Hammer time!
Well tomorrow is time to drop the hammer and get this ***** done. Here is a note about my journey to Augusta that I posted on FB so some of the names won't mean anything to some a fe of the names will. I hope I have helped inspire some people the way Jillian, Andrew, Bill and Dan have inspired me. Thank you to everyone for their support
to follow my progress you can go to ironman.com and in the athlete tracker you put bib 807 for Augusta.
It is hard to put into words what I am feeling right now. To think that when I moved away from Las Vegas I weighed 360 pounds and just 3 years ago I was over 330 pounds. I knew that unless I somehow took control of my life and lost weight I probably wouldn't have much longer. After many conversations with Toni Gregory Corley we decided that having Gastric Bypass would be something could help me regain control of my life.
July of 2010 was when I was able to regain control. I knew my life after surgery would be much different but had no idea just how different it would be. To think the day I had my surgery I was breathless walking up the stairs in our even though I would walk every morning and had gotten up to 4 miles it seems like it would take forever. After surgery I resumed my walking and even attempted to run I spent many early morning hours in the dark trying to do this run thing and no matter how hard I tried it just didn't seem to work.
Some people at work had a bright idea that we could all walk a 5K so I said SURE! I think I was as nervous that day as I am tonight. Walking 5K seemed impossible I could run a bit but even that wasn’t much faster than a walk. Well I crossed the starting line and 46.5 minutes later I crossed the finish line, I was ecstatic that I had actually managed to finish. Little did I know at the time but this day would mark the start of many days where I would come to learn just what I am capable of doing.
In December of that year I ran my second 5K with my oldest son Anthony who was 9 at the time. I was none too proud that he actually beat me by a long shot and having him brag on the way home set my determination that I would one day be able to RUN a 5K and not just complete one. I worked many hours in the gym on a treadmill and early mornings on the greenway until I could run a 5K my next Race was on my cousin’s daughter Kenzie’s birthday. I figured if she could fight her battle I could run 3.1 miles as hard and as fast as I could. I did this in 33 minutes to my amazement. Waiting for me at the finish line was Toni and the boys along with my friend Bill.
A few more 5Ks and then I was set to Run the Peachtree Roadrace in 2011 and when picking up my number for that race I decided I wanted to do a Half Marathon on Thanksgiving day so I signed up for one, out of my eagerness I didn’t realize I signed up for the wrong one not on Thanksgiving Day but for the first weekend of October! So again it was time to put in hours on the greenway pushing myself to 13+ miles. Little did I realize this brought on a whole new level of things like nutrition, hydration and aches and pains. I would come home on Saturdays after a long run and sit with my legs up buried in ice packs. Yes it was a very painful journey to that half marathon but no matter how bad the aches and pains I was getting the satisfaction of proving to myself what I could do.
So the first half marathon came in early October followed by my second on Thanksgiving Day. I ran my second one faster than my first but was disappointed in myself that I had to walk all of the hills at the end of the race. Well the Saturday after that race I was still in pain and had a bruise along the whole back of my leg, so off to the ER. Doctor pokes around a bit and says “So you felt a cramp at the first mile you said. Well that cramp was a partial tear in your hamstring. Did you feel a pop or anything?" I replied “Yeah 2 nights earlier when I was running across a parking lot 2 nights before the race. So I realized I ran 13.1 miles with a partial tear in my hamstring! HONEY BADGER!!
I guess the part I need to rewind to is that I had decided with some convincing of my friends that I could do a Triathlon and found one that was to support an organ donor network. Well seeing that my Aunt Barb was benefitted not once but twice from organ donation kind of made it a no brainer. Well bad news was I messed my shoulder up training for it and had to back out. The day the doctor told me I couldn’t race I looked at Toni and said Hey how about I do Augusta next year. It was well over a year away and well she said sure. After focusing on the running and finishing up with a bad leg injury I began focusing on biking and swimming . Eventually I bought my bike and even signed up for my first Triathlon which I did with my friends Bill and Jillian. WOW I thought finishing a running race gave me a feeling of accomplishment nothing matched how I felt after this race. A few more races and many many early mornings training, running, riding and swimming countless miles have brought me to where I am today.
I remember back in February when I registered for this race, my hands were shaking and I felt sick to my stomach, but something told me I could do this. Well tonight I have that same feeling magnified by about a billion. Through this journey I have come to learn although at times I don’t always accept it that what I weigh isn’t as important as what I can do. Today I am healthy I take no medications and I love my life. I have had a positive impact on my family and friends and have seen those around me change their lives, from those who eat a bit healthier to those who have ran their first 5K or those who are pushing for their first mile. Tomorrow marks a day that never before in my life did I imagine I would be doing muchless able to complete because the only thing that will stop me from crossing the finish line will be someone throwing me in an ambulance.
These past 2.5 years have been an amazing journey I am glad that I made the decision I did to regain control of my life. To my wife Toni this is a result in your Love and Support. Your dedication to helping me realize and obtain a goal like No Other. Through the good time and the difficult ones, through doctor visits or ER visits you have been by my side never telling me to stop but probably saying “DUMBASS" somewhere deep in your mind. You have met me at many finish lines and kissed me before many races. I look forward to seeing you at tomorrow’s finish line.
To my kids I hope to set an example that anything is possible if you simply work hard enough. To my friends that have helped me along on this crazy journey I hope to make you proud by simply finishing with a smile. Tomorrow I officially become a wack job.
to follow my progress you can go to ironman.com and in the athlete tracker you put bib 807 for Augusta.
