Kevin A.

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I've been looking forward to the race since last year. The was the race set in motion all 10K's, 1/2 marathons and marathons I ran last year. So I been looking forward to running this race again and improving on my time. I was ready!! I had been training hard all summer. I could not wait to smash the time of 3:20 I ran last year!!! The week of the race I get a call from Helen who sign up and trained all summer to run but was not going to run and wanted to know if I knew someone that wanted to buy her entry. Family, work and the fact she did'nt think she would make the cut off time. So with some more calls and texts I finally told her I'll run with you and push you to the finish. She finally agreed to run but if she was slowing me down I agreed to leave her.

Race morning is warm not as hot as it was last year but warm enough I knew it was going to be a humid day. The first 3 miles are running from downtown Disney into California Adventure. There was so many people that it was very dangerous running. I felt like we were running in a herd of wild animals. Runners swiping through the traffic and the space was so tight that I was more worried about falling than my time. At one point we had to stop running and wait to get through the 2 gates for thousands of runner to get into for Disneyland!! The run through Disney was just as packed!! Some runners stopping to take picture with the characters. Because of all the traffic we were way behind the running pace for the cut off time. I knew we would have to pick it up pace to make sure we finished. Miles 3-5 we were outside the park with more room to run on the streets. But as I started picking up my pace to get us back on time my Helen was slowing down. She was falling way back to the point I would have to turn around to look for her when it was time to run or walk. At that point she told me to go on she would finish the rest!! At that point I got a chance to run with Monica another OHer running her first 1/2 marathon for a little while. I text my girlfriend to see where she was and I get a text back "I can't keep this up.. I'm am toast" I tell her to hold on I going to try and catch up!! So I pick up my pace but not too fast because I know I would need to save something for the finish. Miles 6-11 I keep getting text on where she was but it seem like I was not catching up. Unknown to me she was running just as fast or faster than I was. So at about mile 11 she calls and is almost at the finish. So now I know she was fine I could relax and take a long needed bathroom break I been holding in for 5 miles!! The last 2 miles I relaxed and enjoyed the crowds of people cheering me to the finish.

I finished the race 3:26 well over my time from last year but I happy I had a hand in helping other OH'ers finish the Disney 1/2 marathon. I think this might be my last year doing Disney 1/2 marathon because the course is very dangerous first few miles and more important it was the same medal from last year!!!

Thanks for reading!!!

This has been another great year. I have trained for the L.A. Marathon with AID Project Los Angeles. Ran over 500 miles, raised $1,500 for people living with HIV/AIDS, run 2 marathons, and 2 ½ marathons. My weight the past year has gone between 221-230lbs. I’ve been hold steady at 230lbs the past few weeks. My weight loss honey-moon period is over. I can eat just about anything I want so it is up to me to maintain my weight loss. I’m still running, spining and weight training 3-5 times a week. I’m healthier than I was last year at this time and that is my goal for next year. Thanks everyone for your support!!

Best Wishes on Your Journey!!

I've been MIA on the boards but I feel like a stranger in a place I once called home. I think it from the changes I've been going through. I been so focused on staying active, personal life and still having a good time its hard making time to stay active on the boards. I admit I read them everyday but I don't know what to say? I know how hard I am on myself I lost friends because they just think I'm being mean when I tell them the same thing I tell myself to keep me focused. I've been staying between 223-230 the past 6-8 months. People tell me they see a difference every-time I see them. That tell me that staying active keeps me looking good even if the scale is not moving.

Until next time!

Hello Sport Fans!!!

This is my San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon report. For those that don't know my history this is my second marathon my first was the L.A. Marathon March 2008. I finishing but was totally unhappy with my results. (read my profile for that report) Because of the way the first marathon went I was happy to never have to run that far again. But something strange started happening. I started missing those long run. I needed something to keep me motived. At the last minute I decide to run. I had not done a long run since the L.A. Marathon so I did not know how my body would hold up.

