40 by 40

March 19 will mark 2 years since I unofficially began this journey, and a LOT has changed!  I went to my old Wordpress blog and found my first post there and thought I would share it:

My name is Bobby and I need to lose weight...and I sort of can't believe I'm admitting that to the world since I've struggled to even admit that to myself.  According to my Wii Fit I am above "obese", but by American standards I suppose I'm just "chubby" or "husky" like I used to hear when I was a kid.  Regardless, I need to drop some weight.

A couple of years ago while someone else led a First Place group at my church I managed to lose about 35 pounds, most of which I have put back on since that group folded and we moved.  Now I'm ready to make a serious life style change that will not only get this weight off, but keep it off.

Why the urgency now?  I just turned 39 earlier this month, March 3 to be exact and I will be turning 40 on March 3, 2011.  I want to live the longest life possible for my family and so that I might offer God the best I have and serve Him with excellence...in my condition I don't think I can guarantee either.  And 40 pounds in less than a year is a goal that I know is achievable, but will require work, and will also get me down to a weight where I was much healthier.  I'll probably still be considered over weight according to USDA standards, but at least I know I'll be much more comfortable in my own skin.

As for the blog, I need accountability.  I will share some of my goals with my wife today and with the church I serve, and I will also be linking this blog to my Facebook account...where I'm sure way too many people will be able to know my business.  But you know what, if it helps me reach my goal, that is going to be alright.  Besides, my goal is to post my last blog entry here on 3/3/11 having reached, at the very least, my 40 pound goal.

I'll begin posting more on Monday when I hope to begin going hardcore on this.  I appreciate your reading, your support and your prayers during this time.

be God's

bobby

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! Phil. 4:13

Well, I did it.  Not sure how well I did it, but I did it!  I was able to run in my first marathon this past weekend.  I was bib# 18086, finishing 3208 out of 3657 runners on the 26.2 mile course.  And while my 5:31:31 time may not be all that impressive...I'm thrilled with finishing it considering how it went!

I was doing great through first 18 miles, hiting the 5K split 33:49 and the half split at 2:19:55, I was really expecting to finish at or under 5 hours...and then the cramps started.  Not only did I hit the wall, I smashed into it!  I ran/walked much of the next mile, taking an unplanned bathroom break around mile 19 and then tried to get going again, but with not much luck.  It would seem like as soon as I got my stride back the cramps would hit me.  At one point the cramp in my right calf was so intense I could actually see the muscle sucking in!

I fought my way through miles 20-23, walking a lot more than I ran, and even stopping a few times just to massage the legs or to deal with what felt like naseau building up.  At one stop a lady offered to help thinking she had some salt packets, she was out and I told her "I really think if I throw up I will be OK."  Never happened...but I did have to take a 2nd unplanned bathroom stop around mile 22 that tool a LOT LONGER than I anticipated (I'll just leave those details out!).  

I was able to do a little better over the last 5K, and I think knowing that I was nearing the finish line had a lot to do with it. Some times it is the mental battles you have to win!  I did about half running and half walking until I saw that beautful sign that said "Mile 25" in New Orleans City Park.  I got it in my mind that I was going to run across that finish line no matter what!  It was slow, but I was "running"!

I did have to make one more walk break due to cramps again for about 30 seconds, but picked it back up and managed to run across the finish line and celebrated the fact that I did it!  A newbie runner of less than 2 years finishing his first marathon the day after his 41st birthday!  And while I may not be an "elite runner", I am in an elite class as a marathon finisher!

Now that is done I've been asked, "Will you do it again?"  With my body still being achey and sore, it says "no" but my pride and my will says "Oh yeah!"  My plan is to run at least one more marathon, probably the Baton Rouge Beaches Marathon later this year or the Louisiana Marathon next January.  Both of those are flat courses, similar to New Orleans, and should allow me to see just how far I have progressed.

I'm also going to make a few changes on what I do leading up to the race.  When the race started my legs already felt tired.  I think it was because we arrived at Lafayette Square at 5am for a 7am start and it was cold, so I moved around a lot to keep warm.  I also started in corral 18 which put me waiting 30 additional minutes just to reach the starting line.  2 1/2 hours of being on my feet may have contributed to the wall.

On top of that, I ate breakfast around 4am.  Due to wanting avoid "intestinal stress" I didn't eat anything else after that.  By 7am that banana and protein bar were long gone and I didn't take any of the complimentary bananas or bagels the race offered.  Big mistake!  I can't help but wonder if just one banana and the potassium would have helped later on.  

All in all, I thought it was a great race.  I'm proud of finishing and I'm very proud of my wife who ran her first half marathon in 2:41 (beating her own goal time!).  I appreciate everyone who supported me, cheered me on, encouraged me and prayed for me through all of this.  You have been such a blessing!

And in closing...TWENTY SIX POINT FREAKIN' TWO!!!!