She’s gone from struggling to walk upstairs to completing a 16-mile training run this week – her longest yet!  After losing 14 stone there’s no way Abi is giving in until she has that 26.2 miles conquered!

Name: Abi Wright

Goal: To finish in one piece!

Marathon history: First marathon

Why I love my new life…

Can you imagine waking up tomorrow and struggling to pull yourself to sit up? You’re out of breath and you don’t know how you’re going to get through the day. When I was at my heaviest, a daily routine that is the norm for most was a workout for me. I had a technique for everything, for example socks had to be slid on with my foot as I couldn’t reach down that far. By the time I got downstairs after dressing I was having a hot flush and looked liked I’d been in the gym for a good few hours.

Over the past few years I have lost 14 stone. I’m not going to say it’s been easy but it has definitely, 100%, been worth it. The stress of all that extra weight meant everyday tasks were a chore and my back and knees hurt constantly. Recently I tried to piggy back a friend who weighs around 14 stone upstairs, it was bloody hard work and that’s how much I was carrying around every day, no wonder I struggled!

Lacking confidence and self esteem is very much a part of being morbidly obese. I hated myself but put on a very good act around family and friends. One of my lowest points was when I was food shopping and I heard a little boy say, ‘Mummy why is that lady so fat?’ I left my trolley where it was and walked out of the store in tears. After that I did my shopping online so I wouldn’t have to see people and would fill up my car at night to avoid people staring at me. Going on holiday for the majority is the most exciting part of the year. For me it was a living nightmare, although my family and friends had no idea. Firstly getting into the aircraft seat wasn’t pleasant. Then having to ask for a seatbelt extension was an ordeal. Once the cabin crew shouted across the aircraft, ‘Who requested a seatbelt extension?’. I felt like everyone on the plane was looking at me and I just wanted to die!

Being trapped in your own body is extremely difficult to live with. This is why my battle to a fitter life means everything to me. I have set small achievable goals and always managed to hit them. I do weigh myself daily, this way I can see how my body works. If I have a treat meal I can see the affect it has, and I find this is a big motivation to me. I never ever want to go back to my old life ever and I work hard 24/7 to ensure this happens. When I decided I would run the London marathon I was shaking just thinking about what I was about to do. I was well and truly out of my comfort zone, but then I remembered I’d felt this way about my first ever 5k but I completed that in 2012 and have been pushing my boundaries ever since.  On Saturday I ran my furthest ever distance 16 miles. It was tough but I wasn’t about to let my mind give in.

The London marathon challenge means so much. I’ve lost 14 stone, I love my new life and completing the marathon – something the old me would never have imagined possible – will be the icing on the cake. I don’t have a time in my mind, I don’t really care how long it takes me, all I want to do is cross the line and enjoy the experience. I know when I run down the Mall to the finish line I will be emotionally and physically broken. Tears of joy and the emotion of all my hard work will have paid off. I’m living proof that however hard it is, if you want something enough you can overcome those hurdles. It is possible and on the 13 April 2014 I will be wearing that medal!

Abi’s cheerleaders get some practice in

Weekly training Stats

This week Finn and Freya (my niece and nephew) were in London practising cheering me on. What an incentive to finish! Aunty Abi has to cross that line and make them proud.

Monday
Easy 3 miles

Tuesday
2 mile run and spin session

Wednesday
7 mile run

Thursday
Gym session CV intervals/weights

Friday
Rest

Saturday
Wait for it… 16 miles! My longest run ever!

Sunday
Foam roller/stretch session.

Read more about Abi’s story here lungesandlycra.co.uk/from-25-5-stone-to-26-2-miles-abi-rocks/ …
Follow Abi on Twitter @abiwrightonit
Read Abi’s earlier blogs here.