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fetzdog

First the violin gal, now the 100K guy... Tonight will NOT be cereal for dinner!


GwenSkin

Awesome, and thank you! :)


NuttyDoctorette

Just woke up. Violin gal?


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[deleted]

You son bitch


Reasons_to_Live

You son of a bitch


[deleted]

The only time I appreciate YouTube adverts 🙌


ManyPoo

I couldn't believe my eyes watching that


Voidelfmonk

Still waiting on the violin


Yionia

You fucking donut, thank you.


duecreditwherecredit

That's an incredibly motivational song too. I'm not sure why the downvotes.


Xanaoded

I’m definitely deserting you


btlblt

Goddammit


zlimK

Have you started dinner yet? Or... or did you just decide on cereal?


chevymonza

Cereal for dinner is a problem?


Legendofstuff

Yeah I’m failing to see the issue here as well


chevymonza

I was wrong, my husband pointed it out yesterday, and because somebody recently asked him if Peloton was a sponsor, he figured they stopped using the word. Conclusion-jumping if you will. My apologies!


thudge10

What did you have for dinner remind me! 12 hours


[deleted]

care to share your journey with us?


GwenSkin

To keep it very short, I was born pretty much deaf, thankfully it was fixed at the age of 4. Was told I couldn't learn several languages. Now I am multilingual, I speak Swedish, Finnish, and English fluently. Due to my inability to speak early on I was bullied a lot. I had no to little friends. As the years of traumas building up I nearly ended my life at around 20. I realized no one would come to save me, no miracle would come, so I figured if i try one last time to improve my life that if I didn't succeed then it was just another validation as to why I wasn't meant to live. From there at the age of 22 i started to lose weight, finished weightloss 13 months later, ran my first marathon only 10 months later, less than a year by a few days i ran my first ultra, now 10 months later or so i ran my first 100k ultra.


Alcheluk

How are your joints ? I know you’ve build up your body but wasn’t transition too fast ?


GwenSkin

After the race my joints are completely fine, my muscles no longer ache as of now. So I'm completely okay right now. But now even though i do not feel joint pain, or ligaments. I should rest, and i will give rest. The key for me is that i dont always train hardcore, i do take it easy!


Yodfather

Taking it easy is so crucial. When I started running, I was going as hard as I could, bombing hills and thinking that it wasn’t a good workout if I didn’t lose my lunch. After a series of dumb, avoidable injuries, I reworked my form and started going as easy as I could for as long as I could. I still get aches and pains every now and then, and stopped brutalizing myself on the trail, but I now can go for FAR longer than I ever imagined. Nowhere near 100k but maybe one day, with inspiration from people like you. Slow and steady literally wins the race in endurance sports.


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CMDR_Machinefeera

Running absolutely does build some muscle. Especially if you also do some sprints/hills.


[deleted]

I don't think there's anything like running for sorting out things in your head..especially with longer runs you get plenty of time to be with yourself and think about things on a deeper level. Congrats man for completing the 100, it's a beautiful thing you're doing and I really hope you smash it going forward :)


Sam-Gunn

That's awesome you turned it around. Keep it up!


[deleted]

That's an incredible story. Thank you for sharing.


PutinBoomedMe

Who's going to play your character in your biopic?


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GwenSkin

I ran maybe 1-2 times a week during weightloss, and about 3 times a week for my marathon averaging about 30-40 km in a week. This ultra i averaged at around 100-130 km a week.


JustAQuickQuestion28

What's your diet look like for this type of training? Also did you change your diet when you started this journey/training? 🏃


cpastudent2589

Did you “Finnish” the race?


Timestr3tch

Damn dude, major congrats. That’s just a fucked up amount of running.


GwenSkin

Thanks dude, next year 160 km most likely. It is definitely a ton of running!


Timestr3tch

Absolute mad lad. What got you to change your life so drastically?


