I *NEVER thought I'd be able to do this.

[grace0418]

My husband signed us up for a 5k in a few weeks. At first we thought we'd just run some of it and walk the rest. But over the weekend we decided to see how long we could run, and we ran well over 4 miles (about 7K) with a 10 minute power-walking break in between.

That felt so good that tonight I decided to run the course we'll be running (it goes right past our house). I ran THE WHOLE THING without stopping! And I could've run longer! I can't believe it. My time was slow and I'm sure I looked like a goofball but DAMMIT I DID IT!

I know that's not a big deal to most people, but to me that's an incredible victory. A couple of years ago I weighed 285 lbs (at 5'3") and couldn't run a block. I still have more weight to lose but DAMN it feels good to do this.

I just wanted to share this with you all. Thanks for reading!

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Way cool! *hugs* I am the size you were before you lost the weight and my

mind boggles just at running to the end of my driveway. LOL

[grace0418]

6. Well, believe me when I say: If I can do it, just about anyone can (aside from those

with seriously physical impediments of course). I was always the chubby kid who was picked last in gym, mocked, pushed around. I learned from a very early age to be ashamed of my body, not to try (because I'd surely fail), and to basically hide myself.

Well, no more. I'm ready to live!

Anyway, thanks! :hi:

[Sugar Smack]

2. THAT is a great story.

I love it. Thank you for sharing. There is really nothing like exceeding your expectations, is there? :yourock: Damn!

[grace0418]

7. Thank you! *blush*

No, YOU rock!

And you're right, it was an amazing surprise to find I could accomplish that, however small an accomplishment it might be for someone else.

[Brigid]

3. Wow!

How great is that? I can walk that, but I doubt I could run it! :yourock:

[grace0418]

8. You never know. If you had asked me a couple of months ago if I could

run that, I would've laughed out loud. I still can't believe I did it. And I'm not even too sore this morning!

Thanks! :hi:

[auntAgonist]

4. congratulations !

I bet you feel wonderful! That is quite an accomplishment.

aA
:applause:

[grace0418]

11. Thanks aA!

I feel great, I must admit. Even though another jogger (very tall, very athletic-looking guy) blew past me like I was standing still when I was about halfway through my run, I just kept going. I'm really starting to understand the high people talk about when they run a marathon (not that I plan on going that far).

Anyway, thanks for the cheering! :hi:

[ThomCat]

5. Congratulations!

:applause:

I would not be so sure that you look like "a goofball." To someone like me who can barely walk short distances, someone who can run like you looks amazingly impressive.

I watch in awe as people do stuff I can only do in my dreams. Whether you think so or not, you are very amazingly impressive. You have every right to be proud, and you should definitely see yourself the way someone like me would see you. :)

[grace0418]

12. Awww Thomcat!

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

You have no IDEA how much you inspire me and probably every one else on DU. When I see what you have to struggle with just to get around, it makes me ashamed that I wasted and ignored my health all these years. I am in awe of your positive attitude and your perseverance, and I will be thinking of you when I run the 5K in a couple of weeks.

And thank you for your lovely post!

:loveya:

[MissMillie]

9. that's awesome

I ran my first one in 2005, after losing a lot of weight. In my life I had never run, on purpose, for anything.

In 2006 I ran a 10K.


I'm slower than molasses running uphill in January, but I run anyay.

Run not because you'll win, but because you love it!

www.waddleon.com

[grace0418]

13. Thanks MissMillie and congrats to you too!

Now I think I could run a 10K. I definitely could've kept going last night. With a little more practice, I think I can.

I think that finishing the race is winning enough for me.

I will check out your link tonight.

:hi:

[SoxFan]

10. Nice!

:yourock:

[grace0418]

14. Thanks BDDNH!

You rock for saying so! :)

[Maddy McCall]

15. Wow! You most certainly rock!

Good luck! :yourock:

[grace0418]

17. Thanks Maddy!

I'll let you all know how it goes, but now I'm pretty confident I will be fine and I won't embarrass myself! :)

[Maddy McCall]

20. Please report back!

I'll be rootin' for you!

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. Oh, I thought it was gonna be a picture of something else.

