CSX Employee Outruns His Genes

When I was 28 years old (1979), I started running. I realized after both of my parents had near death experiences that I'd better do something. My father had heart surgery (twice) and my mother had a major stroke at age 53. I was also a smoker and wanted to quit.

It took me one month of running every day to finally reach a mile without stopping. I soon began to achieve much longer distances. I ran eighteen River Runs events, many Corporate Cup Races and two marathons.

I gave up running at the beginning of 1997 due to the wear and tear on my body and started cycling. I've had the opportunity to ride in the MS 150 several times and other great biking events. I must say that I'm a healthy guy of nearly sixty now, and have never regretted this life change. So far I've outrun the genes, and I'm looking forward to having more time to exercise in my retirement years.

The YMCA and the HAWC are great. I'd like to thank CSX for giving us the opportunity to have a wellness center at our workplace. You really don't have to do much to enjoy a better lifestyle. Just get started, a little at a time!