Everyone has their own reason for getting on the path to
running. For some, it might be the personal challenge to accomplish a goal on a
small scale (such as a local 5k) or a larger scale one (such as a marathon).
For others it is to run in honor of a tragedy or family member. Or perhaps it
stems from the desire to get healthy; to change the bad habits we might have
picked up during the course of our lives (even if it borders on vanity).
For me, it was because of a combination of my brother, my ego and an episode of “How I Met Your Mother”. You might be wondering how all these things come together.
In order to get a better understanding, it’s probably best to go back a little further. The year is 2007 and I was at my friend’s wedding, and as per societal norms, numerous pictures were taken. In looking at some of them afterward, it became clear that I had hit rock bottom in terms of physical fitness and weight. I was actually disgusted by how I looked.
I had been fairly active as a kid and played on numerous sports teams throughout my life. But getting crushed from a bad relationship and deciding to distract myself with work (and hiding at home with comfort food when not at work), physical activities were one of the first things to go. Plus let’s not even begin discussing how sales professionals probably have one of the unhealthiest lifestyles out there. My weight would go up to the highest it would ever go (almost 200lbs for a 5’9” guy). I realized that it was time to make changes to my life. So I began to work out.
I practically lived out of the gym. And I lost significant weight (I went down to 160lbs). Although I had attempted to run on and off for several years during high school, it was never for long stretches plus I thought it was for really fit people. So during this time, my cardio consisted of biking at the gym. However, this would all change…
My brother was out West completing a degree in Commerce. During his time, he discovered a little show called “How I Met Your Mother”. Ironically enough, the first episode he discovered was the one where Barney claimed that there’s only one step in completing a marathon: Start running. My brother tried to explain this joke to me. I said that I completely agree with Barney. I only stated this because I remember a fraternity consultant completing a marathon with no problem (that I knew of anyways). Before my brother would end the conversation, he said that he’ll make me eat my words one day…
For me, it was because of a combination of my brother, my ego and an episode of “How I Met Your Mother”. You might be wondering how all these things come together.
In order to get a better understanding, it’s probably best to go back a little further. The year is 2007 and I was at my friend’s wedding, and as per societal norms, numerous pictures were taken. In looking at some of them afterward, it became clear that I had hit rock bottom in terms of physical fitness and weight. I was actually disgusted by how I looked.
I had been fairly active as a kid and played on numerous sports teams throughout my life. But getting crushed from a bad relationship and deciding to distract myself with work (and hiding at home with comfort food when not at work), physical activities were one of the first things to go. Plus let’s not even begin discussing how sales professionals probably have one of the unhealthiest lifestyles out there. My weight would go up to the highest it would ever go (almost 200lbs for a 5’9” guy). I realized that it was time to make changes to my life. So I began to work out.
I practically lived out of the gym. And I lost significant weight (I went down to 160lbs). Although I had attempted to run on and off for several years during high school, it was never for long stretches plus I thought it was for really fit people. So during this time, my cardio consisted of biking at the gym. However, this would all change…
My brother was out West completing a degree in Commerce. During his time, he discovered a little show called “How I Met Your Mother”. Ironically enough, the first episode he discovered was the one where Barney claimed that there’s only one step in completing a marathon: Start running. My brother tried to explain this joke to me. I said that I completely agree with Barney. I only stated this because I remember a fraternity consultant completing a marathon with no problem (that I knew of anyways). Before my brother would end the conversation, he said that he’ll make me eat my words one day…
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