"I Did the Grid" - My new Memorial Day Tradition

This morning, "I Did The Grid".   This was a 4 mile race that was organized a few years ago in honor of a fallen soldier who was killed in combat while in Iraq, Cpl. Chris Scherer.  The race is held in Chris' hometown of East Northport, NY and is directed by his parents.  Through this race they raise funds for a scholorship in their sons honor as well as funds for other fallen and wounded soldiers who bravely fought to defend this country.

The race course is 4 miles of which there are over 20 turns thru a local community "the grid".  The things i really enjoyed the most about the race today:

1) Getting to run with a very good friend of mine, Dawn.  Today was her first time running in a race!
2) Knowing I was running in honor of true heroes!
3) The AWESOME community!  Kids and adults lining the streets of the community either to offer water, a splash, sprays from hoses, or even just words of encouragement.
4) NO HILLS!
5) Seeing member of the armed forces running the race in full gear with their M-16's!
6) Coming down the finish chute lined on each side with vets holding our great flag!
7) Nice T-Shirt and cool Pint Glass for running!

Things I didnt like about the race today:

1) The humidity!  It was unbearable almost, the race started at 9:30AM and the sun was out full blast and  this was my first time dealing with humid conditions, I definitely didnt hydrate enough prior.  The gatorade in my handheld barely kept me thru the race, even with a cup of water i grabbed towards the end.

I didnt PR this race, finished at 1:03:11 , but Ill take it as the humidity was pretty bad, and a new experience for me.

Overall, this race was a great experience, and is now going to become a Memorial Day tradition for my friend Dawn and I.  As long as they continue to do this race, we will be there as well!

The Starting Line

True heroes welcoming us at the finish line

Here I Come!

Dawn and I after a grueling but fun 4 miles!

Awesome Pint Glass!

Time to start training for the HALF MARATHON!

Yes, you read that right....  As of today, I'm signed up to run a HALF MARATHON.  For those that dont know how long that is, its 13.1 Miles!

On October 16th I will be running in the Hershey Half Marathon @ Hershey, PA

To make things more interesting, the week after the Half, I have a 10K scheduled, and the week after that a 5 Mile race!

October is gonna be a rough month!!! But you know what?? Im gonna do my best and keep myself focused and push through it!!

Im going to be following an 18 week training program to prepare myself for the Half, and try not to kill myself in the process in order to complete the other 2 races afterwards.

Walk It Challenge.... Then and Now!

This morning was the Walk It Challenge.  This is a 5K event that Weight Watchers promotes annually to try and get their members motivated to complete a 5K, many for whom is their first time moving this distance.

Last year I participated in this event after being on Weight Watchers for about a year.  At that point I was down about 80 lbs and around 400lbs.  I was able to complete the 5K, but it wasnt easy, and i had never walked that far in a very long time.  When I finished it, i felt a sense of accomplishment, and a glimpse of what the future may hold for me.  Maybe there was more for me out there then being just a couch potato.  Maybe i actually enjoyed being active?????

Since that Walk It Challenge in June 2010, I strived to keep building on the glimpse of the future that I had.      I started walking more and being it was the summer, I swam a lot more, played tennis, whatever it was, I kept myself ACTIVE.

Fast forward a year, today I got to the Walk It Challenge a different person from last years event.  I was 100lbs lighter and no longer did 5K seem a daunting task.  5K is something ive done several times, and have done it running!

But it wasnt just about ME, I was joined by another of my most cherished support groups, my friends from the Weight Watchers meetings.  These are the people who every Saturday are there to cheer me on and help me celebrate, who help me with some great advice, and are there to help me when I didnt have a great week.  I also met people who not only have touched me, but have come to ME and have told me how much I have touched THEIR lives in some way.

Yes today I completed 5K, running/jogging/walking, but it was the people I got to share the 3.1 miles with which meant the most to me, and make me remember that I am not on this journey alone, and as much sweat and tears I personally have put into where I am now, I also realize it wouldnt be possible without them either.

This blog entry is dedicated to my 9AM Saturday crew, rebels or not, I love you all and thank you for being there week after week, I look forward to many more celebrations with you!

Before and After

Sometimes pictures show it best...

Me at 476 lbs:

Me at 299 lbs:

I was inspired today!

Today I volunteered at the Brooklyn Half Marathon as part of my 9+1 fulfillment.  Honestly, even if it didnt count for anything, I wouldve been glad to have done it.

I was posted at the approach to the boardwalk in Coney Island,  right at the very end of the race.

Race started at 7:00 AM and at 8:04 the first runner came ZOOMING by, each step that runner took looked EFFORTLESS!  I was in total amazement that a human being is capable of such speed after running 12+ miles.

Soon after all the elite runners finished up their race is when I truly was inspired...  I saw men and women shooting for their personal record, some in pain, some looking like they could go another 13 miles easy!  I saw teenagers and I saw the elderly.  I saw a blind man being helped along.  I saw people of all shapes and sizes.

I cheered out loud for all of them, and I even got many thanks and high fives in return.  I was letting them all know the finish was near and that they could do it and to finish strong!

As much as these people may feel that they were thankful for ME, i was equally as thankful for THEM.  Watching and seeing everyone completing their journey of 13.1 miles today kept the fire inside of me burning.  Inspiring ME to keep on doing what I'm doing and I know that one day soon it will be ME completing that half marathon, and ultimately one day achieving my dream of the FULL marathon!

Goodbye 300's, Hellooooo 200's!

I had set a goal for myself to reach the 200's by my birthday (June 11th).  Well today I reached that goal with a few weeks to spare!  Stepped on the scale and weighed in today at 299.4!!!!  Wooohooo!!

I honestly dont remember the last time I was in the 200's, most likely it was at some point in High School because I was already over 300lbs when I went to college.

To date I have lost 177 lbs, and I already have my eyes set on the next goal...

By the end of the summer I hope to be down 200 lbs!!!!

Thanx for everyones support including my family, friends, and those of you following my journey.

Small Changes

A fellow Weight Watcher reminded me this morning of something very important, and a helpful reminder for anyone looking to lose weight or improve their health.

When starting out, whether it be to lose 20 or 200 lbs, or to run a 5K or greater, you may seem to think that you will need to adapt some sort of BIG CHANGE in your life in order to attain that goal.

I can say without a doubt, that in order to get where I am now, it didn't involve any BIG changes, but rather a LOT of small changes!

To get to where I'm at now, down 175 lbs, was to take small gradual steps to improve my overall lifestyle.  Gradually learning how to change my eating habits, not by STARVING myself, but learning its OK to enjoy food, but to not let the food control me.  Learning that its not eliminating the foods I like from my diet, but just eating less of it.

To get where I'm at now as far as running, I didn't just get off the couch one day and start running 5K's.  That's whats so great about the C25K program, and I highly suggest it to anyone thinking of running for the first time.  When doing the C25K, you start off gradually, and build up the endurance to run a 5K.  Again, no BIG change, just several SMALL changes to attain your goal.

So just remember, there is nothing wrong with thinking BIG when it comes to setting goals for yourself, but just keep in mind that rather than needing to make any BIG changes, its just gonna take many SMALL changes to attain those goals!