New weekly guest blogger - meet Keri!

I often get asked how and why I started running. The answer is always the same and her name is Keri. I met Keri in the second grade, where we shared a desk. We instantly became best friends and have not separated since. All through high school, we shared the same clothes, both wearing a size 0-2. When we hit early adulthood a/k/a going out every night until 3am, drinking then eating Krystals on the way home, Keri started gaining weight a little bit at a time. As her best friend, I didn't know how approach this matter and eventually she came to her breaking point at 180 lbs.

A breaking point

Keri struggled with countless diets. She tried everything from Weight Watchers to Atkins and everything in between  She even spent $2500 on a Dr. guided shake program where she lost 25 pounds.

2007 after the Dr. guided diet

Then she gained it all back. It was painful to watch because she tried so hard and saw no success. Keri was committed to spinning at our local YMCA. Every Tuesday night, even if we had something fun to go to, she would spin. Then she started running; three mornings a week she would run, starting with run walks, then eventually getting herself up to three miles. I was always the athletic one growing up but at that point of my life, the most exercise I engaged in was lifting my wine glass. I will never forget one of the first times Keri made me run 3 miles with her. After the first mile, I whined and yelled that she didn't understand heart disease ran in my family and I was certain I was having a mild heart attack and I wanted to go home. I tend to be a little dramatic from time to time and looking back on that morning makes me laugh.

As of January of 2012, Keri has lost 35 of those pounds with the help of dedicated exercise, nutrition and the HCG diet. In February she completed her first half, the Disney Princess Half Marathon and finished it with a hurt foot. When I witnessed her crossing the finish line, I was crying tears of joy because my best friend has struggled over the years with weight and now she is accomplishing so much. This special day for Keri made me fall in love with Run Disney. Although I had completed my first 5K the day prior to her half, I made it my goal - to become an official princess in 2013 while crossing the finish line alongside Keri.

Disney Princess Half Marathon 2012

Presently Keri continues to run as many races as she can, one of which we did together in July.

Firecracker 4 Miler 2012 - Daytona Beach, FL

Keri is also competing in triathlons now! She tied for second in the Tiger Shark Triathlon Series in her age group and division with our friend Tara. It is amazing to me that these girls wake up at 4am to swim with the masters in Port Orange with Ryan Lochte's father Steve as their coach. She also just purchased her first road bike.

Tigershark Triathlon Series

Every Thursday, I will dedicate my blog to Keri so she can discuss her goals, accomplishments and struggles while she is fighting to lose that final 10lbs. If you have any questions, comments or words of encouragement for Keri, please send me an email at irun4wine@gmail.com and I will see that it gets to her prior to the following weeks post. You can also follow Keri on twitter at @klynno28

Even though she wants to lose those last 10lbs, how wonderful and beautiful does she look today!!!

June 2012