My First 5K Race...

On a beautiful morning in late September, I completed my first ever 5K race! Even though I was excited, I was also very nervous. I just had taken up running only 6 months earlier.  I had the chance to have my VO2 tested at work in March and what I got was great information that would help me exercise smarter.  It ‘s not like I wasn’t in good shape. I was because I have been a fitness instructor for over 13 years now, teaching classes like cycling, step, aerobics, muscle conditioning and yoga. I was in “group fitness instructor” shape.  But I wanted to see what it was like to be in “running” shape.  So I added running two times a week to my already busy exercise schedule and out of the blue, I decided to do my first 5k race only 4 weeks before the event. The running program that I followed was based on my results from the VO2 test. Did I mention that I also was battling plantar fasciitis in my left foot during the last 6 months? But I didn’t let that get in my way. I was hoping to break 30 minutes for my first 5K and ran it in just under 29 minutes. I was excited and pumped! I have the bug now to do another 5K and who knows, maybe one day in the near future I will do a ½ marathon. Running my first 5K made me realize that I can do anything I want to do. As Coach Taylor says, "If you give effort and have the right attitude, then you will be successful in any endeavor." What a great way to live your life!

Re Wies, a Baltimore native is the Metabolic Assessment Specialist and Yoga/SportStretch instructor. She is also an ACE Certified Fitness Instructor and has been teaching group exercise classes for the last 13 years around the Baltimore area.  Her passion for exercise shines through every time she leads a group exercise class.  Join Re for a complimentary Yoga/SportStretch class.  Contact her at 410-828-8218 or she can be reached at RWies@TheGordonInstitute.com for the current class schedule.