My doctor looked over the numbers and nodded approvingly.
Every measurable metric of health — from my blood pressure to my cholesterol to my weight — had seen marked improvement from my checkup the previous year. I couldn’t have gotten a better review if I had paid an actor to tell me so.
With pen and paper in hand, my doctor leaned in.
“How’d you do it?”
Just like I shared with readers of this column several weeks ago, I told him about my treadmill workout routine, which consists of slow pace, long mileage and high elevation. This was an important part of the process, I noted, but disciplined eating was the biggest key.
My checkup ended with my doc telling me that he’s proud of my progress, and for me to keep it up. I could feel a sense of pride sweep over me as I walked out of the office, but it came with an undercurrent of shame. Yes, I am miles ahead of where I was last year at this time, but I’m also in the midst of gaining traction on a slippery slope.
See, while I was able to impress and inspire my doctor with tales of hills and the sharp execution of a game plan, I conveniently didn’t mention that I was fresh off a week-long vacation to Ocean City, Maryland, and had been binge-eating every day since my return home. Chips, cookies, honey-roasted peanuts, lunchmeat wrapped in cheese… I shoveled all of these down the hatch just the night before my doctor’s appointment. After months of working hard to lose 40 pounds, I had suddenly gained 10 back in just a matter of days.
It was my roughest stretch of 2026, for sure, but hearing my doctor’s big-picture evaluation reminded me that a bad day, week or month doesn’t have to translate to a bad year. It reminded me that I don’t have to let mistakes compound into a major problem, and that I can still be on the right track, even if I’m temporarily off the tracks.
There was no trip to McDonald’s on my way home from the doctor’s office. Instead, I went straight to the treadmill and sweated through eight miles of hills in three hours. I did not intend to go over the one-hour mark, but I was bursting with energy and a determination to go back to being the man I have been for most of the year.
That evening, I abstained from the late-night snacks. I repeated the process the next day, and then the next. It was not easy. “One day at a time” is an overused mantra, but that’s the best way to describe how I dug myself out of this hole. I’ve shed the extra “beach weight” and am back to my slighty-obese self, equipped with the tools and momentum to take my health to the next level.
In other years, a relapse would have spiraled into a disaster, but in this case I can use it as a stepping stone. I can’t be more thankful for the second chance, and I intend to make the most of my opportunity.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m taking a trip to the treadmill to “keep it up.” Doctor’s orders, after all.
1 step back, 3 steps forward
Not even the rain could stop Kira Beeler from having a big day at Great Appalachian Valley Marathon Weekend in Shippensburg.
Beeler, from Waynesboro, took on the 10K race and splashed her way to top female in 49:43. She was chased to the finish line by Waynesboro’s Brittany Sprouse (5th in 50:01), Chambersburg’s Bobb Shank (52:18), and Greencastle’s Rebecca Yeaman (55:40).
The Great Appalachian Valley Half Marathon included sub-2 finishes from Chambersburg’s Katy Ritchey (1:53:29) and Steve Vanscyoc (1:57:43), and Hagerstown’s Bradley Reed (1:53:35), while the 5K was highlighted by the efforts of Chambersburg’s Bobb Shank (24:21) and Eric Ritchey (28:27), Hagerstown’s Yael Rios (25:27), and Greencastle’s Bambi Farseer (29:12).
Also in Shippensburg, the Chuck Lesher 5K drew 94 runners, including dozens from the LocalNews1.org coverage area. Two Chambersburg runners, Logan Cordell (6th in 19:06) and Boaz Helman (10th in 20:55), landed Top 10 finishes, while other notable times were recorded by Waynesboro’s Eliana Rice (24:44) and Fort Loudon’s Thomas Neil (27:06).
The Roaring Run Race to the Moon 5K in Apollo saw two locals nail down AG hardware. Fort Loudon’s Hannah Hurst clocked a 30:15 to take third in the 15-19 AG, while St. Thomas’ Nicole Brown posted a 33:07 to claim second in the 40-49 AG.
In Boyds, Md., the Riley’s Rumble Half Marathon included finishes from four area runners: Hagerstown’s Roch Judge (2:02:23), Julia Judge (2:03:06), and Isai Lopez (2:35:42), and Smithsburg’s Kay Buhrman (2:57:01).
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Waynesboro’s Shane Hotchkiss (33:44 at Summerfest 5K) and Aaron Tylicki (1:19:36 at Blessing of the Feet 10 Miler), Fayetteville’s Kevin Ogden (5:38 at Harrisburg Mile) and Amanda Petroccia (2:09:45 at Presque Isle Half Marathon), and Hagerstown’s Mary Plank (33:45 at Ocean City Night in Venice 5K Run) and Christopher Alexander (2:11:44 at Conquer the Canyon Half Marathon).
And, now, a look ahead
Ausherman 5 Miler: Saturday, Aug. 8, 8 a.m., in Chambersburg. Go after a PR on this pancake-flat race course, put on by the Chambersburg Road Runners. Register for the race on timberhilltiming.com.
Hagerstown Triathlon: Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 8-9, in Hagerstown. Children’s races will be held on Saturday, before adults take center stage on Sunday. Check out event on trisignup.com.
Jack Roberts Memorial 5K: Sunday, Aug. 9, 8 a.m., in Hagerstown, Md. This race, held in conjunction with the Leitersburg Ruritan Peach Festival, supports initiatives regarding adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention. Learn more about the event on runsignup.com.
Also: Boiling Springs Triathlon (Saturday, in Boiling Springs); Ninja 5K/10K (Saturday, in New Cumberland); Farm Fresh 5K/10K (Saturday, in York); Glow Run 5K (Saturday, in Manheim); Harrisburg Family Fun Run 5K (Saturday, in Harrisburg); Ninja 5K/10K/Half Marathon (Saturday, in Biglerville); Baltimore Blue Crab Crawl 5K/10K (Saturday, in Baltimore, Md.); Frederick Women’s Distance Festival 5K (Saturday, in Frederick, Md.); Ninja 5K/10K/Half Marathon (Saturday, in Bel Air, Md.); Presque Isle Triathlon (Saturday, in Erie); Tommy Laudani Delone Dash 3K/5K (Saturday, in Hanover); Wings of Kindness 5K (Saturday, in Millerstown); Steelman Triathlon (Sunday, in Lake Nockamixon State Park); Eastern States 100M (Saturday, Aug. 8, in Waterville); Flying Feet 5K (Saturday, Aug. 8, in Littlestown); James Biever Memorial Run 1M/5K/10K (Saturday, Aug. 8, in Lebanon); Nemesis 5K Color Run (Saturday, Aug. 8, in Reading); Paws for Wellness Bearcat 5K (Saturday, Aug. 8, in York); Philly Mayor’s Cup 5K/5M/10K/10M/13.1M (Saturday, Aug. 8, in Philadelphia); Run for Reading 5K (Saturday, Aug. 8, in Mechanicsburg); Shimmy in Shickshinny Half and Quarter Marathon (Saturday, Aug. 8, Shickshinny); Kinzua Bridge Challenge 1M/5K/10K (Sunday, Aug. 9, in Mount Jewett); Lititz recCenter Triathlon (Sunday, Aug. 9, in Lititz).
