The Holidays are Here!! Somebody Help Me!!

Well, it's official, this is the first week of the start of the Holiday season.  I am extremely excited about this (not really, not so much). 

With the Holidays just around the corner, I start to think about the big turkey dinners with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie, green bean and broccoli casserole, rolls so small and light that you can make little dough balls and pop ten of them in your mouth like they were Tic-tacs.

However, those memories are from at least two years ago when I indulged in food like that.  Now, I have to adjust, adapt and change the entire way I eat, especially during the Holidays. It can be difficult because even though I have certain foods that I stay away from, that doesn't mean my family does.  Since I am the cook in the house, I have to cook different things for the Holidays.  I try new things like roasted brussel sprouts and vegetables galore.  I limit the amount of boxed items I use and try to make things from scratch.  Mashed potatoes are not russet, they are now redskin new potatoes. Little changes like that in big meals can make a big difference in the quality and healthy nature of the meal.

Just because the Holidays are here doesn't mean I have to overindulge but on the other hand, it doesn't mean that I have to miss out on awesome food either. I just (try) to use some sense and hold myself accountable when going for that second (and uh...maybe third) helping of food.

So what is everyone doing this Thanksgiving? Spending time with Family? Friends? Travelling?

Also, what is your favorite Holiday staple, healthy or not? I know my family would probably not speak to me if I didn't fix my Oreo crumb /pudding pie.  It sounds (and tastes) like something that would be so fattening, but I use sugar free pudding, low-fat oreos, fat free cool whip and dark chocolate chips, so it's not all that bad. 

Anyway, I would like to hear something that you MUST have every Holiday no matter what. Is it Grandma's Famous mashed potatoes? Buttermilk biscuits or green bean casserole?  I would like to hear!!

The Marathon - A VERY humbling and painful experience

Well, my marathon is complete, finished, and done.  This one was a definite learning experience for me.  I had more issues in this race than my first marathon in April.  I could go on and on with excuse after excuse of what went wrong, but the main point is that I finished and finished without injuring myself and for that I am happy.  I felt I trained enough to do the race, but it all goes to show that on any given day, something unexpected can go wrong.  That's just what happened, something unexpected happened.

For those of you who are interested in the details, I will be brief.  I have a problem during long runs where about mile 17-19, I have some kind pain pulling on or near my groin muscle that feels like I am repeatedly getting hit in the family jewels.  Well, I can usually stand the pain long enough to finish the remaining mileage, but on Sunday, I started to feel the pulling about mile 9.  Anyway, I pushed through it, slowed down a little to decrease the pain, and carried on until cramping hit me at mile 25 (yes better than mile 24 last time!). I stretched until the cramping had left enough to run, and then ran the rest of the way into the finish. Anyway, it's just something I need to figure out how to get past, but I ended up finishing about 15 minutes slower than my last marathon at around 4 hours and 32 minutes.  Although I was not happy with my time, I was certainly glad that I could to push through and finish strong. 

When things go a little weird during a race, I have always been told to look back at my training.  What were my long runs like, how fast were my tempo runs, did I do enough speedwork?  Those are questions that I immediately started asking myself after I finished the race.  During this training, due to time conflicts, I tended to break up a lot of my long runs into two seprate runs in the same day.  Yes, I did a couple of long runs straight through, but obviously not enough.  Also, maybe I needed to run longer tempo runs than what I did during training.  Lastly, I could have probably done more speedwork during my training.  There is always something to learn from any race, especially the ones that don't go so well.

So now, other than the Thanksgiving 5K race, I am officially done for the year 2012.  I am excited that the fall/winter season is here so I can get more into the gym, the pool, and on my bike trainer so I can get stronger, faster, and most of all, just a little wiser than this year.

Like I always have said, I started doing this exercise thing because I had hoped to lose some weight, but I really found something I truly enjoy doing.  I enjoy pushing and testing myself to see what else I can do.  I am not an expert at weight loss, exercise, triathlons, running, biking or really anything, I just like doing it all. 

