Race Report

I did it!  Yes I completed a 5K.  It was tougher than I expected, but that's partly because I have another infection in my belly around my port ( more on that on a future post).  I decided that with my belly swollen I should take it slow and walked the whole thing.  My wife was sweet enough to walk with me.  She has been incredibly supportive through everything.  It was her first 5K and we enjoyed walking it together.  The race started and finished in downtown Tampa on 10/12.  It also took us along scenic Bayshore Blvd, which is one of the nicest streets in America as it hugs the water in Tampa.  It is very exhilarating to participate in a 5K.  There are all types of folks competing from the seasoned runners to those just wanting to give it a try and get some exercise.  You see parents running with their children and strollers; you see seniors impressing with their fortitude.  I dare say sprinkled in among the rest are the Banded, myself included.  Thanks to the Lap Band I was there and I finished!  Thank you to all that made that possible.

We completed the course in exactly 58 minutes; certainly not record time, but prior to surgery walking even half that distance would have been unthinkable.  I feel like I've come along way, but I'm just getting started!  As I get in better shape, I plan on improving my times in future races.  Thanks to my Lap Band surgery, I'm able to participate in activities that were previously impossible.  Completing a 5K just got checked off on my list of goals after surgery and I have a not so lousy t-shirt to prove it.

Thanks,
me  :-)