it!!

[pinksparkles]

That is AWESOME! I've been running in the mornings to start my day, and I just managed to do a full 1.5K without stopping this morning! I can't wait until the day I can do a 5K.. definitely one of my fitness goals

This just proves that, once you get past the mental block, you can surprise yourself at what you can really do! Congrats!

[BigChiefHoho]

WTG! 6.2 miles is halfway to the half-marathon already, and if you did it once you can build up to it again! Can't wait until I'm where you are.

Originally Posted by Brown

You are my hero! I am one of those can't-runners. Seriously. I've started running programs like c25k at least 3 times, and always quit because I can't progress nearly as quickly. Go you!

Same here! I just restarted c25k for the third time, and this time I AM going to stick with it. I know I can - just a matter of willpower.