I did it. That’s right. I ran my first 5K race ever. And it felt amazing. I don’t think words can truly describe how I feel. Is this what runner’s high is? I feel like I’m Queen of the World, like nothing can stop me. I am invincible. I never realized finishing something like a 5K race could mean so much. But it does. It means I can do it. It means that I am far stronger than I believe. It means I am capable of anything if I work and try at it. It means that nothing, and I mean NOTHING, can drag me down because I will keep pushing forward.
I ran for Endorphin Dude Tony, who ran a half marathon today! I ran for Craig, who has his first 5K this coming Saturday! I ran for Kat, who is shooting for a sub-35 5K on Saturday. I ran for Chad, who has a 5K in two weeks. I ran for Anthony, who has a 5K on the first of May. I ran for John, who has a half marathon at the end of May. I ran for Steve, who has a half marathon also at the end of May. I ran for all of you training hard on the C25K program (here’s lookin’ at you Tara, Brandon, Lauren, and Meg). I ran for Seth, who will be running three 5Ks this year. I ran for Chris, who will be running a 10K with me in May. I ran for all of you reading my blog and cheering me on via Twitter, Facebook, Google Chat, email, and text messages. I ran for all of you who kept me in your thoughts.
I ran for my mom, my dad, and my grandmother.
But most importantly, I ran for myself. I ran for the 263-pound Jess. I ran for the 173-pound Jess. I ran for the future, fit 140-pound Jess. I ran for the current, hard-working 197-pound Jess.
I finished, for my friends, for my family, and for myself. And it was incredible.
My first 5K time: I finished in under 35 minutes!
My personal cheerleaders: Introducing Mom and Grandma.
My official race number: Lucky? I think so!
The Finish Line: I did it!
Official Race Shirt Victory Picture: For you, Chad and Craig!
Please take a victory picture of you in your official race shirt when you finish your race! Be proud of your accomplishment because it really is an amazing achievement.
Your time doesn’t matter. Taking a walk break doesn’t matter. Walking the entire thing doesn’t matter. What matters is that you FINISH. So keep pushing forward. Keep pressing for that finish line. You’ll get there. You can do it.
After finishing the 5K, I signed up for my first 10K race. I encourage you to sign up for a race. Don’t do it for me. Do it for yourself.
My Race Schedule:
May 1 – Coach Hep Cancer Challenge 5K. Bloomington, IN. In the works.
May 16 – Coronado Bay Bridge 4-Mile Run. San Diego, CA. In the works.
May 22 – Dad’s Day Dash 10K. Los Angeles, CA. Registered.
June 6 – San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon. San Diego, CA. Registered.
I hate asking for donations, but all of these races are for a good cause. Registration fees are adding up, and I haven’t been able to sell things quickly enough on eBay. If you are interested in donating, please email me at halfofjess@gmail.com.
Consumption: 1280 calories, 21.45g of fat.
click for full view
Workout: Treadmill run. Sauna.
Yes, I did go to the gym tonight. I took a nap, woke up, and decided to go for a run. I practiced sprinting with minimal recovery time for 20 minutes. Finished 1.8 miles. Then I sweated my ass off in the sauna for 15 minutes and stretched for 5.
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Female. 25 years old. Chinese. Cook. Foodie. UCLA grad. Traveler. Musician. Scuba diver. GWU Law. Runner.
DUDE. That’s absolutely phenomenal! I admire your drive to finish this and in such an awesome time! I’m very impressed and in awe of you.
–Ron
.-= Ron´s last blog Down and Up… WTF is a Roncast? =-.
What a fantastic accomplishment Jess! Way to finish a race!!
you are amazing! What a great job.
That’s incredible! Good work! Now, the next thing you should do is to find another 5K you can do, sign up for it and try to beat your personal best time. That, or start training for a 10K.
The sky’s the limit with you, Jess.
I must’ve read that part of the post wrong before ….OOPS…I am glad to see you signed up for a 10K!!!! That’s awesome!! I was happy to see that.
Amazing!!
You should feel very proud of yourself!!
Love your pictures with your race shirt!
You freaking KILLED it, yo! Congrats!!!
AMAZING job — congratulations!!!
I’m so proud of you! I just signed up for my first 5k in june! I’m running the Susan G. Komen here in DC. Wish my luck! You’re awesome!
.-= Lauren´s last blog Shopping for Running Shoes =-.
Awesome job, Jess!!! Great photos of you and your family, and the first in a series of blogger race shirt photos!
Your race schedule is great – you’re going to do great with all of those. Now – to get my time down so that I can post something respectable on race day!
.-= Chad´s last blog Weekly Weigh In – Buffet be Damned!!! =-.
completely awesome post!
.-= Seth@1010in2010´s last blog The picture. Acceptance. Success. =-.
You ROCK! What an amazing first 5k, seriously that’s an awesome time. My first was 38:58. Woo hoo! Can’t wait ’til Saturday, eek.
Congrats, hon! I can’t wait for our 10k. You’ll be pulling my ass in a wagon unless I get into shape immediately.
Jess,
Sorry I couldn’t be there to cheer you on. Congrats on your first race and here’s to the next one!
You totally rock. I knew you’d have an awesome time.
And that’s a cool shirt. I would have expect a flimsy white screenprinted thing. That’s a shirt I’d wear anywhere. 
Well, not anywhere, but anywhere I’d wear a t-shirt, for sure.
.-= Jeremy Logsdon´s last blog Tie-Dye and My 3rd Giveaway =-.
What an AMAZING RACE!! And an Amazing time for an AMAZING chick! You did so good…but I never doubted you’d be able to kickass at this. I’m so proud of you Jess!!! Great pics!
.-= Craig´s last blog Weekend Warriors Take Two recap (and C25K Madness…) =-.
Congrats Jess!!! That’s absolutely fantastic! Honestly, it’s so inspiring that I can’t wait to finish the C25K and get out there and run one! (Thanks for the shout out btw!!)
That is an awesome time for your first 5K Jess, nice work! I look forward to doing my first 5K race once I’m done with C25K!
.-= Brandon´s last blog Couch to 5K: Week 1 review =-.
You are so inspiring! Just wanted to make sure you know that
Okay, I seriously need to not read posts that are making me cry today. I am so proud of you Jess! Under 35 minutes must be like super hero speed right? Did you remember to pick up your cape? I’ve got goosebumps reading this.
You are my hero today!
and everyday!
.-= Tara´s last blog 3.1 / Superman / emotional gunk… =-.
WOW, so impressive. I am super proud of you….you are one of my hero’s. Thank you for sharing your success with us. Such an inspiration!!! Best of luck on your 10K coming up, you can do it!
Kickass!!! Congratulations Jess, I am so proud of you!!! I apologize for being so quiet on your blog lately, I appreciate all the encouragement you’ve given me through my funk! Your time was FANTASTIC and definitely something to be proud of! It’s nice seeing the pictures of your family too. Your mom and grandma remind me of my dear mother in law whom I love dearly and can’t wait to see this summer. Anyway, congrats again and I’m glad to see you signed up for the 10K!
I figured you’d rock it. Way to go Jess!!! 10k will be a breeze now that you have this 5k under your belt.