| Age: 32 Years of Running: 3.5 years What's the hardest part of the sport? "Getting up early in the morning when it's still dark and my bed so warm. That's my battle." What do you like most about running? "I used to be a club bouncer and would see runners going by as I was letting people exit SPACE. We would comment: 'What crazy people'! Now I am one of those crazy people...AND LOVE IT. |  www.andreshernandez.us Copyright © 2013 Andres Hernandez Studio Inc. All rights reserved. | " I'm not sure who said this but he's right: If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." |
With the Escape to Miami Triathlon this past weekend, fresh in our minds, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce you to Andres Felipe Cadavid. Felipe just completed his 3rd Olympic distance Triathlon on Sunday September 29th 2013 in 2 hours and 48 minutes which was 5 minutes faster than last year's Tri and 9 minutes faster than his first Escape in 2011. That in itself is a very commendable achievement but it's not what's most admirable about this guy.
About a year ago, I was checking in runners at the SoBe Run Club, when I happened to meet Felipe. It wouldn't be until a couple months later, that I would strike up a real conversation (not the customary-person A: ' how's it going' Person B: "good, You?" Person A: "me too.") where I would find out about his inspiring journey to the athlete he is today.
Just 4 years ago, Felipe was not worrying about getting his bike tuned up for this weekend's ESCAPE festivities nor was he debating whether or not to race the New Balance Mile (hosted by IRUN) the day after having just completed in an Olympic distance triathlon. He instead was sitting in his apartment overlooking Margret Pace Park wondering if it was even humanly possible (at least for him) to swim from that island (ESCAPE ISLAND) he could see off shore to the mainland, knowing that even the thought of walking from the apartment lobby to the water's edge would get him winded, so running to the waterfront wasn't even an option.
Weighing in at about 267lbs, never having been very athletic, and heavy set his whole life (which was about the only thing that RAN in his family--pun intended), doing something like the ESCAPE TO MIAMI TRI wasn't even in contention for a slot on his weekend's agenda.
It would be until he witnessed how his uncle's obesity led to a deterioration of his quality of life, dependency on family members around, loss of eye sight, diabetes, and eventual passing due to a heart attack at the age of 60 that reality would settle in: if he didn't take charge of his life and turn his health around, his destiny could mimic that of his uncle's.
Not really knowing what to do, he got into what he thought was "athletic attire" and headed out on a run he still remembers to this day as vividly as if it was yesterday. He recalls feeling like he was dying; pains everywhere, inability to breath, taste of blood in throat, heart pumping harder than it ever had. He ran until he could not take a single step more only to find that he had barely completed 2 miles.
Just 4 years ago, Felipe was not worrying about getting his bike tuned up for this weekend's ESCAPE festivities nor was he debating whether or not to race the New Balance Mile (hosted by IRUN) the day after having just completed in an Olympic distance triathlon. He instead was sitting in his apartment overlooking Margret Pace Park wondering if it was even humanly possible (at least for him) to swim from that island (ESCAPE ISLAND) he could see off shore to the mainland, knowing that even the thought of walking from the apartment lobby to the water's edge would get him winded, so running to the waterfront wasn't even an option.
Weighing in at about 267lbs, never having been very athletic, and heavy set his whole life (which was about the only thing that RAN in his family--pun intended), doing something like the ESCAPE TO MIAMI TRI wasn't even in contention for a slot on his weekend's agenda.
It would be until he witnessed how his uncle's obesity led to a deterioration of his quality of life, dependency on family members around, loss of eye sight, diabetes, and eventual passing due to a heart attack at the age of 60 that reality would settle in: if he didn't take charge of his life and turn his health around, his destiny could mimic that of his uncle's.
Not really knowing what to do, he got into what he thought was "athletic attire" and headed out on a run he still remembers to this day as vividly as if it was yesterday. He recalls feeling like he was dying; pains everywhere, inability to breath, taste of blood in throat, heart pumping harder than it ever had. He ran until he could not take a single step more only to find that he had barely completed 2 miles.
