179lbs lost in one year - with pics

Wow! Thanks for the comments -- I really appreciate it it! As far as I how I was able to do it - I started walking every day, and then I would try to run a minute here and there during the walk. That morphed over time into running with a little walking here and there. I hadn't heard of couch to 5k until after i did my first 5k in October, but I did something similar on my own, just over a longer time period. I personally feel that the couch to 5k program is a little aggressive in its approach. After being able to run for 30 minutes continuously, i got up the courage to sign up for my first 5k, which went great. I did two more in the next two months, and then my brother and I got this idea that we could do a marathon if we trained for it. I've always believed that if you dream, you should dream big. So then every weekend, i would do a long run and go a little farther. First it was 5 miles, then 6, then 8, then 9, then 10 (during a thunderstorm and torrential downpour), then 11, then 12, and then 14 the week before the half marathon. I was actually amazed at how easy the 13.1 miles were for me (it wasn't easy, but I certainly didn't struggle the way i saw others on the course doing). My last two long runs have been 15 and 16 miles. This weekend I will do 18 (it will take me almost 3 and a half hours to complete). Every week with every long run, my confidence grows. I still don't fully believe that i can accomplish the goal, but I know I will get there soon. I asked my wife if she thought I was crazy for doing this (going from 471 pounds to completing a marathon in just 14 months), and she said "Yes, but it's a good crazy." I agree with her.