With that said, if anyone has any advice they wish to share, please feel free.  I am also looking to fill my racing schedule for next year, so if anyone has suggestions or would care to share their racing, weight loss, or exercise experiences, I would really enjoy hearing them!!

Starting to finish up 2012, getting ready for the off-season, but always, painfully or not, still running...

What is your Reason for Running?

For the first time ever, I got a chance to see the Rocky Mountains.  I went to Boulder Colorado for work last week. Yeah, I know poor Jason, had to go to Boulder, Colorado at the end of September.  Haha, but trust me, I am not complaining one single bit.  I had a chance to go to the Triathlon/Cycling/Running/Endurance Training capitol of the US.  I mean, i got to run in places that Craig Alexander, Greg Bennet, and hundreds of other professional athletes have probably run before.  Sorry, I was "geeking" there for a minute, but its true, Boulder Colorado is definitely a special place.

Well, I will tell you, it was everything I imagined.  There were cyclists and runners everywhere.  I will
say it was hard to stay focused on work while there.  It seemed as though every time I turned around, there was a running trail, bike lane, or something that was calling my name.  But, I stayed true to my work and focused in and got the job done (with plenty of time to spare for running!!).  I got a chance to run an evening run with Boulder Running Company. I ended up getting lost with some other runners and turned a simple 7 miles run into an almost 14 mile run.  I got to run through the University of Colorado Campus, so no regrets on getting lost at all.  I ran to the Newton Running store with the hopes to meet Danny Abshire (founder) again.  I met him once at the Bluegrass Half Marathon that I volunteered for.  I didn't get to meet him, but I went to the store just to say I had been there. 

I also ran a couple of trails in the base of the foothills.  It was awesome, but what I didn't expect was a warning sign for mountain lions and bears in the area.  This Kentucky/Georgia transplant is not really used to going to parks and seeing warning signs for Mountain Lions. Sure made me look at the area I was running in.  haha.  Also, made me nervous a couple of times when people were running the opposite way on the trails and a very fast pace.  I had hoped they were just doing a training run.  The thing that really made me chuckle was the last tip for what to do when a mountain lion attacks you.  The sign said to "fight back."  Are you serious? No, I think a better idea would be to just let him chew on my leg a little and not do a thing about it.  He a example of the sign I saw. One word - Awesome!!

It was a great experience, but I did have to do work, so it wasn't all about fun and games. Great place and would love to go again and see more and of course, run more.  Here are a few photos I took while out there. Apparently, one of the first snowfalls occured at higher elevations while I was there.  Really cool seeing this kind of stuff for the first time!

Well, after I got back from Colorado, I had about three weeks to finish up my training to get ready for this Sunday.  Yes, this Sunday, October 21st, is my second marathon, the Columbus, Ohio Marathon! I am nervous about the marathon, maybe even more than my first one.  I think the nerves come from knowing what may happen in the last few miles of it. 

Just to bring everyone up to speed, my first marathon was great and I was so close to getting in under that 4 hour time, but at mile 24, my leg seized up and I had to walk and stretch for almost a mile which pushed me over the 4 hour time.  I was excited to say I finished a marathon, but on the other hand, I really wanted to finish under 4 hours.  It's just one of my many goals. Hopefully I have done enough training to get under 4 hours and achieve another one of my goals.  Either way, I will still be happy to say that I finished two marathons in year! 

Well, like I said, the marathon is less than a week away.  I am getting nervous and very antsy because i am tapering my running volume in prep for this weekend.  It's hard and I am definitely not used to having to taper for more than a week, but I have been told that it WILL help.

