Running 5K: Race Day!

This running business was much harder than I expected. I had to find time to train, and the pain of it!  The pain of it! When I started to train, I could only run about 500 metres before stopping, gasping for breath; my legs on fire; and I thought, how on earth am I going to run 5K!?

Each week, I saw a slight improvement in my time and fitness, and the encouragement from you all, here on the blog, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, spurred me on.  I saw running in the Bridge to Brisbane an opportunity to raise money as part of World Visions Multiplying Gift Appeal  and you can read more about it here.   My relationship with World Vision started last year when I became a WV Blogger Ambassador along with a lovely group of bloggers with a heart for social good.  One of the Blogger Ambassadors, Eden Riley, had the opportunity to see first hand the work of World Vision in  Niger, Africa.  Since then, I’m always looking for opportunities to use my blog for social good where I can.  It’s a privilege for me to do so.

Race Day

Sunday 3rd September marked the day of the race, the day I would run 5K. I was excited about the race, but I had a few doubts niggling in my mind whether I could actually run the entire race without stopping. You see, in my training sessions, I had not been able to quite do it all without interspersing the run with walking periods.

Three Goals

When I started out on the this journey, I set three goals:

1. To run an entire 5K

2. Run 5K in under 30 minutes (this was more of a wish than a goal)

3. Raise $500 for those in need

Well, I ran.  And I ran. And I told myself during the race:  You must not stop. This is your chance. You must run. And I ran. And I didn’t stop. And I finished.

I can’t tell you how amazing it felt to get to that finished line.  How proud I felt and running the entire 5K. Do you know what? I CAN RUN 5K!  Something I haven’t done since high school!  And my time? I smashed my PB and came 2 seconds under 30 minutes. WHOO HOO!

Official Time

My official time: 29.58 minutes.

Money Raised

I’m pleased to say that in total, $700 was raised!  The fundraising page is open for the next month so you can still donate here.

Will I Continue Running?

I’ve noticed quite a few changes in my body since running.  My headaches have reduced 70%, I have more energy,  I sleep better and I feel better. Plus, I’ve lost a few kilos too.

There is something very free about running, and I love it.  I will continue to run. Because I can.

It’s amazing what you can do when you decide to. Three goals. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Thanks so much to those of you who have followed this journey with me.

More

The Beginning

Pain!

No Pain, No Gain

6K Training Route Times

10K Training Route Times