Miles 1-15:27, Mile 2-14:22, Mile 3-14:03, Mile 4-15:14 Mile 5-14:11
Over 17,000 runners it was overwhelming the amount of people running at the start. I stayed in the very back I knew I was going to have to take it very slow at the start of the race. I started with a 1 minute run and 2 minute walk. I was surprise how good of a pace I could keep just running for 1 minute. My shoes were giving me trouble I need a new pair but it was too late to break some new shoes. But my pit crew (Kirsten) had another pair waiting at mile 6 just in case I needed a tire change. The people cheering and the bands were great. I took off my i-pod just to hear the music playing as I passed bands.

Mile 6-20:05, Mile 7-17:11, Mile 8-16:04
I was still feeling good but I need to keep taking bathroom breaks. As soon as I would go I need to go again!! I met up with Kirsten at mile 6 I was feeling good. My pace was great but she keep telling to slow down!! Another high light was I saw some runners coming out of a fancy hotel in downtown San Diego. I ask they let you use the bathroom? Yea so I walk through this fancy place all sweaty and use the restroom. As soon as I thought I was done I needed to do a #2!!LOL!! I been told you are not a real runner until you take a dump while racing!!LOL! I'm a real runner now!! I was so happy I didn't have to use the port a potty!!!

Mile 9-13:57 Mile 10-15:14 Mile 11-13:58 Mile 12-15:43
Runners have talked this was the worse part of the marathon. Running on the freeway!! That right!! I got a chance to run on a California freeway!!! The 3-4 miles was up hill and worse slanted so one foot was totally uneven with the other foot. But I was able to keep my pace passing alot of the runners cramping and some of the walkers. It was fun car zooming by the other side of the freeway honking at us runners!! Very Cool!!

Miles 13-17:02 Mile 14-16:26 Half way point 3:22!!
I made to mile 13 the first cut off point were they had bus waiting to take slower runners of the to another point of the race. That was one of my goal to not end up on that bus. I made by about 10-20 minutes!! I met up with Kirsten. I could feel my legs starting to tighten. I rubbed some cream on my legs, salt and refill my bottle. I was ready for the second half of this marathon.

Mile 15-14:19 Mile 16-14:38 Mile 17-14:03 Mile 18-14:36 Mile 19-14:15
I was back on pace and feeling good. If I was going to beat Kirsten L.A. Marathon time of 6:24 I was going to have to step up my pace. I changed my time to a 2 minute run and 2 minute walk pace.

Mile 20-15:00 Mile 21-15:06 Mile 22-15:30
I up my running to 2 minute but my running was slowing down. I was running out of gas!! Kirsten time was out of reach now. I knew I would finish but I could feel my toes ready to curl up in my shoes and my legs cramping!! I grab so salt and took some Advil and hoped I would at the very least I would finish under 7 hours!!!

Mile 23-16:30 Mile 24-15:39 Mile 25 18:04
I'm not able to run for the full 2 minute at this point. I was in pain but nothing I can't handle but at this time I'm telling myself why push it? I'm going to finish. Why push yourself and end up hurting more? That when I saw a friend that got pulled from mile 13 and sent ahead of the race. She was upset but still trying to finish. She told to finish strong!! So I took off running trying to get the best time possible.

Mile 26.2-18:26 Total time-6:45
The marathon end on the Marine base in San Diego. Entering the base I started running. People were cheering me on as I tried to keep running. I knew I was close but did'nt know how long I could keep running. My legs were cramping bad now!! I saw Kirsten and (Grove Daddy another OH runner) cheering me on. I finished 6 hours and 45 minute!!! I beat my L.A. Marathon time by 1 hour and 10 minutes!! It was a great race. I gave it my best and I'm happy knowing I can challenge myself to do things I never thought possible.

