My First 8K

Discussion in 'The Back Room' started by AQUILA, Jul 10, 2009.

  1. AQUILA

    AQUILA New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 1999
    Messages:
    912
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Tomorrow marks an important milestone for me as I will be running my first race. After being married for a few years, sitting behind a desk too much, and putting on a "sympathy belly" for my wife while she was carrying our son, I found myself north of 260 pounds around Christmas this past year. I'm 6'2" but 260 was too much. So, my wife and I started a diet in January. By around the middle of February, I had dropped about 30 pounds and began running. That first mile took me about 11 minutes. Tomorrow night after about 5 months, many miles, and an additional 30+ pounds, I will be running (barring unforeseen circumstances) in the Crazy 8s Race in Kingsport, Tennessee. Wish me luck!!
     
  2. Scott88

    Scott88 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 1999
    Messages:
    8,165
    Likes Received:
    570
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Arlington, TX
    Good luck "big" guy!

    :)


    Sounds like you've done well!!!
     
  3. Sid

    Sid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    16,269
    Likes Received:
    769
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Fishers
    You're a big boy, Aquila. Congratulations on losing 60 lb.! Good luck in your race. I like your mentality. I have no doubt that you'll do well.
     
  4. gipper

    gipper Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 1999
    Messages:
    16,497
    Likes Received:
    498
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    The Villages, FL
    Great job.
    Since matter can neither be created or destroyed it must have gone somehwhere. Oh wait, I'm afraid I've found it.... :D
     
  5. Terry O'Keefe

    Terry O'Keefe Well-Known Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 1999
    Messages:
    63,917
    Likes Received:
    1,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Good luck, somehow I never pictured you as 6'2" 260! :)
     
  6. Sid

    Sid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    16,269
    Likes Received:
    769
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Fishers
    Terry, you reminded me of something a good friend from the past (a big guy) once said to me. For those who've never met me, I'm 5'9", about 178, and I have a deep voice.

    He said, "Baker, on the phone you sound like you're 6'2" and 240, but in person, you're just a little sh*t." :lol:
     
  7. AQUILA

    AQUILA New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 1999
    Messages:
    912
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    I was able to finish my 8K on Saturday night within the goal I had set for myself. I finished in just under 40 minutes which was about 18 minutes off the world record pace. Haha. But seriously, it was a very exciting event and the experience was quite ehilarating. The 10pm start time and the nearly 1900 entrants made for an electric atmosphere.

    Thanks for the well wishes from you guys!
     
  8. PJMIII

    PJMIII New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 1999
    Messages:
    1,305
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ewing, NJ
    Great job Aquila. Did your wife also take up running?

    PJ in Jersey
     
  9. Sid

    Sid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    16,269
    Likes Received:
    769
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Fishers
    Nice going, Aquila. It's always nice to accomplish personal goals, especially ones that are challenging.
     
  10. Gator Bill

    Gator Bill Well-Known Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2000
    Messages:
    17,819
    Likes Received:
    400
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Franklin NC
    :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

    I may have found some myself!

    Good job AQUILA and good luck.
     
  11. Stu Ryckman

    Stu Ryckman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 1999
    Messages:
    8,132
    Likes Received:
    585
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Mansfield, OH
    Including myself, sounds like their could be quite a lot of tonnage in KC next weekend.
     
  12. Terry O'Keefe

    Terry O'Keefe Well-Known Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 1999
    Messages:
    63,917
    Likes Received:
    1,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Congrats...

    I just want to remind Gipper:
    Do not, I repeat Do Not, convert anything to gas next weekend!! :)
     
  13. AQUILA

    AQUILA New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 1999
    Messages:
    912
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc45k1dYMGI

    You can find me crossing the finish line at about the 16:26 mark of the video. I have on a gray UnderArmor shirt and blue shorts. They sort of zoom in so you should have no problem spotting me. You can see the relief in my face. haha.

    The thing that I'll probably remember the most about the race was a 10 year old girl that finished just ahead of me. She would periodically walk during the race and cry her eyes out. In a few minutes she'd come zooming back by me. This happened a couple of times and I thought I had seen the last of her but there she was running by me to finish a few seconds ahead of me. Amazing, the determination she had.