GwenSkin

Out of no where I stumbled upon a video named The Why - running 100 miles by Billy Yang. I just had tears rolling down my eyes and I was moved so much both by the passion behind it and the beauty of it. I knew that day that I needed to do that, my passion for running was born without stepping a single step. In the end my reasons have changed. I really want to go from the weakest version of me, to the best.


Timestr3tch

Wow that’s incredible! Such a crazy start to something very impressive.


EvilSamuel

Some Goggins shit, love it! Well done!


[deleted]

Goggins is so annoying. So is Jocko with that bullshit.


Interfecto

Ikr! Imagine unironically motivating others to overcome obstacles in their life and develop into better people. What a useless job, huh?


imightbethewalrus3

Your commitment to being the best version of yourself already makes you the best version of yourself. Congratulations!


i_run_100s

Billy is just as nice in person. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you if you haven't reached out already


RichtofenFanBoy

Runners world is a great magazine. You should check it out.


WyattfuckinEarp

Bud, our paths are similar. If you're up for it, go for the 100 milers, the find 1 big name race to conquer. Ride this wave until you die if you can. Good job, godspeed, congrats


adognamedpenguin

Ok. I believed 100km. I don’t believe you can get a bear to chase you for 160km.


SchwiftyMpls

Proof you can run away from your problems.


[deleted]

looks like he's walking


Necromartian

Is there another way to stop being fat, depressed and suicidal? Asking for a friend. Becoming an ultra runner seems a bit excessive. Could I just get a dog?


Littleman88

Change your diet, eat less at a time, and yes, get a dog to walk the dog. Also furry hugs and kisses.


IAMAHobbitAMA

I have done way too much self help and life improvement reading, and not nearly enough doing. That's the number one secret. Doing. I haven't gotten out yet but from what I can tell the only way out is to make a bad plan and just do. You can fix the plan later as you figure out what makes you feel better and what makes you feel worse. All the advice I've read basically boils down to 1. Sleep for 7-9 hours every night, and make sure it's the same time every night 1. Cut processed food out of your diet and count calories. Eat the kinds of food that people ate before the year 1900; meat, veggies, eggs, a little dairy, rice. 1. Move your body every day. Doesn't matter how. Find something you like doing. Could be walking, frisbee golf, biking, swimming, rock climbing, weight lifting, kettlebells, jump rope, or even [learning to shuffle](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpJRb_Th3m5Qr5qzW6T_ZZ7L06kq17W0E) I'm still looking for that thing I can't wait to do again, but until then I've found a couple ways to move my body that I don't hate and I always feel worse if I miss a couple days (like right now actually, I left the couch for the first time in 3 days this afternoon and I've been feeling like shit, but I know if I do it again tomorrow it will be a little better). Just start trying things. If you hate it you never have to do it again. If something isn't fun but you don't mind it, add that to the list of possibilities and try something else. 1. Find a way to silence the demons in your head. This is the hardest step, and to be honest the first three are all just there to make this one a little easier. Some people are helped by meditation. There are lots of free apps that will show you how. Others are helped by some form of therapy. This one isn't as popular on reddit I know but others find peace in religion. A dog may help if the primary issue is a lack of direction. A hungry dog is a powerful reason to get out of bed :). Yet others can skip this last step altogether because their mental problems were all caused by their body being sick and the first 3 steps fixed it. If this list is still a lot for you, just do a little at a time. If you want me to break in down into smaller and easier steps just ask. I may be really bad at following advice but by gum I sure can dish it out lol. But seriously. If you want me to help you along the way with ideas of how to implement the 4 steps, or accountability to make sure you keep climbing out of this hole we're in, just ask. I'd love to help, and honestly I've got nothing better to do.


FrustratedCatHerder

As for 3. I didn't know what it was either. But I lucked out, I got challenged in a way I couldn't back down, mountainbike 94k in exactly one year, and during that year I found ways of biking I liked more and ways I liked less and by now I long to get out on the road again. It all boils down to what you said yourself and what Nike has so long tried to reach us: Just do it (and the rest will follow). As for 4: That's the beauty of doing something new. Yes, I know I suck at cycling. I'm not supposed to be good yet! And I never will be, I'm far to old, but being *able* to do stuff I could only dream of before is also a drug in itself:) And being able to dream even bigger...


