Welcome to Confessions of a Fat Runner

Welcome, fellow runners! I started this site as a way to connect with others who like to run, but also may be struggling with areas of their lives, like I do. As a Christian, I wrestle daily with life issues and stress. Running has a been an outlet for me to relieve stress and stay in shape. First, let me introduce myself so we can get better acquainted.

By the end of Spring 1997, I weighed 305 lbs. We all bought bikes for our family and set out to ride one day. I couldn't keep up with my kids, who were pretty small then. I huffed and puffed for a long, two-mile stretch and was absolutely disgusted with myself. I always fancied myself a better than average athlete, playing football and baseball in high school, but now I was a heart attack looking for a place to happen. That spring day changed my life.

I became determined to ride my bike more confidently and lose weight. So, every day I rode. 2 miles, 5, 6, 10. Before the summer was over I was riding over 25 miles in one shot and had lost nearly 40 lbs. When I returned to work that fall, no one could believe it. I weighed 260. Still, that was not enough, so I kept churning those pedals, and deprived myself of the foods I craved. By February 1998, I had lost 100 lbs. My friends were concerned I had lost too much, too quickly, which, in retrospect, I probably did. Yet, I went from a size 50 pant to a 38. None of my clothes fit.

What does this have to do with running? Well, one day, my best friend, a runner, took me out to a local park for a run one day. I didn't think I could run. Riding was natural and something I had done since I was knee-high, but running? No way! We started slow and made a lap around the park, taking in its beauty and talking as we ran. One mile became two and before I knew it, I ran 5 miles! I was so excited I went straight out and bought a brand new pair of running shoes and started mixing running with my bike rides.

Running became a way of life for me and now, here I am. I'm 43 years old, have completed a marathon and last year I did the impossible. As you may have noticed in my profile, my youngest daughter is a type-1 diabetic. I came up with the crazy notion I could do something to raise awareness if it was really radical. So, last November, I ran/walked 50 miles in one day down the I-40 access road and into town. It was quite a spectacle. It was definitely something I'll never forget.

The lesson is this: First, run with God and run after him. Second, if you're not perfect, so what? You can still run, or ride and get into shape. I weigh 240 right now and will do a 4-miler this evening before heading to my favorite coffee hangout.

I hope you'll frequent my blog site and confess a few of your struggles, or your favorite runs. I want to share my life with you and I hope you'll do the same.

That's my confession--what's yours?

God bless and Ever Forward!!!


--The Fat Runner