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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 11:12 AM

Photo by Elliot J. Sutherland/The Ottawa Herald

Jarrett Owens, Ottawa, recently won the Wellsville 5K after losing about 60 pounds. In March, Owens committed himself to becoming more physically fit. “I eat better, sleep better and just feel better,” Owens said.

Ottawan runs forward to put past behind him

Fit for a second chance: ‘I’m not that guy anymore’

By VICKIE MOSS, Herald Public Affairs Editor

Photo by Elliot J. Sutherland/The Ottawa Herald

Jarrett Owens runs Monday at Kanza Park, 11th and Elm streets, Ottawa. Owens recently lost about 60 pounds. “It took a lot of effort to haul 215 pounds around this track, but I did it,” Owens said.

Jarrett Owens, Ottawa, has made a lot of mistakes.

Alcohol. Drugs. A criminal record. Fights. Affairs. Depression. Weight gain.

Now, he’s running away from his past.

He’s running to and from work. He’s running for fun and for competition. He’s studying books about physical fitness and nutrition. He practices his Catholic faith. He’s even doing yoga.

“I used to sit around, depressed, wanting to punch someone,” Owens said. “I’m not that guy anymore.”

The switch

Owens realized in January that he had to make a change. Coworkers at Mac Fastners, 1110 Enterprise St. in Ottawa, smacked his bulging stomach and asked, “When are you gonna give birth?”

Owens, 39, weighed 215 pounds, overweight for his frame.

He decided to start running with Shane Huffman, a coworker who was training for a 5K race.

But it was difficult. Owens had knee surgery in 2006 and just couldn’t keep up. So he quit.

But in March, Owens decided it was time to make a real commitment to physical fitness. He went to his doctor, checked out books on running and nutrition and asked Huffman and other coworkers for help with his training.

It still was a challenge, but it got easier.

The 5K

Owens and Huffman entered a 5K race at Wellsville Sept. 19. It was the first running contest Owens had entered since he ran the mile in track in high school.

It felt good to race, Owens said. At first, he was proud just to be able to keep up with the other competitors.

Then, he and Huffman broke away from the pack.

“I was thinking of asking him, ‘Don’t leave me.’ But then I realized, he’s hurting too,” Owens said.

He kicked it up a notch and left Huffman behind. His time, 23:20, was a personal best — and a first-place finish.

Immediately after the race, Owens burst into tears and hugged Huffman.

“Did you see what I just did?” he asked.

“That race was a big deal to me,” Owens said later. “It’s about starting something and finishing it.”

The next step

Owens received a plaque for his victory. He gave it to his oldest daughter. That way, maybe she’ll remember everything he’s overcome. Maybe she’ll never give up on her dreams, never quit the way he used to.

Owens plans to enter another 5K in November. This time, it will be in Garnett, a town where Owens once lived and where he got into some of the worst trouble.

“It’s kind of like going home. Look at the bad seed. He’s back,” Owens said. “Nobody there’s ever known me as a runner or an athlete of any kind. I was known as a partier.”

He also wants to enter a half-marathon — 13 miles — next year in Lawrence.

Now, he has goals. He’s lost about 60 pounds. He feels better, mentally and physically. He has people like Huffman and coworkers at Mac Fastners to support him.

And he has confidence that he can handle the challenges ahead.

“I’ve conquered a lot of demons,” Owens said. “I’ve still got some bumps to get over, but I’m physically and mentally able to do it now.”