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| From a slug to a runner - your story! (Read 3893 times) |
| view log Frustrating Project |
posted: 4/4/2007 at 6:05 PM |
Great story aggiedad77. You have a lot to be proud of. WTG!!!!  |
20th Century: 800m: 2:04 |1600m: 4:37 |3200m: 10:06 |5k: 16:23 |10k: 35:38 |15k: 54:20
25k: 1:35:59
21st Century: 5k: 19:42 |10k: 43:00
"Do not allow children to mix drinks. It is unseemly, and they use too much vermouth."
Steve Allen |
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posted: 4/14/2007 at 9:05 AM
modified: 4/14/2007 at 9:06 AM |
Ok, have been lurking for a little while, time to dip my toe.
I am 35 (soon to be 36) years old and from England.
I have never been athletic in childhood or as an adult. Most of my life I have been overweight, and in March 2004 with my weight at 270 pounds I decided it was time to sort myself out. My son was due to start Nursery in September of that year and I didn't want to be the 'fat dad'.
So I joined Weight Watchers, and over the course of the following 15 months i steadily lost 70 pounds - still above the target weight, but in much better shape. During that time I was doing some exercise, although not a great deal, but because I had lost a lot of the self conciousness along with the weight 2 years ago I joined a gym.
I was doing regular workouts, mixture of cardio, free weights, swimming etc. and working myself pretty hard, but with no overall goal in mind.
Then last year a friend mentioned that he had run in a local half marathon, had enjoyed the experienced and said that I should consider it for 2007 - initially I dismissed the suggestion, but having been given a few more prods over the rest of the year at Xmas I decided I would get myself ready to run it in March.
I downloaded a training plan from the web and spent 14 weeks gradually increasing my distances covered etc.
I ran the race on 25th March and completed it in 1 hour 57 mins 31 secs, and the feeling of exhilaration was like nothing i have experienced before. I was particilarly pleased because I had stuck to the plan, hadn't missed a training run, and although the last mile and a half were a struggle I had felt good the rest fo the way.
My younger son had been ill and required an operation so it was a good way for me to raise £800 for the Children's Hospital that carried out the operation.
I currently weigh 215 pounds - so still need to drop 30 pounds or so, but there is no way that the race in March will be my only venture - though I think I will be sticking to Half Marathons as with work and a young family I cannot commit the hours of training that would be required.
So my next planned race is at the end of August - its quite a hilly route, so am gonna take it a bit easy for the next few weeks and hit it hard again at the end of May start of June.
I like the look of this place btw and hope to be able to make a positive contribution.
Thanks for listening!!
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posted: 4/14/2007 at 2:25 PM |
| These stories are all phenomenal and I love reading every one! I'm proud of all of you! I went from a runner to a slug back to a runner, and I'm happier being a runner. I ran high school/college, and then after a 10 yr battle with bulimia decided to attack the psychological fear of not being valued heavy head on and quit running and forced myself to get big.I'm 5'8 and raced at 130lbs, gained up to 175lbs eating lots of burritos, cookies, drinking beer. It was great. When I started running in the early 80's, emphasis for women was to be thin and there were more of us who were battling eating disorders than not. I didn't want to have an eating disordered life, so I decided if I could love myself fat, then I would have beaten that issue.I played soccer and tennis and just had a great time. Then, when I was around 27, I decided I was mentally healthy enough to return to running and see if I could fulfill my potential instead of using it as a diet device. Slowly and intelligently, over 2 yrs, I dropped 50 pounds. I started out by walking so I wouldn't hurt my ligaments and tendons, got up to walking 9 miles before I allowed myself to run. At the end of the two years, I was 125, and running, but not super quickly, as I had as a younger me. It took 4 yrs to work back to high school shape and then I had two children. In the last three years, I've worked back again to high school shape and college shape is within spitting distance. I run now around 120lbs, am super healthy, have a healthy attitude towards food and most importantly myself. And I love running, enjoy every facet of it from a healthy perspective. It takes longer to get in shape when you're older,I'm almost 40, but the emotional rewards are just the same. I'm inspired by your life stories! |
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va |
posted: 4/15/2007 at 1:27 PM |
| GSheridan & Monkey Sam - Both great, inspiring stories! Thanks for sharing them! |
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| view log Member Since 2008 |
posted: 4/15/2007 at 11:21 PM |
I thought I would chime in if you don’t mind. I was very athletic in High School, though I was not a runner. I hated running with a passion, all of my running I had experienced consisted of gut wrenching wind sprints. I was on the track team my Freshman year (100 yard dash) and cannot recall ever finishing a race in front of anyone (last place every time).
