To The Stop Sign and Back

Home of the double cheesburger 

    It was a hot summer day in June 2013, when the Kenagy’s first rolled into Carl Junction, Missouri, as the newly appointed pastor of the Carl Junction United Methodist Church. I was on the look out for an easy lunch to feed our movers. As I drove down Pennell Street looking for my turn, I noticed “Randy’s Drive-In.” I could not help but notice the sign that read, “Double Cheeseburger Special $4.99.” “That will do!”, I said to myself. Actually, over the next four months every restaurant in the Joplin area served my growing appetite. It was so bad that  friend’s knew where I was from my daily Facebook posts listing my conquests of food, with pictures included. I love to eat and I still visit Randy’s. However, something was about to change.

    While checking the mail in October of 2013, I received a card from my health insurance company suggesting an annual check up. “Why not?,” I told myself. Actually I never was interested in going to the doctor and avoided it at all costs. But this time was different, I proceeded to search for a local doctor and found Dr. Sean Pfeffer with Joplin Primary Care in Joplin, MO. I chose him because reviews stated that he did not conduct unnecessary tests. I set up an appointment. Little did I know that one test that Dr. Pfeffer ordered would be very necessary.  A blood test revealed that I had Type II Diabetes. Anger and fear began to settle deep within my very being. I had seen what diabetes can do to people and I wanted no part of it. So I asked, “What can I do?” He said, “Let’s start with diet and exercise and see what happens.” I wanted to avoid medication and insulin at all costs and for as long as I could.

    

    My New Years resolution came early as I joined the Joplin YMCA,  worked out at the Carl Junction Community Center, attended diabetes education classes, and changed how I ate by avoiding high carbohydrate foods and monitored my portion size. This was going to be a tough thirty day stretch as Thanksgiving and Christmas were looming on the horizon. I set a goal to lose ten pounds per month and monitored my activity on My Fitness Pal, an application for my smart phone. The next set of blood test results would come in January 2014. I had dropped from 289 to 254 pounds. Thirty-five pounds in the first three months!  My A1C (average blood glucose over three to four months) went from 7.8 to 6.3. Keeping my eating in check and increasing my daily physical activity to sixty minutes a day, four to five days a week was working. Seeing the slow, yet steady progress, was sending my motivation level higher. However, what was about to happen next would speed my progress in the fight against diabetes.

    In April 2014,  a new chapter in my fight against diabetes began. It was a Saturday in April that Jessie, whom I consider one of my daughters, and Atticus, her son, who is considered one of my grandsons, were in town for a visit. Relaxing in the living room I said, “You know, I was thinking that when I got some weight off that I would start running.” I had thought of it, but not to great lengths. “Really?,” she said. I could see her eyes get larger than I have ever seen them.  I replied nonchalantly, “Sure. I was thinking it would be cool to run with you sometime.” “What shoes are you wearing?,” she asked. I hesitated in my answer and that was the opening she seemed to be looking for. “Get in the car we are going to buy you shoes!” In what seemed like ten seconds, she had me in the car and in downtown Joplin where I found myself walking into The Run Around being fitted for running shoes. She paid for my shoes and said, “Merry Christmas!,” fully knowing that I would never back out if she did that. I mean, who could let down a daughter who just bought you a pair of beautiful red Brooks running shoes? Her enthusiasm continued as we picked a race, because without a race day being set the likelihood that I might back out was greater. We picked August 16, 2014, to run the Cherish the Kids 10K in Springfield, Missouri. With the date picked she knew I would need a plan. She loves to plan, so she charted an action plan that would take me from walking to running a 10K (6.2 miles) in seventeen weeks. “Lets try those shoes!,” she said, still wide eyed and eager to help me succeed. I found myself out in the street with my red Brooks laced up and running beside her. “This is the pace we will go, watch your stride,” and other instructions flowed effortlessly from my enthusiastic partner. That first run was from the end of the driveway to the stop sign and back. The last time I was in any physical shape was as a sophomore in high school. I was thinking to myself, trying not to show that I was dying inside, “Is there any way out of this?” That question was answered the next evening as I texted my workout report to her. What I received back was a video of Atticus saying, “Way to go, Papa! We’re so proud of you!”  That video sealed the deal. I was all in. I had my Brooks, the date, a plan, and a motivational video that insured there was no way that I would back out of this race.

My red Brooks laced up and ready

    As of June, 2014, I am into my tenth week of my training plan for my first 10K. Beginning to run has lead to many additional benefits other than getting to run with Jessie. My blood glucose levels are under control (A1C of 5.7 as of June, 2014), stress levels have decreased, and my weight has dropped to 211 pounds for a total weight loss of 78 pounds so far. I have been able to adjust my training to include two 5K (3.1 mile) races. The first being July 11th, Get Fit 5K in Pittsburg, KS, and The Midsummer Night 5K, July 12th in Joplin, MO. On August 16th, in Springfield for the Cherish the Kids 10K (6.2 miles) and on October 4, 2014, I will celebrate my one year diagnosis with diabetes by running my first half marathon (13.1 miles), the Frog Hill Run in Waynesville, MO, all with my wide-eyed enthusiastic running partner.

    I run for four reasons; First, because of the health benefits of running, I can serve and glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ longer on this earth. Second, to bash diabetes in the head. Third, to spend as much time as the good Lord allows me enjoying the company of all those whom I consider my children and grandchildren. Lastly, to encourage others to ask themselves the question, “Where will I begin?” No special shoes are needed to start. You just have to find your motivation, set your own goals, and map out your own plan. Will it be to the stop sign and back? The mailbox and back? Possibly to the front door and back? You must decide.

The stop sign that I ran from the driveway and back with Jessie

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