Running For my Life

Jennifer Lee Back Then

I just finished my 8th marathon and I may be tired and sore, but I have a big smile on my face. The reason why? Because I have come so far from where I was and I will never look back. I know you're thinking, what is she talking about? I know Jenn, she's a good runner. But it wasn't always that way. I know you don't know my whole story. I've wanted to write this so many times, but never got around to it. Then I saw Mike LoRusso's story in Footnotes and I knew I had to share my story too.

Like Mike, I have been running for my life. As you can see back in the photos I was obese. 220 pounds and I smoked. My Doctor's wanted to put me on blood pressure medication. They had to do a c-section six weeks early with my second son because my pressure was so high they feared for my life. I will never forget how horrible I felt that my son was in the NICU because of me.

I hated myself, I couldn't look in a mirror., couldn't stand getting my photo taken. Couldn't shop in a regular store for clothes.

I decided one day enough was enough I was to be healthy and do something my two boys could be proud of. The first time I went to the gym I couldn't bend over to tie my shoelaces. But I went, taking kickboxing and step classes. I'm sure people were worried that I was going to pass out. ( I thought so too.).

But I kept going every day. I also added eating healthy and the weight started to come off. I even walked a half marathon with my mother in law. She was so bored walking, she kept asking me to run. I could only run about ten steps and I would have to stop. It took forever but we finished the race. Looking around I was so inspired by all the runners. I knew that day I was going to do what it would take to become one of them.

I kept up the diet, added more exercise. Hired a trainer and once I lost about half the weight I started running. Little by little I could run around the block, then down the next one. Then I got up to a mile! I couldn't believe it. Then there was no stopping me. The more I ran the more weight I lost.

The first race I entered was a 5K at the YMCA. My husband ran it with me to help me break 30 min. We came in just under it, and I was so happy! I still had not reached my weight loss goal. But I jumped full force into running. I joined your club, ran a ton of races and was getting faster. The first time I placed in a race as an Athena I was in shock. I began training for a marathon after that. After a lot of hard work I finished my first one in 2006.

After doing great in the Athena group for over a year I decided it was time to take it to the next level. I called my cousin Jason who is a trainer and he agreed to take me on. It's been one year and one dramatic transformation. I reached my goal and lost over 80 pounds and started racing in my age group. My cousin has put me through some hard training sessions, you name it , we've done it, lifting weights, boxing, speedwork, 300 squats on stairs, endless push ups, hard stuff but worth it. I've had an amazing year in running and have shaved off a lot of time at every distance.

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Jennifer Lee Now

Along the way I have made so many new friends that inspire me so much. I can remember going to races before I joined the Club and not knowing a soul. Now I'm on the Fast Feet Team!

The best part is that my sons know I'm healthy and setting a good example for them. My older son ran a fun run and it was so great to see how proud he was of his ribbon.

Sorry this is so long but I wanted to let you know where I've been. So that you would understand how excited I was when I received the letter in the mail about the year end award, and how full circle it will feel for me on that Tuesday night to get that age group award. I can't wait to see what the next year brings.