BillOh

I've found since I turned 60 (65 now) it's easier to stay at my goal weight. I rarely feel hunger pains and I guess I eat regularly enough that I don't feel hungry. Christamas Eve we were in a car accident (hit from behind) and after that I started getting stuck more often. I've had my lapband 16 years now and I know what its like to feel stuck, but experience has helped me avoid that. However after the accident, I felt some soreness around the port. Saw my gastric practice and everything checks out fine. I have to wonder if age has started me losing my appetite? Will see my family doctor again soon.

Sorry its take me 2 years to come back. A friend saw my success with the lapband and had the sleeve. He almost died of a leak after the surgery.

Happy birthday to me! My 64th and one year until retirement! The email from this forum reminded me I haven't been here in awhile. I was 275 when I had my lap band back in May of 2009. I got down to my goal weight of 195 by the end of that year. A few times I've slipped back and went close to 240. The band, which I guess they don't do anymore, has been a great tool, but diet and exercise sure played a big part. In 2011 I ran my first of 7 marathons, had to give that up after back surgery in 2014 and I've taken to cycling, which almost killed me in 2020. (But hey the lady that hit me ended up buying me a new camper to use in retirement :) ) I definitely learned I was a stress eater and just knowing that helped. In 2020 because of covid my work moved to home, and I've been in my basement most of the last 3 years. Not going out to lunch everyday helped and adding 1-2 hours back to my day I was able to get out more. Today on my 64th, 14 years after the surgery I'm still at my goal weight of 195, but over the winters I've snuck up to 205-210 a couple of times, but hoping in retirement (huge stress relief) I can get outside and do things to keep me away from food and snack more often. Just came back from a busy one week vacation where I lost 5 pounds because we were out doing things!

Dr Mikami did my surgery in late 2008. Currently training for my 2nd marathon! Good luck, I'm sure it will go well.

It was mainly exhaustion, not much pain. Thanks.

The good thing was it was more exhaustion than pain. In the last 5 miles, I passed several younger people, I had trained with during the year. They started out faster, but didn't make it. The old, slow and steady philosophy.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2242098489669.2114453.1164290938&type=1&l=d2aac93e16

Hi folks, thanks for asking! It went well, really well, i am so glad i did it. I've ordered pictures from the event, and I'll post a couple when I have them. I mentioned my goal was to run the marathon in 4:30. The race provided experienced pacers and one of them was designated to run the race at that exact pace. I found this guy and my plan was to stay with him for 20 miles and see how i felt for the last 6. I did that, cruising with this group of about 10 people for about 16 miles and having a good time. His philosophy was to walk for about 30 seconds at every water stop to allow the group to catch up and re-group, but at mile 16 I was afraid I would start to stiffen up by walking so at that point I went ahead of the group and in 3 miles put 3 minutes between me and them. 18 miles was the longest I had run. I breezed past 20 and all they way to 23 miles. Miles 24 and 25 were the longest miles of my life, but I pushed through it. Thoughts of the Battan Death March were going through my heads. (Apologies to any veterans who may be reading this) I saw friends at mile 26 who motivated me to the finish where I met my wife, who is also a weight loss surgery success story, she had competed the half marathon I did come in at 4:26 4 minutes ahead of my goal. Pictures to follow.

Joining a local running group really helped, I actually look forward to the weekend runs with the group. Its a big group and almost anyone can find someone that runs their speed.

Good, having a light week in preparation. I have lowered my expectations somewhat. When I signed up I hoped to run this in 4 hours. Having done a 1:48 1/2 marathon, it seemed possible, but the heat and back issues slowed me up a bit. I'm just going to try and cruise in at around 4 hours and 30 minutes. I'm taking Monday off to recover next week, so I'll probably post something here.

Sunday OCt 16th at 7:30am. Columbus, Ohio.

I will, after checking the full off my bucket list, I'll probably stick wiht the 1/2. I love the half and there are many close to me.

I ran 20 this weekend, looking forward to the actual marathon.