A couple of weeks ago, I sat down at my computer and watched the Chicago Marathon.  It was the marathon that I originally wanted to do, but because it was just too expensive to swing this year, I had to move to something closer to home. Well, it was amazing seeing the elites, age groupers, and charity runners run the race.  I knew of a few people who ran the race and I hope they had a great time.  I am sure they did.  There is really no way to run a marathon, finish it, and feel badly about it.  Sure, you may not finish in the time you wanted, but when you run a marathon, you are doing it for more than just a time on a clock.  Elite runners do it to support their families, age groupers may do it to stay in shape or to check off a "bucket list" item.  Charity runners may do it for a passed away friend or family member, a sick child, to raise money to fight a disease, or something else. Either way, time is not the entire reason a person runs a marathon, there just is too much training, dedication, and commitment to let that alone be the reason for doing it. 

As I said before, I am not just looking for a time under 4 hours, I am looking for more.  I am looking to see what I am made of; if I can do it one more time.  I am also doing it for my family. When I was in high school, my father had cancer in one of his vocal chords and had to have it removed, he has been cancer free for years!! Recently though, my mother was diagnosed this year with Breast Cancer (her Fourth Cancer) and she had to have a complete double mastectomy.  Also, during the surgery, the doctor's found the cancer had spread to one side of her lymph nodes. They ended up removing the lymph system on her right side. Since then, she has been going through chemotherapy and even had two more rounds of chemo added on to her initial chemo plan.  She has been the sickest I have every seen her and she even lost her hair and voice for a period of time. There were times she wanted to give up and I asked her not to.  She has never given up and still hasn't.  So she has finished the chemo treatment and has her scan this Wednesday, October 17th to see if the treatment took care of the cancer this time. Regardless of the outcome, she has been diagnosed with cancer four times and never given up.  To me that is strength, absolute strength.  If my parents can fight cancer and essentially fight for their lives, surely I can run a 26.2 mile race in their Honor. So that is another reason I run and why I run a marathon, for my parents, from which I know what true STRENGTH is. And at this marathon, I will be wearing the pink ribbon for my mother and also my dad and the millions before them that have fought cancer.

Another reason I run the marathon is pretty simple. I want my kids to say that their dad has run not one marathon, but two, and next year, maybe they will be able to say three and four.  I remember the look on my kid's eyes when I couldn't even fit in an amusement park ride two years ago. It was not a sight that I ever want to see again.  It was the look of surprise and disappointment that I was asked to step off the ride.  It wasn't the embarrassment from others looking at me that helped fuel my weight loss, it was the embarrassment that I felt that I put on my kids.  They didn't have a choice of who their Dad was, only I did.  I knew I had to change, not just for myself, but for my kids.  So, running a marathon, and pushing myself to finish at whatever time I finish, doesn't concern me as much as seeing the reaction of my family when they know that their Dad just did something that not everyone can or will do.

So there, those are the reasons for my motivation for getting up everyday and training and losing weight and just trying to become a better person.  I know I am not the best Dad in the world, or the most in shape, or even the best person in the world, but I am trying to take it one day at a time.  I guess being a better "me" is kind of like a marathon; you just take it one step at a time, you put just one foot in front of the other.

This journey I am am on seems to be focused around me realizing that I have a life and want to make it the best that I possibly can. 

It took weight loss to realize that I have a great family and great friends, and it makes me happy that I now am starting to realize how important those are in my life.

Thanks to all who have supported me thus far and those who continue to support me everyday.

Just humbled, not running, just humbled...

What is with this Training?

Yep, you guessed it.  Still training for the Columbus Marathon! It seems harder this time to get into a groove and it has me asking myself "what is with this training?"  It seems like the days I run, I have to be more concerned with hydration and humidity readings than how long or fast my runs are.  When training for the Louisville Derby Marathon, I didn't really have to worry hydration or humidity because I trained during the mild winter of 2011-2012.  All I really had to focus on was getting stronger and gaining endurance. Now, all I can think of is c'mon Fall 2012, because I am tired of finishing runs where I sweat so much it looks like I just got finished swimming with all my clothes on. Anyone know any tips for dealing with humidity and not letting it affect your running during long endurance runs?  If so, I would greatly appreciate any advice or information.

