Welcome


Thoughts on fitness, health, good nutrition ... and running.


Welcome to Bald Man Running, a blog launched by Frank Murphy on January 1, 2015.

In March, 2013 I was selected as a contestant for the sixth season of Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner. Through this amazing program, I learned about good nutrition, sound exercise and accountability. By October, I would lose over 88 pounds (almost 37% of my original weight)! One of the many things I acquired through FWSW was a love for running. You can retrace my weight loss journey and discover how I became a runner by reading those entries labeled "fwsw" ...

Note: Many of the blog entries on this website predate 1/1/2015. Prior to launching BMR, I had written articles for various projects, and I have imported many of them into this blog (labeled "retro").

Friday, October 25, 2013

Winner, winner

Here's a little trick when it comes to selecting a race to run ... if you want to win nice prizes, go to the smaller, lesser-known races. The field is smaller, and the organizers often have really good prizes to give away. Your chances of winning something cool are improved.

Matt, my eleven year old son, and I ran a 5k today. It was really cold and windy, but he chose to do it with me anyway. I really appreciate that he did this with me. He's not got a lot of experience running, but he did this anyway.

We stayed together and did a bit of jog/walk intervals. This is a great way to ease into running. We'd pick a landmark along the path and jog to it. We'd then pick the next landmark and walk to it. Repeat this cycle enough and you'll get through the whole race. Utility poles are great for this purpose.

Not only did I win by getting to run a race with my son, but my son won a really nice bike!


Time travel

My company requires employees to undergo a cardiac risk assessment if they want to use the company fitness center. You see a nurse, have some blood work run, etc., and then it takes a few days to get the results back. Today, I got those results.

Before I share those results, I want to share something else. Throughout the recent Smallest Winner season, I spent a lot of time at Spiece on various exercise equipment. Each time I got on a machine, I would punch in my current weight and age. It was exciting to watch the weight drop and get to enter lower and lower numbers ... but that age thing was a stickler. I would often joke to myself that it would have been nice if FWSW could help me lower not just my weight, but my age too.

From the aforementioned cardiac assessment, the LPN told me that I now have the heart of a 25 year old! I am also at less than 1% risk of heart disease. I may not be any younger according to the calendar, but I am almost 20 years younger where it counts ... and it would have not have happened without FWSW. Thank you to Rick, Tina, my trainers, nutritionists, and other staffers. Doc Brown has nothing on you ... together, we have turned back the clock!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Sad to be in shape



My dad saw this pic, and said, "What a great picture! Your mom and I are so proud of both of you. Isn't it great to be in shape?"

To be candid, it feels almost equal parts great and sad ... to think that I waited until I was 43 years old to get into shape is a reminder of how many years I wasted.

Looking forward is great though ... and that's what I'm doing. I can't change my past, but I know the future is going to be fit!

Memory Book - "Thank You"

Tina asked each contestant to contribute something to a memory book for this season ...I chose to write mine as a great big "Thank you" to most of the folks who helped me along the way during this season. I hope that I haven't forgotten anyone. I appreciate you all so much and want you to know that I realize my success is also your success. Thank you!

Mari – Of all the trainers, you were the one who always smiled. You consistently encouraged everyone in a genuine and quiet manner. Thank you.

CeCe – You gave me my new nickname. I love being "Frank the Tank!" You pushed me and prodded me beyond where I thought I could go.

EJ – Early in the program, I needed a little extra patience and instruction. You delivered both in a clear manner and thus set the stage for further success.

Amber – You were the most enjoyably annoying person of the whole season. You can't count at all. Half the time I wanted to tell you to shut up and the other half the time I wanted to hug you in appreciation. Fortunately, it evened out in the end. Don't change a thing because I needed you to be just who you are.

Alyssa – I think you reviewed my nutrition journal the most and you struck the perfect balance between motivating and infuriating me. Where I needed to make improvements, you were straightforward without being condescending. Thank you.

Jen – Beyond helping me with nutrition issues, you also offered kind words of encouragement along the way. I appreciated your little notes and Facebook comments as I reached various milestones. Compliments from people you respect are extra special. Thank you.

Andreas and Gretchen at Summit Physical Therapy – I was sidelined for about a month with a knee injury and these two miracle workers got me back in working order. I would not have been able to run the F4F mini-marathon without their ministrations, much less finish it. My 2:05 is their 2:05!

Pastor Mark – What a bummer that you did all of the work of a contestant but with fewer perks! Your shepherd's heart was very special and needed throughout the season. God richly blessed us through your ministry to us. What a gift it was to have you along for the ride!

Toby – The epitome of cool. You do such an amazing job that you made us look amazing too, and that is no mean feat. Your work motivated me even more.

Kent Hormann – I learned about FWSW from your radio program, SportsWise. Without you, I wouldn't have applied for the program. Working out with you this season has been a real honor.

Alumni – There are too many to list here, but I'm grateful to so many of you ... Aaron, D. Tiff, Ashley, Nikole, Richelle, George, Chad, Zac and the others who grunted and sweated right beside us. You guys are what I want to become.

Michael – Dude! You've got this mentoring thing down pat. You pushed me and gave excellent advice throughout the season. You were vulnerable and humble, which was exactly what I needed in a mentor. You helped pull me through some rough patches this season, and I owe you. Thank you!

Michael – I'm listing him twice because he's so awesome. Feel free to read the previous paragraph again.

My co-workers – So many of co-workers (including ones I don't know real well) maintained a curiosity throughout the season. I fielded a ton of questions, and enjoyed doing so. This was a big motivation to me because I didn't want to fail while being in such a spotlight. Who says peer pressure is always bad? A special shout out to the Junior High Boys ... you guys are good friends. You made this season a lot of fun.