It is hard to put into words what I am feeling right now. To think that when I moved away from Las Vegas I weighed 360 pounds and just 3 years ago I was over 330 pounds. I knew that unless I somehow took control of my life and lost weight I probably wouldn't have much longer. After many conversations with Toni Gregory Corley we decided that having Gastric Bypass would be something could help me regain control of my life.
July of 2010 was when I was able to regain control. I knew my life after surgery would be much different but had no idea just how different it would be. To think the day I had my surgery I was breathless walking up the stairs in our even though I would walk every morning and had gotten up to 4 miles it seems like it would take forever. After surgery I resumed my walking and even attempted to run I spent many early morning hours in the dark trying to do this run thing and no matter how hard I tried it just didn't seem to work.
Some people at work had a bright idea that we could all walk a 5K so I said SURE! I think I was as nervous that day as I am tonight. Walking 5K seemed impossible I could run a bit but even that wasn’t much faster than a walk. Well I crossed the starting line and 46.5 minutes later I crossed the finish line, I was ecstatic that I had actually managed to finish. Little did I know at the time but this day would mark the start of many days where I would come to learn just what I am capable of doing.
In December of that year I ran my second 5K with my oldest son Anthony who was 9 at the time. I was none too proud that he actually beat me by a long shot and having him brag on the way home set my determination that I would one day be able to RUN a 5K and not just complete one. I worked many hours in the gym on a treadmill and early mornings on the greenway until I could run a 5K my next Race was on my cousin’s daughter Kenzie’s birthday. I figured if she could fight her battle I could run 3.1 miles as hard and as fast as I could. I did this in 33 minutes to my amazement. Waiting for me at the finish line was Toni and the boys along with my friend Bill.
A few more 5Ks and then I was set to Run the Peachtree Roadrace in 2011 and when picking up my number for that race I decided I wanted to do a Half Marathon on Thanksgiving day so I signed up for one, out of my eagerness I didn’t realize I signed up for the wrong one not on Thanksgiving Day but for the first weekend of October! So again it was time to put in hours on the greenway pushing myself to 13+ miles. Little did I realize this brought on a whole new level of things like nutrition, hydration and aches and pains. I would come home on Saturdays after a long run and sit with my legs up buried in ice packs. Yes it was a very painful journey to that half marathon but no matter how bad the aches and pains I was getting the satisfaction of proving to myself what I could do.
So the first half marathon came in early October followed by my second on Thanksgiving Day. I ran my second one faster than my first but was disappointed in myself that I had to walk all of the hills at the end of the race. Well the Saturday after that race I was still in pain and had a bruise along the whole back of my leg, so off to the ER. Doctor pokes around a bit and says “So you felt a cramp at the first mile you said. Well that cramp was a partial tear in your hamstring. Did you feel a pop or anything?" I replied “Yeah 2 nights earlier when I was running across a parking lot 2 nights before the race. So I realized I ran 13.1 miles with a partial tear in my hamstring! HONEY BADGER!!
I guess the part I need to rewind to is that I had decided with some convincing of my friends that I could do a Triathlon and found one that was to support an organ donor network. Well seeing that my Aunt Barb was benefitted not once but twice from organ donation kind of made it a no brainer. Well bad news was I messed my shoulder up training for it and had to back out. The day the doctor told me I couldn’t race I looked at Toni and said Hey how about I do Augusta next year. It was well over a year away and well she said sure. After focusing on the running and finishing up with a bad leg injury I began focusing on biking and swimming . Eventually I bought my bike and even signed up for my first Triathlon which I did with my friends Bill and Jillian. WOW I thought finishing a running race gave me a feeling of accomplishment nothing matched how I felt after this race. A few more races and many many early mornings training, running, riding and swimming countless miles have brought me to where I am today.
I remember back in February when I registered for this race, my hands were shaking and I felt sick to my stomach, but something told me I could do this. Well tonight I have that same feeling magnified by about a billion. Through this journey I have come to learn although at times I don’t always accept it that what I weigh isn’t as important as what I can do. Today I am healthy I take no medications and I love my life. I have had a positive impact on my family and friends and have seen those around me change their lives, from those who eat a bit healthier to those who have ran their first 5K or those who are pushing for their first mile. Tomorrow marks a day that never before in my life did I imagine I would be doing muchless able to complete because the only thing that will stop me from crossing the finish line will be someone throwing me in an ambulance.
These past 2.5 years have been an amazing journey I am glad that I made the decision I did to regain control of my life. To my wife Toni this is a result in your Love and Support. Your dedication to helping me realize and obtain a goal like No Other. Through the good time and the difficult ones, through doctor visits or ER visits you have been by my side never telling me to stop but probably saying “DUMBASS" somewhere deep in your mind. You have met me at many finish lines and kissed me before many races. I look forward to seeing you at tomorrow’s finish line.
To my kids I hope to set an example that anything is possible if you simply work hard enough. To my friends that have helped me along on this crazy journey I hope to make you proud by simply finishing with a smile. Tomorrow I officially become a wack job.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Hi Paul,
You've been popping up as a reminder on my calendar all week. You're such an inspiration to the WLS community. I wish you success! You're already a winner to me, so remember to make it fun too! As a reminder on how to outdo those naturally skinny biotches, use your secret weapon... G-A-S. If they get close, fart, they'll retreat quickly. Use your gas powered rear engine to quickly propel yourself across the water. When riding your bike, let her rip, the competitors will drop fast to pinch their noses.
Good Luck and Best Wishes!
Kat
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