Chik Fil A 5k

Say WHAT?!?!?!?  You are telling me that YOU are gonna do a race? (hahahahahahahahaha).

Yeah, I am pretty sure that is what all my haters were saying :-). Nevertheless, just walking is fun but racing gets you T-SHIRTS! Ask my wife, I am a t-shirt junkie. I'm not there EVER to finish 1st, because I did that when I signed up. So back in May, Stevie walked with me on my 1st 5k. The Chik-Fil-A Connect Series Race. Guess what they had those COOL t-shirts that weren't cotton, like ummm, Dri-Fit or whatever!! I told you I was addicted LOL.

  The day of that race I weighed 405, my number was also 405 :-).

Yeahhhhh boyyyyyy!!! I just figured out how to do pictures!

So the race starts and I'm off like a lightning bolt(haha). Stevie is walking beside me. I'm out of 

breath by the first mile. Can anybody relate? Stevie had his secret backpack full of water and other 

treats. This was supposed to be an easy course!!!! As I walked I watched all the other members of 

our family (GYM, CoreFit Rx and Power Thru) pass me as I hadn't even got down to the turn 

around but I wasn't worried. I kept my composure and remembered that I was there for me, not 

anybody else. It was amazing at the end, everybody that ran came out and met me at the 3rd mile, in 

the home stretch. WE ALL CROSSED AT THE SAME TIME. I wasn't last, Stevie was by .02 

seconds :-)

One of the coolest things that happened that was that one that inspired me to really give weight 

loss a try without the gastric bypass(not knocking anybody who has or is going to have it) was 

waiting at the finish line after working all night at the fire department (Chad Sauls).

Well I will guarantee you one thing. I wasn't 405 after this race, only in the race results!

After the race, it was like everybody wanted to interview me. I was thinking I might not be 405 anymore but I'm still in the high 300's, LET ME CATCH MY BREATH!

I RAN THIS RACE IN HONOR OF MY UNCLE, BILL HEALAN, WHO LOST HIS LEG TO COMPLICATIONS FROM DIABETES. LOVE YOU, UNCLE BILL!

Finish time 59:47

Planning the journey

In all of the athletics I have been involved in, I am the most excited about this change.  Sure, I loved the Pinewood Derby in the Boy Scouts, playing All-Stars in Rec ball, and even playing Varsity football.  I think it is because this journey is not so much about a team, but for me. Now don't get me wrong I still need a team to get through the harder times.

I am finding out that making time for exercise is time consuming in itself. I guess this is where you have to "dig" to get to the gym or just outside to walk around the block. I certainly hope I am not the only one that struggles with this :-).  So I have started walking, realizing that 2 years of inactivity have left my leg muscles in pretty bad shape.  Finding encouragement in some locals, we started a "Walking Club" at the gym. 

Walking around the block almost immediately started working on my depression symptoms. The more I was outside in the fresh air and enjoying the sunshine, my attitude had gotten better. Oh and what I forgot to mention in my first blog, I am on 18 pills a day, from blood pressure to morphine for pain.  I adopted a new phrase, "Walking is Therapy".

Go outside today. Be thankful that you made it that far.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with 1 step"

The beginning of Change...

May 4, 2009 was a change I had never expected.  I was at work, doing my regular job when I dropped a box. In that moment pain shot down my leg, my back seized up, and tears ran down my face.  When I dropped the 50lb box, I caught it right before it hit the ground (I should have let it drop, I know).  Now diagnosed, I have 3 herniated discs in my back (L1, L5, S1).  To cut this first blog a little short, 6 doctors and specialists later, hear I am. Nine epidurals and a year of therapy, I finally decide to take my life back. 

So at the urging of my doctor and finally realizing it myself, I needed to exercise. So this blog is a for the healthy, not healthy, and everybody in between. The runner, the athlete, and the couch potato. At the writing of the first entry I am at 400lbs. I'm 6ft 1in tall.

During this journey, I will appreciate all compliments, encouragement, and "atta boys". I have an amazing support group. This journey would not be possible with out them: 

Chad Sauls

Steve Power

Stacy Shuler

Peggy Grimes

Amber Wigley

Lee Wigley

But most of all my loving wife Jessica Reynolds. I dedicate this journey to you as the love of my life. To make sure that we have the most time ever that we could spend together.

As I update this blog, it will be about breakthroughs, accomplishments, and even health tips that have helped me along the way. A special shout out to a new friend and Triathlete, a source of inspiration in my life, John Young.