Impossible to Possible... My First 5K (Run for the Bagel 5K)

U.S. Olympian PattiSue Plummer once said, "Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."

Recently, I signed up for and completed a 5K Run (Run for the Bagel 2012) and it was one of the most exhilarating experiences in my life. Crossing the finish line in 33:01 was nice (under my goal of 35 minutes) but it was much more symbolic than just completing a race... Crossing the finish line felt more like a beginning to a new life. I have always been an athlete, but for some reason, I felt as if "running" was not possible for me. I, like many others, had a "great" excuse that prevented me from being able to run.

From previous sports, my knees had taken some pretty intense damage... and if I ran my knees would fill with fluid, swell up, and I would be laid up for days... Running is impossible!

My Church's Running Team - Teams First 5K

I have always been competitive, but it the sports i played involved competition against other people. At 29, I was facing my biggest competition ever; myself.

The difference is simple, I told myself that I could... and I trained for it smart. I spent two whole months not running a single bit. Instead, I focused on cycling which built up my knees and my cardio without having a major impact on my knees... After that, I starting my running with a few mini goals:

1. Run without major discomfort
2. Run a Mile without stopping
3. Run a Mile in under 9 minutes
4. Run 2 Miles 
5. Run 5K in under 35 minutes

Those mini goals really helped me get to where I am now... I can now say that I ran a 5K and I finished... and my knees held up without being in pain the next day. From here, I'm going to keep pushing forward... I am excited to say that I finished my first 5K, but I am even more excited to continue my life with a better perspective.

13 Mile Early Morning Ride...

This morning I went for a ride trying to see how many miles I could go in one hour...

Calling All Endomondo Users...

I have been thinking about how many people use Endomondo and how it would be really cool to hear success stories, reviews, funny occurances, etc. that have happened while getting in shape using Endomondo...

Comment below if you want to share your experiences with me...

Lake Charleston Ride...

Out with my beautiful wife in Charleston by the lake...

My First 150 Miles on Endomondo...

It was 39 days ago that I discovered Endomondo... and my life hasn't been the same since. I just passed the 150 mile mark (cycling, running, and walking) and I have never felt better about my life, my health, and my body is going through a nice transformation as well.

According to Endomondo, I have worked out over 21 hours, 153 miles, and I burned 14,282 calories (26 burgers).

I can already look back at the last 150 miles and think of a few memorable moments... Like the time I logged 24 miles in when I rode my bike to Charleston and back on the Lincoln Prairie Trail... or the time I rode around  the beautiful Lake Paradise with my buddy Chris... 

Really there are so many positive events, changes, feelings, and experiences that have happened to me during my last 150 miles that I am so excited to see what is ahead of me in my journey ahead...

These miles have been accomplished through daily commutes to my job, individual workouts, and workouts with my family and friends. I would encourage anybody to start their own Endomondo journey... and enjoy all of the great things that come along with it!

God Bless,

Rob Farmer

My Best Mile So Far...

Just ran my best mile since starting to get back in shape... I shaved 30 seconds off my last best effort... My goal is 7 minute miles so I still have a ways to go.

Around Mattoon, IL... Literally... :)

Here is a new route that I mapped out that I hope to try soon... If you like it feel free to download it to your phone and tell me how you liked it...