More Half Marathon Complete

It was inspiring and empowering. Glad I was able to run the entire length.

Nearly There

Today is my final training run before the More Half Marathon in NYC’s Central Park this coming Sunday – three days from today. It has been a long journey to get to this place.

As long time readers know, I began this journey in December, 2010 as a test not only of myself, but also of the video game world. The initial question was: can someone lose weight and get fit simply by using video games? Over the course of a year, I proved to myself and others that it is not only possible, but probable. I lost approximately 60 pounds by changing nothing but adding exergaming to my life.

Sometime in the second half of last year, I incorporated running into my weekly regimen. While I’ve only lost about five more pounds since then, clothing sizes have continued to drop and my endurance and stamina have continued to rise.

I am constantly amazed at how others balance everything with such aplomb and take on more. Stepping to Star Wars and getting out for runs has helped me stay focused on precisely what needed to happen each particular morning, day, and week.

Over the last two months, training for this half marathon has supplanted my exergaming, which continues, but is more sporadic. Exergaming was definitely the bridge to my getting back into fitness, but I have generally reached the other side and am running to the next goal.

New challenges abound. On a business trip to DC two weeks ago, I became one of the people I used to think were either military or insane – the ones who run around the DC Mall. I did it, thrice, and ran up the steps to the capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial. Yes, I have happily become *that* person.

Along the way, I’ve also made many new friends and deepened existing relationships. It’s wonderful how positive people can be when they come together to conquer their individual goals.

It has been extremely gratifying to me to hear from so many of you, who have privately shared your tragedies and triumphs, and who my meager blog has nudged in the direction of picking up your Wii, turning on your Xbox, getting a Gamercize stepper, or hitting the pavement or trails near your homes.

We are all one instant away from becoming healthier versions of ourselves.

Go for it. You can do it.