You know what I LOVE about Twitter? It takes such a short time to toss out an idea, find support, and turn it into a plan. Last week, my Examiner article detailing the nutritional data on the free Denny’s breakfast got a lot of negative response when it first went live. I got everything from “shut up lady,” to being called “stupid,” among other things. The haters like to come out and rag on every little thing, and it’s pretty obvious to me they don’t really read my column. I’ve been a full-time freelance writer since 1997. I’ve had more than a decade to thicken my skin. Whether it’s rude comments or rejection letters, it’s part of the gig. Fortunately, it’s a small part. I have great clients who treat me well, appreciate my work, and pay me on time. And I have great pals through Twitter. A veritable PACK of health & fitness bloggers rushed to my defense and shut down the haters. It was a great feeling.
And then tonight. Just now. I was killing a little time on Twitter and caught up with some of my pals I hadn’t tweeted with in a while. They were talking about doing the 5K with New Balance at FitBloggin, which I won’t be able to attend. I’m bummed about not being able to go, but instead of moping about it, I thought, “Hey, just because I can’t be there doesn’t mean that I can’t do a 5K.” So that’s what I’m going to do. And all of you fellow non-attendees are invited to join me.
On a run
On March 20, I will be hopping on my treadmill and doing 3.1 miles. I don’t care so much about the time, although I’d like to finish in less than an hour. 50 minutes, to be exact. Yeah, see, I’m not a big distance runner. I know I can do it in an hour. I’ve been looking back on my version of “Fitbook,” my At-A-Glance weekly planner (a gift from my oldest client), and I see I’ve done 3.08 miles in 55 minutes. So I’m going to try to shave 5 minutes off that and do 3.1 in 50 minutes. If I did my math right (and if you know me, you know it’s likely that I didn’t), that’s about 3.6 mph. Not exactly speedy. But that’s not my goal these days. The goal is to cover the distance, and improve on my current time. I’ve got what, 4 1/2 weeks to do it? I think I can handle that.
So who’s with me? Shall we have our own 5K on March 20, even if we can’t make it to FitBloggin? Let me know. I’ll post your goals and your times if you’d like. Or just give you a shout out for completing the task. No need to be competitive if that’s not your thing. Let’s just have fun with it.
Are you in?
What a great goal and a great idea! I’m not going to fitbloggin either but I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Run, Donna, Run!
Thanks Joanna! Should be fun.
Okay, A. I heart my haters. They amuse me. Maybe my thick skin is responsible for a few of these extra pounds, though? and B. There’s a Fitbloggin 5k? Holy crap. Think I can train for it and be ready in a month? That would be a great place to make my running debut.
I mostly laugh at the haters, esp the ones who call me ’stupid,’ and then clearly don’t understand how to use Spell Check. You can do anything, hotass, so get on it.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by dbwrite4u: Family Fitness Files: I’m running the #FitBloggin 5K … kinda – http://bit.ly/blVG2X…
[...] attend the conference and participate in the 5K with the whole Fitbloggin’ crew. However, one crafty blogger has decided that she’s still going to participate in the 5K…virtually! She wants [...]
[...] attend the conference and participate in the 5K with the whole Fitbloggin’ crew. However, one crafty blogger has decided that she’s still going to participate in the 5K…virtually! She wants [...]
Ooooh! I like that idea! I’m not going anywhere March 20, so I’ll join you in your “race”!
Awesome, thanks Katie! And thanks for reading.
Excellent idea! I am running a 5K the next weekend so this will be a great warm-up, then a nice easy week so I’ll be ready for my Penguin in the Park race!
That’s great Jenna. Looking forward to doing the virtual 5K with you. Thanks for reading.
[...] Click here to check out her post and report your 5K times to her and get in on the action remotely. [...]
I would love to do the 5k, I have looked to sign up for a 5k in my area but there are none for me to do so I would love to do this with you! I am currently doing the C25k so should be able to use this to aim towards!
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YAY! Glad you can join us!
Love this idea! Just came across your blog from Fitbloggin (which I came across from HTP). I’ll be joining you on the 20th from the comfort of my own treadmill.
And when I blog tomorrow, I’ll mention it to everyone else.
Awesome! Thanks Melissa. Glad you’re joining in the fun – the more the merrier!
I’m in!!! I’d like to finish (on my elliptical) in about 5 minutes. I know I’ve done just under 3 miles in 30 before, so hopefully this won’t be too hard.
So…I’m running the 5K with you in spirit!!!
Great! Thanks for joining us Roxy. We’re glad to have you on board.
I was so disappointed that I couldn’t make FitBloggin but this is a great alternative.
Adrienne, glad you can join us! Looking forward to it. Thanks for stopping by.
[...] about 10 minutes in to it, I realized I should be pushing myself a little harder to train for the virtual FitBloggin 5K (more on that in an upcoming post), so I cranked up my speed and got busy. I can honestly say that [...]
[...] been a while since I mentioned that I’d be doing the virtual FitBloggin 5K. Since then, a few of my lovely readers have jumped on board and said they’d be doing it to. [...]
I’m totally in!! I’m quite bummed about not going to fitbloggin so I’m excited to join in with a virtual 5K. Thanks for the idea!!
[...] virtual FitBloggin 5K is taking place next Saturday. And I’m already planning to participate in another virtual race. [...]
[...] you’re wondering–been a Nike girl since 6th grade) and getting on my treadmill for the virtual FitBloggin 5K. And I’m so pleased to say that I will be in fine company! Look who’s joining [...]
I’m so in! Great idea!!
YAY! The more the merrier! Welcome aboard!
[...] like the Virtual FitBloggin 5K, all you have to do is run/walk the race, at your own pace, on your treadmill, in your [...]