Hi I’m Eric, and I’m an alcoholic. Oops wrong place. Pardon “The Office” reference. But seriously...
My dearest friend recommended I start a blog, after noticing how obsessed I had become about running. Particularly because of the hell I’ve been through to now have this obsession.
Nearly 10 years in active addiction, broken, depressed, ashamed, wondering why I woke up every morning- that was hell. My skin bubbled with booze. There was so much pressure, it felt like I would explode at any moment.
I was overweight. My beloved Memaw told me I just looked “healthy” (she later admitted I was fat). I had injured myself multiple times, four compression fractures in my back, a broken wrist, dislocated jaw, five seizures, and chipped teethe. I had earned the reputation of being the drunk, because I literally always was.
Managed to damage every relationship I had, but somehow still had a few friends. To them I am forever indebted.
None of the above was enough to keep me from the drink. I was in every respect powerless. I’d gone to detox three times, but was drunk again within a few days.
Finally, one of those few friends intervened and helped me take a leave of absence from work. So I spent two weeks doing nothing but drinking. I was about to return to work, feeling defeat, and I have a moment of clarity, “psychic change”, “spiritual encounter”- I admit myself into a 30 day treatment center.
3.14.20 was my first day without a drink, and I’ve been counting days since then.
I lost 20 pounds about a month sober, but was still overweight. However, I was at least regaining sanity.
Three months later, I decided I ought to do something about my physical health. I was 31, and had been on the couch for about 13 years. With COVID, my options were limited.
I bought an Apple Watch with the money I’d saved from not drinking, and started exploring the health apps they recommended. One was the Nike Run Club.
6.18.20 I went on my first run, and I haven’t stopped since.
This blog is meant to share my journey, and hopefully encourage someone along the way. Its separated by two categories: one which accounts my trainings and experiences along the way, and the other for reflections on various topics.
My heart is with the “non elite”, “casual” runner, “couch potato”, “slow”, “jogger”, walker, career obsessed, locked into a full time job with no time for exercise, addict, smoker, self-obsessed-depressed-loathing, “larger than average”, “smaller than average”... HUMAN, because that is also me.
Thanks for reading! -Eric
Below is a one year pre-sobriety comparison. Grandma looks great in both!