PETER SHANKMAN
| POSTED ON January 26th, 2010 | 12 COMMENTS | + ADD YOUR COMMENT |
Back in 2000, I used the term “run” only in conjunction with “to the store for cigarettes.” I wasn’t a fat-ass by any means – I’d been super-heavy when I worked for AOL – I walked everywhere for the first 22 years of my life, then spent the next three driving from my apartment in Herndon, VA (land of NOTHING back in 1995 but a Taco Bell, a 7/11, and two brand new apartment complexes – one of which I shared a three bedroom apartment in) – to Vienna, VA, where I worked for AOL as one of their founding news editors. But when you grow up walking everywhere, you’re never truly fat – you’re “he could lose five pounds” to “I’m driving everywhere and eating Domino’s on a house account!” I came home and had fatter people orbiting me – it was scary. So I lost weight in 1997/98 – I spent a year smoking Marlboro lights, eating fat-free pretzel nuggets, and drinking Diet Pepsi to wash down my Ripped Fuel with Ephedra tablets. I don’t recommend it, but 70 pounds later, it worked.
Fast forward to 2000 – An employee of mine told me that running was “like walking, but faster.” She also mentioned that “thinner people get more dates.” So I started running. And that led to who I am now. I run a LOT – I run because I like the solitude – only time of the day (unless I’m skydiving) where I’m not with a blackberry or mobile phone. I run for the endorphins – Beats Adderal. And of course, I run, so that occasionally, I can have this.
The Philly Slim's Widowmaker
Sometimes, at the end of the day, you just want a double meat, double cheese, Widowmaker sandwich from Philly Slim’s. And when that craving hits, you have two choices: Deny, or indulge, knowing that you ran a 10k run at 7am yesterday morning by yourself, or you’re running a half-marathon this weekend, just so you can.
And it doesn’t affect your training, and it won’t raise your caloric count specifically because of that.
And that makes it ok.
And it makes the Widowmaker taste just that… much… better.
Yum.
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I think that was one of my favorite things about running a marathon back in 2000 … I got to eat 2 lunches every Saturday. Plus a bagel. With real cream cheese. |
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On the same page, when you run to help people with disabilities, like on February 14 with Community Options nationwide Cupids Chase 5k, your guilt could easily allow you to eat two of those widowmakers. |
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When you have cravings, you go big, huh? The Philly Slim and Hardee’s burgers would require a marathon run by even the skinniest person. |
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Steve: I do know this! I used to rep Disaboom.com – Met some AMAZING challenged athletes! Awesome stuff. Rachel: Not quite – Your math is off! Think about it – I’m already heavier! I’d have to run LESS, since I’m carrying MORE weight to begin with, to burn as many calories as someone half my size. Props for being heavier! :) |
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Had no idea you worked for AOL. I ran a forum at AOL back in 1995 called the Gadget Guru – went to several of the AOL Partners Conferences in Arizona – I think AOL was version 2.5 and members were around 2 million and we were programming our sites in Rainman. I was spared all those calories – we were down in Nashville. |
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Peter- I am subscribed to so many great blogs that I have to pick and choose in order to stay sane. I say all this to say that you never cease to surprise, entertain or inspire me with your innovation. Nothing to add here: just enjoyed the post. Thanks for it. |
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Wow! That looks pretty darn delicious! It wasn’t till I lived on Ft. Lauderdale Beach and wanted to put my ipod to good use that I started jogging. It took. I’d be getting great music (and later audio books… which is what started my self-growth addiction) for an hour or two, get to people watch, get to see the ocean, get some sun, and… yes, I could eat what junk I wanted. I was more of a weight-lifting person. In 2006 I made a list of things I’m gonna do in 12 months– running a 5k was one of them. I ran in an official 5k, and it was fun (got my ass mostly kicked though). At Burning Man for some strange reason I ran one day for hours and hours and hours… maybe it was easy ’cause it was barefoot through soft sand? I ran for at least 9 hours, non-stop. That inspired further running when I got back. That’s when I tried running a half-marathon distance (not an official race… just running 13.5 miles a day). It hurt, but was fun! That was September. Now it’s January, and I have on my 2010 goals to run in an official marathon. I haven’t officially started training. I start P90X today. You have any favorite training resources for people getting into it? I already know what sandwich I want to celebrate the completion of the race with :) |
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Glad to see you’re enjoying my hometown Peter! Its actually the Hells Gate Bridge that the Sydney Harbor Bridge was based on not the Bayonne Bridge. The design for the Sydney Harbor Bridge was done a few years ahead of the Bayonne. Found this out from my extensive research (a few minutes on google). Enjoy the rest of your time in Oz :) |
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That is exactly why I run!! I have a high stress job, in which I am tied to my iPhone and laptop all day, or I am with employees or customers. I also have Italian genes, I work for a food service purveyor, and I love good food. I run, just so I can eat what I want and still fit in a size six and get away from everyone and just be “me”! Not mom, boss, wife, or anyone! Running keeps me happy! (and my family, too! Ha!) |
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