Remember Theresa’s incredible story (you can read it HERE)? Well, the amazing Andrian emailed me with her story and I knew I had to share it with you guys. I hope you are enjoying reading others journey into health and fitness as much as I am!! She is such an inspiration and you are going to love her beautiful story!
Hello HGR readers! My name is Adrian and I’m really honored to be sharing my story with all of you, especially on such an amazing blog! HI JANAE! The more people I can inspire, the better. Here’s a little about me before I get into my story. I’m a 23 year old 120 lb female marathoner in training. I’m currently going to school for Medical Assisting, but I plan on going back to school post-graduation to become a physical education teacher or a personal trainer. I’m a huge health nut. But, here’s the thing…
If those words would have come out of my mouth 2 years ago, I would have been the laughing stock of my entire neighborhood or I would have been diagnosed with the “she’s lost her mind” syndrome. I still have to stop myself for a brief second to realize what I’m doing is, in fact, a reality.
Follow me on my imaginary time machine to July 25, 1988. A Monday (of all days), I made my first appearance in this crazy world. I was born 8 weeks early and I had a lot of complications…Jaundice, a complete blood transfusion, and a handful of other things. It’s a miracle that I even survived at all. I had a normal childhood, a loving family, and I did well in school. But due to an unknown twist of fate, I couldn’t find happiness. It felt like I was hunting for a treasure chest that never existed. The only time I was “happy” was when I was stuffing my face with food, junk food. I could easily eat an entire bag of Doritos, followed by candy, etc. and it wouldn’t even phase me. I was depressed and I spent a majority of my time alone in my bedroom drowning out the world with music. And, I grew…and grew…and grew…until I was 230 lbs. School was a nightmare. High school is a bit of a blur for me, which is likely due to me wanting to forget everything that had occurred. But, I do remember the name calling, the gawking eyes, the disapproving stares, and the judgments.
I used to wish I wasn’t a miracle baby. I used to wish I wasn’t so lucky. I was a naturally quite girl, but the teasing didn’t help me break out of my cocoon. I allowed myself to be bullied into silence…
…
Long story short…I had to find my happiness. Being unhealthy and being unhappy was no longer an option for me. The Biggest Loser gave me my initial inspiration, as well as Taylor Swift’s fascination with the word “FEARLESS.” In April of 2009, I made my final decision to drop the weight once and for all (after failing so many times before). I didn’t have too much of a problem with committing to the changes I made in my diet, but exercising was another story. Still, I noticed results and it made me want to try that much more.
One challenging year later, I was 100 lbs lighter and I finally began my life. YO, ADRIAN, YOU DID IT! I felt like I was born again and I wanted to show the world my true identity. I didn’t want to be the quiet, overweight girl anymore. I may have won the battle against food addiction, but I was still unhappy deep down. Though I lost the weight the healthy way, I became obsessed soon thereafter. I began restricting in the summer of 2010, limiting my calorie intake to 800-900 calories per day. I also weighed myself every time I went into the bathroom until I dropped to a low 106 lbs. I was heading towards a downward spiral because I was terrified of facing the girl I used to be.
…until I met a runner…In October of 2010, I met a friend of mine who is an avid runner, ultramarathoner to boot. I was very intrigued by his passion for running and I often asked myself, “why does he run so much?” I read about running more and more when I eventually came across a little term called the “runner’s high.” Runner’s high, I thought? I wanted to experience it for myself, so I started testing my limits on the treadmill at my local gym in the winter of 2010-11. I ran 1 mile, 2 miles…all the way to 6 miles…within a 2 month period of “training.” I was ecstatic and immediately sent a picture of the treadmill reading to my friend. He was proud and ended up convincing me to sign up for what would be a life changing event, my first race.
Propeller hair! I’m the one in the purple shirt. :) My first race was the Mount Summit Challenge, a 3.5 mile ALL UPHILL race. All uphill…that’s not exactly the best place to start. I finished in roughly 45 minutes, but all I cared about was finishing and I did. I started developing a huge love for running and I started testing my limits by running outside. The first few times out were a little unsuccessful, but that didn’t stop me. I signed up for 2 more 5K races and started training.
This shirt has gotten me a lot of attention, but in a good way.
I was hooked and I wanted more. May 15, 2011, I decided to watch my friend complete the Pittsburgh marathon. I could not keep my eyes off the runners. I was near the finish line and I saw everything…the tears, the smiles, the strength, and the determination. I was so inspired that I went home that VERY SAME DAY and I ran 13.1 miles. I cried when I finished and I signed up for my first half marathon (September 10th). I finished in 2:05:35. I’ve been training ever since May and I have no intention of stopping. Why? I’m ultimately training for the 2012 Pittsburgh marathon.