Yes, as you guessed, I sweat a lot and it doesn't matter what time of day, as long as the humidity is high, I am always sweating my butt off (literally).  Anyway, I know towards the end of the Winter, I will be glad to see Spring and Summer 2013.  That s what is so mice about living in Kentucky, you actually do get to see all four seasons each year.  It seems this year though, Fall cannot get here fast enough.

It has been an extremely busy August and Spetember doesn't look like it will slow down much either.  Between training for Columbus, Work, and all my husbandly and fatherly duties, it looks like I have a full monthload of fun...and just think, it is only just a few more months until Christmas.  Awesome! (sarcasm, of course).  Other than the training, I did run a new 5K PR during the Midsummer's Night Run in Downtown Lexington, Ky.  I ran a 24:10 which was 2:16 better than the 5K I ran last November and about 12 minutes faster than the same race in 2011.  I wanted to break 24 minutes but I will just have to wait until later this year to try that. 

I also volunteered for the Louisville Ironman.  I will tell you, I had a blast! I was there about 16 hours and it seemed to fly by.  I met all kinds of people (even a pretty well known ultra marathoner!) that volunteered and the athletes were just amazing!  It really made me want to do an Ironman next year, but I know I will have to keep myself in check and just take it all in and decide with my head rather than the "fly by the seat of my pants" methodology.  I really enjoy triathlons, and I know I will do more, but I have come to realization that I really LOVE running and I may still do an Ironman next year or the year after that, I want to focus on trying to get the most out of my running. After all, running is what really helped me to lose the weight and that is important to me to keep doing it to maintain my goals. 

Another big moment for me this August was getting my braces off.  I have had my braces (for the 2nd time in my life) since I started this weight loss and it seemed like the turning of another chapter in my life of making myself a better "ME." I have attached before and after photos below so everyone could see the difference. I was really blown away at the difference, especially when looking at the photos side by side.
Even one photo (bottom left), I cannot even fit my head all the way in the picture because it was so big. Either way you look at it, neither of the photos are the prettiest pictures, but there is definitely a difference between the left and the right photos (besides the shirt - haha). One thing I noticed is that I don't always look like I am squinting as much (must have been the fat rolls weighing on my eyelids.)

Anyone have any races or events coming up? If so, I would really like to know what kind of training you are doing.

Also, for any readers out there that don't mind sharing some helpful hints or recipes on fruit smoothies.  As I have stated before, I really am not a fruit person, so the only real way I can eat fruit is by making a smoothie.  I have been using blueberries, strawberries, and bananas with orange juce since last year and I haven't tried anything else, so any ideas or recipes would be awesome!

Thanks everyone!

So anyway, I am still running, still training, and right now, sweating like crazy...

A Year in Retrospect

Well, it definitely has been a while since my last posting.  Hopefully everyone that reads my blog has enjoyed the heart of summer 2012.  The pools are open, roads are hot, and bike routes are endless in Kentucky right now.  Well, since my last posting I have been VERY busy with training, work, and just life in general.  Not to bore anyone with the work or general life part of things, I will elaborate on the past few races.

First was the Warrior Dash held in Lebanon, Kentucky.  Considering it was my first Mud/Obstacle Course run, I had no idea what to expect. Man, I was surprised! First of all, the run was a nice up and down cross-country type of trail and every 1/2 to 1/4 mile there was some sort of obstacle that included either running through tires, crawling through ditches, swimming in muddy creeks, jumping over logs, climbing cargo net ropes or walls, or just running down a zigzagging wooded trail, it was great!  I never really intended to do the race, but a woman at work told me she always wanted to do a race like that and didn’t know if she wanted to do it because she had no one to run with her. I quickly volunteered and the next thing I knew, I was registered for a Warrior Dash! Well, anyway, it was her very first race and what a way to start.  I stuck by her and we finished at the same time (well, actually she beat me by 0.01 sec).  I must say, had it not been for her wanting to do the race, I never would have done it. Thanks Sharon!! A lot of times, I hear people ask if you really do get muddy, and the answer is simply "Yes, Yes, and Yes Again!" Just to show you how muddy you can get, I have included a few pictures from that race.

