Posted on 08/23/2019 3:02:53 PM PDT by simpson96
Jennifer Smith always said if she was the last person to finish a race, she’d quit. For most of the ones she’s run in her life, she’s always been in the back—though never actually last— but on July 11, she was finally bringing up the rear.
This was her first marathon, something Smith long wanted to tackle, but never expected to do so soon. She had only raced 5Ks at that point, and the farthest she’d ever run before that was eight miles. Yet, before she knew it, the gun had gone off, and she quickly found herself behind everyone else.
At 346 pounds when she weighed in before the race, she didn’t expect to finish with a good time—she just wanted to finish.(snip)
Planning began a year ahead. Smith didn’t want to just run for herself. She wanted to run for anyone who thought they couldn’t do it—especially those who felt constrained by their weight. So, at 380 pounds at the time, she signed up and immediately reached out to Guinness World Records to see if she would qualify for the heaviest woman to complete a marathon record, which is currently held by Ragen Chastain, who completed the Mainly Marathons at 288 pounds in May 2017. (snip)
Smith’s final time was 11:50:36. With her increase in physical activity during her training, Smith dropped almost 40 pounds, weighing in at 346. When she crossed the line, not only did she complete her first marathon, but she also unofficially became the heaviest woman ever to finish 26.2.
Though the record is not official until it is verified by Guinness, Smith gathered all of the required evidence—videos, witness statements, start and end weights, and race director’s contact info—and is preparing to send it in for verification.
(Excerpt) Read more at runnersworld.com ...
Wow. Good for her.
I hope she’s getting a proper physical first.
That’s a happy bunch of kids...Mom has to “get healthy”...so they can enjoy her for a long time.
Textbook example that fat loss is mainly about the kitchen.
At 346lbs & jogging, her knees and hips must be so happy...
I have a hard time believing this woman only lost 40 pounds training for a marathon. I can only assume two things, she has a gland problem, or she continued to seriously over eat.
27-minute mile time.
The chaffing must be painful after 26 mile so.....
Good for her....
Lol no kidding. Not gonna go there...
Still, can’t think this is healthy, like pulling a heavy trailer with a garden tractor...
It’s amazing how NOT ONE concentration camp victim had a “gland” problem.
“oh yes i was in a german concentration camp but thank God i had a gland problem and stayed at 300 pounds”.
No, they became emaciated and died in a most horrific way. Poor souls.
The VAST majority of people who throw out their “gland” problem are deluding themselves.
I was 435!!!! at my highest after years home from head injury.
The “gland” problem was mcdonalds, wendys, KFC, Taco Bell and italian restaurants.
I’m now in the high 280s which means i have to still get rid of another 80 pounds of my “gland” problem
BTW, she looks like i did at my worst if I was ugly :)
LOL!
That’s a VERY slow walk …
It encourages others to begin running (or whatever) who might feel too self-conscious about not being an elite athlete. There is room for just about everyone on the running path.
.
At probably a 250 calories per mile, that means she burned 6,000 calories.
Great work, my FRiend!
Good on ya!, keep the "mo" going.
.
I’m not trying to be mean, but it isn’t good for her.
She should walk, not jog, and lift weights.
Most important, she needs a veg & meat diet for a long time.
Jogging at 346 will destroy her joints.
It’s the worst exercise modality ever.
Good for her! That’s a wonderful spirit!!
Ditto that.
I would tend to agree.
Walking would be better for her joints, it would seem at least.
I know a guy who got into running. He was in his early forties. Said once race he “hit a wall” (so to speak) and decided to push on. And this was a guy of normal weight for his height, who had run many races.
He woke up in the hospital some time later with his wife standing by him, bedside. It nearly killed him.
Walking is okay. There’s nothing wrong with using the word, walk.
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