My first 5k!

Naperville Turkey Trot '09 - Post Race

This race is actually sort of what got me running in the first place over a year ago. At a gathering of Mark's side of the family in October '08, Mark's uncle mentioned the Turkey Trot 5K and how it would be a fun thing to do, blah blah blah... I don't remember all the details, but Mark was a cross country runner once upon a time whereas I had just joined the family and taken a very sedentary job and was already gaining post-wedding/transitional weight, so some combination of those things probably led me to believe a 5k was a good idea. There was only one problem. I hated running and could not run 3 miles if my life depended on it. (okay, I guess that's two problems.)

So, not knowing a thing about how training worked, or that it was at all possible for me to kinda sorta be athletic or, well, run 3 miles -straight -and not pass out or give up, I decided I better start training early...like, a year early! (Translation for those who are like I was and don't get the humor: you can train from 0 miles and work up to 3 miles in about 3 months, give or take.)

Regardless, this is about the time I googled Couch to 5K, and I guess my secret's out: it all started from fear of not being able to keep up with the veteran Walczaks!