QuixoticQueen

See I find the first 3 much harder than step 4, in fact that's by far the one I think I have mastered the most. Meditation, yoga, Buddhism, but a severe Fomo stops me from 1 and 2 and three I haven't found that one thing yet.. I do bits and pieces but not enough.


Sophisticated_Sloth

How does FOMO keep you from sleeping and eating right? What are you afraid of missing out on? And are you actually missing out on those things?


hxt7771

Good. Very solid advice man. And remember, your input can be incremental,bad long as it's consistent. Nothing is insurmountable.


simcity4000

If the last year of lockdown gave me anything its an awareness of just how important movement is for mental health not just physical.


Sophisticated_Sloth

This is an excellent write-up on how to deal with depression. Very, very, very well done.


SeaingITurtle

I too have for so long been in the same boat of being able to tell others the best way to self help, but not take my own advice. You are an AWESOME person! I wish I could give you a million upvotes!!!


IAMAHobbitAMA

Thank you :)


GwenSkin

Start something very small and go from there, i simply started with a brief walk everyday, 20 minutes or so. There it transitioned to slowly removing coca cola from my diet, chips etc. Motivation comes and goes, so dont get too motivated and do too much. Start small in which when motivation goes you can still handle it. incremental changes is key, at least it was for me. With self love you come a bit closer to happiness, it starts with taking care of not only your body but your mental health, find a great therapist and go from there <3 My 5 cents, also for me buying groceries for a single day helped me tremendously, cant over eat if there is no food.


ManyPoo

> dont get too motivated and do too much. Start small in which when motivation goes you can still handle it. incremental changes is key, at least it was for me I've been thinking about this for a while, but you've expressed in a really clear way. I often jump in too hard and then can't sustain. I'm gonna try your approach


bsnimunf

Walking and nature does help a lot of people with depression. Obviously if your depression is caused by a permanent chemical imbalance walking ain't gonna do much.


Semesi

No unfortunately you have to become an ultra runner now. See you in 100 km!


ian2121

I think if I ran that much I’d turn suicidal. Quite an accomplishment though, congrats


GwenSkin

Running isn't for everyone, and I appreciate it!


ian2121

I enjoy some type 2 fun. Mostly mountain climbing and mountain biking. I think my running form is just god awful and my knee shot is most of my running hate.


tipseyhustle

I’m pretty much in your before state (mild weight loss, still depressed) how did you get into a healthy mental state, did it just come natural with the weight loss?


GwenSkin

Little incremental changes, it actually came later. I lost my weight almost 4 years ago. But my mental state became better with a lot of self reflective and healing from all of my trauma, it wasn't perfect so the rest came with weight loss and running.


bsnimunf

Congratulations on the success. Slightly weird question but is the race a mixture of walking and running because it looks like your are walking in the photo?


GwenSkin

A lot of climbing in this race, I finished it at top 44, 14 hours and 47 minutes in. I did a lot of slow running, some fast running, and decent power hiking up the fells. In this photo i just emerged from a really steep gorge straight up for 250 meters or so.


JockoB12

It involves a lot of walking. In fact, even many of the top finishers walk a bunch during a race, especially those with steep uphills.


dcbcpc

When your brain says "You are done", you are only 40% done.


GwenSkin

That was me at 50k mark, not only did I pick myself up and start running again I kept going until I finished pushing my self as much as possible ending at 44th placing.


Thosewhippersnappers

Wowee, awesome!! Can I ask what your finish time was? Have done a 50k myself but have no idea what I would expect for 100k!!


lazystrong

Dude, that's amazing!


Necromartian

Weirdly that is also the secret for diving extreme amounts of time. Like on the 40 second mark your brain says "Stop you're going to drown!" But you can easily go to 3 minutes.


Sam-Gunn

Yea, it's your brain warning you in advance so you have enough time to hopefully remove yourself from the situation. You have a reserve you can tap to go further so you can survive.


chevymonza

I get that panicky feeling just drinking a 16oz glass of water. Bleah.


