Trampled Under Foot...

We had returned home from Pennsylvania and began the work week that Monday morning in clinic treating as normal when I notice my big toe bothering me. It was subtle at first like the nail had gotten irritated but by Wednesday morning it hurt to put any pressure through it. Working in an orthopedic office has its many perks one of which is lightning fast appointments, so at lunch I popped over for a quick check by a professional. I was convinced it had gotten a mild infection as I was still thinking it was in the nail and she order an X-Ray to start. I sat casually in the room as the doctor entered and pulled up the images in the computer…stress fracture.

I was stunned to say the least…it occurred to me the shoes that I ran in were way past their prime and I should have sprung for new ones…my first athletic injury and I found myself on the disabled list for six weeks. Six weeks covering all the rest of September and most of October…the best running weather you could ask for and Mother Nature really rubbed it in good. I was adorned with a rigid bottom walking shoe that all in all was pretty comfortable and lessened the pain immediately, but not the pain of missing the magnificent days laid out before me. Knowing the ramifications first hand from telling patients constantly to adhere to the Doctor’s orders that I as well should take some of my own medicine and halted all running till the next MD appointment in six weeks. The time passed slowly waiting for the figurative gate that was holding me back and six weeks later I was cleared…went directly to VA Runner and got a new pair of shoes went home and released the beast within…well, only a little bit, didn't need to wear these new treads out too quickly!

I'm Gonna Crawl...

The grueling summer months had come and gone. Bearing the heat was certainly a challenge all its own, but I had finally arrived to the milder days of September. This month would mark the next series of races for me in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania…an Amish town outside of Lancaster hosting a Saturday night 5K and Sunday morning Half Marathon. A month or so leading up to this I had an idea for a race shirt thanking all my friends and family by putting their names on the back of my shirt with a “13.1” logo on the front. It came out perfect and couldn't wait to unveil it on race day. I had signed up for the Fireman’s Challenge which meant that I did both 5K and Half Marathon races that weekend. Bonnie joined me for the 5K and we had a nice casual run through the farmland but held back as I didn't want to burn off too much energy before the next morning’s journey.

The next morning...evidently this was the RACE area

The next morning came early because all these races seem to have to start by 7:00am…evidently hardcore runners are morning people. Before signing up for a race I like to scan over the elevation graph that is included in most distance races to see what I would be getting myself into. While the Amish tend to migrate to areas with consistent rolling hills as I had known from being around Ohio settlements, this particular course seemed to offer only mild terrain changes which was a nice surprise…boy was I wrong! A seasoned runner out on the course with us that morning categorized it as “Sneaky/Hilly”. I couldn't have agreed more, but was still very much enjoying it and at least the weather was cooperating…until mile 8 of course. The cloud cover could hold no longer and the sun’s rays came sharply down upon all of us…increasing the temperature quickly. Still one of the greatest things to date I have encountered on a course, bags of ice. We pounced on them quickly and proceeded to empty the cubes into our under armor for a reinvigorating effect. The icy rush was enough to help propel us forward as we navigated hill after hill. We weaved the country roads surrounded by farms and open fields as far as the eye can see…taking in the sights and “smells” only an Amish farm community can provide…it was like being back in Ohio…you get quickly accustomed to the manure…not to mention having to dodge it out on the open road, an obstacle that made me glad I had worn old shoes (glad for old shoes now…regret later, for the next post). A lady and myself had been around each other the majority of the run and around mile 10 had gotten to trading war stories of races past while the course made a right turn on to a gravel road between two corn fields…to the longest hill I had ever encountered in running. The very distance of which was distorted from the rising heat mirage of the road ahead causing us to both let out an expletive…in unison. This might have been the only moment I have encountered in a run which I wanted to sit down and wait to be picked up by the pace vehicle. Of course I did not and at the top Bird-in-Hand’s version of Everest was a group of Amish handing out…Mango Italian Ice! The second time almost in tears since crossing the finish of the Historic Half in Fredericksburg…it tasted like pure mango ecstasy and spurred us on once again as we hurdled towards the finish.