Running has saved my life. I stopped weighing myself. I eat twice as much. I gained 14 lbs of muscles. I’m dedicated. I’m fearless. I’m happy. I’m a runner.
May 6, 2012, I will run 26.2 miles.
Chase your fears. Don’t run away from them. Embrace your fears and use them as fuel to light the fire inside of you. Once you pass up your fears, whatever they may be, they won’t be able to catch up. Feel free to visit my blog (www.chasefear.com) to follow my journey! :)
STATISTICS:
Started Running: January 2011
Fastest Mile: 8:23 Minutes
Longest Distance: 20 Miles
5K: 26:02 Minutes (6) <—- RECENT PR; VERY CLOSE TO RESEMBLING MARATHON DISTANCE! :)
10K: 55:32 Minutes (1)
Half Marathon: 2:05:35 (1)
Full Marathon: TBD (0)
Challenge Runs: Varies (1)
Awards Won: 1
*(#) = Number Completed
Started Running: January 2011
Fastest Mile: 8:23 Minutes
Longest Distance: 20 Miles
5K: 26:02 Minutes (6) <—- RECENT PR; VERY CLOSE TO RESEMBLING MARATHON DISTANCE! :)
10K: 55:32 Minutes (1)
Half Marathon: 2:05:35 (1)
Full Marathon: TBD (0)
Challenge Runs: Varies (1)
Awards Won: 1
*(#) = Number Completed
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PS One more day to enter my Workout Clothes Giveaway!!!!
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58 comments
Jessica @ rerunrunning
Wow!!! What an awesome story!!! I LOVE this girl!!
Could there be anything more inspirational than “I’m dedicated. I’m fearless. I’m happy. I’m a runner.” ?!?! Awesome!
Dude, one word for you… RESPECT!
Katie | @wholelivingimprint.tumblr.com
Thank you for sharing this story, so amazing and inspirational!
Love her outlook on being fearless!
Way to go Theresa!
Courtney
Truly an amazing story! You rock! :)
Sara
Amazing story! That is great to read and defiantly kicks my motivation up! Awesome story and I LOVE her shirt! :-D
Ali Mc
I absolutely love your shirt and you and I love your story. I could get used to these tales :D Good for you! So proud
Meg @ Junk Food Runner
Awesome story! I definitely identify with her. And I LOVE her shirt, I want one like that!
Sarah
Adrian! Way to go!! Your story is so inspirational, it brought tears to my eyes :) Good tears. I am so happy for you!
Ashton
AMAZING! i’m obsessed with this story. i teared up!!
dana a.
oh wow, what an amazing story! i love your purple shirt. best wishes for your upcoming races!
Diana
Sooo Adrian is amazingly awesome – if I hadn’t just come back from a run, I would go for one right now because I am so inspired!!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
Amazing story! Good for you girl :)
lyndsey
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!!!!! I love stories like this so much. They are so inspiring. Amazing story. Thanks for sharing!
emma
wow! This is so inspiring! :-) :-)
Julie
Way to go girl! So happy that you found happy! You have accomplished so much in such a short amount of running time! You are proof that anyone can do it if they want to badly enough. Thanks for being brave and sharing your story!
Kelly S.
ROCK ON – HIGH FIVE- GOOD JOB, AMAZING, AWESOME, FANTASTIC
I could go on and on and on……this is a great story.
Thanks for sharing.
Kelly
Tabaitha
Amazing story! This should be a new feature on your blog. Thanks for sharing Adrian.
Amanda
What an amazing story. You are truly fearless. Thanks for sharing!
Missy
What an amazing story! Good for her!
Balancing Sylvia
Adrian, you are nothing short of inspiring. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story! Good luck with your marathon chica! Oh and I totally dig that shirt :D
Alecia@tincantreader
I love that story!!!
Beth @ RUNNINGaroundmykitchen.com
This is SUCH an inspiration! Adrian – you’re awesome and an inspiration to me! The focus and determination demonstrated here is incredible and I love, love, LOVE that attachment to the word fearless…I’m gonna use it myself. Thanks for sharing and good luck on the marathon – you should start a blog yourself!
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List
What a true testimony of believing in yourself!! Awesome job!
Annette@EnjoyYourHealthyLife
VERY inspiring! You go girl :)
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
Awesome awesome story, girl. I loved this last part the best: “Running has saved my life. I stopped weighing myself. I eat twice as much. I gained 14 lbs of muscles. I’m dedicated. I’m fearless. I’m happy. I’m a runner.”
Good for you for choosing the healthy road and not the restrictive, miserable road!! :)
Jodi
I am so inspired by Adrian’s post! Simply amazing! Now my mental wheels are turning…. Hmmmm. This could be dangerous!:-)
Katherine @ Neon Blonde Runner
Thanks for sharing!
