2 Years Ago...

The following is a post I wrote for Steve Tomboni to publish in the Muncie Voice -

If we've not seen each other in 10 years, you may not know the following:

In 1999, I weighed 220 pounds - Today, I weigh 220 pounds - the problem is that in 2007 I weighed 310 pounds! While I blame the desk job for my weight increase, it was my own lack of diet and exercise that caused me to gain the weight. Over the last 2 years, I have made significant changes to my lifestyle, and I wanted to take moment to reflect on those with you today -

March 12, 2010 - On this day, I made the decision that for Daylight Savings Time, as I changed my clocks, I needed to change my life. I refused to be part of any diet program that would hold me hostage to counting calories or tracking points, but I know myself well enough to know that I'm motivated by very specific, long term goals, so I stated on this date that I would complete a marathon in under 6 hours. Really not understanding what this would take, I found a marathon in Indianapolis on November 7 - the same day we change our clocks again. The irony could not be ignored, and I committed to the event immediately. Did I mention I weighed 280 pounds? I could not walk on the treadmill for more than 20 minutes without being winded to a point of total exhaustion.

June 12, 2010 - A disciplined approach to walking on the treadmill at the new Yorktown YMCA, on the Cardinal Greenway and trying to make better choices about my eating helped me to my first 5k race in over 10 years with Muncie Multi-Sport at Prairie Creek Reservoir. It was only the third time that I was able to run at a ten minute pace for over 30 minutes!

September 4, 2010 - After being introduced the sport of triathlons in June, and watching my wife do a sprint triathlon in July, I wanted to try my hand at it. A healthy dose of swimming, biking, and running really helped keep me active most of the summer. So, I completed my first Sprint Triathlon with Muncie Multi-Sport at Prairie Creek Reservoir! And yes, I DID finish - however, I gave everyone quite a scare when hypothermia set in, and I was transported to the ER! Let's just say I learned a lot that day!

October 24, 2010 - I ran in the Chase Charlie 5k in just over 26 minutes - and also ran a 20 mile training run at an 11:30 pace the very next day.

November 6, 2010 - I am a marathoner! I completed 26.2 miles in 5 hours and 21 minutes - Mission Accomplished! My weight was down to 235! In 8 months I lost almost 50 pounds and went from barely walking for 26.2 minutes to running 26.2 miles!

Once the Holidays were over and we entered 2011, I realized I was addicted to this new lifestyle. I felt like I had so much more to do - for myself. My original goals were to complete another Sprint Triathlon (without the trip to the ER) and to complete another marathon -

So how did I do? Check this out - I completed 14 different running events including a stair climbing race, 5k, 10k, 5 mile trail run, 3 Sprint Triathlons, 3 Half Marathons (Geist, Indy, Muncie), and 2 Full Marathons including the Chicago Marathon! I ran over 1000 miles for the year! And the scale - holding steady under 220!

Additionally, I helped to create a new running event in Yorktown! The 4 for the 4th was a successful event with over 300 athletes, resulting in a new trail installed along Tiger Drive where no trail or sidewalk had ever existed.

Hard to top that, but again, I'm driven by big goals! 2011 was my year for running - 2012 is my year for triathlons. I plan to complete an Olympic Distance Triathlon, and the Muncie Man Distance Triathlon with Muncie Multi-Sport, and finally the Muncie 70.3 Half Ironman Distance Triathlon! My goal is to run and bike over 2012 miles this year...at a minimum!

In just 2 years time I've enjoyed the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. I'm stronger and slimmer. I have more energy for my work and family. And I did it all with the help of my friends and family here in Delaware County. I am so thankful to the Yorktown YMCA, the Cardinal Greenway, Muncie Multi-Sport and the Yorktown Running Club (YRC). Hope to see you at a race in 2012!