“I don’t care what you think of me.
In three weeks I’ll never see you again anyways.”
-me, as spoken to my future wife within 15 minutes of meeting her for the first time ever
I’ve been wrong twice in my life. Saying that I would never see her again was one of those times. She was (and still is) smart and sexy enough to make me want to leave the promised land (aka: Canada) to be with her, and 10+ years later we now live in Colorado, Kansas City, the Dallas, TX area.
Which brings me to the second time I’ve been wrong. We lived in the middle of nowhere East Texas for awhile shortly after we were married. Let’s just say that it wasn’t one of the finer periods of our married life together. My wife and I both swore that we would never, ever live in Texas again. But here we are again.
I wasn’t an athletic person growing up (translation: I was fat). I was at one of my lowest weights ever when I met my wife, but that changed within the first few months of wedded bliss. The pounds started to pile on, and considering I’m only 5’8″ tall, my frame isn’t designed to carry that much extra weight. Full of health problems and low on self-esteem, I took to running in 2008. It took me a couple of weeks before I could run one mile without stopping. From there, things snowballed. My first race, about seven months later, was a half-marathon (1:48:17). Then I went on to win a hilly 10k (44:15 – it was a small field of runners!). And a little more than a year after I started running, I completed my first marathon (3:34:32). In 2011, I crossed the finish line of my first 100-mile ultramarathon.
In late 2011, I was offered a great job with a very respected company in Dallas, TX, and we decided it was worth the move to Texas. So here I am, a Canadian, ultramarathoning, bike-commuting, vegan living in Texas. I don’t fit any of the Texan stereotypes, but we own a home here and I do have a Texas drivers license. That officially makes me Texan, eh?
Questionably Texan 
I love reading things like this. It is so inspiring! Congrats on turning your health and fitness around in the right direction! Happy to hear that you are breaking the rules of a “true Texan” :).
[…] Questionably Texan […]
I love this for many reasons, but mainly because we moved from Philly to Dallas in 2011 for my husband’s job, at which time he was a vegetarian (no more, he’s all about BBQ suddenly)… Can’t wait to follow another questionable Texan!
Good Story!! I have that same No-Meat Athlete shirt!! 🙂
What an awesome story! I’ve been a runner since 2008 as well and you are giving me some serious inspiration right now. So glad to have found your blog.
I love this quote!
I LOVE your About Page!! Lol.
What an inspiring story Jesse! I’m curious about what prompted you to go vegan. Was it at the same time that you started running? Anyway, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment on my blog – I appreciate it! It’s a pleasure to e-meet you and I’m looking forward to keeping in touch. Celeste 🙂
I just read your “Eating Plants” post and that answered my questions. 🙂
As everyone above has said, I love it! Not quite fitting in to where you live can be challenging but also fun. My wife and I moved to San Diego about a year ago from Eugene, OR. She is from Colorado and I’m from the Central Valley of California. I’d lived here before so the southern CA life style wasn’t much of a shock to me but it’s been a period of adapting for us both. We don’t quite fit the make-up when leaving the house, no sweats, and nightly bar scene southern CA lifestyle, but we’re starting to feel like we can call it home.
Your story is inspirational! I aspire to be car-free and maybe vegan some time soon as well 🙂
Haha, I’m a native “middle of nowhere” East Texan, recently transplanted to Kentucky, hoping I never have to move back. I’m loving the beautiful scenery and cooler temps!
I enjoy your blog and have “nominated” you for the Liebster Award (why we say “nominate” rather than “award” I have no idea)! You can view the information and rules at The Liebster Award (and a collection of running blogs to check out).
At least I’m not the only person who doesn’t want to go back to middle-of-nowhere East Texas! And thanks for the nomination!
LoL, I had a friend in High School that had moved from Arkansas her Freshman year… She always called middle-of-nowhere East Texas “The Toilet Bowl of the World.” At the time it made me mad every time she would say it. But now? Now, I totally get it.