On Jan 9th 2011, I weighed myself and noted with horror the reading on the scale.
354lbs.
On Jan 10th 2011, I told the world that I would run a marathon. Well, I told my office and a few people politely smiled and a few people laughed. How many times had I promised to myself and to others that I would lose weight? How many times had I failed, only to regain and add more weight?
However, this time it WOULD be different.
Feb 27th 2012, I weighed myself and noted with delight the reading on the scale.
178lbs
I hadn’t yet managed a marathon but I was running 10ks in 51 minutes, walking 7 miles to work and I was healthier and happier than I had ever been. I spent the next few years adding more and more medals, adding more and more miles and adding various health promotion and blogging roles to my C.V. I graced the covers of running magazines, featured in newspapers and joined MAN v FAT as an Amazing Loser. I raised thousands for charity and Howmanymiles was born.
On May 2014, I completed the Copenhagen Marathon and Hans Christian Anderson couldn’t have penned the fairy tale that was my life. It marked the culmination of three years of training, dedication and many sacrifices.
However, like all fairy tales, it contained an element of darkness. It marked the start of my descent. With no goal in sight, I lost motivation and I regained old habits. Although I dedicated my time to launching campaigns and events that helped thousands of people to become more active, I dedicated little time to my own health and wellbeing and over the last two years. I have suffered bouts of depression as my weight has slowly but steadily increased. I tried to mask my hurt and shame, but I began to withdraw. I ended partnerships and friendships. I began to lose hope and began turning down amazing opportunities. I feared that it was the end of the road for Howmanymiles.
Once again I was a failure and a fraud. Once again, I hated myself
2nd September 2016, I weighed up my options as well as my weight and I had a revelation.
Fairy tales are all about emerging from the darkness, facing your fears and overcoming mighty obstacles. They are about heroes and heroines.
Today, on the 8th September 2016, I make a new promise. In 2018, I am going to compete in an Ironman 70.3
I am going to be an Ironman
Some might laugh, but I hope that all of you will join me as I update you with my progress, both in my training and in my fundraising, here at MAN v FAT and also at my blog at www.howmanymiles.co.uk, as ever you can also find me over on the forum where you can ask me anything about what I’m up to.
It has been a dream of mine to be a Triathlete as well as a Try-Athlete and with your support and your encouragement; I know that I will not fail to achieve my goal of being an Ironman
I also have another goal.
Obesity and inactivity contribute to so many non-communicable diseases and to so many lost lives. One of those diseases is cancer and I am not sure its links with obesity are as well known, as they should be. I intend on using my new goal to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research and I also intend on continuing to encourage as many people as possible to move more.
