I went through a similar transformation, being overweight and not being able to run a mile without losing my breath. I broke through the really steep climb by

I went through a similar transformation, being overweight and not being able to run a mile without losing my breath. I broke through the really steep climb by applying BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits method to my daily runs, celebrating small wins with visualization. Within 3 years, I successfully finished the Lake Placid marathon, then the year after I completed the Philadelphia marathon. I was still overweight when I ran these. My goal was to complete 26.2, and I did, yet my finish time was 5hr+. In hindsight, I would have been stronger had I gotten the weight down to an ideal level before race day. Finishing the race, even if you walk-run the last couple of miles, is still a major achievement. Don't downplay your achievement based on finish time. If anything, a 5hr+ is even harder because you've run for a longer time while carrying a heavier body. I don't have time in my life for taking long runs on weekends but enjoy thinking about when I did. The entire day revolves around the morning long run and then basically being unproductive for the rest of the day, and that's a luxury I can't afford. I began running regularly in 2009 and continue to this day, although I've had some setbacks due to running-related injury. I've run through Summer thunderstorms and winter snow. I love being outside in nature.