As some of you have long feared, I have at last blown my head gasket. I decided (and committed) today to compete in the 5K part of the Tulsa Run this October. In fact, I've gone so far as to register and pay registration fees.Luckily, I have a training partner. Boss Spot has agreed to train with me and compete in the 5K run too! We had our first official training session today, which consisted of walking one lap around the track and also measuring it.
The picture at left is me at 300 pounds. The training track is 3685 feet per lap but I'll measure it another few times and get an average. By my calculations, four and a half laps should equal 5K.
Currently, I don't have a weight loss goal for the race. In fact, my only goal is to finish it. Any benefits that might go along with getting ready for it will certainly be welcome. The obvious first step will be to get as many pounds as possible off my knees and right foot as fast as is reasonably possible. 

There are almost exactly six months between now and race day. I expect to use the first two to four months taking off weight and building my walking stamina back up. If I can walk six miles a day in 100°F+ heat like I did last summer, I think I should be able to build up to a three mile run in the last two to three months (5K=3.12 miles). The more weight I take off, the easier it will be to build up running distance because I'll be less held back by foot and knee problems.
Another training option that I'm considering is Siegfried Health Club's Boot Camp.
Below is the race route for the 5K. I don't know how far south on Riverside Drive it goes; I'll have to do some calculations to figure that out.
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