This was the week of the 5k. Beth ran her first 5k, and crushed it out in 58:54. What an accomplishment! Not only that, but she completed all of her CrossFit workouts, and did an extra training run. I’m going to let Beth take it from here…
After arriving and registering, I spent some time stretching out and getting my “head into the game”. I looked around and saw lots of different types of people which made me feel more comfortable. Neal and our girls were with me as well so that helped my nerves too.
At 10 am we started the race. I put myself in the middle of the pack because I knew I am slow and didn’t want to get passed by everyone right away. Well, that didn’t work out too well. Before I knew it, everyone had passed me and I was dead last…just the ambulance was behind me and this was just minutes into the race. For a couple minutes I stayed in the street and then decided I wouldn’t hold up traffic so I moved to the sidewalk. I was a bit deflated because it then just felt like a regular old day of running. Quickly I readjusted my attitude and remembered that I had worked hard for months and needed to be proud of just being there.
I made it about 10 minutes running straight which for me was great! Then a shin splint stopped me in my tracks. My left lower leg was turning numb. I knew if I had any chance, I needed to stop and address the problem. I stretched out and walked it off for about 3 minutes. I felt completely alone (because I literally was…there was no one in sight and no cars)! It was a turning point…I was either going to give up 10 minutes into the race or I was going to just take the smallest steps I could, one by one, jogging and make it through the next almost 3 miles.
I made myself keep going because I knew how mad I would have been and disappointed if I had turned back. Over the hill was a girl that said you had reached the 1 mile mark and your time is 15 minutes….all the sudden I thought, wow, I just made it here in 15 minutes even with stopping for 5 minutes…I can keep going.
From that point on, I didn’t stop running until I made it to the finish line. I ran about 53 minutes straight!! As I slowly chugged along completely alone, I had someone from the race riding by me and keep asking if I was okay or if I needed a ride and I just kept saying, nope I am fine thanks. It was nice for him to check on me. He was my cheerleader by the end. He was also the one cleaning up the course as I was still running which meant that all of the other 5K’ers were done and I was the only one out there. This didn’t bother me and I just kept on going up and down the hills and moving forward listening to Justin Bieber blaring in my ears to keep me motivated.
I thought of alot of things during the race….why I was doing this race, what was motivating me, how hard I had trained, who was going to be proud of me, and lots of positive thoughts to just keep going. I also worked on my running form. The biggest thought was that even if I was super slow and alone out there, I was still lapping all those sitting on the couch!
At one point, my neighbor rode by me and that was awesome and surprising…it kept me going. I also had a few random people just out for a jog pass me and they cheered me on. Finally, I got up that last hill and knew where I was and how far I had to make it back. Thankfully, it was all flat running to get back so I just thought to myself, all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and you will eventually get there.
I started seeing people again and cars which was great! Up ahead the 10K racers were coming off a side street and once I met up with that street, I got to run to the finish line with them. It was exciting and emotional for me. All of that hard work and realization that I actually did it came rushing through. As I ran to the finish line I saw my mom, and then my husband/kids and dad! That was awesome!! It was such an accomplishment and I was so proud of myself!
I am signing up for another 5K in March because I want to keep the momentum going. I am so happy I did this for myself and it helped my confidence in all areas of my life.
Thanks,
Beth
Missed a CrossFit Weight Loss Challenge update? Click here to find the whole series
Pre-5k
Half Way Through Beth’s 5k
Show notes:
Canton Fall Classic 5k
Beth’s total race time: 58:54
Beth’s CrossFit Weight Loss Challenge stats:
Weight lost: 20lbs. 2 pounds lost this week!
Running & Walking Totals
“Couch to 5K” (FREE app) training – 3 times this week
Walked a total of 4.77 miles
This week’s CrossFit workouts
We have 4 tough workouts planned this week. Including a 10 minute AMRAP. AMRAP’s are always challenging because you have to decide how hard you can push yourself without shutting down. This is the next step in Beth’s training. We’re going to be ramping up the CrossFit workouts which will keep Beth building the muscle, and dropping the pounds. This won’t be easy, but it can be a boatload of fun with the right mindset.
Workout 1
10 min AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of:
5 bent over backpack or child rows @25lbs
10 pushups
15 squats
Workout 2
5 rounds for time of:
10 overhead presses w/15lb dumbbells or other object
20 lunges (10 each)
Workout 3
A. 3 rounds not for time of:
20 second planks
5 supermans
B. For time:
Run 1 block and back
15 squats
Run 1 block and back
15 push ups
Run 1 block and back
15 sit ups
Run 1 block and back
Workout 4 (same as last week)
Pick up something heavy (aka deadlift) with perfect form (see video below)
*this doesn’t have to be performed with a barbell. Find anything around the house, but make sure to keep the core tight, back flat, chest up, and knees tracking in the direction of the toes (see video).
3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3
Rest 2 mins between sets
Meals from last week
Spinach soup with chicken breast, carrots, and onions.
Hamburger with ketchup and side of sauteed cauliflower.
Banana and blueberry’s.
Salad with cauliflower and piece of salmon.
Cup of salted peanuts and walnuts.
First attempt at making cauliflower and spinach mashed.
Tabbouleh, spinach hummus and pita crackers – looked up alternatives for tabbouleh (going to swap the bulger out with cauliflower) and make the hummus with roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas. Looking into a pita chip alternative as well.
Piece of white fish with a light breading and sweet potato fries.
Hamburger with a little ketchup.
Salad with cucumber, tomato, mushroom, white onion, cauliflower, and 2 boiled eggs.
Omelet with leftover cauliflower/spinach mashed, salmon, and 1 slice of cheese.
Now get outside and have fun by working hard!
🙂
