Beginning

 I never thought of myself as a runner. Running was something I would do when needed, but not something that I ever sought out. While growing up, I preferred spending my time with my friends, playing video games, or searching out excitement. Running was boring, painful and exhausting.

When I joined the Army, running became a regular part of my life. I was ok at it--middle of the pack. In the Army we regularly did 3-4 mile runs at a 8 to 9 minute pace during morning physical training. I was a young man and never found these runs to difficult. But these morning Army physical training runs remained the only time I ever ran. 

This was all before I became a runner because I now now, at 45 years old, view myself as a runner. In becoming a runner, I have discovered the joys of benefit of running. Running has enabled me to transform my body and mind.

This is the story of how I went from being unfit to fit. How I went from being overweight, out of shape, and unhappy to being healthy, strong, and confident.

But before I tell you how I became a runner, I have to tell you how I got unfit.

It all started in 2008, when I was 30 years old. I had been in the Army since 18, but had been away from regular duties for three years completing law school. I attended the University of Arizona Law School as part of the Army's Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). This is a program where the Army takes active duty Army officers and sends them to law school to become Army lawyers. I never thought I would become a lawyer, but the FLEP program was just too good an opportunity to pass up.

My first job as an Army lawyer was to serve as a prosecutor in XVIII Airborne Corps, the most prestigious unit in the United States Army. The XXVIII Airborne Corps is located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It was a dream job for me. I got to serve in a highly professional Airborne Corps where part of my regular duties included jumping out of airplanes. I also got to serve as a prosecutor. I always wanted to be a prosecutor. Prosecutors protect society, vindicate victims, and ensure the rights of defendants are guaranteed. Prosecutors emblemize selfless service. They don't work to get rich, but work to make the world better. And it was self gratifying. Serving as a prosecutor for the Army's premier Corps level unit was prestigious and challenging. It was professionally fulfilling, but stressful.  

And there was a not of stress. The prosecutor job is one that is full of conflict, drama, and trauma. I had to deal with difficult witnesses, hostile defense attorneys, and complex rules of evidence. I had to handle sensitive and complex cases that involved life-and-death decisions and moral dilemmas. I had to relive with witnesses and victims the horrors and tragedies of violent crimes.

But despite all the challenges and hardships, I loved my job. I felt that I was doing justice. I was helping victims who had been harmed. I was protecting the rights of accused soldiers as a prosecutor by guaranteeing that they would receive a fair and timely trial. And I was moving criminal cases towards resolution to ensure that defendants, victims, and witnesses could obtain closure and move on with their lives.

I found my work meaningful and rewarding. But it also took a toll on me. It consumed my time, energy, and attention. It drained my emotions and spirit. It isolated me from my family and friends.

I had no balance in my life. I had no hobbies or interests outside of work. I had no fun or relaxation.

I had no life.

And this job--the job of being an Army prosecutor at the most prestigious Corps in the Army, was only part of my life. I was also a father of three triplet boys, born in 2008. They were wonderful blessings, but required constant care and attention. Luckily, my beautiful wife Becky took on most of the challenges of caring for our children. But she deserved my support when at home. With work and household duties, I quickly found that my fuel tank was perpetually on empty.