Subscribe400lb Man to Run the Boston Marathon
Jacob started his journey at 438 pounds. His goal is to run the Boston Marathon. He is currently just under 400 lbs and is chronicling his efforts on his site "What Would Jacob Do?".
His reasons for running?
I have my reasons for running. To give you a glimpse into my life, let me ask you if you've had any of the following happen to you:
- Have you ever had little kids point at you and laugh while you're walking down the street?
- Watched a TV News Report on obesity and wonder if it is your Fat Ass that they're showing from the neck down?
- Have to weigh yourself on a commercial-grade scale at the local meat-packing plant?
- Worry about if the chair you're sitting in is going to collapse at a restaurant?
- Watch in disgust when skinny girls like Tyra Banks strap on the ol' fat suit for an afternoon and then break down in tears because they "know what it's like"?
- Drinking your misery away at the bar because love obviously isn't finding you tonight or any night for that matter?
Jacob is getting his share of hate mail:
I ran track in college and ran the Boston Marathon 4 years ago and let me just say that you are disgusting and have no shot of ever running the Boston Marathon.
Go give him some encouragement.
More like this in Success Stories
I hope he is successful! By the way, I had a conversation with a two time winner of the Boston Marathon today at my fitness center, Olga Markova!
ReplyReally? You know Olga Markova? I've been looking for ages to have a chat with her. She is my hero.Could you pls help me to find her? Thanks.Tatiana(she is my cousin, by the way).
ReplyRight now Olga is in Russia with her family. Perhaps you can find her email on the Internet. She's training again, did you know?
ReplyJacob...know this...I used to weigh 314 lbs. and I lost 100 lbs, and ran the L.A. Marathon in 2006, for the 1st time...today I am currently training to run my second L.A. Marathon in March 2007...I have some friends who have also lost 100+ lbs who have also ran marathons...so I know you can do it...check out my friends at http://www.healthsteward.com/ ...call me marathon man!
ReplyOne Step At A Time Means One Step Closer To The Finish Line Jacob.
ReplyGO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go for it!!!!! This is so cool, jacob!! It's very inspiring to read your story, and I am sorry to read about the mindlesness of some people! I wish i could say 'forget it', but I know that its not that easy. I am sure you will make it, you sound so determined and you'll have great fun, too. I just ran my first marathon in November - its an amazing experience.
ReplyHere is a tip: Put your first name on your T-Shirt (front and back) - people will yell your name and cheer you on. The atmosphere at a marathon is very supportive. Happy training!!! When the going gets tough - think 'One more mile!!!' is coming up.. - believe me, on the big day, when you hear them cheer that - those are the best words in the world and you'll know that you have made it!!!
ONE MORE MILE!!!!!!!!!!!
fly
You can do it. Keep working on it and don't let the nay-sayers get to you. Its not about winning the marathon, its about trying, doing, and finishing. Don't give up.
ReplyWhen you finish your marathon you should become an astronaut or a professional baseball player. Dream big!
ReplyHe can do it!! :D I'm rooting for him!!
ReplyGo for it, Jacob. Don't listen to the naysayers. It's a heck of an accomplishment that you're running a marathon. I know I couldn't. You should be proud of yourself.
ReplyI can't believe the idiot who was so small minded as to take the time out of his day to send this hateful note to someone who his trying to make a positive change in his life. If Jacob runs the marathon, it takes nothing away from this jerk doing it. What's the matter with people? Didn't this person ever hear "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all"? I hope Jacob ignores people like this and continues to work toward his goals. I'm inspired by his gumption and hope he makes it!
ReplyI hope Jacob realizes that you can't run in the Boston Marathon unless you have qualified for the race by having run a previous marathon with a fast enough time for your age group... Good luck.
ReplyThis is an interesting study looking at first time marathon runners and whether they complete the marathon and their motivating factors. They compare this to people trying to be successful at dieting and find similar success and failure rates!
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=60119
Replybravo.... for your weight loss and winner attitude. hate mail? schmate mail. know what they can do...bravo Jacob....Jen
ReplyTotally awesome. Jacob deserves all the praise he can get for trying this. I recommend donating to his charities too :-)
ReplyI read about Jacob here, so am just checking back re-reading all the positive comments here. Have any of you visited his blog and left your encouragement there? I check there once a day...I really hope he can achieve his goal and better yet, continue to slowly loose and KEEP it off.
I wish him all the best!
ReplyGood job to the 400lb man! He has a long life ahead and is doing a GREAT job!
ReplyI'm so proud of you for doing the marathon I weighed 375 pounds 15 months ago and I couldn't have done it at 220 I can still bearly walk 5K but I'm entered into the Mother's Day one in Kansas City and after that I'm going to go for more.
ReplyBear-man, you ROCK! But, I am concerned about your knees. Be good to them and your feet so you can run another day. Good Luck!
Replygo jacob!
one tip- because you need your feet, ankles and knees to work properly- make sure you get your running shoes professionally fit....it makes all the difference.
Replygo kick some ass man!that motivated me to do something.i have the same weight issues.had a stroke and lost my job.but ive got something to shoot for now.thanks!
ReplyGreat! I'm really impressed by ya attitude dude, and don't worry about the hateful things that people have to say...unfortunately jack can't help being an ass. Stick it out, 38+ and counting down.
ReplyWhat kind of dick would send you hatemail. Prove em wrong and kick ass at the marathon!
ReplyNo I didn't know. And I'm very happy for her. Thanks.
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