The Backstory

If you know me, then you know I am a bit heavy. Clinically speaking, I am obese. I am 5 feet and 8(ish) inches tall and weigh about 260 pounds. I was not always this heavy. As a youth, I was pretty lean (at least in some of the earlier pictures I have), but as I grew up, I also started to grow out.

In 8th grade, I wrestled in the 138 pound weight class. That is the last time I can remember being less than 200 pounds. When I started high school, thanks to weight-training and fast food, I started to bulk up a bit which seemed okay for my football career as an offensive/defensive lineman.

After entering college in the Fall of 1987, I started playing rugby. The physical exercise was great, but failed to offset my college eating and drinking habits.

I reached my maximum weight of about 280 pounds about 15 years ago. Since moving to Omaha in 2003 and beginning my life as a M.A.M.I.L. (middle aged man in lycra) riding my bicycle, I have managed to get down into the 240s. But, inevitably, I creep back up to where I am now.

This brings me to the point of this blog. I recently registered to run the 2013 Omaha Marathon on September 22, 2013. On Monday, May 20th, I will begin an 18 week novice marathon training plan as outlined in Hal Higdon's book, MARATHON: The Ultimate Training Guide. My goal is to blog about my training and nutrition as I prepare for my first marathon.