A Slow Return To Health, One Day At A Time

Wow, I stopped blogging almost 5 years ago, precisely when my life spiraled out of control. My addiction to running crumbled as my addiction to marijuana and other drugs took hold. I stopped racing and training after The Kendall Mountain Run in 2008, skipping the Pikes Peak Marathon and Imogene Pass Run after my girlfriend of 10 years broke up with me. I was surprised and heartbroken, and replaced trail running in the mountains with alcohol, bars, drugs, and a lifestyle that would consume me. Today, nearly 5 years later, I am 8.5 months sober and freshly out of rehab. Running is once again an addiction for me, my daily high. Although treatment was in a city without access to the mountains, I made due with the treadmill, setting it to rolling hills and dreaming of the mountains. After 3 months of treatment and infrequent runs on the treadmill and in a state park, I stepped on the scale and looked down in disbelief. 172 pounds? No way, the scale must be broken! I'd never weighed that much in my life. I'm about 5'9.5", and checked into rehab at about 155. Back in 2008, I weighed about 142. Almost 6 months later, I'm down to 148, running every day, logging about 60 miles a week, and can't believe that I have almost 9 months sober. I'm finally back on the west coast, and am filled with gratitude, hope, and faith. While I may never run and race again at my modest levels of 5 years ago, running is and remains an incredibly positive force in my life, the one healthy addiction that I have. I am proud to say that I am still a running addict, and my addiction to mountain running and trail running remains strong. I hope to document my journey back to health and sobriety on this blog, and am excited to see where this trail takes me. Hope to see y'all on the trails. I'll be the guy with the big smile on his face.