I was 5' tall and weight in at a whopping 275 lbs. Short and round was how I described myself. I had been diagnosed with a chronic illness and at the age of 48 found myself dependent on oxygen 24/7. This was not good and my husband did not expect me to live another 5 years. We decided to move from our home in Colorado where we were at 8,000 feet altitude to the low lands of Mississippi where the altitude was 215 ft. We did not choose Mississippi out of a hat, we did have family living there and it would be fun to be close them again. Upon arrival in Mississippi, I had to find new physicians. I found an aggressive Dr. who decided to give me a second lease on life. He worked very hard to get me off some of my medications and I am grateful to him for that. While he was whittling away at my medications, I accidentally went toxic on one of my other meds (NOT my fault!) and almost died. During this time, I forgot how to eat and immediately lost 30 pounds! Most excellent! When I came around, I decided to really put forth an effort to losing weight and being active. This is where my sister comes into the story. She works at Mississippi State University and they were offering the C25K program. She wanted to do it and wanted me to participate. I said, sure! Little did I know that 2 yrs ago this coming Labor Day would be a life changing day for me. That is the day we began C25K. That was the most difficult thing I have ever done and if it had not been the promise I made to my sister, there is no way I would have completed to program. A strange thing happened during that program~I got hooked on running! The 5K at the completion of the program took me 48 minutes. I was so proud! My husband ran it with me~stuck by my side step by step and then we cried at the finish line. This was a major accomplishment. Not was I off oxygen and the majority of my medications, I had lost 148 pounds! Totally excellent! I am now 51 and running now is a major part of my life. My husband and I are running partners and have completed many 5K's, 2 10K's, a 12K, 2 half marathons and are presently training for my first full marathon and his 3rd full marathon! Who would have thought that running could have changed my life and the life of my family so dramatically!?! Our marathon is on Oct. 20. Wish us luck!!!
7 Comments
Heather
8/11/2013 03:01:08 am
How inspirational!! You look terrific.
Reply
Pam
8/11/2013 03:38:06 am
I am so impressed! Keep up the good work!
Reply
Debbie
8/11/2013 07:28:43 am
Awesome !!!!
Reply
Marcia
8/11/2013 11:18:30 am
Great job! You look fabulous, but more importantly I bet you feel awesome. Truly inspirational!
Reply
Tammy
8/11/2013 11:40:53 am
That is awesome. Your story really inspires me and also made me teary eyed. You look great. Good luck on your marathon.
Reply
10/12/2013 10:14:56 am
Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
The LogicA random collection from the world of RunJunkEes Archives
March 2017
Categories
All
|