Take it and run Thursday: Look back, look ahead
If you're new here, you may want to get my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! I couldn't do this without the help of my commenters!
The theme of this week’s Take it and Run Thursday over at the Runner’s Lounge is Look back, look ahead.
Looking back:
Six months ago I started C25K and then had this crazy idea that I would try and do a quarter marathon at the Auckland Marathon this year. Wow, I’ve come a long way since then. I’ve run in 5 5K races and 1 10K race. And I’ve decided to do the half marathon instead! I’ve discovered a love for running that I never would have dreamed of earlier this year.
I’ve also lost 25 kgs (55 pounds) over the last 6 months and I owe a lot of that to my getting fit focus.
Honestly, I’ve exceeded all expectations I had. I’m fitter than I’ve ever been. I’m lighter than I’ve been since I was a teenager. It’s definitely a miracle! And lest I forget I can do more pushups than ever before! 
Looking ahead:
Am I satisfied? Part of me is but a larger part of me wants to strive for more.
My running goal for this year is to do as well as I can at my first half marathon. For next year? I’d love to do a marathon.
Weightloss: I’d like to lose about another 7 kgs (15 pounds) and hopefully that will help me get a bit faster!
I’d also like to be able to do 100 pushups in a row! 
I think this whole experience has also given me a new perspective on life in many respects. I’ve realised I can do whatever I want and that has opened up whole new vistas of opportunity for me.
Thanks everyone for your support along my journey. You guys rock!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Andrew, you have so many amazing accomplishments under your belt in a short amount of time. What you’ve done has inspired so many people (myself included) to push ourselves to see what we can really do. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you!
Johnnys last blog post..Ain’t nobody rainin’ on this parade…
[Reply]
AndrewE
reply on August 1st, 2008 4:47 am:
Thanks Johnny. I can’t wait to see how you go as well!
[Reply]
Andrew, you are fabulous!
[Reply]
AndrewE
reply on August 1st, 2008 4:48 am:
As are you Kim!
[Reply]
Andrew:
55 pounds in 6 months is a remarkable accomplishment all by itself.
When you throw everything else into the mix, your life truly demonstrates that “I can do whatever I want and that has opened up whole new vistas of opportunity for me.”
Bravo. Go for the marathon. (If I can train for my first in 2009, you can too.)
AndrewD (of Six Minutes Public Speaking Blog)s last blog post..In Memoriam: Randy Pausch (1960 - 2008)
[Reply]
AndrewE
reply on August 1st, 2008 4:02 pm:
Thanks Andrew.
AndrewEs last blog post..Run, run, run. Where is the sun?
[Reply]
Keep it up!
What a great feeling it must be to have already exceeded your expectations. That is terrific.
I’ve run one marathon (in 2004) and since then I’ve always wanted to run another. I’m hoping to run one in 2010. After I ran the marathon, I felt very proud of myself for putting in the time to train well. It was super-duper! So, I say, put a marathon on your list for next year!
Felices last blog post..Aargh!
[Reply]
AndrewE
reply on August 1st, 2008 4:02 pm:
I definitely will. Thanks for visiting my blog.
[Reply]
Way to go dude!!!! Keep going….I can’t believe how far you have gotten on the pushups…. can you imagine 1 year ago and what you might be thinking about doing this.
I have alot to catch up to you but I am on your tail
[Reply]
AndrewE
reply on August 1st, 2008 4:05 pm:
Chase me down and beat me mate! We’re all in this together.
[Reply]
Wow, way to go Andrew. That is fantastic that you have exceeded all expectations you had.
Marys last blog post..You Can’t Eat What Isn’t There
[Reply]
Amazing accomplishments. It reminds me I still want to do a post about before and after my weight loss. When I think about it, its amazing the amount of things in my life that have changed along with my weight.
I’m also thinking a half marathon will be my goal next year, I’m thinking a full might be pushing it a little too quick for next year, but we’ll see how it ends up. The marathon I would target is more than a year away…
Kates last blog post..
[Reply]
“I’ve also lost 25 kgs (55 pounds) over the last 6 months and I owe a lot of that to my getting fit focus.”
Wow, I didn’t realize you lost that much. Sounds like when I dropped 40lbs in 6 months. Sadly I put some of it back on. Luckily I am heading in the right direction now.
Johns last blog post..July 31st, Run: Frustration, Sadness, and Hope (To Be Continued…)
[Reply]
great goals! You have come so far. You are an inspiration to me early on in my journey
Annettes last blog post..Dense Fog
[Reply]
Inspirational dude … I am sure that you’ll get that marathon under your belt in time, and that we will both (eventually) get that 100 push-ups done too!
[Reply]
I’d love to do 100 push-ups too. I just can’t keep motivated to stay on track with those. Week 3 is kicking my butt.
TB–Milwaukees last blog post..America’s Largest Waterpark
[Reply]
Let’s not forget the fact that you used to find it hard to blog, to write about yourself, to share about your thoughts and feelings with others (let alone write about it). Now, it’s not that hard is it?
Being able to share this experience with others is a great feeling isn’t it!
Hey, even I’m addicted to running and just did my first 30 mins run ever at the end of C25K week 6.
Well done!
[Reply]
You have come so far and have so much to be proud of. Congrats! great post!
Carlys last blog post..They are Back!
[Reply]
You are definitely proving that it can be done without either pushing yourself beyond your ability or getting crazy about diet. Truly inspiring. Good on ya!
Metroknows last blog post..How to buy chicken without getting punched
[Reply]
Andrew, this is a very inspiring post. I love to see the impact running can have in a person’s life. Congratulations to all you have accomplished. I look forward to seeing what else you can achieve.
Reids last blog post..What have I done?
[Reply]
You Da Man! Great job, Andrew, you’re an inspiration to all of us. Good luck with your future goals.
[Reply]
You’ve done fantastic stuff Andrew. My only bit of advice would be don’t take on too much - you’re running, doing the pushups program AND now the abs thing. (And I think you lift from time to time too). It really increases the odds of both overtraining and/or something going kaboom.
I realise I’m one to talk, running endlessly without rest days etc, but I gave up all of my lifting and other sports to accommodate this. I felt it was the only way to possibly get it done.
I hate to sound even the tiniest bit negative, because I’m really not - I just don’t want to log on here in a week’s time and see you saying, “I’m now trying the ‘climb Everest in a fortnight’ program…’
[Reply]
*claps*
Bravo, you. You have so much to be proud of.
j
justoofats last blog post..The Queen of Denial
[Reply]