I finally did it !

I can sit on the 5K couch now.  I can wear the badge.  I can shout it from the roof top.

I RAN 5 KILOMETRES TODAY WITHOUT STOPPING !

The very first time.  I am over the moon.

There's a lot to be said for plotting a course and not just going out randomly running.  I plotted the night before what I was going to "attempt" first thing this morning.  I didn't even tell Mike what I was planning, just that I was going to try to beat my last best run in distance outdoors without stopping (which was 4.4km).

So I set off on my course and every time Runkeeper told me my 5 minute stats my smile was getting broader.  I ran up a few hills as well and got to the top knowing I could coast down the other side.  Still not stopping.  I got all the way over to Ararat Road, woah that's clear over the other side of town (mind you it's a small town) and still I kept going.  Another 5 minutes, and yet another 5 minutes, it all kept adding up.

As I was on the homeward bound stretch I heard Runkeeper say I'd only just hit 4km.  How could that be?  It seemed so much longer in my head.  I mean I *DID* just run clear to the other side of town and back.  So despite being only a block away from home I kept running and started zig zagging up and down each block just to add up more kms.  Finally I was heading closer to my street and I heard the magic 5 kilometre come up.

As I rounded the corner back into my street I was grinning like a mad woman, I think I even let out a whoop, and I was fist pumping the air.  Yep, I think I've become known as the crazy running woman of this town now.

All in all I did a grand total of 5.4 kilometres in 40 minutes and 05 seconds.  I'm not setting land speed records, that's for sure.  But right now I'm aiming for endurance over speed.

I think back to when I started 12wbt and I tried to run around the back yard and I couldn't make it.  I was heaving by the time I did one lap.

I think back to my first 1km time trial and there was no way I could run 1km without stopping.  I walked the majority of it.  Oh that was when my saggy track pants didn't fall down, I remember running and having to hold them up.

I think back to the very first time I ran 1km on the treadmill.  I was at the gym with the inspiring Tania from the Warrnambool & Surrounds 12wbt crew, and I couldn't believe it, I ran a kilometre.

And now I'm running over 5 kilometres.  Un-freaking-believable.  I'm on top of the world.

I was reading a blog post by the ever inspiring Leitchy tonight.  I do urge you to read it, it's about celebrating  the small wins.   And I whole-heartedly agree.  Although my 5km to me is quite huge, it's still a win and worthy of being celebrated in the highest order.

And I know there are a few people out there that will "get" my excitement, won't you Ruby Slippers   :-)

Now I just have to figure how to be awesome again tomorrow.