Week 1 of 16: Starting Over, One Step at a Time
How recommitting to the 2025 Chicago Marathon helped me break through winter blues, weight gain, and the silent struggle within
Dear Duniyawaalo (People of the World),
It Begins (Again)
The moment I tied my running shoes last Monday, I was not chasing a personal record.
I was chasing myself. The version of me that had drifted during winter.
The one who slacked off. The one who gained weight. The one who felt that familiar fog creeping in.
The heaviness in my legs was nothing compared to the heaviness in my spirit.
But I showed up.
Not as a runner with momentum. Not as someone who had it all together.
Just as a man who chose to begin again.
The Winter That Weighed Me Down
This past winter hit harder than usual, not in temperature, but in truth.
I stopped running. I stopped eating mindfully. I sought comfort in food and drinks that numbed instead of nourished.
By the time I laced up again, I was 271 pounds. Twenty pounds heavier than when I last felt strong.
And every step reminded me of it. Lungs gasping, legs aching, and mind doubting.
But that is the thing about pain. It is not there to punish you. It is there to guide you, only if you are willing to listen.
Week 1 Recap: Not Perfect, But Honest
Monday: 4-Mile Walk
Eased back into movement. I was tempted to run. But I chose patience.
Tuesday: Strength Training
First session in months. My muscles called it a “welcome back party”.
The kind with soreness as the guest of honor.
Wednesday: 4-Mile Run
Harper College Track. Slow. Heavy. But done.
Thursday: Strength Training at the Y
More weight. More soreness. Still adjusting.
Friday: 4-Mile Walk
Legs said “no” to running. I listened. Walked instead. Old me would have pushed.
This time, I chose sustainability over stubbornness.
Saturday: 4-Mile Run at Deer Grove with my HIP group
Running with others reminded me that I am not alone in this.
Sunday: Rest
I moved my long run to Monday. I had social commitments, and connection matters too. I gave myself permission to be human.
Monday: 6-Mile Long Run
The real victory? Not skipping it. It is easy to cancel on yourself when no one is watching. I did not.
📉 Weight Check: 271 → 269 lbs
2 pounds down. Progress is progress. My goal is to drop 30 pounds!
Common sense, healthy food choices, and mindful movements should get me there!
What I Learned in Week 1
You cannot punish yourself into progress.
My body is still adapting to strength training. I am giving it grace.
Not excuses. Just grace.
Missing rhythm hurts more than missing perfection.
Long runs are my anchor. They happen on Sundays. Period. That is my new rule. One I will stick to.
You do not have to be strong to start.
But you do have to start to become strong again.
If You Are Struggling Too…
Maybe you are not training for a marathon.
Maybe your goal is just to feel like yourself again.
To show up with energy, clarity, and self-respect.
Here is what I can offer you from where I stand today. Two aching legs, a humble heart, and a quiet fire inside:
Start small. Walk before you run. Literally and metaphorically.
Honor your body. Soreness is feedback. So is fatigue. Listen.
Make one promise non-negotiable. For me, it is my Sunday long run. What is yours?
Final Thought: You Are Allowed to Begin Again
“No matter how far you have gone down the wrong road, turn back.” — Turkish Proverb
I am not here to impress you with stats or stories.
I am here to remind you (and myself) that every week, every run, every choice matters.
If you are trying to find your way back, know that you are not alone.
We are all just trying to return to ourselves, one mindful mile at a time.