Brag alert . . . :)
 

So I've just got to let it out. . . .
From the girl who has had a dysfunctional relationship with her body since she was 12. . .
Who always wanted to be an athlete but always quit before she really tried just in case she might really try and then really fail. . .
Who ate her way into 5 extra pounds in college to deal with stress. . . .
And then had to walk to build her weak muscles into fitness during the summer. .
And still does not have this thing called healthy living all figured out. . .

I ran a 5K Saturday.
In 23 minutes and 13 seconds.
I came in ninth out of 60ish people, the 8 people ahead of me were two VERY athletic boys and 6 high school track/cross-country runners, and I even beat our school's head athletic trainer by 3 seconds.
I walked today for exercise, but I'm itching to get my shoes on and run again, because I spent all of Saturday after the race unable to concentrate, only able to think Oh my freakin' goodness, I'm a runner. An athlete.
I'm 20 years old and for the first time since I was 11, I'm the person I've always wanted to be: an athletic book-loving, tea-drinking teacher/runner/student.
I'm still determined to get my time under 20 minutes by the time I'm 25, but for now I'm going to keep basking in this beautiful thing called finding myself.
:carrot:

Congratulations !

Thats Awesome! :D

OMG -- what an uplifting post. And you're so young to have accumulated all this wisdom. A big heartfelt congratulations to you on your accomplishment...but most of all, you should be congratulated on having found peace of mind and acceptance. It's a tough thing to come by and grasp and it looks like you're well on your way, if not already there. Wishing you continued success on all your journeys.

:) great post! It look me until I was probably 28 to realize I was the person I always wanted to be. Enjoy it!!!

And freakin awesome time!!! Wow - congrats on that! How long have you been running?

Congratulations on your race success (and new found happiness) and you got a great time too! :)

Definitely deserves a brag. I'm so impressed with your time and your attitude. Congratulations :)

23 minutes! That's amazing! Love your attitude, too.

:bravo:

I started running at the end of August.

Congratulations!!!

What a great and inspiring post. You can really read the excitement and euphoria in your tone of this post! Thanks for sharing with us. I can sort of relate. Although ive never been overweight, I could never be a runner, I thought. I couldnt even run a block. Running was torture for me. Recently, I too have discovered "OMG I am a runner". And it is such a great feeling to feel healthy and athletic. 23 minutes for a 5k is amazing!! My best is 3.1 miles in 32 minutes. Sheesh girl, you put me to shame :) So proud of you!!!!

Awesome!! That is soooo cool :)