Ran 5K today at the Strawberry Festival

Well, I made it. Ran the 5K for our local fair today with my daughter. She kept me going and helped me push through. 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. I have been a slacker the last month and did not train nearly hard enough, but we got through it. 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 ripped him a new one. 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. I was tearing up and bawled like a baby when we got across and I gave her a big hug. 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. She did save that number for me. It made it all the sweeter. I weighed 248 this morning when I got out of the shower before the race.

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Even the toughest criminals become remarkably docile 
 once separated from society by six feet of soil. 

What an amazing story and congratulations on your success!!   Your daughter is pretty awesome too.  Linda

Good job on your 5k race!!!

That is so cool!!!   Your life is forever redirected and your whole family is sharing in the benefits.  It's very touching to be running a 5K side by side with your daughter - go #405!  You have so many wonderful moments ahead of you.  Congratulations on weighing in at 248! Patty

Congratulations on running your 5k.  I was at a 5k race in McMinnville yesterday.  The answer to Cancer race.  I was a walker and was quite proud of myself too.  I did not run I walked but that was a big first for me.  I have attended the race the last five years and have always volunteered to help with the food they serve after the race.  This is the first year I have actually taken part in the race.  I am glad no one was bad mouthing walkers because that would have really ruined it for me.  I am really impressed that you could run it.  I barely made it walking.  I am pre-op but have lost 52 pounds since Feb.                                              Again Congrats on the race and your weight loss!                                                                             Lori

What a great story. Thanks for sharing it. You look fabulous, dahling!

Wow Gary!  I got tears in my eyes reading this.  Congratulations to you.  You have made a wonderful transformation.  You should be very proud of that daughter of yours.  Not only is she very pretty, she's got some moxie to her!!  I'm sure she'll go far in life. Congratulations to you both. Linda

I am Wolfgore's mother and I was at the race and privileged to watch my son and granddaughter as they accomplished this run together . I was sooooooo proud of both of  them.
And very proud of the way my grandaughter stood her ground on her Dad's behalf. You have been a great role model and inspiration to all around you. WAY TO GO!!!!!! JACKIE 2001

Hi Wish I had known you were running this race...... I was at the parade.... i would have looked for you perhaps I will join you next year..... who knows. Congrats to you, YOU ROCK!!!!! I am amazed at how far you have come...... I guess if I do it next year I will ask for 444 my starting wieght, what an awesome Idea. I will be walking in the Walf for Life at the end of the month at the High School we are called Team Pace.... come and say hi if you are there.... Christina

Very cool.  Great job!  The only time I run is when something BIG and SCARY is chasing me! LOL.