What an amazing journey she’s started!
Lauren
Love it!!! You are such an inspiration! :) I live near Pittsburgh and have run the marathon, half and a relay over the past three years…I will definitely be watching for you this year!! :D
Lilly
Oh so inspiring! Loved this, thanks for much for sharing it :)
adrianna
love this story! great job to you adrian…i’ll be over to visit the blog. motivational posts are so fun…they light a fire in us all : )
Britt @ Runwithbritt
You go girl! You are such an inspiration for people. My Aunt’s life could totally be changed by your story. I’m going to email her the link. I loved this, thanks for being so inspiring!
Courtney
Adrian,
Nice job!! Glad you have found happiness! You look amazing!
Brittany
This is so amazing. Thank you for sharing this story and congratulations to you!!!
Molly
yeah pittsburgh!!! i lived there my whole life until i graduated college. i LOVE pgh marathon! ive done the half and relay in the past two years. best of luck! maybe ill see you there!
Emily
Whoa! Did you run Jaxson’s Jog 10k in Pittsburgh? I totally remember seeing that shirt! Awesome story girl!
kiersten
love this story so much!amazing !
Celia
wow! that is an awesome story! thanks for sharing!!
Lauren (Mrs Q)
This is so awesome!!
Khushboo
Adrian you look GREAT- so inspirational!
XLMIC
Strong in body, mind and spirit… and simply beautiful! Blown away by your story, Adrian :) Go get ’em, girl! I hope to run 26.2 on May 6, 2012, too … it’s my 49th birthday… shhhhhh ;-)
Sasha
Wow that is so incredible, amazing and inspiring! I think that she should start a blog :) Thanks for sharing Janae!
stephanie
oh my goodness what an amazing story. you are such an inspiration, thank you so much for sharing. i am so glad that you found something to make you happy, I hope you find joy every day
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans
What a great story!! I am so glad Adrian found running and got healthier as a result!!
Nicole
It is an amazing story. Thank you for sharing. I like the idea of using the fear. In fact, it is what keeps me from going back to smoking. The fear of not being able to quit again. 11 yrs smoke free!
The Kidless Kronicles
Kate @ Chasing It
WOW! girl you are a BEAST and I mean that in the BEST way!!
This is such an inspiration for ALL of us that need to make some changes in our lives, be they weight-related or not – I am totally going to start following your training. :)
THANK YOU for sharing!
Becky
HEY! I’ll be running the relay at the Pittsburgh Marathon! Small world! :)
Sabrina @ Radioactive Runner
WOW!!!!!!! amazing story!!! Way to go Adrian on all your hard work and dedication. I love the shirt :)
Diane
Girl, you are awesome!!! Biggest Loser and Taylor Swift are great inspirations, but there’s nothing better than having a friend who inspires you! Sending you good thoughts to keep running and doing great on the marathon! :)
Cecily @ rerunrunning.com
I love the shirt, I bet people running behind you can hardly believe it! You’re so smokin’ hot and awesome! So glad running has allowed you to chase fear!
Running is a huge part of my life too, and it’s awesome to hear other people’s stories. Thank you for sharing yours! And also, thanks Janae :)
Danielle
what an incredible story! SO inspirational, motivating and truly amazing! Great work Adrian and thank you so much for sharing!
Lara
What an amazing story, just hopped across to Adrian’s blog :-)
Jess @ Blonde Ponytail
FABULOUS STORY!!! Love hearing the “fearless” come out and inspire. Adrian is amazing!
Tiffany
Amazing! Your rock girl! Thanks for sharing your story.
Melissa
Oh my god. I love this story… what an inspiration she is! Thanks for having her post, Janae :)
Cassie
I cant even believe I just read this, but I’m SO glad I did! Your story is truly an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing this with us =D I wanna go run right now!!!
Reannan @ hotsauceandhandstands
I love reading stories like this. How amazing is that!? Thaaank you for sharing this with us!
Lori
This is a great story! :) I am trying to like running. I know, I just heard you all gasp. Like Adrian, I also have lost quite a bit of weight. I was always heavy but after I got married, I ballooned up. At my highest that I can remember (who likes scales when you’re heavy?), not pregnant, I was 220. My highest total was when I was pg with my 1st – 235. I’m now down to 145 (and have 3 kids) and am 5’9″. I have so many marathoner friends that I’d love to love running! ;)
What a great story Adrian and good luck in your marathon!
Chantal
Wow, this was just what I needed to hear today! How inspiring and I was able to share it with one of my clients. Thank you so much for sharing your story!
-Chantal
Heather
Awesome story!! Running is an amazing gift. I’ll be running the Pittsburgh marathon next year as well and believe we ran the same half marathon on Sept 10! Good luck!!