TigerTown
Disney Running TK
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2007
- Messages
- 780
Hello all my name is Kyle and Id like to welcome you all to my first Pre Trip report since 2007. As you can see its been a while so please take it easy on me
First up let me give you a bit of history to help set up this PTR. I have always struggled with weight issues and last summer I finally decided to do something about it. After visiting my parents in Florida I noticed how a lack of exercise was really affecting my dad as he got older. I remember looking in the mirror and telling myself that something had to change. I wasnt getting any younger and as you can see from this picture, I was heading down a very bad path.
The first step toward a healthier me was actually very simple. I stopped drinking diet pop (yes Im from Michigan we say pop). The first couple weeks were lined with headaches from the caffeine withdrawal but other than that I really didnt find it too difficult to stop.
From there I had to decide the best way to lose the weight. I have tried dieting in the past with mixed results. I would lose 10 or 15 pounds and then gain it all back. I tried the Atkins Diet and was mildly successful but gained it all back when I realized I couldnt eat that way for the rest of my life.
This time I decided emphatically that I wasnt going to diet. Diets dont work for me. I was simply going to watch how much I ate by controlling my portions sizes and trying to cut out the sweets.
The other mindset I had was that I wasnt going for a specific goal weight. I didnt (and still dont) care how much I lost as long as I was feeling healthier and could sustain this plan for the rest of my life no end game no finish date forever! I didnt even weigh myself when I began so I still dont know what my true starting weight was.
For the next step on my road to health I decided to get some exercise. Some of my Facebook friends had run Disney races and I always thought that it would be so cool to be able to do that one day.
My goal was to get in shape enough to where I would run a full 5K race. At the time it seemed like such a daunting task but I was determined to try and train for one.
I started to look at the runDisney website and noticed a training plan by runDisney training partner Jeff Galloway. There was a Youtube video explaining his training methods so I took a look. The point of the video was to let you know that it is not necessary to run the entire distance during an endurance race. His theory is that by doing a combination of running and walking you are able to preserve your body and reduce the risk of injury dramatically. I found the video fascinating so I laced up my shoes and went outside for my first run in a long time.
My first run was a mile long using a 10 second run / 50 second walk interval. My time was 17 minutes but I felt really good afterword. For the next couple of weeks I did the same thing while gradually increasing my distance and never had a bad experience. I was getting out in the sun and really enjoying my runs.
On August 4th 2012 I decided to take the plunge and sign up for my first 5K. I never thought I would have been ready that quickly but I knew I could do it using the Galloway plan. The morning was extremely hot and my time was very slow but I actually finished the race. (I wasnt even last)! It was at that moment that I knew I was hooked!
This is what a chubby guy looks like after running 3 miles
When I got back to the house I went online to research the training plan for a Half Marathon. After reviewing it over, and over, and over, and discussing it with my wife, I finally decided to take the plunge. I went on to the Disney runDisney website and signed up for the 2012 Wine & Dine Half Marathon.
Over the next few months I followed the training plan and on November 10, 2012 I finished my very first Half Marathon.
I was so proud of myself after that race. I couldnt believe that I had actually done it. You can find my blog post about the race here.
I think thats it for the about me section. Up next Ill going into more details about our November 2013 trip plans.
First up let me give you a bit of history to help set up this PTR. I have always struggled with weight issues and last summer I finally decided to do something about it. After visiting my parents in Florida I noticed how a lack of exercise was really affecting my dad as he got older. I remember looking in the mirror and telling myself that something had to change. I wasnt getting any younger and as you can see from this picture, I was heading down a very bad path.
The first step toward a healthier me was actually very simple. I stopped drinking diet pop (yes Im from Michigan we say pop). The first couple weeks were lined with headaches from the caffeine withdrawal but other than that I really didnt find it too difficult to stop.
From there I had to decide the best way to lose the weight. I have tried dieting in the past with mixed results. I would lose 10 or 15 pounds and then gain it all back. I tried the Atkins Diet and was mildly successful but gained it all back when I realized I couldnt eat that way for the rest of my life.
This time I decided emphatically that I wasnt going to diet. Diets dont work for me. I was simply going to watch how much I ate by controlling my portions sizes and trying to cut out the sweets.
The other mindset I had was that I wasnt going for a specific goal weight. I didnt (and still dont) care how much I lost as long as I was feeling healthier and could sustain this plan for the rest of my life no end game no finish date forever! I didnt even weigh myself when I began so I still dont know what my true starting weight was.
For the next step on my road to health I decided to get some exercise. Some of my Facebook friends had run Disney races and I always thought that it would be so cool to be able to do that one day.
My goal was to get in shape enough to where I would run a full 5K race. At the time it seemed like such a daunting task but I was determined to try and train for one.
I started to look at the runDisney website and noticed a training plan by runDisney training partner Jeff Galloway. There was a Youtube video explaining his training methods so I took a look. The point of the video was to let you know that it is not necessary to run the entire distance during an endurance race. His theory is that by doing a combination of running and walking you are able to preserve your body and reduce the risk of injury dramatically. I found the video fascinating so I laced up my shoes and went outside for my first run in a long time.
My first run was a mile long using a 10 second run / 50 second walk interval. My time was 17 minutes but I felt really good afterword. For the next couple of weeks I did the same thing while gradually increasing my distance and never had a bad experience. I was getting out in the sun and really enjoying my runs.
On August 4th 2012 I decided to take the plunge and sign up for my first 5K. I never thought I would have been ready that quickly but I knew I could do it using the Galloway plan. The morning was extremely hot and my time was very slow but I actually finished the race. (I wasnt even last)! It was at that moment that I knew I was hooked!
This is what a chubby guy looks like after running 3 miles
When I got back to the house I went online to research the training plan for a Half Marathon. After reviewing it over, and over, and over, and discussing it with my wife, I finally decided to take the plunge. I went on to the Disney runDisney website and signed up for the 2012 Wine & Dine Half Marathon.
Over the next few months I followed the training plan and on November 10, 2012 I finished my very first Half Marathon.
I was so proud of myself after that race. I couldnt believe that I had actually done it. You can find my blog post about the race here.
I think thats it for the about me section. Up next Ill going into more details about our November 2013 trip plans.
