Swag

Here's a photo of all the swag I've gotten from races so far. When I started learning to run, I had no intention of running actual races. But it's fun and I just can't stop! Plus it helps give me something to work towards.

New winter running shirt

My Beloved bought me this great thermal running shirt from Saucony!

Can't wait to go for a run in it!

Virtual races

I have discovered virtual races.

A virtual race is where you sign up online then race it on your own and post your time on the site.

This is the Santa Run 5k put on by the KC Running Company. I ran it "virtually" today!

Freezin' for a reason

I ran a local race today. It's called Freezin' for a Reason, put on by the Head Start School folks.

I got bit by the costume bug late in the game, but I had a good idea.

Get it? I'm Dasher!

I even set a new PR for the 5k!

I even won an award for my last minute costume!

And they just had to get a photo of me with the Big Man himself!

Frosty forehead

Had a nice little run this morning and snapped a photo afterwards.

It wasn't till I was home that I noticed something odd about the photo.

Is that frost on my forehead?! LOL!

Thanksgiving Day run

Got in an early run this morning so I can pig out at lunch today.

It's a good thing too, since this was lunch!

Men in tights

I've been researching clothes for running in the winter. And everyone says the best option is to wear thermal tights.

I'm not sure what I think about running around town in tights. But they do keep my legs warm!

New shoes

I have to keep running through the winter. If I stop I'm afraid I won't start again.

So I found some shoes lined with Gore Tex.

Had my first run in them, and I'd swear I was a little faster than normal! LOL!

First run with the new watch

Got to take my watch out for its first run today. It worked great!

Garmin Forerunner 25

Well I bit the bullet and bought a runner's watch. It's a Garmin Forerunner 25 and it came in the mail today.

I wanted something that could wirelessly sync with my phone, this was the least expensive model that would do it. Can't wait to try it out!

Gadgets gone awry

I've been using the GPS in my phone to track my runs.

Today it started calling out some crazy times, as in the fastest runners in the world can't run as fast as it was telling me I was running.

Then I got home and found the map showing I'd run loop-d-loops all over the neighborhood!

I'm disappointed. I've really come to like seeing the data from my runs. Maybe I'll have to look into getting a runner's watch.

Second 5k

Ran my second 5k today. Finished in 36:43.

Allergies were hurting. It was humid as all get out. And the course had some major hills. 

I'm really liking this racing thing!

First ever 5k!

Ran my first 5k today!

I finished in 33:54, I'm very happy.

Progress

According to the scale today I weigh 234 pounds! I can't really see a difference though.

C25k finished!

I finished the C25k program today!

I'm so thrilled! I'm signed up for my first ever 5k in a couple of weeks.

My Beloved comes with me!

My Beloved has been accompanying me on my runs lately!

Before

I wish I'd taken a photo like this when I began learning to run. But I didn't. I've been running for a couple weeks and have already lost several pounds. So here's what I got.

I also got a scale too. In this photo, I am 245 pounds. I can't wait to see a difference!

I'm fat

My name is Nick. I am obese, I am 6-feet tall and weigh at least 260. My doctor told me during my annual physical if I didn't lose some weight I'd have to have special tests next year.

So I decided to learn to run. I found an app called C25k by Zen Labs. I'm excited to see how things go!

I did my first workout today, it only called for 60 seconds of running but that was hard!