RichieTruxillo
Writing Prescriptions for Disney Vacations
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2008
- Messages
- 265
I was reflecting on my journey over the past year and wanted to post some encouragement for those of you who are beginners or whom are *thinking* about starting running for fitness. Below is my story with pictures for proof and motivation.
I only started running last year, in fact, I am coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the first race I ever ran, The Drumstick Dash (5K), on Thanksgiving.
I took my first real steps towards weight loss on July 2, 2012 with the Couch 2 5k program. At that time I could not even jog 30 seconds without becoming winded. I was 236lbs at the time, at an all time high in my weight. After a physically and mentally taxing residency coupled with poor eating habits, my weight had skyrocketed. I felt tired all of the time and demotivated. My sister in law had started jogging and was losing weight. I figured that it was time to start making a change as my blood pressure was creeping up and I didn't want to take medication. I was tired of feeling tired all of the time.
Here is a shot of me during the Halloween Party last year. Too much candy!
I decided to get serious about running and thus I started setting goals. My first one was to actually finish a 5K race on Thanksgiving day. Not set an awesome time, just finish!
Wow! Just a few months ago, I couldn't run even a block. Now I could go 3.1 miles in just under 40 minutes. My blood pressure had also gotten back to a borderline state and my physician was happy. I had dropped about 6 lbs as well through eating a bit better and running. Still I wasn't satisfied, so I decided to keep doing and do something a bit more ambitious...
On a whim and a bet from a colleague over a beer at lunch, I signed up for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, just a few weeks away. In retrospect, it was a tad ambitious for a new runner who had just run their first 5K but I needed to set goals to continue my momentum. I started training 4-5 times a week, doing a combination of short runs and long runs. Granted I was jogging at a slow and steady pace, but at least I was moving and my endurance was improving steadily.
You hear that saying..."Did not finish is better than Did not start..." Well, I was very nervous flying down to WDW to run it and felt somewhat undertrained. There were so many people at the race on race day. Universally, everyone was encouraging and high-energy. There was plenty of on course entertainment to keep you going and although I hit the wall around mile 11, I kept going and finished the race.
There was something about the high energy about the Disney race that compelled me to continue forward despite feeling fatigued and having some severely sore feet. At this point I had lost approximately 12lbs, my blood pressure was normalized, and no more medications. Still, I was not satisfied. I wanted to get back to my college weight and have more energy. I had better energy than before I started but I really wanted to regain the energetic feeling I had when I was a normal weight. I kept running...
A funny thing started happening. I noticed that as I gradually lost weight, my own patients started asking what my secret was and began to do the same. Same thing with some of my own extended family. Everyone started asking when my next race was and how the running was going. Naturally, I wanted to run more races, so I did. I did my best to drag others along with me as well including my wife.
Heck, even ran on our cruise this year!
One day, while I was at work, I checked my email to see some crazy thing called the "Dumbo Double Dare." I wanted to train for a marathon but didn't feel I was quite there yet with my overall health and endurance to pull it off . However, the allure of running two races back to back coupled with visions of obtaining a shiny coast 2 coast medal was too much to resist. When I let my wife and family know about my registration, it was initially met with rolled eyes. "You're crazy....Dumbo actually!" I started training and next thing I know, my wife signed up for the Disneyland 10k and started training with me. Some of the summer long runs were pretty tough but I bought a treadmill to help me with times when it was too hot to run outside and I could not wait till evening. Before I knew it, labor day weekend arrived:
Bonus Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRso1tsB7gU
By the end of both days, I set two new PRs for both the 10k and the half marathon, improving 5 minutes on the 10k time and 12:02 on the half marathon time.
Fast Forward to today. I am 198.8lbs today, blood pressure is normal, and I feel better overall. It's almost been a year since my first race. I can't say it was easy but what I can say without any doubt is that I am glad I did it.
I am just like you. I have days when I don't want to run or I want to plow a bag of Halloween candy. I've even fallen for the "Dr. Oz approved" craptastical flavor-of-the-month, weight loss supplements despite knowing better! If you want to lose weight, you have to get serious about diet and exercise. You have to MOVE! Don't just think about changing, get out there and BE the change.
Walt Disney had a nice quote that I have on the wall in my office.
I beg you, if you on the fence about starting running or even exercising...just get out there and take your first steps. That's how I started, reading a facebook post from my sister-in-law completing a mile run and then reading stories from people in this very subforum.
Thank you for sharing your own experiences and continued support for each other. Every epic journey begins with the first step. Get out there and take yours!
Doctor's orders
I will see you on race day in January.