:P

Congratulations!! Being able to run that far is indeed exciting, especially after a major weight loss like yours! Woo hoo!

:woohoo: :woohoo:

[grace0418]

18. Oh, no. *THAT* I have no problem with, although I won't be providing pictures.

:evilgrin:

Anyway, thanks! :hi:

[IzaSparrow]

19. CONGRATULATIONS!

:applause:

[grace0418]

22. Thanks IzaSparrow!

My friends at DU are so supportive! :hug:

[IzaSparrow]

27. The weight always stays off easier

when you have goals that aren't just "lose weight."

I can't just go to the gym and slave away on a treadmill or elliptical. I need some motivation for what I'm doing like doing a certain bicycle race/ride, or a 5K run, or a hike.

Keep up the good work! Have fun with your run!

[grace0418]

33. I actually enjoy the elliptical and the treadmill. Which is good because I live in Chicago

and can't be outside for a good portion of the year. I like that I can totally space out and get lost in music or a good podcast and just work away. But certainly the variety of running outside is a nice change of pace, and will hopefully get my off this weight plateau I've been on for many months.

Thanks again!

[BeachBaby]

21. It IS a big deal!!!

Wow! I'm not sure what to say - you told us alot in just a little post, but....

CONGRATS on the weightloss! That accomplishment is extremely difficult in and of itself!!!

And I'm thrilled for you that you got to celebrate the weightloss by doing something you never could have done a couple of years ago. It kinda brings your weightloss accomplishments to fruition, yes?

I'm happy for you!!!! :hug:

[grace0418]

23. Well thanks JerseyGirlDem! I'm only about half-way done with my weight loss

goal, but I feel better every day. Just recently I bought some clothes in a NON-plus-size store, which was pretty awesome.

But yeah, doing something like this has really proved to me why all the hard work is worth it. When I reach my goal weight, I'm planning to take a trip to Australia and New Zealand. I want to hike the Milford Track. That is going to be the best way to celebrate for me.

Thanks again for your kind words and support. :hug:

[driver8]

24. That is awesome! Congratulations! n/t

[grace0418]

30. Thank you driver8!

:hi:

P.S. do people ever tell you to take a break, driver8? :)

[joneschick]

25. you are teh awesome!

and inspiring. I've lost a chunk of weight this past year, but I would never have even thought of running. I now work with someone that's training for the Boston Marathon and I have started having some running thoughts.....hmmmm.

btw, I had never heard of http://www.milfordtrack.net/. Again with the awesome. :hi:

[grace0418]

29. LOL! I just had to share that my stupid fucking firewall at work told me that the

milfordtrack.net website was blocked because it was PORN. Nature porn I guess. Sigh... I hate my job. Pretty soon DU is going to be blocked, I'm sure.

Anyway, THANKS! And congratulations to you too! I think you should try running. I didn't think I'd like it at all but it turns out I kinda do!

:hi:

[QueenOfCalifornia]

26. BRAVO

You are an inspiration!

[grace0418]

31. Gee, thanks! I didn't expect that at all!

But it is sure nice to hear! :hug:

[applegrove]

28. Way to go. Sounds like you are going to make your target weight. Running

will do that. I'm especially glad you seem to enjoy it so much. That is an excellent sign.

[grace0418]

32. Thanks! I sure hope to reach my goal this year. I've been on a bit of a plateau

but I'm trying not to stress about it. I'm hoping the running will knock my metabolism into high gear again.

Thanks for your encouragement. :hi:

[lildreamer316]

34. Whoohoo!! That's wonderful!!

I bet you feel so good!

[grace0418]

35. A little sore! But other than that, great!

:) Thank you! :hi:

[Bullwinkle925]

36. That's an absolutely fabulous thing you've done for yourself!

Keep up the good work!!

[grace0418]

37. Thanks Bullwinkle!

I feel very confident that I can do it now. It's sure nice to get pep talks from you all though. You have no idea what a boost you've given me! :) :hi:

[cloudbase]

38. Treat yourself!

Have a smoke!

[grace0418]

39. LOL! I think I'll pass.

I've taken one drag off one cigarette in my whole life. And it definitely wasn't a treat.

Now a chocolate cupcake...

:)