My Story

I am an ordinary guy...

I had been gaining weight for years, but in 2003 (when my wife was pregnant) I ballooned to 265 pounds (at 5’ 6” that is a lot of weight to carry around).

I stayed at that weight until my son turned two and my father passed away.

That year, I decided to try to get back in shape. I tried working out (I even joined a boot camp group), but I found that all I was doing was exercising to eat. I dropped a few pounds, but it all came back.

In September, 2007, at 36 years old (and after running the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K in 1 hour and 17 minutes) I made the choice to eat right and start seriously running.

I signed up for another group exercise session (MUSC Boot Camp) and even went to the MUSC Weight Management Center to learn how to be a healthy eater.

I worked out with the MUSC Boot camp three days a week and started running on my own (I only took days off because everyone told me I had too).

In February, 2008, I had dropped my weight to 164 pounds (I still weigh the same). My Body Fat went from 31.2% to 13.9%; my triglycerides went from 235 to 34; and my waist shrunk from 46” to 31” - my waist is smaller now than when I was in high school!

In 2008 I ran my first half marathon (The Myrtle Beach Half) and ran two more that year (Indy Mini and Kiawah Half).

In February, 2009, I returned to Myrtle Beach and finished my first full marathon (The Myrtle Beach Marathon). Later that year I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. These were two of the most amazing moments of my life and I was able to share them with my wife and son!

In 2010 I ran the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K and cut my time by 29 minutes to 48:49. Later that Summer, on July 4^th in Downtown Charleston, I ran my first Ultra Marathon (a 12 hour race where I ran 50.5 miles and came in third).

In the Fall of 2010, on my 40^th birthday, I ran the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in under four hours (3:59:47) and then two weeks later I ran the Valley of Fire Marathon outside Las Vegas (one of the hardest things I have ever done).

You could say I’m now hooked on running.

All of these things would be awesome on their own, but the best part is that my whole family is healthier. When I ran the Marine Corps Marathon my wife was running the 10K and the day before my son ran the One Mile Kids Run (at seven he ran a 5K in 34:30)!

I share my story on this blog not to boast, but because I have to. So many people have helped me and still help me as I go on this journey. I owe so much to the Marines (who run the MUSC Boot Camp), the staff of the MUSC Weight Management Center, the staff of TrySports (who treated me like a “real runner” from day one), my friends and family who put up with my constant jabber about running, and my amazing wife and son who support me each and every day.

I believe anyone can make this change. Walking out your front door and going for a run or walk can be an adventure every time.

Comment by Classygirl on October 4, 2011 at 1:45pm: Good for you! Congrats. At just under 5'6" I know how you felt. My highest was 285! Now with the weight being gone, I feel so free and like you have thanked many people along the way. Keep up the good work and keep sharing your story!

Comment by Janet W on October 4, 2011 at 1:48pm: Thanks for your inspiring story! I needed it today as I fell off the wagon last night and continued into the morning. I was so sluggish I couldn't even get out of bad for work on time this morning. Amazing how one bad meal can immediately put the sludge in your veins! Went to the grocery store before getting to work late and had healthy foods in my hand but, grabbed the chocolate mini donuts anyway. I thought I was going to be sick by the time I got to work. Lesson learned. Stay on the wagon! I will feel so much better. I am going to do a 5K on Thanksgiving and DREAM of running. I see all these posts and watch the Biggest Loser and their marathon each season. It's a GOAL not a DREAM I have to tell myself. Thanks Noah for sharing.

Comment by Keem on October 4, 2011 at 3:40pm: Welcome!

Comment by Barbara Carpenter on October 4, 2011 at 5:02pm: It is a great story and you have a beautiful family. Your son is very lucky to have a father who shows him how to be a healthy, thinking, loving kind of guy. Congrats!

Comment by Cindy on October 4, 2011 at 10:04pm: Welcome to BTL! What an amazing and inspiring story! I like the idea of 'giving back'. Thanks for that!

Comment by Nubia on October 5, 2011 at 8:45am: Awesome!

Comment by Noah Moore on October 5, 2011 at 8:48am: Thank you all for the comments! What a cool web site! I have been reading posts and there are some amazing people on here. Glad to join you all and hope I can keep up!

Comment by Megan on October 5, 2011 at 8:17pm: Hey Noah, what an awesome story!! Very inspiring. I agree with Cindy it's good that you're trying to give back. I'm going to remember that.

My Story

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