Grats on coming out of hiding.  That's funny that you followed the collapse of RWOLBF and followed over here.  Welcome to the group.

Hi everyone!

 

I have been lurking on RWOL and learning from you folks for months! After the “crash”, I followed you here, creepy! Seems most of you are sticking around RA, so I decided to come out of hiding.  I’m a new runner so I have no wisdom to share, just a lot more to learn. I will probably lurk more than I post .

 

My story. Married for 16 years, no kids. I have asked Santa for a dog and a Garmin. Learned about that little gadget (not the dog)   while lurking!

 

Beware. I ramble, my spelling is horrible and I miss stuff even if I proofread, so feel free to stop now!   

 

January 5, 2009, I smoked my last cigarette after smoking for 27 years (you can figure out my age by the numerical hint in my title). I quit several times over the years but this time was different. I hated smoking. I hated “needing a cigarette”. I reminded myself that there was a time in my life that I didn’t smoke. I thought about non-smokers, like my husband, who were able to cope without a cigarette and figured that if they can do it, I can too. I went cold turkey. Sometimes I still can’t believe it, but I have not craved a cigarette since quitting. I like it.

 

I have always been physically active, even as a smoker. I was never a runner but went to the gym 4-5 times a week and could walk long and slow on the treadmill! I told myself even though I smoke, I’m in better shape than some people are at my age! Ha, yeah right!

 

A year after I quit smoking, I realized I was getting fatter and fatter, and I didn’t like how I felt. I was at my heaviest, 5’7 189 lbs. I was determined not to reach 190 lbs. I needed a reality check. The truth was a lot of my extra weight was due to my love of wine, cheese & fruity martinis!

 

January 2010, I quit drinking alcohol! That same month I joined a weight loss program and by September 2010, I was down to 133lbs (current weight 135 – 137 and I am so happy).

 

In 2010, I had never heard of running forums and had no clue what a running plan was. I was a treadmill diva! I loved walking, and one day I realized I could walk and talk at the same time because I could finally breathe! So I started trotting on the treadmill (notice I didn’t say running ). In March 2010, a friend at my gym suggested I try a 5K. Honestly, I was too embarrassed to ask how far that was or what it involved. She told me about a walker friendly race in June that had a maximum time limit of 55 minutes! I figured I could do that! Eventually I jumped off the treadmill and started walking/jogging around my subdivision. June 12, 2010 I completed my first 5K and finished in 39 minutes! I was so flipping proud and happy I cried! It felt fantastic! I loved that feeling!

 

Although it has been a couple of years, I’m still slow but I happily schlep on down the road! Since that first 5K, I have not entered many races but I have completed a few more 5Ks, an 8K, and this year ran/walked two HMs! Yikes, no need to discuss my completion times, I’ve learned enough from you guys to know I signed up and ran races without “proper” training! But, I loved every step and wouldn’t change it for the world!  

 

Today I went for a 5-mile run. For the first time in my adult life, I fell down. Plop. Right there on the freaking sidewalk. I had just run up a slight incline and was going down the other side when I noticed the sidewalk coming up to my face! I stuck out both hands to break the fall. I landed on my knees and somehow rolled over onto my butt! I sat there for a second, and stood up. I took off my glove (its 33 degrees today) and the top of my hand was bleeding, just a little. I carry tissue so I wrapped it around my hand and put my glove back on. I walked about 10 feet to the next stop light. When it turned green, I ran.

 

For the first time in my life, I realized, I am a runner. I could not believe I had fallen on my butt and got back up to keep running!

 

Thank you all for what you have given me. Without your wisdom and willingness to share, I would not have found the courage to get up today and keep running. I want to learn more. My next HM is June 2013. I plan to train and I plan to race. If Santa brings me a Garmin, I’ll even know my pace!

 

Brenda

Brenda,  welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story.  You've come a long ways, whether you think so or not.  I hope that you stay around and hang out with us.

Thanks for the welcome guys! Glad I stepped out ... 

Brenda, have you encouraged anyone to do their 1st 5k? I think you can find someone too, just like your friend found you. It is a good feeling to be able to tell a story like yours, you should spread the word.

 

Mitch

 Hi Mitch!

You're right and I did, I got my husband to run two 5Ks this year (June & September) and I was so proud of him! Years ago when he was in the Air Force he did something wierd to his kneecap and has had issues since (swelling from time to time).

He turns 50 in December and is in great shape but has no desire to train or run any further than the bare minimum! But, that's okay, he said he'll run with me from time to time next spring so that makes me happy!

I'm still working on my two sisters, so we'll see! 

So was it an evil sidewalk crack that did you in?  Hi.

Hi and welcome! I'm glad you decided to come out of hiding and I like your siggy too.