Almost a year ago, I never would’ve imagined that I would be running races, much less a half-marathon, and even putting up a running blog. I had just completed my annual physical check-up and the doctor said I was overweight and had borderline high cholesterol. He wanted to get me started on statins to lower my cholesterol level.
I did not want to start taking maintenance meds for anything at 35 years old. I made a deal with him: if I could lower my cholesterol level through diet and exercise in 3 months, then I wouldn’t have to take the drugs.
And so began my affair with running. I bought a new pair of running shoes and began jogging/walking around the village. I bought a Polar heart rate monitor so I could check on how my fitness level had improved. I eventually found out about the Nike Ipod and I had to have one too. I discovered some running blogs and I got excited about joining races.
Ten months, 900 kilometers, and 7 races later, I find my enthusiasm for running has grown even more rather than waned. This is something that I hope to be doing even 30 years from now.
And by the way, my cholesterol dropped back to normal 3 months after my first check-up. And I’ve lost more than 10 pounds 10 months after.
14 responses so far ↓
Alexis Tucay // July 13, 2008 at 2:27 pm |
Looks like you have lost weight compared to when I last saw you back in Septmebr 2003 if I’m not mistaken.
datc035 // July 14, 2008 at 1:14 am |
I weigh probably the same as that time. I gradually gained weight after that and reached 163 lbs August of last year, according to my medical records. I’m at 148 lbs. now.
x59 // July 14, 2008 at 3:04 am |
just discovered your blog, DATC. Hope to log at least half of your mileage by December.
datc035 // July 14, 2008 at 3:14 am |
x59, as long as you are determined to do it, you can easily achieve what I’ve done. I didn’t really do anything extraordinary.
Formerly x-35
prometheuscometh // July 15, 2008 at 1:23 pm |
holy cow is this really THE alexis tucay?
Simon // July 15, 2008 at 2:38 pm |
Way to go! Really neat to see you are pushing yourself. See you on the road…
sfrunner // July 15, 2008 at 3:47 pm |
Hey DATC! Awesome story on how you got started running. Continued success and hope to see you soon!
datc035 // July 16, 2008 at 4:07 am |
PC, Alexis runs marathons and half-marathons too. Tucs, if you’re reading this, I expect you to share your experiences here, or you could start your own blog too
Simon, nice to bump into you. See you at the races!
Wayne, I never expected it would go this far, and I’m really just starting. See you in November!
Alexis Tucay // July 16, 2008 at 11:28 am |
148 lbs.! That’s awesome. I was 140 lbs. in high school, 160 lbs. in college, 180 lbs. in my twenties, and about 189 lbs. today. If I weighed 148 lbs., I’d be training or the Boston marathon right now.
In 18 years since high school, my only regret is not starting to run until I reached my 30s.
Alexis Tucay // July 16, 2008 at 7:37 pm |
Yes, prometheuscometh, it is really THE Alexis Tucay.
prometheuscometh // July 16, 2008 at 10:29 pm |
Alexis how are you? Good to hear from Simon too! Speaking of regrets, I was running in high school and now that I am running again I wonder if I could have been as disciplined about the whole thing when I was younger. Maybe not as there would have been so many distractions. Still, it would have been nice to have as much available information and support as there is now. Anyway we are running today and today is the start of the rest of our lives!
datc035 // July 17, 2008 at 1:45 am |
Alexis, we are all theoretically “training” for the Boston marathon. Most if not all runners dream of running Boston someday. Actually getting there is another thing though.
sfrunner // July 17, 2008 at 2:07 am |
datc035, if I can say something to Alexis, it’s better late than never. You’ll be amazed that runners will enjoy it more when they’re in their 30s.
datc035 and prom. will agree on that!
Aunt Gigi // October 5, 2009 at 9:27 am |
Your mom mentioned that you are joining marathon but I did not expect to see your picture on the web. Good to see you’re loosing weight and looking good. I hope Rachel will also be encouraged to dieting and exercising.