My first 5K

[Wolfgore]

You all have been very kind and helpful here, and I wanted to share this experience with you.

If you haven't seen my original post in the DIYer section, I have been through a bit of a journey this last year.
I started this journey on May 16, 2007.
At that time, I was 6'4" and weighed 435 pounds.
At that time I had my first consultation and started the process to have a Roux en Y surgery. (Gastric bypass)

Fast forward to November 9, 2007.
After 6 months of tests and meeting all the requirements needed for such an undertaking, I was wheeled in to surgery at 7:00 am and weighed 405 pounds.

Fast forward another 7 months.
June 7, 2008 I now weigh 248 pounds.
I have lost 187 pounds since I started this journey just a little over a year ago. 157 of that in the last 7 months since surgery.

The town I live in has a fair every year about this time.
Before the grand parade on Saturday, they have a 5K race.
Running this race with my daughter was one of the goals I set for myself when I started this journey of mine.
So at 10:30 am on June 7, 2008 on a comfortable overcast day, the starting pistol was fired.

With my daughter by my side we started what was to be a day I will never forget. We ran right through town on the parade route, with thousands of people lining the street watching us pass as they waited for the parade.
My daughter kept me going and helped me push through. Without her help and support, I would not have finished as well as I did.
We finished at 40:05.
I had set a goal to do it in 40 minutes or less, so I am ok with that time.
Next year we shoot for under 30 minutes.

One funny story.
There was an announcer near city hall set up to call the parade. We were walking from a couple blocks away and we could hear him talking smack.
He was saying something about how it was supposed to be a run, why are they walking. I took it in stride, no big deal.
My daughter on the other hand, was really pissed. She turned to me and asked me how much weight I have lost. I told her and as we went by the announcer, she let him have it.
She yelled at him, "Yeah, well my dad has lost 190 pounds and is running 3 miles. What are you doing besides just standing there talking into a microphone!"
My eyes started to well up. To his credit, the guy announced what she said and told everyone to give me a big hand, which they did. Then he said he couldn't have run to the next block, let alone three miles.

As we got to the finish line my daughter took my hand and we ran across together.
As I said, I am 6'4" and a Correction Officer at the state penitentiary.
As big and bad as I like to think I am, as I crossed that finish line hand in hand with my daughter, I was tearing up and bawled like a baby when we got across and I gave her a big hug. It was part joy, part pride that she stuck with me and helped me so much and part sheer exhaustion.
It was the most amazing feeling ever.
What an incredible journey this has been.

On a side note, notice the number I am wearing. I weighed 405 pound on November 9, 2007 when they wheeled me in for surgery.
I sent an email to the lady that was in charge of the run and asked her if she could please assign me number 405 for the race, and explained to her why it was so significant to me.
When we got to the staging area and checked in that morning, in my packet was number 405.
It made it all the sweeter to have that reminder of how far I had come.

[Mipi]

Very nice story. Congratulations to your weigth loss and sport achievment. You have very supportive daughter. Should be proud of her!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cessna152towser]

Great pics, congratulations on the run and on the weight loss.

[BEEDEE]

Way to go!!!!!


Brian

[James MacMillan]

That sir, was a truly inspiring story. I wish you well in your journey!

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[McMurdo]

What a wonderfully heartwarming story, again congratulations on the weight loss, and good for you and your daughter quite an accomplishment indeed.

[auld argonian]

Good for you and good for your daughter for sticking up for "the old man"!

Next year: under 30 minutes and KILTED!

Best

AA

[Wolfgore]

Good for you and good for your daughter for sticking up for "the old man"!

Next year: under 30 minutes and KILTED!

Best

AA

I do in fact intend to run it kilted next year.

Thank you all for the kind words.
It really shows me what caliber of fine people are on this site, and why I intend to make it a regular home!

[pdcorlis]

I can't begin to tell you how awesome your story is! The photos are the icing on the cake - what a wonderful experience to share with your daughter.

Enjoy your journey.

[Macman]

That is a wonderful story! You've come such a long way and you should be very proud of yourself. Also, you have raised a special daughter, as you well know. What incredible support for her dad! Credits to the announcer for changing his tune, and to the race organizers for giving you the race number that had such significance.
Your story has really made my morning, Wolfgore. Thanks for sharing it and congratulations on your 5K.