My initial weight loss run was 237 to 165 in 10 months.  Once 165 arrived, I would bounce between 160 and 170 for the next 4 years.  I was able to run a half marathon within one year of beginning my weight loss journey.  A full marathon would be my next achievement; conquered 2 years after becoming a runner.  

I settled.  I did not reach my peak abilities.  I got comfortable. 

I believed what everyone was telling me and I look at how much I had achieved and settled there.  Why?  I got compliments nearly every day for years about my weight loss.  I could scan attendees in a conference room and notice that I was the most fit person in the room on most occasions.  Second place would be a worst case scenario.  I started by wearing a 40 inch waist and got down to 31-32, depending on the brand. Wow. How amazing.  Maybe I should have been lifting some weights instead of patting myself on the back. 

I mixed in weights, multiple forms of cardio and hitting a heavy bag during the first few months of losing weight and getting fit.  I hated body weight movements, so pushups and sit-ups were never a consideration.   But then I discovered my love of running.  Everything else was cancelled.  I was a runner and that was it.  I hated any other workout.  The old Matt didn’t do things he didn’t like to do.  Bummer dude.  And hey, I was usually the fittest guy in the room so I let me pride allow me to settle.  What a bum, dude!  I got lazy.

DDP Yoga became part of my routine in 2016. I finally mixed something in besides running!!!  I even attended a group DDP Yoga session led by Diamond Dallas Page that year. I cut back alcohol consumption significantly during that time.  I took 60-day alcohol fasts to really cut it down.   I did compete in my final marathon to date in October which lead me to cutting out DDP Yoga for several months while devoting so much time to marathon running.

After the marathon I decided that I wanted to chase other things besides running.  I also wanted a break from marathon training.  I wanted a focus on speed.  I started doing DDP Yoga again and mixed in a bit of weight-lifting.  I hated lifting the weights but enjoyed the DDPY.  Suddenly one day an Orangetheory Fitness opened less than one mile from my house.  This helped change everything.

The amazing coaches at OTF helped me learn dozens of new dumbbell workouts and how to use proper form when lifting weights.  I also learned many body weight movements and had my first introduction to TRX straps.  All of this helped me become better runner.  MUCH FASTER!  Within months I was in the best shape of my life.  I would incorporate body weight movements and weights into my workouts outside of OTF.  I expanded the home gym with more weights and a row machine.  I began to lift  weights in hotel fitness rooms when traveling, which was a first.  I would randomly do squats or pushups during downtime.  Or I’d do 5 burpees after each mile when out for a 4-7 mile run.

My speeds were the best they had ever been.  I achieved a new PR speed for a half-marathon distance (1:38:25) as well as a 5k (21:09).  I had many plans for 2018, including a few out of state half-marathons.  I also penciled in a 50 mile race (almost doubling my marathon distance) and running in the Pike’s Peak Ascent, which is essentially a 13.1 mile run up a mountain while already at altitude.  My average training speed decreased from 8.5-9 minute miles to below 7.  I also planned to continue the course I was on to achieve even higher fitness levels.

BAM!

My Camaro….struck by a drunk driver.  Back and neck were wrecked worse than the car that was totaled.

Guess what?  In many ways, I’m in better shape now than I was the day of the accident.  My rehab work has increased my flexibility and increased strength in other areas.  I am in the best place I’ve been in as an adult mentally and emotionally.  The roller coaster took its toll but it will never take my soul.  The car accident smacked me in the face but I smacked back even harder.