Picture it, as Sophia used the say on the Golden Girls. The year is 2006. I'm standing in front of the Cross Island YMCA, waiting for the horn to sound at the start of the 5K. Bloomp! The horn goes off and I race past everyone and into destiny ....

No, it wasn't like that exactly, but my first 5K walk/run was definitely a success. I completed the 3.2-mile course through the neighborhood of Bellrose, Queens, in 42 minutes and 40 seconds. Not too shabby for my first time.

I ended up running about two miles and walking the rest, but I was happy. My goal had been to walk half and run half. And for a moment, when the organizers asked if I were a runner or a walker, I almost decided to walk the whole way.

My biggest issue wasn't the race; it was my nerves. I kept waking up all night, thinking I would oversleep and then I got a little freaked to see that I was definitely one of the biggest women participating. My boyfriend Steve helped a lot by reinforcing that I wasn't there to compete with anyone and my size didn't matter.

All in all, it was a good experience. Now, on to the next one!

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com