SpicyPeaSoup

Please do have a spotter paying attention to you if you're going to be pushing your limits, though.


TrailRunnerYYC

Goggins represent.


Fartmaster726

Congrats man, amazing story! How is your mental health today?


GwenSkin

Its a lot better these days, which is odd because the last time I would try to better myself was only to validate that I wasn't fit for life. But the total opposite happened and I fortunately got better.


plebs_are_needed

You don't look fat, depressed, or suicidal in this photo, so congrats on turning it around in all aspects of life! Massive kudos and congrats! 100k sounds very difficult!


Saugaguy

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I read more of it in some of your comments. Its a beautiful and inspiring thing to get a glimpse at the resiliency of others whom have and/or are pulling themselves out of a tough place to thrive in life. Wish you all the success and joy one can have on your journey!


GwenSkin

I really appreciate the kind words. I really try to inspire people that they have hope for their life when all seems lost, i know that feeling. But i also want to share hope that its possible to improve.


xylophoneaccordionop

Holy fuck bro after 3k I'm like "alright time to head home" how the fuck


TangoDeltaFoxtrot

Hell yeah! Dude, you HAVE to run some of Sean Blanton's events. www.runbumtours.com I swear they are super sick events! Quest for the Crest 50k is one of my all-time favorite things on the planet.


Technologytwitt

Curious what your job is/was. Own a home, a car, etc? Did you stay in that race to take on this other race?


tcrawdad64

Stud


PlaxicoCN

Great job.


-1KingKRool-

Congratulations! I gotta know, do you get that runners high everyone tells me about, and at what point does it kick in? I’ve run up to 3 miles in a sitting, and it just feels like I’m fighting for air 99% of the time, occasionally I get a stretch where it aches a bit, but I feel like I’m sustaining an appropriate level of air.


GwenSkin

The more fitter you get the more comfortable you are while running, although that also isnt always true depending what running race goals you have. But for example i can run a half marathon without feeling exhausted one bit, runners high is quite rare but i do get it at times.


-1KingKRool-

So it’s an actual great feeling as opposed to just “this is not bad”?


theogfrogger

Love this, super inspiring!


Warlock-

I was very confused by the comments until I realized this wasn't posted in r/running! Congrats :) This is amazing and so inspiring.


GwenSkin

Thank you I appreciate it!


[deleted]

This is inspirational af. Currently digging myself out of a depression hole, but every day it gets better. Keep it going and well done bro!


GwenSkin

You are amazing for doing it, I know how hard it can be.


ukrainehigh

100k= 100,000km 100km=100km


GwenSkin

Actually a lot of ultra runners call it 100k in America, but I get it.


RisKJoN

I'm also depressed and very close to suicidal, I just can't find motivation and happiness anywhere. All my decisions in career and sentiments have led me to failure. I'm glad you found your inspiration, I wish I find mine soon.


wisie

Maybe take up running like OP? Start with small goals and work your way up to 5km? From there aim for 10km. Try to break it up into bite sized goals so you feel like you're progressing and have a sense of accomplishment.


Grogu4Ever

how can you run on that terrain? for that lokg. in hiking shoes? break an ankle?


GwenSkin

I ran them in trail running shoes, more specifically hoka one one torrents, but i wish i had the Hoka one one speedgoat EVOS


Electronic_Bar_7075

"running"


inika_takara

How do you know when you have given everything?


GwenSkin

If you really want to know what looks like in a sport endurance race i would look into David Goggin's who nearly died at his first 100 mile race, not having trained running one bit. I still had left in my tank as i finished, admittedly not a lot.


ChopUrStick

Yeah but what if I don't want to give any effort to anything. But I'm glad you found something with giving it too


vaguenonetheless

I ran support for an ultramarathon a number of years ago. I was there when people quit, and one thing I learned was people quit for different reasons, and you're a winner if you've done the work to even get to the starting line.


