A 54-Year-Old's Triumph Over Injury and Age: Thoughts on Completing My First Half Marathon

In 1924, as he was preparing to climb Mt. Everest, George Mallory was asked why he was making the attempt. "Because it's there," he replied.

I hate running, but at 53 years old and 300lbs a year ago, it was time for a change. On that first day of 2022, and because of too many physical complications to name, it took me 24 minutes to walk a quarter mile. That's .625 MPH, or one mile in 1h:36min.

On Sunday I finished a half marathon, 13.1 miles, in 3h:12min, 6+ times faster than a year earlier, and I weighed 225lbs at 54 years old. Although to be honest, it's much easier running for that finish line knowing that my beautiful wife of 25 years, who puts up with all my craziness, was waiting for me.

I have another race in a couple of weeks, but why do I go if I hate running so much? Because my mountains are there, in front of me, waiting for me to crush them. What are yours?

Opportunities are everywhere, you just have to go get them! I started by going for a walk, now look at me. #achievementunlocked #nevergiveup #nevergiveup# goalsmet #halfmarathon#BecauseItsThere #GoGetIt #OpportunitiesEverywhere #MyMountainsAreWaiting #CrushYourGoals #StartSmallDreamBig #Transformation #JourneyNotDestination #Persevere #StartWhereYouAre #MakeYourDreamsComeTrue #NeverStopGrowing #ChangeForTheBetter