"You won't reach goals that you don't set for yourself."
That was the beginning of this extraordinary journey that he plans to stay on until death do them part- the journey of a healthier lifestyle to a stronger HEART. It was a daunting task that lay ahead since he needed to work on slowly changing his habits from how much he ate, what he ate, how he ran, what he ran, to even how much he partied. But the more he started going out on runs and talking about his "new plan" with friends, the more he started realizing just how many people around him already part took in such activities. He wishes that in that first year he would have known about RUN CLUBS so that the process would have been a little more fun--but nevertheless, he needed what went through; a coming of age kind of situation. Soon he found himself wanting to train on his own to be able to feel better and not feel so out of shape when running with friends. In essence, training to keep up with friends.
| 2010- 267lbs  | 2012- 185lbs  |
"A goal is a dream with a finish line."
Over the progression of a year, runs went from being masoquistic to being somewhat enjoyable. But the runs weren't the only things that were getting easier to complete. Everyday tasks like getting out of bed and getting in/out of his car, were now not-so-surprisingly easier to do. The little changes he was making- increased physcial activity and running--were not only drawing the attention his friends and family, but were quickly helping the numbers on the scale drop.
"The greatest sin is to think that you are weak." |  |
Slowly he started going from looking for inspiration to get out and workout to being the inspiration for those around him to be more active. Which would positively pressure him to continue pressing on. From the beginning his goal was to strengthen his heart; change himself from the inside out. A lesson we could all use here in Miami where often times the physical (exterior) appearance is valued more than the inner. Felipe encourages his friends, family, and followers that picking the RIGHT GOAL is key. He says: "If you choose to lose weight, you may do so. But as soon as it stops being your focus, you may gain it back. If you choose to make your heart stronger and live a healthier life, it will be easier to stay focused because YOUR LIFE depends on it, and there will be many much welcomed byproducts (weight loss, increased self confidence, decreased health issues...and the list goes on) that will also be harvested along the way."
 WILL YOU FINISH? is no longer a question he asks himself. HOW MANY WILL I FINISH? and HOW FAR WILL I BE ABLE TO PUSH MYSELF? are the types of questions he asks himself these days. What kinds of questions are you asking yourself? | Now, 3.5 years after he began running, his weekly schedule involves participating in IRUN Monday workouts, at least one RUN CLUB run, and some sort of long run on the weekend with the additional mountain biking, land paddling, open water swim, and diving adventures sprinkled in as well. He now has more veins in his arms and legs (that he proudly bares like combat medals) and his body has completely transformed. His agility, mental toughness, and overall stamina have increased dramatically as well. Most importantly he has developed a heart of STEEL! A heart that can keep up with his new life, and a heart that is thankful for the opportunity to wake up each morning. Though he doesn't know what the future has in store for him, or when his heart will stop pumping( like the rest of us), he knows that he wants to go out running....running hard! |
As I asked him what his next goal is, he chuckled and said "a Half Ironman". I bet that wasn't on his bucket-list 4 years ago and now look at him!
Felipe is just one of the many runners here in Miami that make up the "WE" in "We Run Miami". We have so much to gain as runners and people from characters like Felipe, who have stopped making excuses, have taken their HEALTH into their own hands--choosing the harder, yet more rewarding, path to a better future, and are reaping the amazing benefits that this sport has to offer. Instead of letting the opportunity run by you, get a chance to know more about the people that run around you! You never know what they may contribute to your life and what you unknowingly may contribute to theirs as well!
Felipe is just one of the many runners here in Miami that make up the "WE" in "We Run Miami". We have so much to gain as runners and people from characters like Felipe, who have stopped making excuses, have taken their HEALTH into their own hands--choosing the harder, yet more rewarding, path to a better future, and are reaping the amazing benefits that this sport has to offer. Instead of letting the opportunity run by you, get a chance to know more about the people that run around you! You never know what they may contribute to your life and what you unknowingly may contribute to theirs as well!
Happy Running and Transforming!
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