One year ago on Thanksgiving.... (Read 999 times)

I completed my first race ever - a 5k Turkey trot with a time of 34:28. This started the racing bug for me and since then I've done 4 more 5ks, a trail 10k, a sprint triathlon, and a half marathon. This Thanksgiving I returned to the Turkey trot with a vengeance and 43 pounds lighter. My time was 27:57. I'm sure the fact that I was 43 pounds lighter than last year at this time (55 overall) helped, but I have to think some of my improvement came from just time on my feet. I know my overall numbers aren't very impressive compared to other members of the forum, but it's better than the year before, which was probably around 20 total! I waited awhile to post this, and I actually wasn't going to post at all, but I've felt a real lack of support lately from friends and family and wanted to share with people who would understand what a 6 minute PR means. I also really wanted to thank the members of this board who are constantly educating and inspiring me and probably don't even know it. Cheers to great '08 and hopefully an even better '09!

I am super impressed. That is awesome. It is all due to the time on the feet. You would not have lost the weight but for the time on the feet. The lack of support from friends and family, is a mystery to me. I get that to. I run for purely selfish reasons, so I do not care, but an occasional high five, or good job would be nice.

That's what running is all about. Keep running and you will see even more improvement. Lighter weight plus time on your feet are the key to faster times. Continue to ramp up your mileage per week to the most you stand and remain healthy. I encourage you to do more than you think is feasible. I started thinking all I needed to do was around 30 miles per week. Someone stated that one should run 40+. Once you are capable, this is what you should try to achieve and beyond. It works wonders.

Amber, that is TRULY awesome!!! Wow, that's huge. I predict you can keep knocking minutes off doing what you're already doing.

Great job, Amber! Do you have any goals for 2009?

Thanks so much guys! This was the pick me up I needed. I'm also a little bummed right now because my lingering achilles problem seems to be getting worse. I'm battling with myself on whether to cut back or to build up a better base for my spring training program - which starts right after the new year. I'd hate to begin my training with nagging issues, but I'd also hate to begin under-prepared! Teresa - my goals for 09 are 2 HM's for the spring and maybe a full in the fall. We'll see. I'm also going to do a couple more sprint tri's...they're a blast!

sounds like they aren't willing to put in the hard work you have to reach their goals. Congrats on how far you have come.