Hey Todd – My story is pretty simple, but if it helps anyone who thinks they’re “done’”, because they’ve had knee surgery or because they’re over, well, 39…here goes:

I am a Type-A Personality, I am involved , over-committed, & energetic, & because I am that driven, I seem to be able to make it all work. After having knee surgery a year & a half ago ago (& being told I couldn’t ever plan to do anything high impact ever again – WRONG THING TO SAY TO ME!!! )

I saw a clip on ESPN one night about Julio Jones (& how he’d been out playing football within 3 weeks after the same surgery on his knew that I’d just recovered from) …well… ROLL TIDE…I wondered why I couldnt’ do the same…so I got Todd’s RUNNING MATE 5K into my ipod & away I went.

Since it starts so very slow, & short – I was able to work up to running that 3.something miles per day & haven’t quit yet. I am ashamed to say I’ve not taken the time to post on the f/b page about my runs or any of the 5K’s I’ve done, but that’s where I’m cutting my corners for time. OH & did I mention that I’m well – yes, weeellll over 39…so put that together & ANYBODY can do it, if I can!

It makes you healthier, happier, puts your days into perspective, & you LOOK better too! (& ladies…it is good for your skin, too) Now I’m not suggesting anyone try something without a doctor’s consent – we’re all different for sure – but I do believe that there’s a way to exercise & even light jogging could surely be a given – especially if using Todd’s 5K podcast.

I’m all about it & ready to answer anyone’s questions & happy to help! And there ya have it – Carole Byrd

I started the 5k101 podcast in August of 2010 (AUGUST! In ATLANTA!). I couldn’t get through the 2min run. I struggled. It took 2 weeks of “running” 3 days a week to get past each week of the podcast. I never thought I would acheive my goal of running a 5k.

In Nov of 2010, I crossed the finish line of my first 5k with a time of 50:07.
I didn’t stop there. I had a new goal. I wanted to get under 45mins. My next 5k in April of 2011 was 47mins. The next one just a couple weeks later was 46:40.

Then I moved on to the Peachtree Road race. A 10k that is a bit of a legend here in Atlanta. Held on July 4th every year with 60,000 runners. You don’t run the Peachtree, you survive it, lol. You get the bragging rights at the end. I had a goal of finishing in 2hours, I did it in 1:47.

Couple more 5ks here and there, another 10k in Oct 2011 with a new PR of 1:35
My sights were set on a half marathon next. During training, my running took me to San Fransico where I ran a 10K across the Golden Gate Bridge. Time for that one? 1:29:45.

On April 22, 2012, I crossed my first half marathon finish line with a time of 3:31:05. It was a long day, but I RAN 10 miles before I let myself walk. All said, I probably walked half a mile of the whole thing.

I’m still slow. I’m a proud penguin. I’m doing the Peachtree again this year, and have already signed up for another half in Oct.

And it all started with a podcast and a “bucket list” of running a 5k (my last 5K time was 41:17 – so close to my new, under 40mins goal)

I started running in Jan/Feb of last year – I got nearly through the 5K101 training when I injured my back and had to stop for most of the summer.

I started again, and restarted about 4 times last fall before our Turkey Trot 5k – which I only ran about half the time. Then in January of THIS year, I started again and made it through the full training – and THEN the 10K training!

I have run two 5K races and shaved time off each time! I will be running in a 10K race with my sister the end of this month and am SO happy about it!

I guess what I’m trying to say is – Even though I had to start over what seemed like a million times, I DID get through and feel really good about not giving up. I’m now signed up for a half-marathon in the fall too… Just keep swimming, Just keep running!

~ Kat