I did it! I ran a 5k! With no training! I literally went from Couch to 5K – in ONE day!
Why? you ask.
Why not? I say!
*Disclosure – I do NOT recommend this for anyone who has never run and is not currently at least a little bit active!
So here is how it all went down.
A few months ago, my husband started training for the Olympics his first sprint triathlon, and since then he has been training like a fool. His buddies asked if we wanted to join them and their wives in a Tough Mudder. I thought that sounded fun, after all, I completed a Dirty Girl mud run last year and had a blast!
So, I agreed. Got us all signed up and THEN watched the video clips.
And nearly curled up in a ball under the table to cry.
It’s no 5K. It’s 10-12 MILES. Through obstacle courses that look like they were designed by the criminally insane. For example, one is literally electric wires hanging down that you run through, getting shocked all along the way.
OK, so I may be bypassing the obstacles. My goal is just to FINISH.
So I figured I should start doing some running. We signed up for our first 5K. The weeks passed. I did not train. The day arrived. And I just went for it. (But I did used to run. In fact, I trained for and ran a full marathon 8 years ago. So I knew I could do 3.)
And I did it! In 36:06. I ran the entire time.
Here’s how:
1. Be physically active in some way. I didn’t run, but I did walk outside and on the treadmill 1-3 times a week, I occasionally go to Zumba, and I try to attend a HIIT class at least 2-3 times/month. Plus, I chase after 3 little ones. So while I am not in running shape, I am not in TERRIBLE shape.
2. Buy yourself a good pair of shoes! I bought mine the day before the run. I purchased them because they were a) purple and cute and b) on sale. Turns out, I actually picked a really good pair.
Mizuno’s
(I do recommend that you wear them at least once before the race, which I did not, but they were still awesome!)
3. Get yourself a good cheering section! I had my mom, my kids, and my husband cheering me on. I can’t tell you how much it motivated me as I started off running and saw my 3 little ones cheering for me. It made me feel awesome to be setting such a good example for them! (My son also ran the kids’ fun run)
A little pre-race rally
4. Have a really good motivational factor. Mine is my kids. It goes back to a promise I made myself when I was on bed rest in the hospital and could barely even walk from the bed to the bathroom. I told myself I would be more active and healthy. I hadn’t done much of that. And my poor body, which suffers from Lupus and RA, needs me to take better care of it. Plus, as I mentioned above, I want to set a good example for my munchkins. (The promise of a beer and pizza after the race also kept me moving along!)
5. Hydrate! Ours was an evening race, so I was able to drink water and Gatorade all day.
6. Must have awesome tunes! I selected the “Linkin Park” Pandora channel and jammed my way through the 36 minutes.
7. Find your happy place. The whole time I was running, I let my music and my imagination carry me away. I was not thinking about discomfort, the 88 degree weather, the pain in my knees, or any thoughts that I couldn’t do it, and I got lost in the characters of my book. I played out different scenes that I want to add to The Boys I Left in Paris, and in some ways, it was like watching a movie while I ran. Certainly kept me distracted!
8. Just Do IT! Nike would be proud of me. I can make excuses all day. Finally I just decided to just go for it! I made the decision to just start running and keep going. Keep a slow pace and just willed myself to keep going. It’s amazing how much easier it is to do that when you’re surrounded by left in the dust by 400 other runners! (I actually finished somewhere in the low 300s!)
Couch to 5K in one day!
I did it and I feel great now! I know that I CAN! I have now signed up to be on a half marathon training team! Tough Mudder, you don’t scare me!
What physical challenges have you taken on (or want to take on)?
*I am neither a medical professional, nor a physical trainer, so be sure to consult with the appropriate people before you start a physical regiment!
katbiggie
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Victoria from the Busy House Big Heart says
August 5, 2013 at 9:40 amI wouldn’t recommend new runners to do a 5k off the bat, too many injuries when people try to push themselves too hard. If you are listening to your body though, you know what you can do. I am proud and impressed! You will have to get video of you getting covered in mud for tough mudder 🙂
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katbiggie says
August 5, 2013 at 9:45 amGood point! I just added a disclosure statement to reflect that! I don’t want anyone to get hurt! Thanks Victoria… I hope they do lots of pics and videos at the tough mudder!
Ilene says
August 5, 2013 at 9:50 amSo proud of you! And I love your advice. Hydrate. tunes. Good Shoes. Yes, yes, and yes. Today, I just blogged about challenging myself to run faster, so that’s definitely my challenge of late. But ANY challenge will do. It’s so important that we continually ask more of ourselves. Congratulations!
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katbiggie says
August 5, 2013 at 9:58 amThanks Ilene! I’m on my way over to read your post too!
Rachel Cotterill says
August 5, 2013 at 10:32 amI accidentally forgot to do any training before a marathon, this summer. Fortunately we were signed up to walk rather than run! But it was still a LOT further than I thought… 🙂
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katbiggie says
August 5, 2013 at 10:57 amYes, it is a long way! You accidentally forgot to train before a MARATHON???? Woah!
Janine Huldie says
August 5, 2013 at 10:58 amThis is awesome. I am truly not a runner and never have been, but do give you such credit and props!! Seriously good for you and so proud of you!! 🙂
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katbiggie says
August 5, 2013 at 11:01 amThanks Janine! I wouldn’t consider myself a runner, but I actually do enjoy it!
Kim says
August 5, 2013 at 11:28 amWell done! I’m glad you shared about how active you actually are. It’s amazing how much energy it takes just running after little ones.
