Week 2 of 16: Why I Keep Showing Up (Even When I Want to Quit)
What Dropping 5 Pounds, Hot Weather, and a Stomach Ache Taught Me About Commitment
Dear Duniyawaalo (People of the World),
Earlier this year, I looked in the mirror and barely recognized the person staring back at me.
The long Chicago winter got to me, physically and emotionally. I stopped running. I stopped paying attention to what I ate. I stopped doing the little things that kept me grounded.
The weight crept back in. So did the fatigue. The fog. The excuses.
At one point, I stood on the scale and saw 271 pounds staring back at me. That number brought with it more than just physical heaviness. It brought back the emotional weight I had worked so hard to shake off.
I could have ignored it. I could have told myself that life was busy, that I was too old, or that winter was just hard. But I chose something else.
I signed up for the 2025 Chicago Marathon.
Not because I want to be fast. Not because I need a new personal best. Because I needed a reason to show up for myself again.
Training Week 2: Real Life in Motion
Here is how Week 2 looked, not picture-perfect, but real:
Monday: I did my 6-mile long run (postponed from Week 1).
Tuesday: Rested. My legs were still sore, and I listened to my body.
Wednesday: 4-mile group run with my Fast Track Racing Team.
Thursday: Bodyweight strength workout at home.
Friday: Break. It was July 4th, and honestly, I needed the time.
Saturday: Walked 2 miles. My stomach was still upset from all the July 4th festivities (and food).
Sunday: Rest day. The heat and humidity were brutal.
Monday (Week 3 start): 8-mile long run at Lake Arlington. Done.
I also performed in the “80 Minutes Around the World” storytelling show at the Steppenwolf Theater, which was both exciting and nerve-wracking — but that’s a story for another day.
The Numbers That Matter
Goal: Drop 30 pounds in 16 weeks of Marathon Training
Starting Weight: 271 lbs
Current Weight: 266 lbs
Weight Lost: 5 lbs in 2 weeks
What the Scale Cannot Measure
I felt every one of those pounds during my runs this week.
I was out of breath. I had to take walking breaks. My body felt heavy. I doubted myself.
But I also reminded myself: It is supposed to be hard. That is why it works.
I am not chasing speed. I am chasing health. I am chasing discipline.
I am chasing the version of myself that refuses to give up, even when it is uncomfortable.
I know from experience that this gets better. Every week, my lungs will open up a little more. My legs will get stronger. My mind will quiet down. My weight will drop. My belief in myself will rise.
Lessons I Am Taking Forward
Show up, even if it is messy. Progress is rarely linear. A walk still counts. A bad run is still better than no run.
Holidays are not excuses. They are tests. July 4th came with food, family, and fun. The temptation to hit pause. But showing up in the middle of life is where the real magic happens.
Training is not just physical. It is personal. It is about building a mindset. One that says, “Even if I am tired, I will move. Even if I fail, I will try again.”
What About You?
You do not have to run a marathon. But maybe it is time to choose something. Anything. Anything that helps you return to yourself.
Sign up for that yoga class.
Go for that morning walk.
Drink water instead of soda.
Write in a journal for five minutes.
It all counts. Every tiny act of care adds up.
Final Thought
I am not a professional athlete.
I am a 51-year-old guy who gained weight, lost motivation, and is now trying to find his rhythm again, one step at a time.
If you are in a similar place, I want you to know this:
You are not alone. You are not broken. You are not too late.
And your next small step can change everything.
Let us grow together.
My Newsletter
If my content resonates with you, I invite you to follow my newsletter:
It is where I share real stories, lessons from the road, and reflections that go beyond running.
Your support means the world to me. It inspires me to keep writing. One honest word at a time.