December 2007 I found myself at the starting line of the Great Santa 1 mile run in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was at the starting line, not only dressed as Santa but looking the part as well. I was 34 years old and an enormous 355 pounds.

There was also a 3 mile run at the same event and I laughed at a co-worker who asked if I was going to run that distance. I quickly thought back to middle school and that must have been the last time I had run that long. I still felt positive about being out there to walk just 1 mile. As we began walking, I had a great time and when we looped around on the home stretch the 3 mile runners were nearing the end of their race. I remember hearing the crowds cheering for them. They all had large smiles on their face and I found myself being envious of them completing such an magnificent feat.

I wanted to be one of the runners.

That vision stayed with me until January 2nd, 2008. On that day I decided that I wanted to run a race. I found a 5k race in March that year and signed up. Something amazing happened to me during that time. I found a group of other runners on the Biggest Loser website and found support in formulating a training plan.

On race day I lined up at the starting line once again. This time I was excited and proud to be there and was 60 pounds lighter. I was a new person and that day was the first time I felt like a runner even though my finish time was around 44 minutes.

I caught the bug and wanted to push myself. I am currently living in Las Vegas but had grown up in the Richmond, VA area. I mentioned to someone that I wanted to run a marathon and they said it was possible to achieve that goal this year.

I found the SunTrust Richmond Marathon and signed up. Selecting Richmond also had many other close personal reasons. In 2007 my niece who lives in Hanover was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. Both of her younger cousins that live in Richmond also have the disease. The Stone family had started an organization, Stone Circle of Friends, to help raise awareness and money to find a cure. They were supporting runners in a pledge drive for the race and this is a way I could help give back.

In preparing for the race, I also had some other challenges I accepted.

On August 16th, 2008, I signed up for the ET Full Moon Half Marathon in Nevada. Come race day I was once again at the starting line excited, proud, and had lost 115 pounds so far that year. I was at the race supporting Stone Circle of Friends and a group of new friends from Leukemia and Lymphoma society had flown in from California to help support me as well. I finished that race in 3 hours.

Since then I decided to also run the Marine Corp Marathon next month in Washington DC. I am meeting 21 other runners from an online support group and hope to be lining up at the starting line now at 150 pounds lost.

Come the race in November, I will be at my goal weight and will have accomplished taking my life back. Who knows what will be next.

Onward
Upward

That’s awesome man, you’re an inspiration.  I’ve decided to run the MOnument 10K and I’m a bit concerned myself but I think once I do it I’ll be pretty pumped!

i saw the photos.

what a FINISH.

anxious to hear the race report.

i betcha it was SOME journey from start to finish.

GONZO.

you

are

INCREDIBLE.

what a feat.

what an accomplishment.

what an indomitable spirit.

i could see it in your eyes…

i can only imagine what the moment meant to you.

bask in the glow.

ONWARD AND UPWARD INDEED!
stacieb

Awesome Job on your first Marathon my friend!!!  You are such an inspiration to us all in the transformations you have made over the last year!!  Someday our paths will cross and maybe we can run together!!

Chris J

Richard my friend,

Good luck to you in your marathon!!!  I know you can do it!!! 

We all miss you man!!

Chris J.

dearest Gonzo.

you

are

MAGNIFICENT.

run like the wind.

and watch out for flying monkeys.

ttow!
stacieb

Richard,

Miss you on the tribe! Good luck next week…I will be praying for you!

Pennie (scrapperof5)

you

friend

are

MAGNIFICENT.

run like the wind.

and watch out for flying monkeys.

TTOW!
stacieb

You go my friend! I can’t wait to hear a race report. You will shine! So proud of you!

Hey Gonzo tribe member!!  I am so proud of you!!  I will be there at the finish line!  Kay :-)

Richard.
As someone who have followed your training from you embarked on this journey towards 26.2 - I am really proud of you.  I have told you this before YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Being down to the wire - I am sure you are doubting you can do this. Richard, everyone feel that way before the first marathon. You come to this event well prepared physically and I am not at all concerned about that aspect at all. Just one foot in front of the other all the way to the finish line - and should you meet a hill ... well I haven’t met a hill I could not walk!

I am sure when you reach the finish line, you will get the best hug you have ever received - from your niece. Have a (laminated) picture of her when you run - so when the going gets tough - look at her and remind yourself why you are running!!!

I wish you the best, and remember John Binghams words - the miracle is not that I finished - the miracle is that I had the courage to start.

Run on my friend.

‘chief’