Spotlight on Wellness: Jeremy Bolt
Position with Enterprise: Solutions Architect in the Architectural Governance group in St. Louis.
Age: 38
Height: 6 feet
Initial Weight Loss: 50 pounds
Favorite exercise: Trail running on the Berryman Trail — a 24-mile path located about 90 miles west of St. Louis in Bourbon, Mo.
Jeremy's challenge
Some people run marathons to stay in shape while others want to improve their health, but neither of these was my primary motivator. I read an article in 2003 about Fauja Singh — a man who began running at the age of 81 and has since broken numerous world records, and he's now 97. I thought to myself, "If he can do it, there's no reason I can't."
Becoming a runner
Five years ago I couldn't even run a mile. I challenged myself to run the Lewis and Clark Marathon in 2003, and soon discovered the health benefits that followed. I joined the St. Louis Track and Field Club and lost 50 pounds. I became friends with people who ran ultra marathons — a run consisting of more than 26.2 miles. Runners only compete against themselves in ultra marathons, so you have no pressure to finish first. I enjoyed these races, too, because the environment is more relaxed. I found the mantra of an ultra runner motivating — you can quit as many times as you want to, as long as you don't stop moving.
Setting the pace
I run about 15 marathons a year — many of which are 50- or 100-mile ultra marathons. But even so, it's easy to become unmotivated. Everyone has ups and downs, and I even take a few unplanned breaks each year. The secret to my motivation is I register for marathons well in advance and commit myself by making travel arrangements. By doing this, I can push through my slumps because I'm always training for an event. Setting weekly goals also helps me stay on track. In 2007, I tried to run at least 25 miles each week, and in 2008, I bumped that goal up to 50 miles per week.
Wellness goal
I enjoy running and traveling, so I set a goal that included both. I'd like to run a marathon on each of the seven continents. It's a work in progress, but I've already scratched two of the seven off my list because I just finished the Antarctica Marathon in March.
Most memorable race
Running in the Antarctica Marathon was the experience of a lifetime. I registered for the 2008 race nearly two years in advance because the 2007 trip already had filled up. It was worth the wait, though, because Antarctica was amazing. I ran 26 miles on a glacier among thousands of penguins. Antarctica's summertime temperatures weren't as bad as you might expect, but the icy terrain definitely posed a challenge. I crossed the finish line in four hours, seven minutes and eight seconds — which made me the sixth person of 128 to finish and the second fastest in my age bracket. It felt great to accomplish one of my goals. Plus, it actually helped me begin my training regimen for the 2008 McNaughton Ultra — a 100-mile marathon in Pekin, Ill.
Motivational secrets
- Set a goal and share it with everyone. You're more likely to follow through with a goal if others hold you accountable to it. I tell my friends and family about a race, register for it and purchase an airline ticket to get there. This works for me because I want to do what I tell others I'm going to do.
- Don't be afraid to walk. You don't have to run an entire race. I walk a portion of just about every one I take on. You don't have to be able to run a marathon before you can sign up for one.
- Train your mind. While physical training is essential, you should place equal importance on how you mentally prepare yourself for each race. Otherwise, your mind will give up long before your body does, and quitting will seem like the easier option.
- Pick up where you left off. Every year, for one reason or another I become unmotivated and fall off the horse. I used to quit the second I lost motivation. Now, I'll go through phases where I may not run or exercise for several months. But you gain nothing by feeling guilty about it. If I fall off the horse, I know I'll get back on, simple as that.
