In the summer of 2010, John Jankowski decided he was going to take up running to lose weight. With a starting weight of 252 lbs., John hadn’t run since high school when he had to run 1 ½ miles every year for gym class. Choosing to follow the Couch to 5K program, John ran for the first time on July 5, 2010 and completed his first 5K race in September of 2010. His weight at race time was 205 lbs. and his finishing time was 30:20.
In the summer of 2010, John Jankowski decided he was going to take up running to lose weight. With a starting weight of 252 lbs., John hadn’t run since high school when he had to run 1 ½ miles every year for gym class. Choosing to follow the Couch to 5K program, John ran for the first time on July 5, 2010 and completed his first 5K race in September of 2010. His weight at race time was 205 lbs. and his finishing time was 30:20.
Experiencing a setback due to injury during his first year of running, John never gave up, worked through the injury, and throughout 2011 ran several 5Ks, a 5 miler and his first 10K, exactly one year later from his first race.
We asked John some questions about his decision to run and what motivates him. Here are his answers.
You2CanRun: Why did you choose running as a means to lose weight?
John: Since it was summertime, I wanted to do something that would bring me outdoors. I also wanted something that I could set goals that could be easily measurable.
You2CanRun: When starting to run, what was your most difficult challenge to overcome?
John: The HEAT. I started running on July 5th, 2010 and it was hot (95 degrees) and humid. It was the start of a very hot, dry July. I do think it helped me shed the pounds a little quicker.
You2CanRun: What motivates you now to keep running?
John: I want to set a good example for my three girls; a more active, healthy lifestyle. I never want to go back to how I felt physically back in the beginning of 2010.
You2CanRun: What do you enjoy most about running?
John: I love being outdoors and being able to set new goals for myself every time I achieve a goal. Going into my 3rd year of running, I have completed my first 5K and my first 10K at the same race (Plymouth MA Run to the Rock) and have my goal for 2012 set to run their half-marathon in September 2012.
You2CanRun: What one bit of advice would you give to someone thinking about running?
John: Start with a program that involves walking/running segments and stick to it! My first goal was to run a 5K and when starting a stuck to my weekly schedule, not doing anymore than I needed to for my scheduled day or week. Early on, in the first few weeks, I dreaded going out to run, especially after a day of work. Once I was out running, on my normal route, I felt great and actually looked forward to my next run.
John’s Personal Bests
5K: 28:30 (Sept 2011)
10K: 1:03:39 (Sept 2011)
Experiencing a setback due to injury during his first year of running, John never gave up, worked through the injury, and throughout 2011 ran several 5Ks, a 5 miler and his first 10K, exactly one year later from his first race.
We asked John some questions about his decision to run and what motivates him. Here are his answers.
You2CanRun: Why did you choose running as a means to lose weight?
John: Since it was summertime, I wanted to do something that would bring me outdoors. I also wanted something that I could set goals that could be easily measurable.
You2CanRun: When starting to run, what was your most difficult challenge to overcome?
John: The HEAT. I started running on July 5th, 2010 and it was hot (95 degrees) and humid. It was the start of a very hot, dry July. I do think it helped me shed the pounds a little quicker.
You2CanRun: What motivates you now to keep running?
John: I want to set a good example for my three girls; a more active, healthy lifestyle. I never want to go back to how I felt physically back in the beginning of 2010.
You2CanRun: What do you enjoy most about running?
John: I love being outdoors and being able to set new goals for myself every time I achieve a goal. Going into my 3rd year of running, I have completed my first 5K and my first 10K at the same race (Plymouth MA Run to the Rock) and have my goal for 2012 set to run their half-marathon in September 2012.
You2CanRun: What one bit of advice would you give to someone thinking about running?
John: Start with a program that involves walking/running segments and stick to it! My first goal was to run a 5K and when starting a stuck to my weekly schedule, not doing anymore than I needed to for my scheduled day or week. Early on, in the first few weeks, I dreaded going out to run, especially after a day of work. Once I was out running, on my normal route, I felt great and actually looked forward to my next run.
John’s Personal Bests
5K: 28:30 (Sept 2011)
10K: 1:03:39 (Sept 2011)
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