From 240 Pounds to 2:40 Marathoner
This is an updated version of the original article written by Victor Hurtado, 2019 San Francisco Marathon ambassador.
Five years ago, I decided it was time for a change. I was sick of being tired all the time, of getting headaches on a regular basis. Sick of eating junk food every day, of being hungover, of being overweight. Sick of being unhealthy. So I started running.
A Runner is Born
I decided to find a nutritionist to learn how to eat healthy. She told me that both my cholesterol and my sugar levels were very high. She also told me I needed to make some big changes in my life.
Eventually, she asked what my goal was and I replied “I want to be 160 pounds and I want to run marathons!” She looked at me weird and said we would take it one week at a time. I was desperate, so with a combination of eating healthy and running, I lost 10 lbs, 20 lbs, 50 lbs, 60 lbs,… and within 6 months I was at my goal of 160.
Read also: Martinus Evans & The Slow AF Run Club: Just Start Moving, the Rest Will Take Care of Itself
You Win the Moment You Start Running
As I lost all that weight, running became easier and I became faster. I eventually did a half marathon and ran a very good time of 1:27 and have now been able to drop it to 1:14. I also ran my first marathon in 3:08 and have gotten my time down to 2:47.
Since running has given so much to me, I like to give back as well. I have paced over 30 half marathons and marathons all over California. I’ve paced The San Francisco Marathon, Santa Rosa, Bakersfield, OC Marathon and quite a few more.
What I have learned over the years is that the little time my watch gives me at the end of the race does not determine how much fun I have. As long as we give 100% effort, WE HAVE ALREADY WON!