About me:
I was a high school and collegiate athlete who let himself get way out of shape and overweight. I always used to say "life happens" when discussing my weight issues, etc. But the plain fact of the matter was I didn't make the time to exercise because there was always something better or more important to do with my time. I love camping, hiking, snowboarding, surfing, the beach, the mountains, all things that I had become unable or embarrassed to do. |
Why do I run:
Now I'm training for the Boston Marathon. I've never run a marathon before (obviously) so I chose to run for a charity. I chose Children's Hospital because of all of the great things that they do for sick and injured kids and their families. Plus, my friend Jimmy had a daughter, Brenya, who was born with a rare genetic brain malformation. She died around the same time that I was notified of my acceptance to the Miles for Miracles team. I'm running and raising money to honor her memory. She is the angel that guides me through my training runs. Whenever I'm struggling, doubting myself, or in so much pain that I don't think I can continue, I call on Brenya and she carries me through.
http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/bostonmarathon/pfp/?ID=WD0030 |
Why I started running:
Every year at the firehouse we have a "Biggest Loser" competition. I'd come close to winning it before just by changing my diet and quitting drinking, etc (i.e. with very little effort). Each year I noticed that I'd start out the competition heavier than I'd started the competition the year before. This year I was determined to win, so I started running along with making changes to my diet and other behaviors. I still came in second place. I lost more weight than anyone else, but I lost by one-tenth of one percentage point. |