I wrote yesterday about my running goals. The main goal I have is to run Boston. I am making this the purpose of my run each day. This is a journey for me and not a destination. After Boston, there will be something else. Probably the Marine Corps Marathon. This was the marathon my dad ran in for many years before he passed away.
Anyway, I was considering all this as I ran yesterday. I really do love running. I love the fact that an obese middle aged man who tried to run a mile and had to stop at a quarter mile, could, in two years, weigh 100 lbs less and run a half marathon. Even outside of the weight loss, running is amazing. I constantly hear of people who one day decide to run a marathon, get off the couch and a year or two later, run a marathon. I was told that exact story yesterday by a sales rep about his wife and her friends. She is still running marathons today.
I am not an athlete. The only sport I ever participated in as a kid was sailboat racing. That took a very logical mind, but no athletic skill. In school, as a kid, we would have a physical fitness part of gym each year and we were made to run 600m. I always came in last. I hated it.
I’ve said this before, but running is an activity that levels the playing field. There aren’t many sports that one can participate in and in a year have gone from nothing to winning 5ks.
So why not shoot for the best. To qualify for Boston I have to run an 8:00 average pace in a qualifying marathon. I ran my first half marathon in a 7:57 pace. I really believe I can do this. I can’t imagine even having that thought a year ago. To run my first marathon 18 months after I started running and also qualify for Boston? I am amazed at this sport.
Sorry for going on and on about me, but I guess that is what this blog is about. One day, after Boston, maybe I’ll write a book about my experience. I’ll title it, “From 278 lbs to Boston, one man’s journey”.
The cool thing about running is that anyone can do this. I guess that is the point I am trying to get across. I have NO athletic ability. I’m just an IT geek. But what I do have is a supportive Lovely Wife and two sons who run and help me keep on the path. Also I have lots of other bloggers writing about their experiences and learn from their ups and downs. I love my family, I love this community, I love running!
Your story is amazing!