Lifestyle change leads to marathon finish

Two months of hard work and dedication came to fruition on Sunday, Oct. 13, when Dana Telecky of Ritzville, ran her first half marathon in Seattle.

Telecky completed the Biggest Loser Half Marathon with a time of 2:45. Out of 780 participants, she finished 523.

“It was such a huge personal accomplishment for me,” Telecky said about completing the half marathon. “The finish line was filled with emotions of excitement and the realization that I actually did it!”

For several years, Telecky has participated in the annual Bloomsday race in Spokane and after having a personal best finish time this year, she decided to search for a bigger challenge and decided to find a half marathon to train for and participate in. She also found a 12-week training program online that provided step-by-step instructions on how to train for marathons and started her training at the end of July.

Considering today’s society is filled with busy families balancing school and sporting events, and work and home life, and oftentimes sitting down for a family meal is rare, and grabbing a quick snack or bite to eat from a drive-thru has become more common.

But for Telecky, that lifestyle wasn’t working anymore and she made the decision early last year to slow down and make a lifestyle change to benefit her and in turn, her family.

On Jan. 3, 2012, Dana and two of her coworkers, Lisa Cox and Suzette Ellis, started a support system for one another to hold each other accountable for sticking with their weight loss goals.

Telecky serves as the business manager at the Ritzville School District and found a good support network through Cox and Ellis.

“We did separate things, had different goals, programs and eating habits.” Telecky said about the trio. “And if we strayed from our plan, we would text each other to confess.”

Telecky started her journey with a goal of losing 50 pounds and although she is five pounds short of her goal, she is content now with how she feels.

“I can do more then I ever thought I could do.” Telecky said of her weight loss. “It’s a major confidence builder.”

The lifestyle changes she has added to her daily routine now include a regular run or exercise, but predominately watching what she eats.

For Telecky, it’s important to stay away from processed and junk foods, while consuming very little starches and a lot of salad, which often can be difficult with two men in the house.

Telecky is married to Dale and together they have a nine-year-old son, Owen.

Their three schedules are busy and eating healthier has caught on throughout the household. Telecky said although the temptations are still there for sweets, they have learned to indulge in moderation and to set limitations for splurging.

“I’m very conscious about my weight now,” Telecky said. “I never want to go back to being heavier.”

The experience was so rewarding for Telecky that she has the desire to do another marathon by next spring, and hopes to connect with a group of people to train with for the next race.

Making the choice to change her lifestyle came easily for Telecky as she described it being the right time to make a change. It has now become a part of her life and she vows to keep doing it.

She enjoys the empowering feeling she gets when she is running now and modestly accepts the role of mentor for others seeking a healthy change.

“People have said that I’m inspiring to them,” Telecky said tearfully. “Which is crazy to me because I’m just a normal person.”

Janis Rountree can be reached at [email protected]