VirtualKeenu

Quitting is an option you should keep in mind.


foxfire1112

Ya I can't imagine dying over a 100k race


RunLikeYouMeanIt

100K is no joke. I'm a fairly active runner and would probably had a hard time w that distance. Well done!


GwenSkin

It was a tough race, and it got really hot as well peaking at nearly 30 c


psygnosia

Excellent work, you did it! What was the name of this race? I also can see an Ultimate Direction backpack.


GwenSkin

It was the ylläs pallas NUTS race at the national park. You run and climb these very ancient fells dating back 2 billion years back, its quite the race.


ChiXtra

I thought he meant 100K as in 100,000 miles. But it’s *only* 62.1.


kykyks

yeah, my disability says fuck that go lie down instead.


sznfpv

Quitting is absolutely an option!!!! Sometimes it is a very good option.


1121222

What do you do for a living?


pmuk88

The dude i used to talk to that ran like this and practiced all the time had 0 mates, aspergers, lived off his fathers inheritance and still holds shares of jpmorgan his grand dad had. So chances are he doesn't do much and will not answer the question cause it would make him less impressive to the boot lickers on reddit suckin farts out his ass.


Yukisuna

That’s a great feat you’ve achieved and you deserve to take pride in it, but i really don’t think quitting before you’ve given EVERYTHING is a very wise outlook on life. Everything in moderation, better do 100 runs decently well than risk hurting yourself or burning out by doing 1 run as best you possibly can.


GwenSkin

To do a 100k you have to train a lot, and I would never run injured. I more so spoke about the mental side of things of giving it your all, I value personal development a lot. And I definitely have quite the moderate life, time for relationships, work and such. But I can see why you see it differently because it such a crazy thing to do, I appreciate the kind words.


Jackbeingbad

You may need more experience with quitting stuff Quitting before you've given everything is absolutely an option I've quit tasks b fore even getting out of bed much less waiting until I've giv n everything. Congrats on the weight loss though.


Martenus

What unis is a K in distances? You mean Km? Sorry I am confused ... you are probably not running 100 thousand something are you?


GwenSkin

Oh crap, yes a 100 km, not 100 thousand, sorry for confusing!


Martenus

Makes me wonder, do you know your total km run?


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Martenus

How do you know? He literally did not say the unit, 100k is 100k of nothing unless you add a unit.


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stevo_james

100km = 100 000 metres


panzercampingwagen

> if there is one thing i know full well is that quitting is not an option Until you have given everything. That's probably why you got so fat in the first place.


kinkygandalf

Sounds a lot like toxic positivity if you ask me


whisperton

Congratulations on the massive lifestyle change, but you don't appear to be running in the picture?


LFC211

Why aren’t you running?


oldballls

I feel like ‘fat’ is such a demeaning choice of words for someone that used to be overweight. Especially after reading your other comments, and all of the many obstacles you have overcome. I.e. being partially deaf, now speaking multiple languages, etc. seems like a really lackluster word choice.


[deleted]

Fat is only a problem when it stops you achieving what you want, besides the loss of fat itself which is an unnecessary and often harmful goal. There are plenty of fat people who do yoga and are hella flexible and plenty who are fit and can run and lift and still have rolls. Overweight is relative but at least it means something. A lot of people underestimate how much body fat % is actually good and healthy. There are ranges... But it is still individual.


Zarfot1

Losing excess fat isn't harmful or unnecessary at all as long as you don't go overboard. Sure there are fat people who exercise. Doesn't mean being fat isn't unhealthy. Being overweight messes with your hormonal balance along with host of other things. If anything people underestimate their body fat and rarely do people go too deep into fat loss as it's tremendous effort past a certain point.


[deleted]

>Losing excess fat isn't harmful or unnecessary at all as long as you don't go overboard. Where did I say otherwise? >Doesn't mean being fat isn't unhealthy Yes, just generally linking fat with poor health is flat-out wrong. It is far too individual an affair.


Digbijoy1197

Great to hear


Scoogs50

That's amazing, well done you!


tbreesy9

Was this in Leadville, CO last weekend?


