I am running my first 5k this morning since relocating from northern NJ to Austin, TX.

One thing has me a little worried here, and that’s the “slightly hilly course”.

Back in NJ, all of the 5k races and other runs I’d go on were almost entirely flat. The hill thing is a new animal to me.

When I go out a few times a week now, I usually take this one route that has slight and not so slight uphills, and it completely knocks me out.

But that’s what I need to make progress, and an awfully good incentive to lose weight.

Then again, I do have it a little easy today, because I’m running with one of my daughters, and she’s going to have to take a few walking breaks.

So today is a little interval training. That works.

I just signed up for my first 5k of the year, the Steiner Ranch 6th Annual Run the Ranch, which is taking place on March 5, 2011.

I am not sure of the course for this one, but the paths I’ve taken in the area so far have been hilly, which I’m not use to tackling.

I’ve got to get the pounds down and the stamina up. Time for hardcore discipline.

I’ve barely run in the past month, and just got back from my first run in a while. It was tough and pathetic. I couldn’t push past 1 3/4 miles today.

Over the past month, I’ve had a combination of lots of travel and sickness, which led to me having little time and energy for exercise.

But enough with the excuses. I’ve got a 5k in 7 days, so it’s time to get back in a big way.

Yesterday was my second 5k race, and while it was slower than I’d like, I had a big improvement in time from my first 5k race back in July 2009.

Back then, I ran the route in 34:24, and this time it was 30:09.

So, I am still not a trailblazer, but I am satisfied that I accomplished a new PR (personal record) and shaved off more than 4 minutes from my previous time.

Here I am in the approach to the final turn. I am the one in the long-sleeve black shirt.

I was pretty worn out after the race. After a few minutes, some watermelon and half a bagel, I was ready for my close-up.

My family was out of town for my first race, so it was nice to have everybody there this time around.

Now, I’ve got to find my next race.

I picked up the packet this afternoon for my second 5k race – I will be runner 4949.

It’s the 2009 Berkeley Heights 5k – one of the annual races in my town.

While that won’t be the first number across the finish line, I will be crossing the finish line, and that’s a win to me, since I just started running in June.

If you’re thinking about getting in shape and think it’s something you can’t do – try it. Ease yourself in. It sure does feel great when you pass the smallest milestones.

I’ve completed my first 5k, and I was very excited to complete it as part of my affiliate fatblogging odyssey.

As I was preparing for the race, I saw a lot of 5k tutorials that recommended working up to it over 6-12 weeks, and I probably pushed myself too quick into it (all in just a few weeks).

Also, all of my practice was on flat trails, and I was brutally surprised by the inclines during the 5k.

So while I finished it, and I am satisfied about that, I would have loved to have a better time. I think I’ll go back to the drawing board and run shorter lengths to properly build up my speed and stamina.

Here are my embarrassing stats…

Yep, 22 out of 22 for my age/gender group of guys aged 35-39 and 360th overall. No medal this time around. There were children ahead of me!

Anyhow, I’ve been looking around for other races in the area and plan to run some 5k’s in September and October.

As far as the weight, I’m still stuck at 218. While I exercised a whole lot leading up to the 5k, I also made a trip down to Maryland for the Tax Talk & Crab Feast at the buy.at office, and mixed some great networking with too many eats and drinks.

Starting weight: 225
Last week: 218
This week: 218

Video: I Finished My First 5k Race