I only started running last year, in fact, I am coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the first race I ever ran, The Drumstick Dash (5K), on Thanksgiving.
I took my first real steps towards weight loss on July 2, 2012 with the Couch 2 5k program. At that time I could not even jog 30 seconds without becoming winded. I was 236lbs at the time, at an all time high in my weight. After a physically and mentally taxing residency coupled with poor eating habits, my weight had skyrocketed. I felt tired all of the time and demotivated. My sister in law had started jogging and was losing weight. I figured that it was time to start making a change as my blood pressure was creeping up and I didn't want to take medication. I was tired of feeling tired all of the time.
Here is a shot of me during the Halloween Party last year. Too much candy!
I decided to get serious about running and thus I started setting goals. My first one was to actually finish a 5K race on Thanksgiving day. Not set an awesome time, just finish!
Wow! Just a few months ago, I couldn't run even a block. Now I could go 3.1 miles in just under 40 minutes. My blood pressure had also gotten back to a borderline state and my physician was happy. I had dropped about 6 lbs as well through eating a bit better and running. Still I wasn't satisfied, so I decided to keep doing and do something a bit more ambitious...
On a whim and a bet from a colleague over a beer at lunch, I signed up for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, just a few weeks away. In retrospect, it was a tad ambitious for a new runner who had just run their first 5K but I needed to set goals to continue my momentum. I started training 4-5 times a week, doing a combination of short runs and long runs. Granted I was jogging at a slow and steady pace, but at least I was moving and my endurance was improving steadily.
You hear that saying..."Did not finish is better than Did not start..." Well, I was very nervous flying down to WDW to run it and felt somewhat undertrained. There were so many people at the race on race day. Universally, everyone was encouraging and high-energy. There was plenty of on course entertainment to keep you going and although I hit the wall around mile 11, I kept going and finished the race.
There was something about the high energy about the Disney race that compelled me to continue forward despite feeling fatigued and having some severely sore feet. At this point I had lost approximately 12lbs, my blood pressure was normalized, and no more medications. Still, I was not satisfied. I wanted to get back to my college weight and have more energy. I had better energy than before I started but I really wanted to regain the energetic feeling I had when I was a normal weight. I kept running...
A funny thing started happening. I noticed that as I gradually lost weight, my own patients started asking what my secret was and began to do the same. Same thing with some of my own extended family. Everyone started asking when my next race was and how the running was going. Naturally, I wanted to run more races, so I did. I did my best to drag others along with me as well including my wife.
Heck, even ran on our cruise this year!
One day, while I was at work, I checked my email to see some crazy thing called the "Dumbo Double Dare." I wanted to train for a marathon but didn't feel I was quite there yet with my overall health and endurance to pull it off . However, the allure of running two races back to back coupled with visions of obtaining a shiny coast 2 coast medal was too much to resist. When I let my wife and family know about my registration, it was initially met with rolled eyes. "You're crazy....Dumbo actually!" I started training and next thing I know, my wife signed up for the Disneyland 10k and started training with me. Some of the summer long runs were pretty tough but I bought a treadmill to help me with times when it was too hot to run outside and I could not wait till evening. Before I knew it, labor day weekend arrived:
Bonus Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRso1tsB7gU
By the end of both days, I set two new PRs for both the 10k and the half marathon, improving 5 minutes on the 10k time and 12:02 on the half marathon time.
Fast Forward to today. I am 198.8lbs today, blood pressure is normal, and I feel better overall. It's almost been a year since my first race. I can't say it was easy but what I can say without any doubt is that I am glad I did it.
I am just like you. I have days when I don't want to run or I want to plow a bag of Halloween candy. I've even fallen for the "Dr. Oz approved" craptastical flavor-of-the-month, weight loss supplements despite knowing better! If you want to lose weight, you have to get serious about diet and exercise. You have to MOVE! Don't just think about changing, get out there and BE the change.
Walt Disney had a nice quote that I have on the wall in my office.
I beg you, if you on the fence about starting running or even exercising...just get out there and take your first steps. That's how I started, reading a facebook post from my sister-in-law completing a mile run and then reading stories from people in this very subforum.
Thank you for sharing your own experiences and continued support for each other. Every epic journey begins with the first step. Get out there and take yours!
Doctor's orders
I will see you on race day in January.
) and started a beginners 5k trainer. I think I'm addicted because I finished that and felt so good I'm now doing a 10k in under 60 trainer. I'm currently running 3-4 miles 4 times a week and planning for the 
The thought of crossing the finish line sounds amazing but as much as I'm loving it running for 2.5-3 hours to reach the finish line doesn't.
