A New Attitude

Starting a blog that follows my running exploits has been on my to do list for a hot minute to say the least. Well ironically enough I begin this excursion during the most non productive running period I've had in some time, but nonetheless there's never a bad time to start, amirite? With that said, let me give some brief information about myself.

My name is Fernando Rivas and I am a fat ass. I don't mean to be so blunt, but honestly it's the truth (I also would like to apologize up front for the foul language that may occur in the future) However, I used to be an even bigger lard ass a few years ago and because of my unhealthy ways I had an embarrassing situation that made me realize that I needed to change something, thus leading me to start running again. Running to me had always been a safe haven of sorts, it provided me the high I needed, the time to be alone with my thoughts, and provided the greatest outlet for all the trials and tribulations in my life. However, for whatever I reason I'd gotten away because of the usual numbskull shit that college students do but unfortunately as I got further and further away from running I just became a giant schlub (which I still am, thus the title of the blog but anyhow...) I drank all the time (which I do still occasionally get drunk), ate lots of fast food (which I still struggle with), and smoked Black and Mild cigars (which were smooth as eggs).

Well unfortunately, this lead to that faithful day back in 2010 when I had to be taken to the emergency room by my cousin, Sebastian, and subsequently endured an embarrassing fiasco, not from service of hospital attendants but from the fact that I had allowed myself to get to such a poor state. Needless to say, long story short I needed to start running again and honestly I had no clue how terrible of shape I had gotten. Well as the cliche goes, with hard work, perseverance, and forcing myself to run when I didn't want to or didn't feel good or the weather sucked, there I was chipping away. I started out close 290 lbs and recently got down around 238 (Well unfortunately a recent trip back to Texas and mom's home cooking made me gain some back, but anyhow). Well after awhile I started to wonder about running races for fun and entered my first race, a breast cancer awareness 5k (well you know the one) and it's been on since then.

So I started to run races for the hell of it, and then I started to become a little more competitive and started to really push myself to get better and improve, and now here I am a few years later in Atlanta, Georgia sitting on my ass because of a damn pulled hamstring (now also a bruised quad). Well guess there's no better time to start a blog not necessarily documenting my running exploits, but more importantly trying offer advice and encouragement to other folks with honesty and wit. So hopefully you guys will allow me to humor, entertain, and educate you on the trials and tribulations of being a schlub runner.

Fernando

Atlanta Track Club

West Texas Running Club