Ok, my next race was o the Fourth of July and this race had a special meaning to me.  The race is called the Bluegrass 10,000 and it is the very first race that I ever participated.  It was, in some sense, the stepping stone for me last year, and I haven’t stopped since. Anyway, it is a 10km (approx. 6.2 miles) and my main goal was to stomp, no crush, my time from last year.  It's amazing because last year my goal was to run the entire race and not stop running.  It's amazing how much difference one year can make. 

On July 4th, 2011, I toed the starting line of the Bluegrass 10,000 alongside the walkers and little kids. I weighed approximately 295-300lbs and was really starting to feel good about running and even myself. I was scared that I bit off more than I could do for my first race and nervous about running the entire thing. I finished the race that day in 1:12:18, with one thing in my mind, "Do not stop running!!"  I had just run something that just six months before that, I wouldn’t have even watched on TV. I was proud of myself, and I really think that day gave me the ability and motivation to believe in myself.

Now, one year later on July 4th, 2012, I toed the starting line of the Bluegrass 10,000 near the front of the pack, alongside the runners. I weighed in roughly at 211 lbs. and felt nervous and once again, a little scared. However, this time, I had one thing in mind, last year’s time - 1:12:18.  I had to beat it, I knew I could, but didn’t just want to beat, I wanted to CRUSH IT! Within one year, I ran a couple 5Ks, a half marathon, a marathon, two triathlons, and an obstacle run.  I knew I had it in me, but still was nervous. This race meant a lot to me and it helped start everything I had become over the past year, so I had to give it a hell of a shot.  Well, as you might have guessed, I didn't cross the finish line at 1:11:00 or 1:10:00; I crossed it at 51:30.  I felt that I hadn't pushed enough but I still felt good about where I stood. I cut about 21 minutes from the same race one year ago! Again, I was happy, but mostly I was proud.  Of course, I didn't go home with an age group or overall award, and I doubt I ever will, but I went home with so much more, motivation and accomplishment.

The next event brings us to full circle and up-to-date with my last triathlon for the 2012 season.  It was named the Buckhead Border Challenge.  It was an Olympic distance triathlon and was essentially the same route (a couple little tweaks) as I raced the month before in the Southern Indiana Triathlon. The biggest difference in the route was that before, on my first open water swim, I swam in the Ohio River along the shoreline, but in this event, I had to swim across the damn river!! Ok, so needless to say, with how I feel about swimming (see multiple, multiple previous posts), I wasn't looking forward to that. Well, I will make this short or else this post will turn into a book, and no one needs that.

First of all, the morning of the race, I woke up at 4am to a text from the race stating that the bacteria in the water of the Ohio River was higher than normal and that triathletes were welcome to switch to a duathlon rather than have to swim in the river.  Of course, as you guessed, I took a deep breath and packed my swim cap and goggles to take with me that morning because I am crazy and was going to swim anyway.  Well, apparently I wasn't the only crazy person, because there were many more that decided to swim that day.

Well, if you read my previous post, my first open water swim wasn't the best it could have been, I got kicked in the chest and hit in the shoulder and swam from boat dock to boat dock just to stop from snapping due to anxiety in the water.  Well, I will tell you, it's amazing what you learn in just one event.  My swim wave was directed to get into the water which I nervously did, but this time, instead of treading water and staying close to the back of the pack, I hung on to the boat dock until the horn sounded and even then I counted to ten to let everyone go ahead, and then I went. I got out of the water without having to stop, without really freaking out, and without much more than some extra bacteria that day. I would later find out, I was out of the water a full 12 minutes faster than the month before!

