Training for Marathon in San Francisco

I am so excited! I registered today to train and run a marathon. Don't know which one yet, Alaska or Honolulu or San Francisco - maybe all of them? The sky is the limit now. I was just sharing with a PO last night that I cried and i had such a hard time with this surgery, I had a fever, high blood pressure, I couldnt get up to walk after surgery because I was fainitng...it was awful! To top things off I had complications and spent another week in the hospital. When I first went home I was so depressed and regreted my decision. I said I would rather be fat than go through all of this. Well - 5 months later and 95 pounds gone - I am so thankful I made this change and that I am doing things like kayaking, horseback riding and now - training for a marathon - that is 26.2 miles people! I dont think this surgery is for everyone. And at the time of my complications - had i known all these things I may not have had this surgery - but just 5 months out I am living the life I have always wanted. I am still 205 lbs - I am still obese and I am still not in the best of shape. But I feel more normal now. I feel I can do anything a 120 lbs woman can do. And yes I have 85 lbs more to lose - but you know what - I am the happiest I have been in my life - and I really do owe it all to this surgery., For me - this was a life saver....my life was not quite in jeapordy - the only medical issue I had was I was 300 lbs and a bordeline blood pressure...but the quality of my life was not what i wanted it to be. And I am living my life now. 24 years late - but I'm not wasting a minute of it anymore. Thanks to you all for being supportive through my tough times. Julia Surgery 08/02/04 300/205/120

Julia, I am in your same boat: Happy to have had the surgery, reachn my goal and loven' running! The following will be my first 1/2 marathon. If you are interested let me know, as I'd love to meet you. Alaska Marathon: Frank Maier Marathon and Half-Marathon Saturday, August 6, 2005 7:00 a.m. - Marathon (6AM available for slower runners) 9:00 a.m. - Half Marathon (8AM available for slower runners) Wheelchair start: 6:45 AM (Marathon), 8:45 (Half Marathon) http://www.juneau.com/serr/marathon.htm

Ohhhh Emily!!! Your making me wish so much I could go there and run it with you. Maybe next year.... Good luck and keep us informed as to how your doing with the marathon and training. Tami~

Hey Julia!!! Congrats on the weight loss and the marathon. It's always been my dream to run a marathon and January of 2006 I will make it happen. I'm planning on running in the Disney World marathon in January. I wish I could run this summer, but I'm not sure if my weight will make that possible. I feel blessed having had the surgery and living through it. My life is sure changing for the better and I intend on not letting it go back to what it was. PLEASE keep us posted on how you do in the Marathons!!! Tami~

VERY COOL~ I too am training with Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society...My FIRST marathon was the Alaska midnight marathon...VERY COOL, and NOW I am a mentor and training for the Nike Womens marathon in San Francisco!!! Maybe you are training for the same one? GOOD LUCK!!! love ya, T

Did you make it to the SF Marathon? Tek