I have thought about doing a Mud Run type 5K, but I just am not that fond of running. I see that as a real impediment to preparing for the run. However, the idea of accomplishing that does tickle my fancy a bit. 🙂
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katbiggie says
August 5, 2013 at 11:30 amThe nice thing about 5K mud runs is that there usually is not actually all that much running. Yes, you do run, but only between obstacles, and truthfully, lots of people were walking. Check out my post on The Dirty Girl mudrun (linked in the post above.) It’s a breastcancer awareness fundraiser and I didn’t train one LICK before doing that one. It was so fun!
Leah Davidson says
August 5, 2013 at 12:43 pmThat is so awesome! Sounds like your every day life prepared you just fine:) I pulled out the couch to 5 K app last week to prep for a 5K in September. I’ll look to your tips as I know I may fall short on my training!
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Dana says
August 5, 2013 at 6:10 pmThat’s awesome, Alexa – congrats! I hate to run but I can do it, and I always feel proud of myself afterwards. My sister did Tough Mudder – it is CRAZY. But it will make a great post if you take lots of pictures!
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another jennifer says
August 5, 2013 at 8:15 pmNice job, Alexa! I couldn’t do it. But I’ve never been a runner. The pizza and beer at the end might help for motivation though. 🙂
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Tamara says
August 5, 2013 at 10:32 pmThis is so cool! I didn’t even know this could be accomplished. Awesome. And the photo of the pre-race “pep” rally is very happy making. I’d run too if I had that cheering squad!
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Alison says
August 6, 2013 at 6:12 amGo you!
I’ve been meaning to go back to running for years. YEARS.
Maybe signing up for a race may just do the trick.
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The Dose of Reality says
August 6, 2013 at 11:20 amYou know what, I could totally do that, too. I mean, if I wanted to die. I did the actual Couch to 5K program a few years ago and never, ever got out of week 4. It was a disaster! You are my hero!-Ashley
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KC @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family says
August 7, 2013 at 12:13 pmThat is so awesome! Way to go at just going for it! Have fun with your training team. I have a half coming up next month and I just signed up for another one in November with a training team. So proud of you! Isn’t it great having the cutest cheering section?!
Take care,
KC
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Marie Oliveira says
August 7, 2013 at 2:58 pmWhen I saw that you ran the entire 5k I was really surprised and a little confused because I think I’d have trouble doing that even with my off and on running over the past few months. But it makes sense that you were in marathon shape years ago. I think a huge part of running is mental and you obviously have that part down if you’ve completed a marathon! I’m still working hard on that aspect.
I just bought some Mizunos! My first pair and I really like them. Just ordered some Brooks too so I can rotate.
Good luck with the Tough Mudder! My husband has done two and he said that they did a lot of walking because it was so steep in some areas. I told him I’m I’d never do one thought because there were ice obstacles in both. I’d rather be electrocuted than jump in ice cold water!
katbiggie says
August 7, 2013 at 4:47 pmDid you ever imagine yourself saying “I’d rather be electrocuted, than…” ?? I know I never imagined it would come down to choosing!! I used to do the polar bear swim at camp, so I’m hoping i can still jump in freezing water!!! Yes, I would agree, at least 60% of running is mental!
Briton says
August 9, 2013 at 2:13 pmThat mud run does not sound fun in the least bit! LOL! You had a great run to say you didn’t train for it at all! Go you!
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Michelle says
August 9, 2013 at 9:42 pmGood for you Alexa! I was wondering where you were going to go with this one. I’ll tell you what though, you won’t catch me doing a mud run. I think all my friends that do them are nuts. Did you see the video of the guy who got his neck caught in the electrical wire? He did not look good when he got up. I’ll stick to the regular running, thank you very much! 🙂
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katbiggie says
August 9, 2013 at 10:20 pmUm yeah, I think I’ll be avoiding that obstacle!!!
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom says
August 10, 2013 at 12:51 pmWay to go! I am on Week 4 of a couch to 5K program right now – and I love it. But before this I had never run before – so there is no way in the world that I could have run 5K. I just ran last night after nearly 2 weeks and could definitely feel the difference – but I am happy that I stopped the excuses and just got out there again.
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Jamie@SouthMainMuse says
August 16, 2013 at 7:11 pmWhat an awesome post. I love those photos. You will kill that Tough Mudder.
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that cynking feeling says
August 29, 2013 at 10:32 amI love your cheering section!
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Marii says
May 5, 2014 at 5:10 pmGo you, how awesome!! I ran across your blog because I was googling couch to 5k in one day, because I just did that this past saturday and I was actually very surprised, I ran the whole thing in 25 min. and honestly I didnt know I had it in me, but it was an awesome feeling, and now I know I love to run!! but anywho I was looking this up, because a lot of people told me I was really stupid for doing that, that I should’ve trainned, and I mean I work out at least 3-4 times a week, I just dont run… because I hate the threadmill!! But you are awesome and now I dont feel soo bad for my decision of of just Doing it with no excuses what so ever!!! Thanks for your awesome blog!!!!
katbiggie says
May 5, 2014 at 6:38 pmHoly smokes! You did it in 25 mins? that IS awesome! I hate the treadmill too.
Marii says
May 6, 2014 at 5:24 pmYup I was surprised to lol, but I just started running and didn’t stop, but ask me know, I’m sooore!! Hahaha, but it was worth, had a great time!!! 🙂