Patrick Ruggiero is running Boston after losing significant weight
"Each step of that run felt like I was running further from the person I was and closer to the person I’d like to be."
In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston on April 15, 2019.
Name: Patrick Ruggiero
Age: 30
From: Montclair, New Jersey
Bib #: 27537
Thirteen years ago, I was a 260-pound offensive lineman on my college football team. I was a power-lifter, a shot-put thrower, someone who didn’t eat healthy, and someone who embraced that lifestyle. But, in the back of my mind, I was self-conscious about my weight and I was becoming aware of the importance of my diet. In an after-season meeting with my coach, he’d mentioned he’d like me to gain 15 pounds for the start of the next season. With health issues such as diabetes and heart-related conditions prevalent in my family, I decided that that was not ideal for me. I left his office and decided to go on a run, something I’d never done.
Each step of that run felt like I was running further from the person I was and closer to the person I’d like to be. I lost 65 pounds over the next five months. Running has become my way of dealing with stress, running allows me to maintain a clear mind and keep my weight under control, it has given me confidence in myself, and has been the best decision I’ve ever made.
The weight-loss process taught me how several smaller decisions can multiply and benefit a greater good. It is an outlook that I continue to embrace to this day. When I decided to run the Boston Marathon, it was important to me to choose an organization that shared that mentality. I’m happy to say I’m proud to be running with Team BMC for Boston Medical Center. They have a hand in an incredible number of different health programs that benefit the community, including those near and dear to my heart — such as nutrition programs and services — which I’m confident will make a positive lasting impact for the greater good in Boston.
Check out our entire “Why I’m Running” series.
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Editor’s note: Entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
