Hobbies From 215 Pounds to 20+ Marathons: My Transformation Journey into Running Thirteen years ago, I laced up my sneakers for the first time—not out of love for the sport, but out of desperation to take control of my health. I was 215 pounds, smoking a pack of cigarettes every other day, and grappled with the pressure of a new Supply Chain Manager role I didn’t feel prepared for. Stress was swallowing me whole.
A local 5K popped up on social media. It felt like just the push I needed, so I signed up. I roped in a few coworkers to train with me, and that shared struggle turned into something surprisingly joyful. But my first race? A masterclass in rookie mistakes. I sprinted through the first 3K, crashed hard through the last 2K, and collapsed just 100 feet from the finish line. I woke up in an ambulance. Not exactly the triumphant ending I had imagined. But running didn’t let me go—and I didn’t let go of it either. Over time, it transformed from a health initiative into a personal anchor. I’ve since run 20+ marathons across different cities, each one shaping the person I’ve become. Training with my kids - my two little monsters back then - provided some of my favorite memories. Running became therapy, reflection, solitude, a tool to recalibrate whenever life got noisy.
I even tried barefoot running after reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It sounded crazy, so natural, I had to try it. Ten kilometers later, I was hooked. The Boston Marathon still sits high on my dream list. I set my personal best in Vegas - 3:14:02 - which technically qualifies me for my age group. But with Boston's rising standards, it is not guaranteed. Still, I train. Boston is not just a race – it is a symbol of what’s possible.
Running is not always glamorous. Sometimes those long two-hour runs feel endless, but podcasts and audiobooks turn the miles into meaningful moments. Treadmills? I tolerate them - with the help of a good TV series on my iPad. From collapsing at my first 5K to chasing the elusive Boston finish line, running has been a wild ride. Boston’s still on the bucket list, and until then, you’ll find me pounding pavement, dodging treadmills whenever I can, and squeezing wisdom out of every podcast mile. – Sergio Nunez Director, Operational Excellence
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