He Runs, He Loses

Five years ago, I weighed 282 pounds with the Super Bowl fast approaching. I knew that by the end of the weekend I very well could be 290 pounds. So I decided to do something about it.

I decided I would start exercising to lose weight. With eager ambitions, I signed up for the Super Bowl 5K run/walk.

I have always been an athlete. But for me – and this may sound odd – I have never liked the running that was associated with whatever sport I was competing in.

So I headed out to the race that morning five years ago with a gleam in my eye, ready to conquer the world. Well, I conquered all of about a half a mile and ended up walking the rest of the way.

I wasn’t discouraged. I noticed the racers were happy and joyful to be out exercising. Getting into shape was something I always wanted but was too lazy to do it.

I was more determined than I had ever been in my life to come back the next year and finish the whole 5K without stopping.

Every day I ran and have not stopped. I now weigh 227 pounds, which meant shedding over 50 pounds. I not only feel healthier on the inside but, I also truly feel more confident about myself on the outside.

That first year I finished the race in 47 minutes. The next year I didn’t stop and finished the race in 28 minutes. This year I ran the 10K for the first time and finished in just over 57 minutes.

Standing at the finish line I was overwhelmed with thoughts of how far I have come in my personal exercising odyssey. Just five years ago I couldn’t run past the first turn and today I ran 6.2 miles. Amazing. 

Looking around at the finish line this morning, I had that same feeling I did five years ago, the feeling of determination and will to continue to make myself healthier every year.

The Super Bowl means a lot of different things. To me, it means the day I spend with the familiar, smiling and anonymous faces that are my inspiration every year.

Geoffrey Nielsen is 37, lives in Redondo Beach and is a .