TJ Trent runs to change, to make his fresh start. To a new life.
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The Good Men Project Sports asked Why We Run? In this series, we share your answers.
TJ Trent tells us his story here:
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I started running almost 13 years ago when I was 40 pounds overweight, and couldn’t keep a job. My marriage was in trouble. I was emotionally a wreck and I had to get away. The United States Army was the opportunity I needed to start creating a new life for myself and my family. It would allow us to start over in a new place with new friends. I needed that fresh start so badly. I started running into my new life.
In 2001, I was a 230 pound couch potato whose idea of activity was operating the television remote control. The Army wanted me to weigh 185 pounds. I could not start living my dream until I lost the weight. The day I went to the see the recruiter, he only reluctantly spoke to me. It was clear he did not think I would be able to loose the weight; his facial expressions clearly said “You’re are a waste of my time.” His lack of confidence was the catalyst I needed to jump start my motivation and start loosing weight.
Running was going to help me lose the weight but I had to stop eating so much. In those days anything fried and gravy were the cornerstones of my diet. Most days I did not make it to the table to eat; most meals I ate laying in bed watching the television. Loosing weight and gaining it all back plus more was a familiar theme in my life.
Running was clearly going to be a challenge for me and in the back of my mind I hoped I was up to the task. Secretly, I feared I was not!!
The Adventure Begins
My diet was going well, because I was the king of the fad diet in those days. Atkins was my best friend, because I could eat anything except carbs. That meant I could live off Burger King chicken nuggets.
Now, I just had to start running. Full of motivation and visions of gracefully running through my neighborhood like a pro, my journey began. I only hoped I did not die trying.
All dressed up and ready to go I walked outside on a warm summer day and started my run. My goal was to run around my neighborhood two or three times. I figured it two or three times was at least a mile, it had to be! The visions of grace and athleticism quickly faded from my memory. By the end of the block, I was struggling. It felt like I was pulling a semi behind me. It was clear I was not going to make my goal.
Devastated, doubt and defeat raced through my mind. I had to lose the weight and I had to be able to run two miles or I would never achieve my dream of joining the army. Less than fifty yards from my front door, I started walking. Self-Doubt and shame took over and I felt defeated.
The Adventure Continues
My first attempt at running was a disaster. I made it less than fifty yards before I started walking. The only hope I had was my determination and the encouragement of my family. After I ended my pity party, and had sufficiently licked my wounds, I picked myself up off the emotional floor and devised a new plan.
I immediately joined a gym and created a plan to run one mile in the time required by the Army. In 2002, they required new recruits to run a mile in under 8 minutes before you could begin basic training. Once in basic training, they required new recruits my age to run two miles in under 15 minutes. With my new plan created, I hit the treadmill with a vengeance.
My first few runs were all terrible. I was only able to run for two or three minutes at a time but I was making progress. Three minutes at an eight minute mile pace was much better than 50 yards. With each run I got a little better and before you know it I was running one mile in eight minutes.
Those runs were anything but examples of athleticism. I felt like a hippo strapped to the treadmill who might fly off the end at any moment. My lack of athletic grace withstanding I was ecstatic and very proud of myself. With each run I was closer and closer to creating my new life.
In the Army Now
On April 24, 2002 my new journey began at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Here all my hard work and dedication would be put to the test. Very soon I would have to run one mile in less than eight minutes. My self-confidence was warring with self-doubt and self-doubt was winning.
The day came and I started off pretty well. In my mind I was literally running into my new life and all I had to do was stay ahead of these Drill Sergeants. Staying in front of them meant you passed and would move onto basic training. When and if they crossed the finish line before you meant you failed.
As the finish line approached I was slowing down and soon I had fallen behind. The finish line was so close but it was not close enough. Now the Drill Sergeants are ahead of me and the timer is calling out the time with only seconds remaining. I crossed the finish line five seconds too late. Running away from the old and into the new had hit another hiccup. Later on, disappointed and defeated, I was pondering what would happen when I received some excellent news. I would be allowed to move onto basic combat training.
To this day I cherish that moment. I never ever dreamed I would literally run my way to a new life.
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#7: Master of My Domain << >> #9: The Need
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For The Good Men Project Sports’ Why We Run feature, we are looking to collect YOUR comments, posts, Tweets, and emails that answer the questions: Why do you run? What are you running from? What are you running towards, if anything?”
Please send us your submission via email to myself at mkasdan@gmail.com or via Twitter @michaelkasdan #WhyWeRunGMP and #GMPSports. Submissions can also be made through the below comments section or on our Facebook page.
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Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons/West Point