I came across the finish line with a familiar burst of excitement and a little Amish girl handed me a medal…quite the transition from tough soldier to little girl, but equally rewarding. I had taken 17 minutes off my previous time finishing in 2 hours 32 minutes…mostly to my surprise. I had finished truthfully just the way I wanted to…leaving nothing behind and pushing myself to the “breaking point”…and maybe a little further.

My success brought to you by...

At the start

Cup of mango-y goodness at the end too

Number two race...complete

Celebration Day...

The weight loss continued on…at a snail’s pace. I was out running constantly to that 100lb finish line that seemed to be moving at the same pace I was. On a day basis, my scale had become either a victory podium or the focus of all my curses for the morning. I took a permanent marker to it and wrote “Think Long Term” on it to hopefully dispel any anger on a “heavier” day for the most part it worked.

I got up on Saturday morning July 21^st 2012 and took a look out the window. It looked like it was going to be a hot one and thought I should get in an early run before it became unbearable. I gathered my gear together and before I had to weigh in a per-run weight so I knew how much water to replace so I jumped on…226.0. A blast of heat rushed over me and felt a little numb for a moment. I stepped back on to reconfirm what I had saw and flew down the stairs to get my camera for a quick picture. The run would be slightly postponed for a little photoshop work and a quick Facebook post. I called Bonnie who was in Florida attending a wedding and was overjoyed at the news. Facebook’s network department noted I'm sure a huge spike in activity as the before after picture of myself and one relieved scale showed how I could in fact…run my butt off.

Think long term

Bonnie had been in contact with a journalist at work who was looking to write an article chronicling m arduous journey from World record couch lounger to a 226 lb running machine. We were to meet at Wegmans in the upstairs sitting area for some questions and pictures, but upon arrival and entering the room…there was to be no article…but a celebration of my goals. Family and friends had all gathered for a moment that I would never forget, in fact tearing me up as I sit here right now writing this. I was called upon for a speech in which I was more than eager to give. I said exactly what I had prepared to tell a journalist I had never met how much the support of everyone was one of the main catalysts to my success…and happy I was to share that right now with all of you, because for me the true way to make a healthier life is to have the right ingredients…on active goal to constantly keep the momentum of activity, thinking better of the stuff you put in you…I had Visalus. Lastly, the biggest part for me was the support and accountability, the motivation from people telling me how great I am doing and how proud of me they are…nothing could match that feeling.

What better for a weight loss party than cake!

A collage poster that now adorns my workout room

The spread...cleverly shaped into "100"

Over the hills and far away...

            The alarm clock went off at 5:00am Sunday morning. It’s unnaturally early of course but the unique opportunity was upon me. Only this time I was 90 lbs lighter and had a tube sock tied around my head. It was a nice morning and I dressed accordingly with a new broken in pair of running shoes. In the couple of weeks leading up to this, a new problem had arisen…nipple chaffing. I had seen this phenomenon while photographing the year before with twin streams of blood down runners shirts and now knew the feeling first hand, especially in the shower afterwards. If you ever wanted to know how fire shooting out of them would feel…kinda like that. There are many solutions on market for this affliction, but coming into this with a simplicity outlook, I opted for Duct tape. 

Have I gone completely insane?? Well, not entirely…by the end of the race, the sweat would have loosened them up enough so there was minimal chest hair loss….smart right?

So there I am in my corral with hundreds of other veteran and rookie runners walking slowly towards the start gate to take off into the great unknown. I could almost hear my own heart beat and 15 feet before crossing the line…Chris Johann, a former co worker for many years blasts out of nowhere with his signature bear hug that catapulted us through the beginning of our journey…it was an absolutely perfect moment for me to kick it all off.

