I started running about six months after my gastric bypass surgery at NWH. Since then, I've run the last four Boston Marathons, three New York City Marathons and the 2006 Disney Marathon. I am also a member of the Greater Lowell Road Runners.
I started running because my gastric bypass surgeon suggested I walk two miles a day. Being a typical “Type A”, I felt like I needed to find a way to finish faster. I then started running. I mixed running and walking together, then I started getting ready and ran the Chelmsford Fourth of July Road Race as my first race. I continue to run four to five times a week. Marathon training gets “fit into” my lifestyle, by getting up early and “doing it”. A few years ago, Saucony got wind of my story and sponsored me for the Boston Marathon as part of the “Saucony 26” dedicating a mile of the race for 26 folks with a special story. They dedicated mile 16 for me, since this passes by Newton-Wellesley Hospital. I donated the sponsorship money to the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons.
I currently live in Chelmsford with my wife, three children and my running partner Molly – my four-year-old Australian Labradoodle.
My plans for training are to run my normal patterns three to four days a week and do a progressive build up once a week which will be supplemented with long-distance training races. My concerns are always for my health and injury. Since my gastric bypass surgery, I have suffered through a variety of minor physical and personal issues. I am not in my top end shape and need to pick it up!
3 comments:
WTG John. I too am a gastric bypass patient, 2 years in June 2008. I am doing my first marathon this June in Alaska 26.2 miles. I haven't found any information on how to carb up or train specifically....if there are differences for the by pass patient. I would appreciate any information or references... Bobbi in Calif bearsxtwo@aol.com
I too am a GB surgery patient and I am training for a marathon in February 2008. I am trying to find nutrition tips, but all I see marathoners do is eat pasta, and for us eating pasta is deadly since it can really make us sick. What do you eat to keep up with the nutrition demands of training for a marathon? Do you concentrate only on protein? Do you drink lots of Gatorade? Please reply. Thank you so much :)
Thanks for writing this.
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