Friday, August 14, 2020

Running for Weight Loss..

Once Upon A Time...

For those of you that don't know, I used to be a runner and a pretty darn good one. But I got job, got married, had kids and over the years I ran less and less. The last time I really considered myself to be a runner was in 2013 when I ran my last half-marathon. Sure, I ran a 5K or a 10K here and there, but that was the only running I did basically. I did virtually no training at all.

I Was Obese

Shortly after News Year Day, this year, I hit 197lbs. Keep in mind that when I was competing in local races I was 135lbs. At 160 lbs in 2013 I thought I was fat. So to be knocking on 200lbs this year was my Uh-Oh moment. I was technically "Obese" on the BMI Chart. I was pre-diabetic. I had all kinds of aches and pains. I could go on and on, but I'll stop there. Anyway, I decided enough was enough and I started actually using my Gym membership. I hired a personal trainer for 30 minutes, once per week to help get me started. Then the Gym held a competition. Being competitive by nature, I joined the 12-Week Challenge and I got down to 177lbs half way through. I was so EXCITED!

Covid-19 Strikes the Country

Then Covid-19 hit! They gym closed and I gained back some of the weight. I finished the 12 week challenge at 185lbs. Still a loss, but not the progress I wanted. So, with the gyms closed, I decided to go back to what I know: Running! I started coaching myself, which wasn't easy. I kept wanting to go out and run a long way, at a fast pace, and I couldn't. I was getting upset, unmotivated and ready to give up. But then I stepped back. I have had so much success in coaching others, I just needed to coach myself AND I had to be willing to be coached. So I created a plan for an overweight male, in his 50's to get him (aka me) back in shape.

How I'm Doing

Having a plan has been great. I'm running consistently. I'm having rest days and long runs and things are improving and the weight is coming off again. I'm back down to 177lbs, I'm now just "overweight" and all the aches and pains are gone. I was having a real problem with Plantar Fasciitis and I've managed to keep that from re-occuring. I even qualified as a National Finalist and won $50 to spend on gym merchandise, which was a great feeling!

Today I went for my 2 mile run. It was hot. I felt sluggish. I was holding back because I wanted to make sure I could run the whole way. I almost stopped and walked twice. It was not going well. And then something bizaare happened. I finished the run and looked at my watch, and I had taken 8 seconds off my best time for this course. No wonder I felt awful! I was cruising, but I didn't even realize it. 

You will have good days and bad days when you train. But every once in awhile, you'll have a day that proves that things are working and you are making progress. Stick the plan and the results will come.

Happy Trails.

P.S. If you would like to lose weight and need guidance, please send me an email. If you're a runner but you've stopped losing weight, I can look at your plan and help you. This actually happens very often and the solution is often simple. 


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