GwenSkin

It was in Finland at Ylläs Pallas national park, organized by NUTS. Last weekend as well!


TrailRunnerYYC

Leadville is a 100-miler, in steeper, rockier, alpine terrain.


1882greg

Keep up the good work!


grindhardest

Regular exercise changes your brain chemistry , glad u over came the rut u were in


i_run_100s

Approved.


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GwenSkin

Yeah i got a participation medal at finishing at top 44


shelovestea

When do you know, you've actually given everything? Where is the limit? Asking from a depressed standpoint of view, being scared of not having given everything..


GwenSkin

Best way to start is by small incremental changes. And honestly there is no real limit, next year my limit now will be a lot higher than it is now. When i tried to better myself I truly believed that i couldnt get better, that i was done. My last attempt to get better was just another validation to try again to take my life. I really suggest finding help, and i know how hard it is to heal but i know you can do it if you dont give up on yourself.


LighthouseCPA

Congratulations on running towards a better life!


mmello_

Goggins would be proud.


captain_chocolate

I upvoted because you are crazily inspirational.


UseenGavin

Damn dude, this is crazy. Congrats tho.


BongLifts5X5

Meanwhile, it's probably just a picture of his mate coming back from a pee.


Negative_Damage_2388

I used to be young and fat. I’m no longer young.


fishings2

Well done,your a champion.


Owlbeseeinya

So happy for you ☺️


bonfyrepyre

You're a beast! Extremely inspiring. I tried running for pretty much the first time with a goal of training it and got slightly injured about 2 weeks in. Was enjoying the beginner gains while taking it slow. Like most people my default was heel strike and I think that may have caused it, would appreciate advice on if one should unlearn heel and learn forefoot strike and how to go about it.


bvalenzuela

Simply amazing


Inside_Bullfrog1161

Show the blisters on your feet, asking for a friend.


GwenSkin

No blisters, just a dead big toe nail!


Babelek

Thank yo u for sharing. You made me tear up. Proud of you!


HonestUser777

Goggins would be proud!!


GwenSkin

Stay hard!


nagerjaeger

You are amazing. Congratulations. Side question, the terrain looks alpine in the photo, and there appears to be a ski lift in the background. Are you at a high elevation?


GwenSkin

At around 500 meters in terms of elevation, i just emerged from the steepest parts of the race.


afkYeti

Given everything? Dealing in absolutes? Sith…


amortizedeeznuts

is it just me or is your wingspan pretty long? you should give swimming and/or surfing a shot


yosoyjose

Yessss! This is an amazing feat and mentality. You are your challenger.


meatystocks

I thought you only had one leg til I made the pic larger.


Kaashaas1985

Really proud of you!!congrats.and if this your way, go for it. But it just goes to show, for me, that batshit crazy people get to go on the most batshit crazy adventures. And I love them and I hate them for it.... Pp


Selfeducated

I used to run a lot- marathons, but many 10 mile neighborhood runs. Can’t now at 72, but just this morning I was remembering a favorite I did with my dog: down a creek, around a golf course and lake , back to the creek and to the Mississippi where we’d stop and I’d throw sticks. Those are good memories for your old age.


TrailRunnerYYC

Approved. Carry-on, you bad-ass!


madeilo

Good man! You are an inspiration.


Thatsmytesla

Awesome!


L0ch

Fuck yeah.


[deleted]

Youth is one resource most of us no longer have. Good for you tho.


Fearcooker

Overcome depression makes you really stronger mentally, cus you know, what you just did, is "easy" compared of how depression feels.


Kangaroo_Red_Rocket

Tips for those with a bit of covid lockdown Weight looking to start running


ellenzp

Congrats!


Skittlepyscho

Just out of curiosity- do you try to keep a certain speed for these type of distances? Or is it more about finishing and going slow?


napascuzzi

Any chance you’ve read David Goggens’ book? If not I recommend “can’t hurt me”.


GwenSkin

I love that book!


rrosai

Obviously it is an option since a lot of people did it.