1 Week til My First 5K

I have made it ya'll!!!!

In exactly one week and two days (next Sunday), I will be in Atlanta, GA to run my first official 5k race... WOO HOO!!

To say that I am super excited, would be an understatement.  After all the struggles, the mental and physical doubts, and that little voice in the back of my head that kept saying "What the hell are you doing!", I have persevered!!

Thirteen weeks later, I am a runner!

And yes, you heard right.  I am now doing the 5K, instead of the 10K.  I have prepared my body to run a 5k, therefore, running a 10K would not have given me positive results.  Sometimes you have to go with what you prepare for because trying to do too much too fast can stifle your progress and sometimes end your desire for something if you do not succeed.  Failure doesn't necessarily makes everyone stronger, sometimes it makes them quit altogether.  And if you are like me, and have never really enjoyed distance running before you began running again, it's always smart to start at the beginning.

My mind is already in Atlanta.  I already have all my clothes laid out for packing.  Got my funds ready for spending.  And all travel and lodging arrangements are finalized.  There is no turning back for me!  Even if I was to sustain an injury (fingers crossed), I would still be in Atlanta regardless.  But I keep all negative thoughts out of my mind.  I keep my mind focused on the prize, which is crossing that finish line.

My goal is to run the entire 5k, hills and all, non-stop in personal record (PR) time.  It's what I trained for!   It's not about coming in first, or the top 5!  It's about doing my best.  And I think that's every runners goal, every time they hit the pavement.  A runner wants to always out-do what they have previously done.  Whether you are running for charity, competition, or just for fun, you are chasing and most likely trying to conquer your prior PR.  It's what drives me during my runs.  That run programs voice who is constantly in my ear updating me on my miles, calories burned, and average pace, is what pushes me to increase my speed a little faster and run a little longer.  It's that constant auditory motivation that keeps me focused, keeps me yearning for more miles and keeps me on track.

How am I preparing for my first 5k?  I am continuing to do what I have been doing since I began this journey.   I continue to eat regular healthy clean foods.  I drink lots of water and continue to drink Gatorade after long workouts for hydration.  I take care of my body by getting plenty of rest.  I ensure that I stretch my muscles thoroughly before and after exercising.   And stretching has always been my nemesis, because I used to bypass it because I had no patience.  I thought it was a waste of time.  However, my body, in a not so nice way, reminded me that it's necessary!  I continue to cross-train by doing a lot of cardio classes and I also ride my bike as well.  I am ready mentally and I am ready physically for this 5k.

So if you are still on the fence about getting off the couch, gain some courage and reach out to your local BGR! group.  If you don't have a local group, join the closest city to you and someone will get you on the right track and guide you every step of the way.  Start moving, start getting healthy and you will begin to feel good about all aspects of your life.  When you have a great self image of yourself, it radiates to all other aspects of your life.  I am proof!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am Atlanta bound, and I am a runner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!