The last time I shared a running and weight loss update a few months ago, things were going better than I ever could have expected.
I was down 40 pounds from a starting weight of 280 and getting faster by the day. Running and hiking were a regular part of my routine, and I was even starting to mix in some light weight lifting.
That’s when the spring season struck. Between working a grueling landscaping schedule and assisting local media with high school sports coverage, my energy reserves were tapped before I could even think about working out.
So, in a way, I’ve been “slacking off.”
But thanks to a disciplined diet, and perhaps some of the hard outdoor hours I’ve been putting in, I’m down another five pounds and have retained most of the gains I made months ago.
While the landscaping stuff will only get harder as the summer heats up, the silver lining is I should have a little more time to focus on my workouts. Not a lot of time, just a little, which means I want to make sure that I make the most out of every minute.
To do that, I’m taking a “weighted” approach. For no other reason than I’ve seen others in my neighborhood doing the same, including my wife, I’m dabbling with wearing a weighted vest while working out.
It’s not easy. My breathing is heavy and my body gets sore. The internet says this is supposed to help increase calorie burn, while also improving bone density and cardiovascular endurance.
I haven’t done quite enough work with the vest to confirm or deny these claims, but for certain, wearing it takes me back to nearly a year ago when I was carrying much more weight on a daily basis. Everyday life was harder without a vest then, than it is now with one.
It’s a reminder of what can happen when one allows weeks of bad decisions to erase months of hard work. I’m glad I’ve stayed the course — and with or without a vest — I hope I can continue to provide more positive updates as we march through the summer season… even if life is a little hectic along the way.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
More than 100 runners, including several standouts from the LocalNews1.org coverage area, celebrated the start of the summer season by turning out for the Solstice 5K/10K in Shippensburg.
The 5K race saw three Chambersburg runners land Top 10 finishes: Sean Collier (3rd in 21:50), Braden Smith (9th in 24:38), and Lucas Maggi (10th in 24:57). They were chased to the finish line by Chambersburg’s Cade Brindle (25:32), Caroline Brindle (2nd female in 26:20), and Bradley Evans (26:41), and Fort Loudon’s Thomas Neil (28:40).
Derek Book, of Chambersburg, posted a fourth-place finish in the 10K race in 44:11. Book led a group of runners that included Fort Loudon’s Dennis Reamer II (7th in 46:55), Hagerstown’s Reginald Lushbaugh (10th in 51:05), and Chambersburg’s Lyndsay Snyder (3rd female in 53:20).
Three area athletes — Hagerstown’s Justin Lego, Waynesboro’s Benjamin Adams, and Chambersburg’s Eric Guyer — have all landed Top 10 finishes in recent weeks. Lego finished eighth overall in 24:48 at the Run Hatteras 5K Road Race in Avon, N.C., while Adams was also an eighth-place finisher at the Bridge Burner Duathlon, a race he finished in 26:32. As for Guyer, he completed the challenging Sproul 5K in North Bend in 27:59 to take 10th.
Two races in Delaware — the Bethany Beach Firecracker 5K and Father’s Day Run 5K in Rehoboth Beach — drew the attention of local runners. Hagerstown’s Ella Hajel (23:28) and Drew Lobley (23:29) logged finishes at the Firecracker 5K, while Fairfield’s Steven Joyner (34:43) and Holly Joyner (34:43) both crossed the finish line at the Father’s Day race.
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Chambersburg’s Ainslee Ackerman (28:00 at SHPOA Harbor Hustle 5K) and Hagerstown’s Carlos Huaman (25:09 at Montgomery Village 5K), Grace Kaiser (33:35 at Baltimore Women’s Classic 5K), Dianna Leaman (37:02 at Red, White & Blue 5K), and Bradley Reed (47:11 at Dawson’s Father’s Day 10K).
And finally, a shoutout to the two local runners who churned out finishes at the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn.: Hagerstown’s Garrett Ammons (3:37:14) and Waynesboro’s Jeffrey Hein (5:27:03).
And now, a look ahead:
Shoe House Shuffle 5M: Saturday, 8 a.m., in York. This race, which features the famous Shoe House at the halfway point, is put on by the York Road Runners Club. Check out the event on runsignup.com.
Firecracker 5K: Saturday, 8 a.m., in Waynesboro. Expect a fast and deep field to turn out for this race, part of the 30th Waynesboro Summer Jubilee. Learn more on summerjubilee.com.
Greg Shank Memorial 5K: Saturday, 8:30 a.m., in Williamsport, Md. American Legion Post 202 will serve as the backdrop for this race, which honors the late Greg Shank. Register for the race on runsignup.com.
Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Race 1M: Saturday, July 11, 8 a.m., in Chambersburg. Enjoy the 22nd running of this race, and celebrate the lives of Tim & Susan Cook. Find registration for the event on cvballiance.org.
Also: Firecracker 5K (Friday, in Seven Valleys); Four for the Fourth (Friday, in Bel Air, Md.); Columbia Firecracker 5K/10K (Saturday, in Columbia, Md.); Eagle 5K/10K/Half Marathon (Saturday, in Bel Air, Md.); FSRC Independence 5000 (Saturday, in Frederick, Md.); 4th of July Shoe House Shuffle 5M (Saturday, in York); Carlisle Summerfair 5K (Saturday, in Carlisle); Firecracker 5K (Saturday, in Williamsport); Downingtown Good Neighbor Day 5K (Saturday, in Downingtown); Eagle 5K/10K/13.1M (Saturday, in Biglerville); Eagle 5K/10K (Saturday, in New Cumberland); Ephrata Firecracker 5 Mile Race (Saturday, in Ephrata); Firecracker 5K (Saturday, in Waynesboro); New Cumberland Public Library 5K (Saturday, in New Cumberland); Paxtang Lions Patriot Dash 5K (Saturday, in Harrisburg); Revolutionary Run 5K/10K (Saturday, in Washington Crossing); Eagle 5K/10K/13.1M (Saturday, July 11, in York); Ironstone 100K (Saturday, July 11, in Hollidaysburg); Viaduct Ultra Marathon 50M/100M (Saturday, July 11, in Lanesboro); Blobfest Half Marathon (Sunday, July 12, in Phoenixville); Murrysville Monster Trail Races 10K/20K (Sunday, July 12, in Murrysville); Women’s Philadelphia Triathlon (Sunday, July 12, in Philadelphia); YMCA Harrisburg Mile (Wednesday, July 15, in Harrisburg).
