I Guess I'm Officially a Couch to 5k Graduate

Back in January, when people make goals and promises to themselves for the new year, I joined right in as I always do. This time the goal was different from other years, I decided that this was the year I'd run a 5k and set my sights on the Shamrock Run on March 14.

The c25k program (Couch to 5k) was one I'd heard of many times and I decided it was my vehicle for New Year's Resolution success....and you know what? I was right!

January went well and I was on my way to beating the inner voice that has always said "I'm not a runner". February started out great but then ended with two weeks of forced inactivity due to knee troubles. I didn't give up though; March came and I resumed the c25k where I left off and I made it to the Shamrock Run! At that point it was official, I could say "resolution competed", c25k done.

I purposely set my goal for early Spring so that if I didn't want to keep going I could stop running and still feel successful. It hasn't worked that way, now I'm wanting to improve, get faster and keep up with other people.

A week after the Shamrock Run I finished the 5k for Prevention and on April 11 ran the Race for the Roses.

Next up: Starlight Run 5k in Portland on June 5, Sound to Narrows in Tacoma on June 12 and the Lacamas Lake Run in Camas on July 24 (half marathon or 4 miles--I'm scaring myself by thinking about the half marathon).

I've joined a running group training program so I can get faster, learn something about form and run places that I don't go by myself (some trails around here). Wednesday evenings the group does track work and Saturday mornings are group runs. I'm looking forward to it!

So here it is, my official graduation badge: