My Story
Anita-Nell's story... from 527lbs to marathons...
I dieted all my life. They never worked. After a lot of soul searching, I came to the conclusion that it was not a diet I needed. I needed to change my life. Not just the way I eat but also the level of activity I have.
In short, I started very slow and walked, in the beginning walking was a torture chamber for me. I could barely make it to the end of my block. Everyday went just a little further, I eventually was able to go a mile. In time I began to work with a trainer and set a goal to walk the Disney World ½ marathon (2006). At this time I was 257lbs. By March 2005 I was down 270lbs since walking that first mile. My goal was to just walk the Disney Half Marathon. That day is my Birthday and it was my present to myself.
As I got more and more fit, Jolene my trainer from the YMCA started to teach me how to put run breaks in. I always hated running and still did. But I did it anyway to give my walking muscles a break. Soon I was walking with run breaks more often. Jolene was asking me if I'd be interested in doing a walk/run at the Half Marathon. I said I would try. She set me up on a program of 3:2 walk/run intervals, then eventually 1:3. Later, I switched to a Run/Walk interval since I was running more! I was running 3 minutes and walking 2, and I got real good at this in July and August of 2005. I was feeling very good.
Soon October was here and she gave me a plan for my up coming race. It was going to be a real time management for me. I started to do 6:2 run/walk which I discovered later was Galloway’s run/walk method. I was ready to go to Disney World!
On December 1st I ran my first full mile, then ran six miles. Remember I had never liked to run, even in high school and my whole life had never “run” more than a mile at a time. But this day, this moment getting past the first mile I found not only did I like it I LOVED it. Even today the first mile kills me.
A few weeks before I went to Disney World for my Half Marathon, a friend told me about BOISE RunWalk. I e-mailed Coach Steve and said I would not be able to start on January 7th would it be possible to start later. He replied with yes and I joined the group. Joining BOISE RunWalk was one of the best things I have done for “me” my entire life. I have made great friends and have had great support. I have also found there to be no limits on your “dreams”
I finished my first Marathon “The City of Trees” November 5, 2006. It was one of the greatest days of my life. I will never be the same, my goal is to inspire and encourage others to push beyond limits they never knew they had.
Running Accomplishments
January 2006 - Disney World Half Marathon
April 2006 - Race to Robie Creek
May 2006 - Minnie marathon weekend:
5k came in 109th overall
15k came in 465th overall
Race for the Cure 5k
Famous Potato Half Marathon
June 2006 - Sawtooth Relay - legs 1 and 7
July 2006 - Fit for Life Half Marathon
September 2006 - Disneyland Inaugural Half Marathon (set my PR of 2:15)
St Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration 5K
October 2006 - Barber to Boise 10K
November 2006 - City of Trees Marathon
January 2007 - Completed Goofy’s Challenge: 39.3 miles in one weekend!
Disney World Half Marathon - Saturday Jan 6
Disney World Marathon - Sunday January 7 Happy Birthday to me!
April 21, 2007-Robie Creek- ½ Marathon Boise, Idaho
May 19, 2007-Famous Potato Marathon-Boise, Idaho
June 9, 2007 – Sawtooth Stanley/Ketchum, Idaho
September 3, 2007 – Disneyland Anaheim ½ Marathon, California
September 22, 2007 -Women’s Celebration 5k Boise, Id
October 7, 2007- La Salle Chicago Marathon, Illinois
November 4, 2007 - US Half San Francisco, California
January 13, 2008 - Rock n Roll Marathon Phoenix, Arizona
April 19, 2008 - Robie Creek ½ Marathon Boise,Idaho
April 26, 2008 - Rock n Roll Nashville Marathon, Tennessee
May 3, 2008 – Hornet Run 5k with GOTR Boise, ID
May10, 2008- Race for the Cure 5k Riverside Church Boise
June 1, 2008 – Rock in Roll San Diego Marathon, CA
June 7, 2008 – Race for Hope-5K Boise ID
June 14th, 2008 – Sawtooth Relay Stanley/Ketchum, Id
August 31, 2008 Rock n Roll Virginia Beach, Virgina 1/2 Marathon
September 21, 2008 Rock n Roll Phillidelphia, Pennsylvannia 1/2 Marathon
October 5, 2008 Rock n Roll San Jose, California 1/2 Marathon
November 16th, 2008 Rock n Roll San Antonio,Texas Full Marathon
2009:
June 27, 2009 Rock n Roll Seattle, Washington Full Marathon
July 11, Fit for life, Boise, Idaho 1/2 Marathon
August 2, 2009 Rock n Roll Chicago, Illinoise 1/2 Marathon
September 26, 2010 Woman's Fitness Celebration Boise, ID 5k
2010:
February 28, 2010 Rock n Roll New Orleans, Full Marathon
April 17, 2010 Robie Creek, Boise Idaho, 1/2 Marathon
September 25, 2010 Woman's Fitness Celebration, Boise ID 5K
October 10, 2010 Portland Marathon, Portland OR Full Marathon
October 16, 2010 Barber to Boise, ID 5K (With GOTR)
November 7, 2010 Twin Cities Marathon, Fresno, CA Full Marathon
December 6, 2010 Rock n Roll Las Vegas, NV Full Marathon
2011:
May 7, 2011 Nampa, Idaho 1/2 Marathon
September 21. 2011 Woman's Fitness Celebration, Boise ID 5K
December 17th, 2011 YMCA Christmas Run, Boise ID 5k
This was a light year for me, after 4 full Marathons in 2010 I was rired this was my break year. Still looking for the right marathon for 2012. My plan this year is 3-4 half marathons and 1 marathon for 2012.
