Marathon Stories

Okay Devon, you asked for it, but just to preface it by acknowledging that I don't take a good photo...especially pushing myself over 26.2 miles.

The first one was the only photo I could find of my Kenyan challenge at the Marine Corps Marathon in 2007 I think it was.  I lined up towards the front with the elite runners where I had no business being.  I was about 225 lbs at the time standing next to runners no wider than a broomstick, but I just wanted to get a good photo for once running next to good runners instead of people wearing styrofoam costumes or diving suits.

I took off as fast as I could and held on for about 3 miles where the first camera was located.  Most of the elite were long gone, but there was one quality runner near me and I was hell bent on beating him to the camera.  I actually thought I had beaten him to the line until I dug out the picture....damn, he had passed me, but it looks like he was struggling to do it at least.

I died right after that and had to recover a little just to continue the race.  It was dumb and I finished with a terrible time as a result.  Still, a favorite photo of mine.




Now fast forward to 2010 where I was in the middle of some major medical issues that left me dead on the table and missing some internal organs.  I was so thin that people in the hotel kept thinking that I was an elite runner and wanted to know how many races I had won?  I guess you just have to look terrible to look good as a marathoner.

Anyway, just to show the contrast, here are some photos of my race just a few weeks after the surgery.  I was about 170 lbs at that time and geez, I did look bad.  To add to things, I spent the night before the race in the emergency room due to severe dehydration after suffering from a bout of food poisoning.  I literally walked from the ER to the starting line and must have taken 4 immodium tablets before the gun went off.  Strange part was that I ended up running a great race for the first 18 miles before falling apart to muscle cramps...still finished with a far better time than in 2007.

Wow...great pics Rob! Thank you for your service too! You have dropped some weight.

Well, I found that weight after a few years and back up to about 205 lbs.

Docs keep telling me that is a good thing, but my knees were pretty happy at the lighter weight.

Im still having my doubts with mine...my weight needs to drop...it has since I started but I need to drop a bunch

It only takes time....we don't add weight overnight, yet everyone wants to remove it that fast. I dropped almost 100 lbs in 3 months in 2007, I don't recommend it.

Small changes over a length of time is the way to go IMHO.

Your first pic looks like he is giving it his all and you look relaxed

You were possed Rob. Tobrun a marathon after that surgery was a crazy display of mental toughness.

Im going to have to change your forum handle and avatar to the man of stee. Oh wait thats Devonl

Vary cool...that's quite an achievement to run that far!

Anyone can run a marathon, you just have to be stubborn.

Lots of things in life are the exact same way.