My running journey — the second time around — started in 2004 when I weighed 220 pounds. I started this blog in 2007 as a way to detail my training to completing my first marathon.

I say the “second time” because I was always active growing up, which included running some indoor track in high school and one year of outdoor track. I was never fast, and never won any awards, but in hindsight I was a runner then. I actually ran a 5:45 mile one time, but still was in next to last place.

I also spent my childhood and teenage summers playing baseball, football and basketball literally on the streets of the neighborhood I grew up in. I played rec league basketball from third grade through my senior year of high school.

Then in my four years of college, I gained a little bit of weight every year. And four years after graduating college I weighed in at 220 pounds — way more than my general average of 160 pounds or so during high school.

In 2004 I decided to start running — that meant picking about a mile route that I would walk and then run a little farther every day. I gradually lost weight in the first 6 months of 2004 and got down to just under 180 pounds — a very healthy weight.

Since then I have stayed under 190 pounds, seemingly gaining and losing the same 5 pounds or so over and over. Keeping control of my weight is an ongoing battle that I am determined to one day conquer.

As for running, this blog has taken me from my first marathon through dozens of races, as well as a handful of injuries. I’ve learned a lot over the years and hope to better other runners’ experiences through things I’ve gone through, as well as continuously learning from others.

I hope you enjoy this site! If you have additional questions or comments, or if you’re interested in being a guest blogger and doing a Q&A, fill out my Contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

And, lastly, you can follow my regular everyday progress at Daily Mile.

Last updated February 2012.