At first I could tell that Dan was excited and nervous.  Of course!  Who wouldn't be?  This is a new journey and not only did Dan have to train for a marathon but he also had some weight to lose.  Dan and I talked through all the details of the training...what he can expect...what other races he should do in the summer to prepare him for the October 10th marathon.  I knew Dan thought that this journey wasn't going to be that bad.

Fast forward to week #1.  I instructed Dan to buy a heart rate monitor.  I needed a way to monitor his workouts.    For beginner athletes it is critical that not only do I have subjective feedback but also objective feedback. The heart does not lie.  Then, I told Dan to join a gym.  I needed Dan to incorporate strength, core and functional lifting in his routine.  I was worried about the running on his 300 lb frame.  I knew he would lose weight safely...but I had to make sure that we were also making his joints and tendons and ligaments stronger as well.  AND, week #1 found some walking...and some jogging with walking dispersed within the workouts.

Dan, 40 pounds lighter

Dan was very good.  He followed each workout as I prescribed.  He asked questions when he did not understand something.   He stretched.  He started to clean up his diet.  He even hired a Registered Dietitian Beth Shutt, because I wanted to make sure Dan was taking the nutrition and training/recovery food as seriously as his training.  Sometimes the job of a coach is to know when to bring in help. I could have helped him too, but I wanted him to work with someone that specializes in athletes and nutrition and with Dan being clinically obese, I was concerned it was out of my realm of expertise.   We wanted to make sure that Dan had every base covered and was safe for this entire journey.

Dan and I are entering our 3rd month working together.   Making a massive change to your life is hard, but Dan has committed to it and is always positive. We have had a great time.  Dan has lost in excess of 35 lbs and is now up to running, without stopping for 70 minutes.  He still may be concerned about finishing the marathon, but he has taken care of the hardest part, those first difficult steps.

Working with Dan has been a journey for me as a coach, something I am enjoying.  I have tended to work with athletes that have done triathlons and are training for an Ironman...or training for their 10th marathon.  Working with Dan has taken me back to my roots of training - we ALL started someplace...and I remember when I would go out for a 9 min run and think that was the end of me (and I was an athlete all my life!)...so, we all have to start someplace and I hope Dan's story inspires some of you reading to get moving.  We all just need a little nudge.  OR kick in the pants!
 
Happy & Safe Training!

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