For the last 10 weeks I have been a mentor at the Fleet Feet No Boundaries program. For anyone unfamiliar with the program it is for beginner runners and designed similar to Couch to 5K. On the first day every single person had no confidence in their ability. I heard numerous people saying there is no way they could finish a 5k in 10 weeks. They were all saying the same stuff I said when I first started to run!
This past Sunday was the 5k. There were 200 NoBo participants at this race! I was shocked by the size of the 5k to be honest. At the last meeting one of my mentees asked that I pace her to finish in 36 minutes without any walking. I agreed because I knew she had it in her. Unfortunately the weather was less then ideal. At start it was 80 degrees and very humid. My mentee and I decided to change her goal to finishing under 40 minutes and to walk through the water stops.
I am happy to say that she finished in 39:41!!! I absolutely feel that if the weather wasn't as warm she would have reached her initial goal of 36 minutes. After I crossed the finish line with Colleen I turned around and ran back to find more No Bo participants and help them get to the finish line.
It was such an emotional day. I knew exactly how they all felt because 2 years ago I was one of them. I never thought I could run a 5k and here I am with 3 half marathons under my belt and starting to train for a full marathon! I cannot wait to sign up to be a mentor this fall!
Here is a picture of Colleen and I. We were about a 1/2 mile from the finish.
Now that is very cool! Do you have to be a program veteran to mentor people? I think I'd be interested in doing it next year.
ReplyDeleteLove the thumbs up! It was wonderful watching all the NoBo runners cross the finish line! Can't wait to participate this fall.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! That's a great race photo.
ReplyDeletevery cool
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou rock! I wish I had a mentor like you when I first did a 5K, I would have been under 40:00.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! Great job, mentor!
ReplyDeleteGreat pic! and it's fantastic that you were able to lead those other folks. That is so rewarding. I can't believe it's been 10 weeks since you started doing that!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I did the lst No Bo program so I know how they feel. Maybe I'll mentor next year.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI know the heat has really screwed up my 5K times. They will be shocked at how fast they are in the fall!
I think that it is fantastic that you are mentoring other 5K runners! I know how much it helps me to have someone by my side when I am running:) I adored everyone of my past pacers! Good for you....these people will appreciate and remember you always:)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Great job as a mentor!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! Great job, mentor!
ReplyDelete