Thanks to Kirsten for being my pit crew!! She made it to 3 different spots and by the end of the race look as if she ran the whole 26.2 mile!!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

My marathon day started at 3am rushing to the bathroom!! Yep 5 hours before I was going to be running 26.2 miles I had the runs!!(Mistake #1 seafood pasta for my carb load dinner!) Me and Kirsten walked to 7-11 at 3:30am down the mean streets of downtown L.A. We walked past the homeless sleeping on the streets and the people walking from a night of partying. Got some coffee and imodium walked back to the Beilmore Hotel walked around the lobby looking at old pictures from the 20's & 30's. Some from of the first Acadamy Awards!!

It was 6am I’m dressed and ready to go. I had been thinking all morning if my stomach would hold up during the race? If I would be running to every port-a-potty when I ate something?? I felt good not nerves at all just ready to get started. We took the Metrorail from Downtown to Universal Studios. It was the first time I rode the Metro it was a cool ride with all the runners. We met up with AIDS Project running group. We started making our way to the start line. It was crazy out there with so many runners!! Just a sea of people ready to start running!! The gun goes off then I hear the music I LOVE L.A.!! We are off!!

Mile 1 & 2-18:49-14:43
The couple was up hill so the plan is to walk up hill then run the down hills to make up the times. Also there where so many people it not a safe place to run. I felt good!! It was crazy how many people were out there!!

Mile 3 & 4-13:36 & 13:55
I was feeling good but those times tell me I was going to fast!!(Mistake #2) I need to be at about 15 minute pace or slower. I was planning on doing a 1 minute run & 2 minute walk just like we did on our long training run but my group decide to do a 2 & 2 like on shorter runs (8-12 miles)


Miles 5 & 6 17:48-16:48
We had a lot of bathroom stops these to mile and I had to walk more to give my group a chance to catch up with me.

Miles 7, 8 & 9 14:56-14:33-14:23
Still was feeling good!! This was a very pretty part of L.A. huge old style mansions. There were rich people having parties a party in there driveway, Kids giving us high 5's it was a nice part of the course.

Mile 10 18:21
This is where the wheels fell off the wagon!! I was starting to slow down. I was starting to worry I was know where near the finish. Am I was hitting the wall?? If so I was going to be in for a very long day!! Kirsten asked me if I’m as ok? I snap at her telling her I was GREAT!! After a few words choice words on her part. I told her to run her race I would see her at the finish line. She knew that means I’m pretty much done. I knew I could not keep up and did want to holds her back from having a good race. She ran off I was walking with my buddy Grove Daddy!! I had hope he would run with her to keep her company. But he stay back with me making small talk trying to make me laugh but I was in a foul mood. My legs felt like lead, my feet were burning and I had over 16 miles to the finish!! How was I going to finish???

Mile 11, 12 & 13 16:00-15:53-15:22
The sun is out is all the way out it about 70 degrees it a nice day but not running weather. I'm still trying to shake the effects of the past 10 miles. I can't even keep up with a full 2 minutes of running at the point. So I try running for 1 minute. My feet are burning with every step am my legs are so tight I can barely keep them moving now I starting to feel pain shoot up between my legs!! This is horrible!!


Mile 14& 15 21:56-18:45
I made it to the L.A. Coliseum I see the other half of my running group!! They were in pain too but are in better shape than I was. It was no way I could even keep up. I’m thinking I just going to have to walk the rest of the way. A good time is out the window now I'm in survival mode just trying to finish. I tell Gene (Groove Daddy) look I going to have to walk don’t wait on me!! Gene is a good runner I know he could run the rest. Gene is running in slow motion for the pictures!! He tells me to at least look good for the pictures! So we make like were jogging for the pictures!! Mile 15 a friend mother and son was working a water station but by the time I got there it was like a ghost town. Use water cups everywhere and only a few people handing out water. I was too late they were already gone.



Mile 16 & 17 18:45-18:37
All I could think about was keeping my feet moving. Everyone around me was walking. It was like being in the zombie movie and we were the walking died!! Gene final decided to leave me. I was not being good company. I was really down on myself and I was hurting bad. There was is old lady running but very slow a little faster than I was walking. Her body was twisted forward and to the side. You would think she could not walk a block let alone 17 miles!! It was amazing to watch her!!

