6 Women Share Their Experience Training For A 5K
Run Selfie Repeat's Kelly Roberts invites you to share the experiences of these six women as they train for the #BadassLadyGang5K.
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6 Women In The #BadassLadyGang
With most training plans spanning the course of two or three months, it’s not every day that a 4-week plan created for both new and experienced runners surfaces! Yet here it is, the #BadassLadyGang5K! A training plan so ferocious, it’s short enough for anyone struggling to get motivated yet fierce enough for anyone looking to build strength and endurance as quickly as possible.
The 5K is a killer distance! It’s long enough to show you what you’re made of and short enough to help new runners fall in love with running. The best part about the #BadassLadyGang5K is that it doesn’t matter if you’re a brand new runner or if you’re running towards your strongest 5K–no one has to train alone!
We found three pairs of runners who volunteered to share their experiences over the next four weeks as they train for the virtual #BadassLadyGang5K!
Related: Two #BadassLadyGang5K Training Plans From Kelly Roberts
Meet friends Mattie and Lyndsay
Mattie
“My name is Mattie and I’m from Phoenix, Ariz., a mom of three boys and will be celebrating my 10-year wedding anniversary this year! I’m a huge lover of Boston cream donuts and coffee.
“I started running back in 2013 by following the Couch-to-5K plan because I was tired of feeling uncomfortable and sluggish in my own skin. About four months later, I ran my first 5K and have since run several 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons. I’m now four months postpartum (third boy!) and signed up with the #BadassLadyGang5K to get back into running and racing. (I’ve signed up for my first Ragnar in February, too!)”
Beginner 5K training plan.
5K Goal? 32 minutes
How long have you been running? I have been running for 3.5 years, though I took some time off during my pregnancy when it became painful.
What are you most nervous/excited about? I’m not too nervous about starting, as I’m really excited to get back into shape and race again!
Goal for the week? My goal for the week is to make it through and push myself!
Lyndsay
“My name is Lyndsay and I’m an awesome chick, wife and mom of two beautiful girls: 4 years and 5 months old. I live in Fort Mill, S.C. and love running. I started running seriously in 2014 and have run seven half marathons so far. I just had my second daughter in February 2017 and am currently working my way back to [my] pre-baby body and pace. September will be my first post-baby half! I’m excited to have this awesome group to help keep us going and stay accountable!!”
Beginner 5K training plan.
5K Goal? 32 minutes.
How long have you been running? Since 2014, but just had a baby in February 2017. I’m working my way back.
What are you most nervous about? Getting tired before the three miles is up.
What are you most excited about? Reaching my goal and doing better than I thought I could.
Goal for the week? Stick to the plan!
Meet mother and daughter Georgia and Mandy
Georgia
“My name is Georgia Scott. I’ve just recently picked up running again, about three weeks ago. I was a runner in my 20s and then life got in the way. I’ve recently returned to running because of my daughter Mandy’s enthusiasm for it. When I am not running I am a nurse and I am literally running up and down a medical and surgical floor, taking care of patients. When I am not running at work, I am enjoying my grandsons. I have never done a 5K before but have always wanted to try it. I love running because of how good I feel afterwards. I feel so relaxed and happy. And, nothing in my body aches. I decided to join the #BadassLadyGang5K because it’s now or never to run a 5K and my partner asked me to do it with her. She’s my biggest fan and she is my inspiration.”
Beginner 5K training plan.
My 5K Goal? To finish.
How long have you been running? I just started adding running to my walking about three weeks ago.
What are you most nervous about? I am most nervous about failing.
What are you most excited about? I am most excited about running with my daughter and finishing.
Goal for the week? Let’s get it started!
Mandy
“I’m 32 years old and started running four years ago doing a couch-to-5K program. Since completing that program, I’ve had two babies, run a handful of 4-milers and in June completed my first half marathon. When I’m not running, I’m teaching stroller fitness classes to moms and chasing around my 1- and 3-year-olds. I’m training with my mom because she has helped me accomplish so much. I want to help her rock this challenge.”
Strongest 5K training plan.
5K Goal? 29:30
How long have you been running? Four years.
What are you most nervous about? I am a slow runner and I’ve never trained for speed. I’m a little worried I’m going to puke, die or fail.
What are you most excited about? Doing something strong with my mom, who has taught me how to be strong in all areas of my life.
Goal for the week? Have fun and not stress. I can be a perfectionist so I know if I can’t hit or hold my GP it might frustrate me.
Meet friends Crystal and Sarah
Crystal
“My name is Crystal. I’m 35 from Vancouver BC, and mom to two boys, ages 3 years and 5 months. I just started running a few weeks ago for all the usual new mom reasons. I love being out by myself with a new podcast to listen to–and no one touching me! My friend Sarah and I have belonged to the same online baby group for four years, but have never met. She posted on Facebook about the challenge.”
Beginner 5K training plan.
5K Goal? To finish without stopping to walk.
How long have you been running? I just started running two weeks ago.
What are you most nervous about? Here’s an embarrassing one: bladder control after two kids.
What are you most excited about? The relative peace of running “alone” (baby in the stroller).
Goal for the week? Just to get out every day!
Sarah
“My name is Sarah Santos and I live in beautiful Colorado! I started running 2.5 years ago when I was at my heaviest weight ever (including two pregnancies) and was tired of feeling unhappy, tired and lethargic. I started training for my first half marathon and have since run a second one! I love running because it makes me feel strong and healthy and like the person I want to be, and I hate running because it’s hard. I am not the kind of person for whom it just comes easy.
“When I’m not running, I love hiking, exploring my beautiful state and playing with my two awesome kids! I want to be a good example for them, and I absolutely love it when they call me “Strong Mom!” I’m running the #BadassLadyGang5K with my friend Crystal Botsford, who I met through our mom group when we were both pregnant a few years ago. She’s an awesome mom and a great friend, and I’m looking forward to supporting each other toward our goals! I decided to join the #BadassLadyGang5K because I needed a kick in the pants to up my running game, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity!”
Strongest 5K training plan!!!
5K Goal? 30-minute finish time!!
How long have you been running? 2.5 years.
What are you most nervous about? I’m coming back from being side-lined due to an injury, so I’m a little nervous that I’ve lost some of my endurance to go longer distances. I’m also super nervous about that goal pace…it’s fast!!!
What are you most excited about? The feeling that I will have the first time I am able to maintain that goal pace!
Goal for the week? To complete each workout on the plan. If I am not able to go as fast or as far as I’d like, I’m going to work on being okay with that, but I will at least finish each workout!
Check back every week to see how training progresses for our six runners and don’t forget to share your training and progress on Instagram with the hashtag #BadassLadyGang5K to be featured on the Women’s Running homepage!
Until next time, #RunSelfieRepeat.
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