Josh Rhone is Running on the Electric Highway
The following is the story of Josh Rhone, a runner and friend. I hope his story inspire you to join us. Links can be found at the bottom of this post.
Running was never something that I loved to do. Rather, running was something that I did to serve a purpose.
I ran because I played basketball and I needed to stay in shape.
I ran because I played soccer and I needed to have the ability to play with variable bursts of intensity for ninety minutes.
After graduating from college, however, these motivations for running were no longer on my radar. I was newly married and adjusting to life in the real world- which meant lunch and dinner meetings, a sedentary day of sitting behind a desk, and plopping down in front of the television when I finally got home.
When good things happened in life or in ministry, I ate. I ate at weddings. I ate at birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, missions conventions, and church potlucks.
When bad things happened in life or in ministry, I ate. I ate at funerals. I ate because I was depressed or stressed. I ate fast-food because my life was too hectic and chaotic to eat healthier.
My lack of motivation to run, coupled with my sedentary lifestyle, and my out-of-control eating habits meant that I quickly went from carrying 220 lbs. on my 6’4” frame to almost three hundred.
It was just over a month ago that I was at that point. Then, on August 24th, after winning a Nike+ Sportband from Petey in an Ambassador Contest, I started running.
At first, I tried to run .25 miles and was only barely able to finish. So, I walked. I walked 2.75 miles.
Then, the following day I did it again. I ran .25 miles and then I would walk, only I did it twice.
Since that first day, I’ve tracked my progress on the Nike+ website. I’ve competed in some of the challenges. I’ve set goals. And, I’ve seen results.
I went from barely completing .25 miles to being able to run ten miles continuously (it wasn’t my greatest average time, but I was able to beat my .25 mile average time from when I started). I went from struggling to complete 25 miles in a week, to completing 89 miles in the Nike+ shoe challenge.
Most importantly, however, my health is improved. In just over a month, I’ve gone from 294 lbs. to 277 lbs. I feel better. I have more energy. I am more confident.
I’ll be running on the Electric Highway. Put on your shoes and come and join me.