Larry – My boss has an athletic/fitness background and is particularly well-known for his afternoon workout regimen. His interest, insight, flexibility and encouragement were greatly appreciated.

Tyrone and family – I used to think that this family's obsession with distance running was unhealthy. Only crazy people would like to run as often as they do! His knowledge and leadership were invaluable throughout this season. I'm also particularly grateful for the generous gift of a cool heart rate monitor. I love that thing! I also want to thank you for carrying the water bottle when we ran together … that was the "carrot on a stick" that pushed me to run a little harder. Thank you.

Caleb – You remind me of one of my favorite football players: Chris Spielman. This former Buckeye/Lion was an all-pro linebacker that quietly showed up for work, played hard, didn't make or accept excuses, loved his family dearly and he always got the job done. Like him, you're the man!

Morgan – You continually surprised me by never giving up. I feel like you were on a roller coaster this season. There’s an old saying: "it doesn't matter how many times you fall down. What matters is that you get back up." You exemplified what that means. Thank you for pushing on!

Taylor – Your enthusiasm is infectious and genuine. You were always helpful and generous too. There are a few people that if they were disappointed in me, then it would crush me. You are one of those folks.

Stacy – I think you had the toughest road of anyone on the pink team. You killed it! You were a mom/wife/teacher/contestant combo that ran on all cylinders all season long. I particularly enjoyed talking with you during some of our evening workouts. Thank you.

Hollie Pope, Matthew Pope – You guys are so cool. You know what this fitness stuff is all about, and contributed greatly to my knowledge and motivation this season ... and then there's your generosity, which totally blew us away! Thank you so much! Go Lions!

My siblings – You guys were my biggest fans. You read my blog, asked questions, sent encouraging notes, etc. Well, let's be honest, my sisters came up bigger in this way than my brothers did, but they were still there for me in a man way. I know you guys were proud of me and I was fueled by that.

My mom and dad – You raised me right. The values you instilled in me served me well. Many times your words and examples were in my thoughts during the countless workouts. In more ways than one, you guys were right there with me throughout most of this journey.

My sons – I know you guys gave up a lot of different things when I got into this program. Thank you for understanding and supporting me. Though it may not be obvious now, you guys are a big part of why I wanted to do this program. I wanted to see you grow up and be amazing dads yourself. I hope you are as proud of me as I am of both of you.

My wife – What can I say? Dang, girl! You are amazing. Your participation in the public division gave me such a huge edge. We never fought over working out or eating right or any of those things. You pushed me, worked out with me, and helped me in so many countless ways. I also wanted to make sure I lost more weight than you did, and our competition was more fierce than anything I saw in the regular division. I really, really, really couldn't have done this without you. I love you so much!

Tina – You are without question one of the finest, classiest, high character people I’'e ever met in my entire life (trust me when I say that puts you in rare company, because I know a lot of awesome people). You actually scared me when you called to tell me I was selected for season six, because I thought there was no way someone could have so much energy and enthusiasm on the phone without being a little crazy (I was relieved to find out you weren't crazy). You were always quick to praise and vigilant during workouts to make sure we stayed healthy. I owe you more than I can say. Thank you!

Rick – Anyone can say stuff like "you’re stronger than you think you are" and "I'm going to push you and I need to trust me." Just because someone says that doesn't necessarily mean they're credible. At first, I thought your confidence in me was sorely misplaced optimism. I didn't believe you. Fortunately for me, it turns out that you know your stuff! You knew my limits better than I did, and because of that, those limits have changed for the better. Your response to finding out that someone mistook me for you will always be one of the most cherished compliments I will ever receive. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

And finally ... thank you to my Savior! FWSW has never been about just one thing (i.e., a diet plan or a workout program), but has consistently emphasized a "whole you" approach. A big part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle is the spiritual component.

God has strengthened and motivated me throughout the FWSW season. With a massive understatement I freely admit that I couldn't have done it without Him. Knowing Him is the difference between living and abundant living!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Last chance workout

Rose is an amazing woman! She got up at 4:30 a.m. and joined me at Spiece to workout with me for my "last chance workout." We pushed sleds, did party trains, hit the stair climber and more. It was simply a "best of" compilation of those things I have been doing the previous 27 weeks. I figured that I didn't need to mess with what had been working so well.

Rose didn't have to join me on this strenuous workout, but seeing as how she's been there every other step of the way on my crazy journey, she wasn't about to miss those last few steps.

I have occasionally done stupid things and made some big mistakes along the way, but I am repeatedly convinced that marrying this woman is one of the smartest, greatest decisions I've ever made.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

A little flak

I've recently taken some flak for losing too much weight. I understand and appreciate the concern, but your fears are unfounded.

I assure that I am eating quite hearty meals. While I have been doing extensive cardio workouts, I haven't started weight training yet (that's on the schedule to start next week).

Yes, I've lost a lot of weight, but it have not dropped below the bottom of the ideal range for my age/gender/frame. My BMI is around 26%.

I've spent a lot of time trying to determine my target weight, and that includes talking extensively with FWSW staff. I assure you that I'm healthy and fit and that I've got here the right way. I've done nothing to compromise my health ... no pills, supplements, etc.

This was particularly evident during my recently completed mini-marathon. I did really well because I'm in the best shape of my life and it would not have been possible if I had been irresponsible.

Thank you again for your concern, but I need you to trust me on this one. I'm really and truly fine.

One more thing ... if anyone wants to check my meal journal, let me know and I'll share it with you via myfitnesspal.com. This is a great app and a big part of how I've found so much dietary success.