Running has no limits….
You Can Start at ANY age!

I started running a little over 2 years ago, at 52 years old. I would love to say that the first 5K was great but at almost 39 minutes I was simply proud that I crossed the finish line. In my mind, I knew I could do better but didn’t know just what to do. So, I told Becca that I wanted to run the Disney “Women Run the World” 15K. They gave me a training plan, and I followed it even when I didn’t feel like it. My work paid off! With Becca pacing me, I finished that first 15K and felt great!!

The next year, I completed nine 5k races by myself with a personal best 28:40—a long way from the first one- and my times are still improving at each race, I ran the same 15K and beat my time for my first one by almost 5 minutes and I blasted through 2 half marathons improving my time from one to the next.

So, the only option was to finish off 2008 with a Marathon, the Lesalle Bank Marathon in Jacksonville, FL. The training was tough and there were moments I thought the whole idea was crazy, but I held strong and stayed the course. The goal was easy. “Put one foot in front of the other and DON’T STOP! When I crossed the line, Becca and I both realized I had beat my goal time by 8 minutes! I placed 3rd in my age group (I think even Becca was surprised by that) with a time of 4:52.

Every race I feel a little better and my time is a little faster.

What’s next for me? Well, I have to beat my marathon time, naturally!

I’m hooked!

From a New Runner and
Mother of Three!

After kid number 3 was born in August of last year, I became a stay at home mom for the first time. I quickly became overwhelmed with the ins and outs of everyday life. It was so much harder than sitting behind a desk and going to meetings all day. I wasn't doing much for myself and wasn't very happy with "getting things done."

In January, a friend of my called and asked me to join a group called Couch to 5K. What - Me run? I don't think so. I thought it was a major accomplishment to WALK around Lake Hollingsworth without having to call someone to pick me up. But it was time away from the house that my wonderful husband was willing to cover for me. It was exercise which I wasn't doing.

Each week, we had an assignment. A goal. Something that wasn’t related to the baby, the preschool, or feeding this crowd of picky eaters. When I ran, I was me. Just me. Yeah, I had to push a stroller sometimes, but he seemed to sense that he needed to nap during those rides.

I met people. I needed to meet people. People who understood that last Friday’s assignment was hard. People who knew I had given birth to three children but didn’t think of me as “just a mom.” People now friends, with whom I have shared this awesome journey.

My thighs no longer required me to wear jeans every day. In fact, the jeans didn’t fit anymore. But more importantly, I was happy. I had focus. I had a goal. I accomplished that goal on February 28th – I completed the Gasparilla 5K. I won’t be qualifying for the Olympics anytime soon, but I finished somewhere in the middle of the pack of 8000. The experience was amazing. I was hooked. I registered for the Mayfaire 5K immediately. I joined the Beyond 5K program. By May 9th, I had shaved 2 minutes and 10 seconds off of my time and another 10 pounds off of my body.

What’s next? The Women’s Half Marathon in St. Pete on November 22nd. Yes – I know… That’s 13.1 miles. But I can do it. Rebecca and FIT2Endure are going to help me. My new friends are going to train and run with me. My family is going to continue to cheer me on.

I am writing my own personal mission statement complete with fitness, personal and relationship goals. I am more focused. I am a better wife, mother, and friend.

All I had to do was to put on a pair of running shoes.

Thank you for the valuable nutritional information!

[Dear Becca,] Thanks for all the info on food yesterday. Since the meeting I have been looking at my labels and WOW -- I never realized what kind of stuff was in what I grew up on! I didn't realize that Chips Ahoy had coloring to make them look "fresh baked" (amongst other things I cannot pronounce), and I actually thought that Kraft Mac and Cheese had SOME form of cheese in it, haha! I'm taking it in baby steps (or my husband may kill me), but when I went to Publix today I was surprised to find out that the Natural or Organic versions of the foods we eat are not much more expensive in some cases. Like, the Greenwise apple juice is the SAME price as the Motts, but with just juice and water & none of the additives. I was also able to find a good Organic breakfast cereal for the kids, and it was LESS than the regular version with the coupon that I had to go with it. Now I know! :) Anyway, just wanted to say THANK YOU and hope you are having a good day!

-Kim

About the C25K

SELF Concepts and FITniche teamed up and offered the first Couch to 5K as a way to jumpstart the new year and get people moving. Sixty-seven people showed up to take part in this 8-week program aimed to get people off the couch and ready to run their first 5K...... or at least their first in a long time! There were a lot of nervous people on that first night, not sure if they could do the program and seriously doubting that a 5K was in the future. Participants were diligent about coming to the weekly group runs and also teaming up with others to get in the "homework runs" during the week. The weekly mini-lessons gave participants basic information on shoe fitting, nutrition, strength training, benefits of massage, and lots more. February 28th, the Couch to 5K-ers toed the line of the Gasparilla 5K race in Tampa proudly sporting their new C25K tech tees. The race started with lots of cheers and yells and the runners were off! It was a great day of fun, fellowship, and of course proud coaches and runners! Congratulations C25K Lakeland!!!!

Hear what the C25K participants had to say:

"This program was a blessing to me because I had been looking for something like it for awhile. You did a great job and I can't wait to start the "beyond 5K"."
- Amanda

"I was happy to find others who share the same goal as I and find other runners to encourage me to continue"
- Michelle

"I wish to personally thank you for this program. It has changed my life. I feel better, have more energy, have a spring in my step and have a more joyful attitude ...Three months ago I would have never believed this could have happened"
-Ray