Mile 18 & 19 22:43-14:41
I have friends waiting for me at mile 19!! I forgot had Advil with me!! I popped a few pills and one of the volunteers had icy hot!! I rubbed some on my legs!! Wow!! My legs loosed up!! I started back on my 2/2 pace. I was feeling good. I was passing people. Maybe I can turn this around and still finish before the 7 hours?? I made it to mile 19 14:41!! I felt reborn!! LOL! Got some quick hugs and kisses from friends grab a sandwich and I was back in the race!!!



Mile 20, 21 & 22 18:49-16:42-14:13
I was back to mostly walking but my legs felt good enough I would run for a little. So I try to pick up my pace but I was running about as fast as walking. I check my phone mom’s at mile 22!! She standing there with one of her friends I give them both a hug and a kiss I kept moving. As I walking down the street hey that looks like my car? Why would she drive my car and park it so I could see it?? That just not right!! You don’t know how bad I wanted to jump in my car to leave this race!!

Mile 23 & 24 25:33- 22:13
The 6th street bridge took the last hint of life out of my legs. The next two mile was up over the bridge then up a smaller hill to another bridge back to downtown L.A.

Miles 25 & 26.2 20:15 – 23:48
Just 40 more minute then I’m done!! As I make my through downtown I see my coach he tells me I'm doing great. Take it easy and enjoy the finish. At 26 mile marker and I turn on Bob Marley on my i-pod and start running to the finish! I cross the finish line Kirsten and Groove Daddy are waiting on me. Kirsten put the medal around my neck and gives me a kiss! No runners high I was just glad to be finished!

I was feeling down about my race. I got this e-mail from my coach that put it all in perspective.


Whether you never started yesterday's race, did better than you anticipated, worse than you anticipated, or could not finish...you came together as a community and we did something amazing together! You truly are Heroes! As the Coach's were bringing in the last four runners a man approached us and thanked us for doing what we do. He said that he is an APLA client and he benefits from the funds that we raise. If nothing else, that definitely makes it all worth it! I was beaming with pride as I saw you all on the course, you are truly amazing people and my life is better for having met you! I hope that some of you will decide to come back and train again! If not, you should still continue to run; I spotted alumni all day long! Your life will be enriched by being active and you now know that you can do anything!!

What a great year it been. Start of the year I weighted 300lbs and at the end I'm at 227lbs! I run 5k's, 10k's, half-marathon's and training for the L.A. marathon. I've already run 20 miles in training!! I strange how far I come it almost hard to remember what my life was like before.

I can tell you it does get harder the farther out I get!! I can eat more and just about anything I want. It's so easy to fall back to my old was it is a struggle with not just food but alcohol also. I have to stay on top of my weight because it so easy to put back on 5, 10, 15 pounds before I know it!! I'm looking forward to another great year with more fun and staying active!

Happy New Year!!!

Time to check in... Another healthy month for me. My weight has stayed about the same for this month about 231lbs. Some highlights for this month was I easly climbed the rock wall on a Mexico cruise and I ran another 1/2 marathon. I decided at the very last minute to run the Long Beach 1/2 marathon and ran my best time yet. 3 hours & 10 minutes.. I shaved 30 minutes off my first 1/2 marathon and 10 minutes off Disney 1/2 marathon. Training for the L.A. Marathon has been good. Trying to get use to running without music and running with a group.. I think I like running alone at my own pace better. But it is nice just having to show up and run. Now I need to get to raising the $1,500 for Aids Project L.A. I have some raffles planned at my bowling league and I asked my gym to donate so will see what happens.

Chat with you next month!!!