I knew that pace was important but definitely wanted to be under three hours to finish. The sun was out and the temperature was pleasant, in the beginning…not to hilly…but that would certainly change. The course would take us through a nice tour of downtown Fredericksburg…at mile 5 there were college students with a table setup with Vodka shots…and I took the last one, luckily followed by a conveniently placed water station. You would then travel past the Rappahannock River and onto Route 1 up to Mary Washington Hospital. Therein lay the obstacle…Hospital Hill. This climb would present itself to us at mile 10, any runner would tell you not the best place for a giant hill. The many residents of the city were out along the course to cheer us on along with US Marines…how motivating is it to have Marines cheering and high-fiving you as you push yourself through this gauntlet of miles. This was also the case at the hill. They had placed motivating signs on the ground and had megaphones to push us up this monstrous incline and before we knew it…we had done it…last sign on the ground…“What Hill?” So now the power is really on and the end was getting so close. My muscles were burning and I wanted nothing more than to reach the finish line. As I crossed Fall Hill Avenue I could see the arch way up ahead and what I had visualized in my head was coming true…I had the momentum of a wrecking ball and went into a full on sprint. My wife, family and friends were along the median holding banners and shaking bottles filled with rocks cheering me to the end. I passed through the finished and was glad to be wearing sunglasses so a dozen Marines didn't see a grown man with tears in his eyes…I totally played it cool you know. As I walked through I could see the medals and a soldier turned to me and said…”I got this guy!” in an excited tone, guess my emotions were all over my face at that point and he draped a 2012 Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon medal around my neck. It had happened…the cameras were going off and food and beverages were being consumed like there were no tomorrow. I made my way back down to my entourage just in time to photo bomb them getting a group shot of all the banners and joined in the fun. My friend Laura would be coming in later on. I felt so bad for her as she had pulled a calf muscle at a volleyball game a couple of weeks before but that would not stop her and she came around and a Marine and myself escorted her across the finish line, a moment I would never forget. 
*Also forgot to mention that I was in an article about being in my first Half Marathon...heres the link...
Tube Sock Guy article

Wonderful sign made for me by Grace Phillips and signed by my co workers

Toilet papered house courtesy of Sharon and Kristen...helped break up the nervousness!

Bonnie and I after the race

Bib and Medal

My entourage

West Coast and East Coast winners

Shaking all over...

           Some time has passed and things continued on the right path. I had made a program…a lifestyle change that allowed me to make my life better. I could get 7 miles down before completely crashing out from exhaustion and I loved every time I could push myself a little bit further. The weight was still coming off, not as fast as it had been of course. I equated it to digging a hole…the top layers came off easy but the deeper you went the harder the ground got and you had to put more effort into it. I had signed up to run the Monument Ave 10K in Richmond with some friends and had an amazing time, who wouldn't when people are cheering for you while running! I felt this overwhelming sense of accomplishment and could now see why people liked to do this…so what now?

Myself, Crystal and Eddie at the 2012 Monument Ave 10K

I talked to Laura later on and it hit me in mid-conversation…the Marine Corps Half Marathon. The goose bumps quickly followed with some kind of hot flash…could I do this? Laura quickly inserted with…”If you do it, I'll do it”. That sealed it…the next day at work while at lunch, I signed up for the race. In no time I had started some nervous shaking and had to take a walk around the building to calm down.

The training came along much easier…Fear is motivating and I had plenty of it!

Good times, Bad times...

            The fat was falling off and I was getting surges of energy, people were starting to notice and that was a good feeling. I increased my walking around the block to jogging and eventually running, in there lied the issue…my feet sucked. Blisters and inflammation, a bad combination putting me on the disabled list on many occasions. I guess the simple fixes can’t fix all. Running shoes paired with running socks…knowing that thigh chaffing would be next I took the proactive approach to getting some tights to prevent what I believe to be a living nightmare between my legs. Eureka! The distance kept growing and I kept shrinking and before I knew it…50lbs had been shed at the same time my friend Laura had pounded out 40lbs of her own. The clothes were getting pretty lose and I was building a reputation around my neighborhood as…The tube sock guy…pretty original I guess. I had to learn a lot about something that sounds as simple as “running” like proper breathing with my strides as well as making sure I rehydrate along the way and eventually having to replace calories to continue to go further and further…I was having fun!