I joined the Army after High School and remained active (by force). Most of the formation running in the Army consisted of running while drunk, and having people step on the back of my heels all the time. After the Military, I went to work for the Federal Government and basically sat on the couch for sixteen years. At the weight of 230 pounds, (5'9") I finally looked at a mirror and realized I should do something about it.
I tried every diet there was, and did everything I could (non-healthy) to loose weight, and believe me when I say everything. I lost 70 pounds, in a matter of six months and looked like death warmed over. I was miserable. Soon after that, the weight began to return and before I knew it, I was pushing 240 pounds.
In November of 2004, I finally accepted God into my life and turned my problems over to him. I began walking for several months, then added fifteen seconds of jogging and two minutes walking. I live in Colorado and because of the altitude, could never jog constantly without having to take a walking break. Until one day when I went on vacation in California and set out for a run. I have not had to have a walking break since then.
After two and a half years, I am at 170 pounds, my pace went from walking to 7:36, and I am blown away by how God has done all of it! I have just been along for the ride. Now, running is very spiritual to me, it is when I am the closest to God. I always heard , with God all things are possible, I am living proof! Thank you for letting me share my story. |
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oscarthehound |
posted: 4/20/2007 at 10:15 PM |
This thread is really inspiring- every story here is amazing. My own story ain't that great in the big scheme of things- but although I'm no 3:30 marathon runner (hell I'm no marathon runner...yet!!) for what its worth...
I'm 36, 6ft--- in December 2005 and I was around 230 pounds occasionally pushing 240. I have NEVER been sporty or athletic- never in a school or college team, and after aged 13 always slightly overweight. Not sure what happened that month in 05- maybe it was that mid 30s thing, or the fact that my two little kids tired me out way too easily, or I was out of breath going up one flight of stairs... anyways I decided I wanted to get fit for me, for my wife, and mostly cause I wanted to be an active dad for my kids the way my dad was for me. I started walking the dog every night at first- just a mile. And I also joined a judo club. And then I joined a gym. By May 06, 5 months into my makeshift training/ diet plan I was confident enough to go running outside and so I'd do one mile runs in around 12/ 13 minutes, walk for a bit and then run the last half mile back home. By September 06 I was down to 190lbs, and running 2 miles every other night in around 22 minutes, and the judo still twice a week but I quit the gym- outside jogging beats the treadmill anytime.
As of now I feel confident enough to get myself into shape for a half marathon. I do 3.7 miles every other night in 34- 36 minutes and still do the judo. I weigh around 182 lbs.
I have to say that I hated running and the thought of running for ages. I just love it now. I used to do it to keep fit for judo (and hey I even graded a couple times and got a bronze at a competition there too- first medal I ever received for anything!). I now run just cause I love to run- and its a great feeling playing outside and running around with the children and feeling really... well... fit!
But one day I will do a marathon- I promise you all that! |
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| view log Swadvad |
posted: 5/14/2007 at 6:06 PM
modified: 5/14/2007 at 6:15 PM |
| Well I'm basically a newbie. Haven't run any races. I'm doing it mainly for fitness, after my wife commented that we are reaching the age where we either use it, or lose it. (Age 45, non-athletic, regular Joe) After commenting for years that she didn't like running, a friend got my wife to start running with her almost two years ago. I watched this for about a year and a half before I finally got off my lazy keester and asked my wife if she would help me start. I started with 5 minutes running (very slowly), two minutes walking, routine and added a minute running each week or so. It took a month and a half before I could run 30 minutes straight. My longest run to date has been 6 miles. I did that in 60 minutes flat. Not very fast, but I was quite proud that I could manage that. I did 3.1 miles the other day in under 27 minutes. My wife has developed IT band problems and has been slowed. We ran 3 miles together yesterday and I actually had to hold back and wait on her. When I first started back last November, I never thought that would happen. She'll kick my tail again when she gets healthy though. I don't know if I'll ever be a 3:30 marathoner, but 6 months ago, I never thought I could run 6 miles. I'll start with just finishing a marathon, then work on the 3:30. Ha! |
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