Atlanta Track Club: What Peachtree Means to Me: Part I

From: Atlanta Track Club:
http://www.facebook.com/AtlantaTrackClub?ref=mf#!

Every 4th of July the streets of Atlanta become crowded with runners and walkers, all eager to take part in the AJC Peachtree Road Race, a long-standing tradition in the city. As 55,000 runners crowd the start line, it is easy to see how the race transcends itself. People of every age, every background and across the country have 54,999 new friends on race day. Sure, Peachtree is about running and walking through the streets of Atlanta and finishing the race, but it is also about something bigger. It is about family, friends and for many people, it is a celebration of milestones in their life.

Today marks two months until the 2010 AJC Peachtree Road Race. The Atlanta Track Club office is already buzzing with excitement. We hope you are excited too. In honor of the countdown, we would like to share a few stories behind the Peachtree participants through a Facebook blog series, What Peachtree Means to Me. Our first story in the series, I Am Not a Runner, was sent to us from ATC member, Troy Williams. At this year’s AJC Peachtree Road Race, Troy will celebrate a year of weight loss, completing his first road race and leading a healthy and active lifestyle on a daily basis! Enjoy!

By Troy Williams

I am not a runner. I am not a runner. These words echo in my ears like I think I can does to a little kid reading The Little Engine that Could for the first time. But I am far removed from my childhood bedtime stores. I am a 31-year-old (32 by the time of this years AJC Peachtree Road Race), former football player and wrestler who has always loved the physical aspects of sports, yet only tolerated and never fully embraced the mental aspects like conditioning, running and cardio. In 2009, I rejoined the gym and lost over 40 pound, mainly because of the dreaded treadmill. I also laced up for my first 5k this past New Years Day, the Resolution Run, and posted a time of 51:44. Now, here I am getting ready for Peachtree. I look in the mirror these days and say, “Walk. Jog. Run. Go have fun.” I am not a runner. I am not a runner… You don’t think so? Well, ask me again on July 4.

Since 2009, Troy has lost 90 lbs, completing three road races to date. He is currently training for the 2010 AJC Peachtree Road Race. His workout routine includes running on the treadmill 3-4 times a week and racing once a month. Two years ago Troy laughed at the thought of running the AJC Peachtree Road Race. Today, running the race is his number one fitness goal. Troy looks forward to joining the 55,000 other runners out on the course for his very first Peachtree. Good luck training, Troy. Thanks for letting us share your story. We look forward to seeing you on July 4!

Do you have a story that you would like to see published in the Facebook blog? We are looking for other Atlanta Track Club Facebook members to share their stories! E-mail your submissions to: jsmith@atlantatrackclub.org