First shoes: New Balance 860

Thigh lifesavers!

Hey hey what can I do…

            My dad always had interesting ways of taking care of problems with sometimes simple fixes. I have a brother that is two years younger than myself and when we were children would inevitably get into huge explosive fights, one time while coming home in the car…dad pulled onto the shoulder of the interstate and got out of the car, picked up a log off the side of the road and proceeded to place it on our laps in the backseat and continued our journey home…without saying a word. My brother and I were so confused that we didn’t know how to respond to this action…effectively silencing us the rest of the trip…genius! This also came in the form of another solution…for sweating. Tie a tube sock around your head…purely simple and effective. Like father like son I guess.

So I had measured out the distance from my mailbox around my neighborhood to a mile that ended back at the mailbox…simple. Without fast forwarding too much, that’s the key…SIMPLE. I remember the first time I did this mile one afternoon after work. I was pretty sure I wasn't going to make it. Stopped several times along the way and my feet were killing me when I got home. Remembering that Rome was not built in a day and focusing on the pounds that continued to come off…I was feeling the motivation that was not monetary but the pure fact of living better…who knew right. Boy little did I know how this would propel from here.

Tube sock guys

In my time of dying...

             Dieting…of course right? Eat less and exercise, that simple. We would have biggest loser contests at work and have fun in a competitive fashion for 8 or 10 weeks. The last year I did this I won by losing 47 pounds and earning $600! Great right? If you don't mind starving and beating the sweat out of yourself every damn day. It’s a losing battle from the start and every pound would make its way back to their home and even bring more with them.

Later that day after coming home from the Half Marathon I got a call from my friend Laura in California of whom I had worked with and dieted with as well. She had started working with Visalus Health Sciences and wanted to talk with me about how it was working for her. Interested at another opportunity I had given up on so many others I thought…”What the hell, might as well try”. So it began…pounds began coming off steadily for the first couple of weeks and I felt the energy levels begin to rise. The shakes tasted good and it had occurred to me that this process was even more simple than the already simple unhealthy lifestyle I already had…how great! It also occurred to me that this process could be accelerated by more activity like some walking around my neighborhood. Since the lack of physical activity had been for so many years…my current athletic apparel department was…well…the only slim thing about me and the fact that I could sweat while sitting in the North Pole in a blizzard. I had to do something to keep the sweat out of my eyes.

Biggest Loser work contest 2006:
First picture: Before
Second picture: After (32lbs)
Third picture: John Candy (the return of the fat)                     

Nobody’s fault but mine…

            The entirety of my life had been what one would describe as sedentary to outright lazy toppled with the fact that my food consumption was to the level I described as “competitive eating” that would frighten small children nearby. The only thing keeping me from being cut out of the wall of my house and placed on a forklift was the fact that my job in physical therapy had kept me mobile and not parked in front of a desk all day. This didn’t change the fact that when I got home I would crash to the couch for the rest of the night and when I got up, I moved like the patients I had helped all day…slowly. I would perspire by simply being awake and my breathing was heard by others around me consistently. For a long time I knew things would have to change, but how?

World's Largest Buffet in Sugarcreek, OH 

What is and what should never be…

            The alarm clock went off at 5:00am Sunday morning. It’s unnaturally early of course but the unique opportunity was upon me to photograph the 2011 Marine Corps Half Marathon….something new for me. I had gotten a media pass and parking permit, thank God too since it would've been a hell of a walk. The race began at 7:00am with a burst of what I called “crazies” taking off on a 13.1 mile journey through the historical town of Fredericksburg. One of the first pictures I took that day was of the finishers medals hanging at the finish line…how would that feel…a medal being draped around your neck by a US Marine…kind of cool but never a reality for me.

2011 Marine Corps Half Marathon finisher medals