I figure with one hike left to go in 2010 this is a good a time as any to review where I was when I started this adventure and where I will be when 2010 is finished.
When I started walking on Sept 11 I hate to admit I was at 296lbs and a whopping 52 inch waist (or should that be waste). Today 263 and a 42 inch waist. I am hoping to get to 195 and a 32 inch waist in 2011.
The first seriously long walk I did was 7.5 miles and the thought scared me with the thought can I even walk that far (I could) and now I am looking at walks of 18 miles in May and a full 26.2 mile Walk A Thon in June. These don't scare me as we have walked 20K (a little less than 1/2 marathon) in a day on back to back days. So with some training I know I can do it.
Have signed up for something that does scare me a little a running event (sort of) called the Warrior Dash in September. It a 5K run with some insane obstacles to do en route. Two things about this that scare me are can I even run 5K (at least I got 9 months to train) and with my impaired balance how much harder will the obstacles be for me. Regardless I will get by them.
I have discovered how uncomfortable foot injuries can be, but have learned to keep pushing.
Went on a vacation to do some serious caching, weather ruined that plan so we hiked. 110K in 7 days.
I have discovered my wife is a much stronger person than I thought and give her a ton of credit for all her resolve to continue on her journey and keep inspiring me to do better.
Since that first walk-482,391 steps taken, 263.7 miles walked 39,021 calories burned. Total time walked in that period is over three days.
I know some people will go but you have wasted three days of your life, and those people will never get it (I know I was one of them). Yes I may have spent three days but how much time did I add to my life by doing this? My knees that always bothered me, seldom hurt. The reduced stress on the heart and other organs all help. Even if I stop here I have added to my life, only thing is I am not stopping.
I am not sure what size I was when my wife and I married almost 17 years ago, but I know it had to be at least 230, I want to get to a point I am smaller and healthier than she has ever known me.
Finally a sincere and honest thank you to those who inspire me. Some realize it, some don't..but to name a few Robin, Roxy, Anne, Gwyn (you got Warrior Dash in my wife's head), the folks at Dairyland Walkers and many more.
A equally important group that deserves the same thanks are those who spur me on with kind words to my post, some of who have been named above, but Donna, Steve, Mary, Deb, Val and Co Workers who have offered kind words. And of course family
THANK YOU ALL!! I can't do this alone, no man is an island. And I hope that if anybody reading this is inspired to take there first steps towards this type of life style change if you need help or somebody to offer support, even if you decide to try walking a 10K and you need somebody to carry your water, let me know. I intend to pay it forward
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