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Posts: 27
Location: United States
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I've been on here for a while now and have enjoyed browsing the community. Hollywoof has and is continuing doing an awesome job here. His heart is in it and that makes this place that much better to be in. I don't chat much but I have made this part of my community and will be staying.
I am a 41 year old male in Southport, NC, USA. I have prepared a small "about me" for my profile below.
Thank You
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I’ve started smoking in my early teens but not that heavily. I did stop for a while and started running when I was around 16. It felt really good and I enjoyed it. I was preparing for my first 5K with my dad and brother. For some reason I picked up smoking again. When I went for my race, my lungs would not let me do it. Had to walk most of it and I was discouraged after that and became a full time smoker.
Move forward past 20 years. I quit smoking at the end of 2004 with the help of patches. However, I did cut down smoking first. I just got fed up with being so dependent on cigarettes and it destroying my health.
I started running in 2008, didn’t do much research on it so I just went out and ran in a beat up pair of sneakers. I just kept running until I was tired. That was a big mistake for me and I paid for it for over a week with shin splints. I learned from my mistake and did some research and found that the Couch-to-5K was for me and that it worked accompanied with some tunes from Podrunner.
Had some down time for a few months because of my work schedule but have gotten back into it and am doing well and enjoying most of my runs. I have ran a few races and surpassed what I have done at my younger age.
I AM A RUNNER
FDFERRIS
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Posts: 298
Location: Canada
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Welcome to the community. I was up to almost 3 packs a day during college, after quite a few tries I managed to kick the habit. Having met my girlfriend also helped, as she told me she would f***in kill me if I started smoking again.  Years later I found out that I had 5 patched up ulcers in my stomach, probably related to the smoking and partying. So yeah, it has been about 5 years now without smoking. I also kicked a drug habit in the the process, I rather kill myself running and cycling  I'm still spending alot of money on a habit, need to stop buying gear (damn ebay and PBK). We're all in good company. Any questions just raise your hand.
"Triathlon is just the equation that allows us to reap the passion of life in proportion to the work we put in" - Mitch Thrower
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Posts: 4,379
Location: United Kingdom
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Awesome FD - awesome! Very impressed you made it past the shin splints - it's so hard when you get injured just as you're starting. I've seen quite a few people arriving from http://www.c25k.com/ - seems like that plan should be recommended to lots of us
If you like the site: become a facebook fan, rate us on SportTracks, and talk about us everywhere!
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Posts: 27
Location: United States
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Thank you for the welcome.
The C25K is an easy program for the beginners and you can take it slower if you need to.
I'm hoping that I can learn how to swim better also and start doing that regularly. The only problem for me is that I can't find a local pool close to me and I'm too paranoid to swim in the lake in fear of running into an alligator further out in the water.
I would like to bike but the starting cost for the gear is the hard part. But I will get it eventually. For now it's just running and strength training that will make me happy and staying in shape to keep up with my kids.
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Posts: 539
Location: Within a stone's throw of Agatha Cristie's grave
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Hi, FD,
Welcome to the club. I'm a late starter too, although I have no ambition to get into that Triathlon stuff...Yet!
Keep it up, this is a great place to come to for support and encouragement...
Cheers,
Phil
Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed. ~Charles Schulz, Peanuts
Ich sehe gerne zu, würde aber lieber nicht selbst mitmachen
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Posts: 50
Location: United Kingdom
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Hi fd and welcome, it's great to be able to keep up with the kids. In the UK the only thing you are going to run into, in the water is a shopping trolley  Keep it up Shaggy
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Posts: 410
Location: Waipukurau, New Zealand
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Good to see you fd. Sport can get quite addictive but does not have to get expensive, unless you like gathering the toys!! Start by getting only what you need at at the best price point you can manage. While you can save by buying cheap, there's a reason why we use the phrase 'cheap and nasty'. For bikes, strike up a good relationship with a local bike store and talk to them about your long term and short term goals. Any bike shop worth their salt will want to build a long term relationship. It's all about future sales!! Most important, try to avoid scrimping on running shoes! But above all else, have fun!!
Philip Shambrook tcecoachingATgmail.com Completitive Edge Coaching "You succeed when you believe you will succeed. Start believing now!"
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Posts: 21
Location: United States
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Keeping up with your kids is a great motivator for me too! And it provides all kinds of dividends. For example, I got to spend a good fraction of Saturday and Sunday this past weekend riding with my son who's a graduate student in a town far away. Great way to spend the weekend!
Don't worry about the toys - you will accumulate them over time, and after 20-30 years you will be amazed at your collection. Some good, most not worth it, but all a part of the journey.
Welcome!
Dave
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Posts: 277
Location: United Kingdom
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Hi fdferris, I'm another late starter, and an ex-smoker... I gave up Oct last year, and substituted smoking with exercise. I can't believe I didn't do it years ago! I feel great, both physically, and also emotionally... its a fantastic sensation, being able to feel smug whenever you see a smoker while you are out running or cycling! This year I will run a half IronMan.... will run a half marathon.... have run a 10k, and have started doing 10 mile time trials on my bike every week... this time last year, running up the stairs made me out of breath... Welcome to the club of converts! 
If you like the site: become a facebook fan, rate us on SportTracks, and talk about us everywhere!
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Posts: 124
Location: Hungary
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Welcome fdferris - and what an inspiring story you told us.
I was an athlete in my youth (a good field runner and a junior almost-pro road cyclist) but gave up at age 18 due to knee problems and moved to music scene & alcohol. Luckily I quit the problematic areas soon but moved on to the software guy diet: warm Coca-Cola and cold pizza during the night.
Later when my son started skating I thought I'd try it and there I am, running and inline skating a lot. But he beats me anytime :)
No hay que llegar primero Pero hay que saber llegar.
You don’t have to finish first But you must know how to finish.
Vicente Fernandez - El Rey
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Posts: 2
Location: Canada
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blessing_11111@(yahoo).(com)
My name is Blessing
i am a young lady with a kind and open heart,
I enjoy my life,but life can't be complete if you don't have a person to share it
with. blessing_11111@(yahoo).(com)
Hoping To Hear From You
Yours Blessing
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Posts: 27
Location: United States
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Wow! Really? Right on my old post?
HaHa!!
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