The accidental runner

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOTV) - On Saturday, May 11, thousands will take to the streets of downtown Grand Rapids to be part of the Fifth Third River Bank Run. Over the past few weeks, Maranda has been profiling various runners that are part of an elite group of athletes, the Fifth Third River Bank Run Road Warriors. This group is made up of 10 runners of various skill levels, all with the goal of completing the largest 25K in the country. One of these Road Warriors is Adam Albertson.

Here is an except from Adam's blog:

In 2001, I was a senior in college, with my whole life ahead of me. The problem was, that life would not be very long because I was 350 pounds and going in the wrong direction. Soon after I graduated I started exercising, and gradually found my way onto a treadmill. In 2006 I began running outside, and in 2007, I ran my first 5K at the Fifth Third River Bank Run. I have been addicted ever since, running the 25 K 3 times, 2 marathons, 3 half marathons, and countless shorter races. I want to be a Road Warrior, because I want to inspire people to be healthy. When I was heavy, I was resigned to the fact that I would always be heavy, until one day I realized that I didn’t have to be. Since then, I have changed my life and lost almost 150 lbs. I want to inspire others to come to the same realization I did, and help them to understand, that just because you are unhealthy now, you do not have to stay that way.

Over the next several months, I will share some of my experiences and some stories that I hope will inspire you.  Now, I am not a doctor, or a licensed trainer, or anything like that.  I’m a guy who was fat and decided to do something about it, and I’ll share some of the things I did to get my life back on track and how I accidentally became a runner.

The 2013 Fifth Third River Bank Run Road Warriors are on a journey. The reason I wanted to be a Road Warrior was to inspire others to get healthy.  I want people to understand that you do not have to be satisfied with who you are today, no matter the circumstances.  The solution is not a journey.  The solution is a permanent change.

To learn more about Adam and follow his running journey click here.