It's a question that has been on my mind recently. Is it more than just a place to motivate myself and others and help to keep me accountable for my weight loss and fitness level?
I've been thinking about what it really could be. As someone that has battled weight issues most of my life, and endured the bullying and teasing that comes with it, I want this to be more.
The one thing in my life that I never saw myself as was an athlete even playing tennis in high school I never really felt like I was part of that group.
After spending the last year working with Hendersonville Running Club and the great people there and of course Swiftwick and all my friends there. Not once have I ever been looked at as something OTHER than an athlete. It's a really nice feeling, it's a really nice defining point. Not being defined by size, style or weight but being defined by the effort that you give.
I was having a hard time at the end of the 2010 races season. I had put a ton of pressure on my self to compete in 4 long races my very first year of running. Afraid if I didn't have that carrot out in front of me I might just fall of the road and never return.
What I ended up doing was pushing myself and my body beyond what it was capable of. But even when that happen the group of people I surrounded my self with never said I shouldn't have done it. Nope they said well next year modify your plan do something different. Never once did someone say well your just not cut out for endurance running. Not once did someone say your too heavy.
Through out the year towards the end you could hear me calling out during a race "Big girls do it better" and "Big girls eat hills for breakfast" I truly mean that. I think it takes even more effort and stamina to move a body that is 200+ pounds 13.1 miles then it does to move an "average" runners body that far.
We have to train differently our fluid and fuel needs are greater. We tackle a race differently, and we run for different reasons. Some to lose weight, some to get motivated to lose weight, some to support friends and family in their endeavor to get fit and healthy. Now mind you I'm not a dietician, or a trainer or a health professional. I just have a good team behind me that helps me to and be better.
I'd like to hear your stories. I'd like to give you a forum where your story can be heard and listened to with out stigma. Having a hard time lacing up and getting out the door? Need some extra support? I hope to make this space and soon the new website a place where you can do so. I'd like to connect the community and the world together so that not one FCR or FDR (fat dude running) is doing it alone.
FCR
One More Step, One More Mile, One More Finish. ©
I like this idea.
ReplyDeleteOne of the interesting evolutions in my running life has been from solitude to solidarity. I began running for the alone time and the independence...as an escape from college basketball which was all team, all the time. I kept running because I found a sense of team without all the politics and competition. I found a true community. And the best part, as in any large community, there is such a veriety of people! Big, small, fast, slow, old, young! It's amazing!
Thank you for your inspiring words. I am running the Tom King Classic for the first time this Saturday (my first 1/2 marathon) and I came across your blog while researching the event. I loved reading about your experience last year. I will be thinking about your determination and strength as I push myself to finish.
ReplyDeleteThank you!