Next, came the bike; I hopped on proceeded down essentially the same route as before, but they changed the route to a slightly flatter and faster route than in the Southern Indiana Triathlon.  I got off the bike later to find out that I had averaged approximately 24.5 mph compared to last month's 20.5 mph average.  Now came the run, I was especially nervous about the run because the previous month, I actually had to walk a little just to try to get my legs back from being on the bike.  Not this time though. I finished strong and although not at a blistering pace of around 9 min per mile.

After all was said and done, I finished the same distance, understanding the bike route wasn't as hilly; I finished approximately 22 minutes faster than the triathlon just one month before.  I was pleased and it was a good way to finish off my first triathlon season.

Now, you may ask why I decided to end my triathlon season right in the heart of the summer. Well, that is because I am starting to gear up for my final event of the season. I had originally hoped to run the Chicago Marathon in the first week of October but finances and poor planning on my part didn't allow things to work out that way.  Well, I still wanted to run (or should I say attempt) one more marathon this year and through the recommendation of a couple of friends, I decided to run the Columbus Ohio Marathon on October 21st, 2012!  I have already registered and have signed up for a pace group (hopefully this time I can keep up past mile 18).  Anyway, I am in full training mode and need to have more focus on endurance running rather than just endurance training for triathlons.  I will still get workouts on the bike and spinning classes and yes, I will even still do swimming because all are GREAT exercises to build endurance in any sport, but I need to focus on speed work, tempo running, and long distance running.

I don't know how I will feel after this marathon, but I know I LOVE running.  It's what started me believing in myself and it’s the only place that I can be by myself and even within myself. I get more satisfaction from a difficult, hot run, than any mile long swim, or 30, 40, or 50 mile bike ride. We all have something that we enjoy doing more than others, and for me, it is running. I have done three triathlons to one marathon, and I can say while triathlons are mentally and physically challenging, the marathon was the most physically challenging. Now, don't get me wrong, I haven't competed in a half or full ironman and I am sure that those are even more physically challenging, but for me, the marathon gave me the best feeling of accomplishment so far.  Now I plan to do an Ironman and a half-Ironman next year, so my tune may change a little, but I also plan to do two more marathons and maybe even an ultra next year too. Anyway, there is more to come, much, much more!!

Writing in this blog and thinking about how this all began for me with just a simple New Year’s Resolution, I have found that sometimes the event that you are training for sometimes gets to be the only reason why you go and run, bike, swim, or exercise, but running the Bluegrass 10,000 for a second time and seeing how things have changed for me over the past year; it helped me remember what it is really all about.  It's not about how many miles you can run or how far fast you can pedal a bike, what the pace that your GPS watch says, or even how fast your 400 meter swim time is; it’s about being "able" to do it. Over a year ago, I wasn’t "able" to do it, and now I am. That's really why I started on this crazy journey; I started on this journey because I wanted to lose weight and get healthy, well, I think I can say I am accomplishing that, but now I need to remember that I never want to go back, never...

So while I sit here writing in this blog, I think about how much my life has changed. I think about where I would be if I had never decided to do this, if I never lost a pound.  Would I be happy, would I be over 400 lbs.?  The answer is I really don’t care anymore.  I am where I am because I made a decision for myself and in the end, that’s all we have, that’s what makes up our lives, the decisions we make throughout, and for me, this is one of mine…

Living and loving life, no longer dictated by the size of my waistline, but by the motivation that lies within, but of course… Always running

Right in the Middle of Things!!

Well, here I am, right where I said I wanted to be.  I am in the middle of my training season!!  Yahoo!!  For 2012, I have participated in my first marathon, first sprint triathlon, first Olympic triathlon, and in just a couple of days, my first Mud Run (aka. Warrior Dash).  Since I am in the middle of my training, I guess that puts me in the middle of my race season too!  I have one more Olympic distance triathlon left and then I will be training for a marathon sometime in October.

