not to diminish what Cam Hanes did but i ran.......

[pointysticks]

..........8 miles!!

haha..i did this on Saturday.

disclaimer. i am not a runner. i never ran. ever. i got fat and slow. my doctor read me the riot act and quite frankly scared the crap out of me. (this was 3-4 years ago). i know myself. diets dont work on me. i'm a bit of a quitter . i knew i had to do something different.

i just kinda started to change my life in small increments. i quit eating fast food and all soda. easier than i thought.

started exercising. bike rides, mountain bike rides, road jogging..and finally mountain trail running. let me tell you i sucked. i couldnt run a single mile without wheezing to death. what kept me at it? elk hunting!!! i knew how steep and ugly the mountains are..i wanted to hunt better. it was that simple. i started to train for elk hunting and never stopped.

i started to eat healthy. really cut back on meat. vegetarian usually during the work week, eat whatever on weekends. i am a veggie bean cooking pro!!

this past saturday, i woke up at 5:30 am..put on my running shoes, kissed the sleeping wife and was out the door before the summer sun could become an excuse. i grabbed my cell phone in case i needed to call in CAR SUPPORT. i just started running a route i worked out on MAP MY RUN. it included a long steep 2 mile uphill. i just kept running. it wasnt hard. the last 100 yards where i could finally see my home..was kinda strenuous.

i cannot believe that i ran 8 miles non-stop. i still remember my first mile jog..i think i stopped 15 times to catch my breath.

i'm not positive how much weight i loss. it was never a real concern. but i think i was 233. and now i am 186. i do know i had to donate all my suits. i have a wedding to attend..and i will need to buy more suits. my camo gear is huge on me as well..but i am less concerned with how i look to the elk.

i'll never be an athlete..i just want to have more fun in the outdoors, be healthier, live longer and better.

no regrets..but i do wish i started this program earlier in life.

next: 10 miles. hehe.

[Elkduds]

A great testimonial, congratulations. You reminded me that motivation does not create action. Action generates motivation.

[CurlyTail]

Way to go! I salute anyone who can take control later in life and adopt healthy habits and lifestyle. Now go elk hunting and watch the younger guys struggle to keep up

[foxvalley]

Great job pointy! Keep it up.

[ishy]

Great job. Gotta keep perspective when you undertake changing yourself. Think it was John Wooden that said the only true compitition is with yourself. I recently started working out with a triathlon group and it's funner to see the newbies make a new distance/time than the "old pros" acomplishing something new. The distance doesn't mean anything, but that your are improving yourself means everything be it the 106th mile or the 8th.

[Charina]

8 miles! Nice!! I ran a bit in high school, but the intervening 25 years have not had any consistent exercise routine. I started doing stairs several times a week two years ago, and this last Feb took to running as well - for the first time in almost 25 years. I'm now up to 3 miles three times a week. It just keeps getting better and easier. I was right with you. Huffing and puffing and frequent walks at first when trying to run! I sure hope that this progression continues, and like you I can do longer stretches. I can't really fathom actually doing 8 right now. 5, perhaps I pushed hard, but not 8. Sadly though, while I have not increased my caloric intake, I haven't lost a single pound despite the increase in caloric burn. Be glad it comes off for you!

[Raghorn_Reaper]

I want to put this into perspective for you. An 8 mile run, non stop is pretty awesome. Being a dad of 3 young kids and working lots has kept me from starting training sooner than i wanted. I am 6'3 and 180 pounds. I have always been very athletic and pretty good at any sport i tried. Ran track, football, basketball, etc. Just recently i ran my first run, a 2.5 mile slightly uphill. I was sore for a couple of days! I mean walking stiff legged. I am 36. (I think). I consider my self in pretty good shape. But life has kept me from any sort of training. 8 miles though...Im not ready for that!

You are in a hell of a spot right now! Keep it up. Don't lose it.

Every time i hear Cam talk about his training regimen it is always a focus around elk hunting. That is one of the reasons i like the guy so much. It isn't about me vs you. Or an alpha male thing. It is all about the love of the chase and pushing our bodies to greater heights. When i run or hike with the heavy pack, that is what is on my mind as well. The elk are up there working out, why aren't you?

[8upbowhunter]

Man that is awesome!! Your story is somewhat like mine. When I was 47 I started hunting an area that has lot's of steep hills and ridges (for Louisiana anyway) and most areas you had to go in on foot. I started a diet on January 1st and started running in February at.....283#. I only went 50 yards on my first run before I thought I would die but made it to 1 mile before stopping. By Thanksgiving that year I weighed 220# and remained that weight for the next 4 years until I started having some running injuries and never could start running again although I tried. I got up to 240# but recently I started riding bike 10-15 miles each morning to try to get back in elk hunting shape and shed a few pounds. Congrats to you for taking control of your life/health and good luck come September.

[Heartwood]

That is a fine accomplishment for sure. More power to all you guys for getting out there and doing the work it takes to achieve a level of fitness! We all fight our own personal battle to work up to and maintain physical fitness. The body sure can do great things if the mind will allow it.

[zpd307]

cliff, elk hunting the is the center piece for my motivation to exercise! otherwise I too had too many excuses..... I am 6ft and went from 213 to my current 185lbs 3 winters ago. I do half and full marathons and triathlons to test my mental and physical limits. they have been the best way to replicate how my mind and body feels while hunting elk...
congrats on the run, 8 miles is nothing to sneeze at!

[Lefty]

How about this nut job,.. well just a tad envious
Running 50 triathlons in 50 states in 50 days,.. now that guys an animal

Utah man preps to run 50 Ironman triathlons in 50 states in 50 days for charity

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=34323947

[GobbleFarmer]

"50 triathlons in 50 states in 50 daysl"

Woa, that really sounds impossible.?