I guess its that time again to update my profile. I'm still going strong with my workouts. I'm in the gym or running 5-6 times a week. I started training for the L.A. Marathon and I'm looking for my next challenge to keep my workouts interesting until the marathon. But my weight loss had slowed down this month. I'm only down 3lbs this month but those 3 little pounds put me at 231lbs!!! That's 150lbs loss!!! Amazing! Its still hard to rap my mind around the idea of losing so much weight!! I'm just 11lbs away from my goal weight 220lbs. I saw Dr. Ali for my 1 year appointment. He was very happy with my progress. My labs were good but my iron was a little low so I have to stay on top of that!! Another healthy month!!:-)

Until next time!!!

The past 3-4 months I been training for the Disney 1/2 marathon. I had been injury free all this time up until the Friday 3 days before the race. I was resting most of the week before the race. I woke up with ankle and knee pain on the same leg! WTF!! I felt great all week long I was ready to run and now this? I was not going to let this spoil a great weekend I had planned. Saturday I spent most of the day limping around Disneyland. Rode some cool rides and ate lunch at Club 33!! Very cool! Sunday I felt a little better but still not sure if I would be able to finish 13.1 miles. Had lunch with with good friends and relaxed.

Monday race day I was at Disneyland at 4:30 am my ankle and knee pain were gone but I had a calf pain now!! I was full doubts that morning. Would my knee and ankle pain come back? Would my calf pain get worse? Would I be able to finish? Would they come pull me off the course if I didn't finish by the cut off time of 3:30?? Oh by the way it was about 75-80 degrees at 4 am so it was going to be a very hot day!! There were so many people out there we started in huge groups. The first 1-3 miles I felt great. My 5k time was about pace time 15:20 right were I wanted to be. Not too fast and not too slow.. My calf was sore but not enough to be a problem. The run through California Adventure & Disneyland was fun!! The workers cheering us on and stopping to take pictures. The next 3-6 miles I still felt great!! It was starting to get very hot but It was not a problem for me. My pace was still right were I wanted to be still around the 15:20 pace. Miles 6-9 was past the Honda Center and down a dried up river bed!! Made me think of my first 1/2 marathon in the desert! I ran through Angel stadium parking lot with people cheering us on into Angel Stadium around home plate and got to see myself on the huge screen!! Pace was right on and I was still feeling great!! Leaving the stadium there was a huge sign 10 MILES!! I knew I was home free at that point I was going to finish!! I did get a little cramp in my toes but a little salt and Power Aid fixed that problem. I was ready to finish!! The last 3.1 miles was a piece of cake. I enjoyed passing people on the way to the finishline but not having to work to hard to do it!!! I stayed on pace and I finished in 3 hours 21 minutes!! Well under the 3:30 cut off time and I felt great after I was done. I was tired and sore but I could have gone another 3-5 miles!!! All my training payed off!! Running at 4 miles 2 times a week, longer runs on the weekend, spinning classes, and weight training!!
MISSION COMPLETED! I KICKED SOME DISNEY'S ASS!!! NEXT??
L.A. Marathon 26.2!!!

I guess I'll start with some of my stats for the past year.. before and after... Weight before surgery.. 381lbs. Weight after 1 year.. 234lbs. Shirt size before...5XL .. After...L/XL.. Pants size before 56.. after 36/38.. Completed 4-5k races, 2-10K, 1/2 marathon and 8 days I will complete my second 1/2 marathon.

By all accounts this as been a great year! I'm as healthy as I ever been in my life. I remember a friend who had WLS tell me you never understand the all things you gave up being obese. I understand those things now. Being able to sit in a chair with arm without fear it will break, riding in a airplane with worried I'm going to fit or spill over to the next seats, having people speak and smile. Something happens to me everyday that reminds me of how my life was before WLS and I grateful for changes I made also for the many friends I have made here. This place changed my life. I've been inspired by the people on OH. I hope to inspire people that you can do more than you ever dreamed. I never dream I would be running 1/2 marathons and I'm getting ready to start training for a marathon!!

YOU CAN DO IT!! How bad do you want it??

Best wishes on your journey!!!