I walked a 5K this weekend and decided to start a separate thread just for 5K walk reports. (Runners can report, too! After all, running is walking's next-of-kin!)

So, let us know if you have (or are planning to) walk or run a 5K!

I knew you could do it Deb, Sooooo proud of you, (whats a 5K?)

I entered the Women Run Memphis 5K walk/run training program as a beginning runner, but my knee acted up so I switched to the Power Walking group. I was only able to train with the group four times (three times were canceled for weather, and I skipped once because my knee needed rest) during the eight week period, but of course, I walk a lot anyway.

So, I ended up coming in 8 out of 135 walkers (who finished--don't know about drop outs.) I'm 47, so I was thrilled with my time (41 minutes, 45 seconds). I do have a competitive gene, and I didn't have a personal record to beat, so I had to try to beat the walkers ahead of me! LOL

I also had a better time than over 100 of the people who entered as runners. (Runners could walk as much as they wanted to, but walkers couldn't run--we'd be disqualified.)

Why this matters to me (other than that innate competitive thing) is that I smoked for 28 years, I am now a grandmother (for just a week, but still) I am overweight, and I once couldn't walk a mile without distress--swelling, fatigue, oxygen debt, pain. And, I have sports and car wreck injuries that mean I have a pretty constant pain (one major reason I started walking in the first place.)

So, basically, walking makes me feel fit and younger all by itself and the 5K verified my own idea that I'm in pretty decent shape (round is a shape) for an old broad.

One other thing that inspired me is that tons of older women kicked my butt!

Thanks, Rosie!

A 5K ( or 5 kilometers) is 3.1 miles. It's the most popular race length for charity walks/runs. Next up is a 10K (6.2 miles) and then the half marathon (13.1 miles) and marathon (26.2 miles).

There are also lots of 1 mile "fun runs", too--popular for families with small children and people just starting or who just want to support the charity sponsoring the event.

Oh OK, I get it now. I have had my treadmill since 2006 and I walked 4miles once in all that time but I've walked 3miles a total of 32 times. gee i was good back then! I keep a record of all my walking (why i don't know, just do) I amaze myself when i look back and I'm able to say "I did that"

Ha! I'm working on an article about keeping a walking log. Every runner you ever meet will tell you they have logs going back years, and many walkers do the same. It's a cool thing!

I keep mine on my daily planner calendar. I also like to look back and say "I did that!" (I also kept the race number they had us pin on our shirts Saturday!)