The story of Brian Flatley

In January of 2005 I weighed 205 lbs, my triglycerides were off the charts, my bad cholesterol was too high and my good was too low. My life insurance company told me that I'd have to "lose some weight" in order to get a reasonable rate on insurance. Somewhere in the middle of 2005 I started running, eating better and eating less. Thirty pounds later, in September of 2007 I began training for my first marathon. I trained with a friend. We ran hard, long and fast. The PF Chang's on January 13, 2008 did not work out as planned. A 4;32 finish was the result of running too fast in the beginning, cramping and walking toward the end. 

 

I was in my office somewhere in June of 2008 when my friend Elena walked into my office to tell me some "really fast runner" named Susan Loken was pulling together a marathon team from people around the office. I signed up. I ran with the team. I followed the training schedule. I volunteered to run with some great kids over at Frank school in Guadalupe. I finished the Chang's 2009 in 3:58:45 - exactly 1 minute and 15 seconds under my goal. Awesome!

 

Besides volunteering with Team Chances I have also volunteered to coach the cross country team at St. John Bosco School, The Bulldogs. I have a small team made up of 5th through 8th grade boys and girls. We train twice per week and the kids are also encouraged to run on their own time. We will compete in two meets at a fixed distance of 1.76 miles. I'm so excited to see how they do! My Bulldogs will also be making special appearances at some Team Chances kids' runs. 

 

My triglycerides are in check and my cholesterol is perfect, but the greatest benefit to running and my involvement with Team Chances is in my soul and spirit.

 

I thank God that he gave me running; it has changed my life.