Reed Dunn, Senior Recruitment Manager, Marketing:

Thirteen point one miles. Just typing that gives me shivers.

A few weeks ago, I determined it was time for a new challenge. On December 4, I’m scheduled to be running down the Las Vegas strip for my first half marathon.

The last two years have been a journey overflowing with health goals and decisions that have brought me to the best shape of my life. There have been plenty of ups and downs, and I’ve reset goals to stay on track with keeping off the 70-plus pounds of fat I lost along the way.

The shivers come back almost every time I think about the half marathon – and I think about it several times a day. They are chills that come from excitement, fear, and a little bit of pride. Before I lost the weight two years ago, I didn’t think I could run one mile. In fact, I’m sure it would have been an absolute struggle. (Side note: Picking up a 70 pound dumbbell at the gym leaves me in shock that I ever managed to carry around that much extra weight.)

This past weekend, I ran eight miles … in a row. Even that makes me shiver a little bit. I’m only a few weeks into my official race training plan, one I’m creating and following with the personal trainer I’ve been seeing since joining my gym two years ago.

After I ran my first 5K race, I told my trainer, “I’m glad I did that, but I’ll never do it again. I hate running.” Since making that sweeping declaration, I’ve entered and finished nine other short-distant races. Until the last two, I really did hate running. But I knew I needed to strive for new goals in order to continue making positive changes to my body.

The last 5K I ran, just two weeks ago, resulted in my personal best. I averaged eight-minute miles, crossing the finish line in 24 minutes and 49 seconds. Later this month, I’ll run my first organized 10K. I’m actually, dare I say, looking forward to that race. While I don’t yet love running, I’m far from the “I hate running” bandwagon I previously was riding.

I’m more aware of my body and how I feel after finishing certain workouts and distant runs. I notice when my form is incorrect and how that links to body soreness and injuries. About six miles into last weekend’s eight-miler, I noticed my left hip flexor was starting to tense up and hurt with each step. Concerned about injuring myself to a point where I’d be completely out of commission, I knew I needed to slow down and do corrective work I’ve been taught to fix my form. When I finished the run, I stopped by my gym and used a foam roller to work out the soreness in my legs. I followed it up with 15 more minutes of stretching to wind down.

I still have two months to train for the Las Vegas Rock ’n’ Roll half marathon, and I finally believe I can do it. The mental challenges I need to overcome – not focusing on and overcoming the “I can’t do this” moments – will be my biggest hurdle.

Reed Dunn is senior recruitment marketing manager at Alere Wellbeing. Follow his journey with regular updates on the Alere Wellbeing blog, as he prepares to run his first half marathon on December 4 in Las Vegas.