I never thought I’d find myself here: 320 pounds, staring down another failed start, wearing 3XL clothes that feel tighter every month, winded after climbing stairs, avoiding cameras because I hate the way I look. I can’t believe how far I’ve let myself fall from the person I once was.
I’m done just thinking about it. Running Down 100 is where I hold myself accountable — to lose 100 pounds and finally run a half marathon without walking. From 320 to 13.1.
The Athlete I Used to Be
I was never one for traditional workouts. You wouldn’t catch me grinding out sets in the weight room or doing laps for fun. My exercise came through play and sports — but it was constant.
Walking 45 holes of golf in a single day. Playing endless games of “tennisball” (baseball with a tennis ball) or wiffle ball with friends. Shooting hoops. Riding my bike everywhere — not to “exercise,” but because it was freedom and fun. Baseball anywhere I could find it.
I didn’t realize it then, but I was always moving. Fitness wasn’t a chore, it was just part of life.
My Running Background
Running didn’t come naturally to me, but at one point, I worked my way up to 12 miles while training for my first organized race through consistency. I was ready — fitter than I’d been in years. Proud of myself for sticking to it. Then I made a rookie mistake: I didn’t know you had to pick up your race packet the night before. By the time I showed up, it was too late. No bib, no race.
I’d trained for months, and in an instant, it all felt wasted. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve run more than a 5K since.
Over the years, I’ve walked half marathons in St. Louis, Vegas, and Hood River, OR. I’ve always wanted to run the full 13.1 — every step of it — but I’ve never actually done it. Even at my peak, I wasn’t fast. My best pace was around 11:30 per mile, but I was incredible at keeping a pace. I’d get to 11:30 and hold it whether I was on flat ground, uphill, or downhill.
Where I’m At Today
Now? Things are different.
I get winded easily. I snore. I’m on thyroid medication after thyroid cancer in 2013. I take blood pressure meds. I take allopurinol for gout. I had a recent bout of cellulitis and a fractured ankle that took months to heal. My health is screaming at me to make changes.
I just turned 44. I coach my kids’ baseball team, I’m on the school board, and I’ve got a great job in architecture with flexibility. But coaching baseball and sitting in a recliner aren’t enough to keep me healthy. And eating out — my biggest downfall — has done me no favors.
I don’t work out. I don’t like working out with other people, and I don’t like being seen while I do it. When I run, I usually run early in the morning. I’m a morning person and the streets are empty, so there are fewer people to see me.
I’ve lost weight before. In college, I dropped 67 pounds in a single summer (266 down to 199) by running and swimming. Five years ago, I lost 50 pounds doing keto. Both times, the weight came back. This time, my life is depending on my ability to make it stick.
Because when I see pictures of myself now, I don’t recognize the guy staring back. I swore I’d never wear 3XL clothes. Now I’m in 3XL and pushing the edge of 4XL. And I hate it.
Why I’m Sharing This
I avoid cameras. I avoid mirrors. But I can’t avoid reality anymore.
This blog is my accountability. It’s not just for me — it’s for anyone who feels stuck, anyone who wonders if they can really turn things around. Maybe you’re not 320 pounds. Maybe you’ve never wanted to run a half marathon. But maybe you’ve looked at yourself and thought: How did I get here?
That’s the question I’ve been asking. And this is how I plan to answer it.
The Plan
Lose 100 pounds. Not overnight, not with gimmicks, but through steady progress.
Run an entire half marathon. No walking, no excuses. Every step of 13.1 miles.
Be honest. About the setbacks, the struggles, and the wins.
I’ve already signed up for the Greater St. Louis Half Marathon in April. To be honest, I don’t know if I’ll be ready to run the full thing by then. My goal is to run as much as my body safely allows. Maybe it’s 5K, maybe it’s 10K, maybe more. I won’t push myself into injury. This is about progress, not perfection.
What You Can Expect Here
This blog isn’t going to be polished highlight reels. It’ll be real.
Weekly progress updates: weight, mileage, wins, struggles. Reflections on running, health, food, and life at 44. Stories about balancing training with work, kids in 5th and 7th grade, and coaching my soon-to-be 11U baseball team. Gear I use, mistakes I make, and what’s actually helping me move forward.
I’ll start out with some help with gear for heavier runners, but my hope is that a year from now I’m not an expert on that anymore. Maybe by then I’ll be the guy running shirtless.
I’ll also share lessons from my past — what worked when I lost weight before, and what didn’t. And maybe most importantly, I’ll share the mental side: what it feels like to start over, again, when you’re not the person you used to be.
Day One
So here I am. 320 pounds. Winded too easily. Sitting more than I should. But ready to make myself uncomfortable.
This is Day One of Running Down 100(ok, so my first run isn’t scheduled for 3 more days, but you get the point).
It’s not just about losing weight or crossing a finish line. It’s about getting my life back, mile by mile, pound by pound.
And this time, I’m not quitting until I get there. There will be curse words. There will be huge wins. But I’m taking you with me either way. Enjoy the ride.
