SAN ANTONIO – Crossing the finish line in Sunday’s Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll 5k race will mark the end of a long journey for Derek Mitchell.
The 36-year-old Missouri resident will cover the same 3.1-mile course as all of the other competitors, but it will also mark his 30th 5k race of the year.
Mitchell set the milestone marker for himself earlier this year as part of an ongoing fitness goal.
"It's definitely a struggle. I lost a bunch and then I gained some back," he said, talking about what at one point was a weight loss of more than 80 pounds.
Mitchell wouldn’t disclose his current weight, but said that when he set out on the path toward good health early last year, he weighed more than 600 pounds. He said his obesity was caused in part by prolactinoma, a small tumor on the pituitary gland that causes a severe testosterone deficiency, thereby increasing his chances of severe weight gain.
"I started 2015 with a New Year's resolution to cut out soda. And I started eating better, just getting out and walking around my neighborhood,” he said.
Soon, he had made up his mind to begin competing in 5k races. By the end of the year, Mitchell had far exceeded that goal.
"I ended up last year with 21 5k (races), two 10ks and half of a ‘Tough Mudder,’ which is a 10-mile-long obstacle course,” he said.
Mitchell said he trains for the events by taking a lot of long walks near his home.
However, winning medals is not as important to him as achieving a sense of self-satisfaction. He said he looks outward, though, for support.
“The biggest thing that's helped me is just the messages that I get from people who encourage me on a daily basis to keep getting out there,” Mitchell said.
He plans to heed that advice. Mitchell said he already has several 5k races and a few 10k races lined up for next year. One day, he said, he will run a marathon.