I will be either running the Chicago Marathon or the Columbus, OH Marathon.  I have been contacted by a non-profit group located in Chicago to run in the Chicago Marathon.  They are called Chicago Run and they promote health and wellness in communities throughout Chicago through running programs.  They offer free running programs in the "high-need" communities throughout Chicago. Check out their website:  http://chicagorun.org/home

I was contacted by one of their staff after they read my interest in running the Chicago Marathon.  Well, there are a few logistics to work out, but it looks like I may have a chance to run in the marathon!!

Also, two Sunday's ago, I attempted my second official triathlon and first Olympic distance triathlon.  An Olympic distance triathlon consists of a 1.5km (~.9 miles), a 40km (~24 mile) bike, and a 10km (6.2 mile) run.  Well, I will tell you one thing, I think I was physically prepared for the race, but I had no idea how unprepared I was for the mental aspect of the race.

It started off with a nice refreshing (sarcasm) swim in the Ohio River.  I had practiced and trained for the swim in both 25 and 50 meter distance pools, but never in the open water. In the pool , the water is nice and clear and you lane lines and wave dampeners for each lane.  In the Ohio River, you can't see anything in the water and it is probably for the best because after an empty sour cream container and bucket lid hit me while in the water and sink into muck up to my knees, I didn't want to know what was around me.  I just knew I wasn't even close to prepared for what was about to happen.  We started in different waves, Sprint Distance Women, Sprint Distance Men, Olympic Distance Women, and finally, my group, Olympic Distance Men. 

As we treaded water waiting to be signaled to start I looked around at the people I was in the water with.  I was surrounded by all types of athletes, younger and older men. It was amazing to see and wonder what kind of stories these people had.  Why did they chose doing triathlons? Where they doing this for a charity, or other purpose.  One thing I have learned in the sport is that everyone has a reason for doing it. Whether it be for overcoming cancer, weight loss, in memory of a friend, or something else, there is something that is driving these people.

Well, they started us off and I proceeded to experience my first open water swim.  By this I mean I got kicked in the chest, and hit in my shoulder as soon as we were allowed to go.  I had heard that the start is very unique and new people should try to stay toward the back just to avoid the "washing machine" effect. Well, I must admit, I wasn't ready for what happened.  I tried to keep my composure, but had to instantly swim to a nearby boat dock just to regain my breath.  I was freaking out.  I was swimming upstream and trying to do a freestyle stroke, but every time I lifted my head to get a breath, water would splash in my face and not allow me to get a full breath.  The water was choppy and definitely not something I had practiced in my training.  The turn around buoy seemed to be miles away, but somehow, I made it there.  I had to swim the breast stroke to get there, but I made it and that signified I was only a third of the way done.  I thought about that and said to myself, "OK, you have two choices, swim to nearest boat and tell them you quit and are too much of a wimp to finish a swim, or just suck it up, grow-up, and push yourself just as you did everyday you trained." 

I chose to just suck it up and give it everything I had.  I pushed myself to do freestyle and I figured out how to breath between the waves splashing up in my face.  I finished the swim feeling relieved but also a little disappointed that I even thought "quitting" was an option that day.  I hopped on the bike and proceeded to push myself even harder because I knew I had been in the water so long.  I rode very hard and made my $300.00 craigslist road bike go as fast as it could.  I finished the bike in 1 hour and 12 minutes just six minutes from the top ten in bike times.  I felt good about the bike but the run stopped me dead in my tracks.  The run has always been a strong part of the triathlon for me (at least I thought).  After pushing that hard on the bike to try to make up some time from my swim, I pushed so hard, that my legs took over four miles of running until I quit feeling "dead legged."  And on a six mile run, four miles into it is just too late.  Anyway, I finished strong but mentally fatigued in 3 hours and 4 minutes. But I will tell you, it was an absolutely great feeling to finish knowing that just two hours earlier, the thought of quitting briefly passed through my mind.  I am so glad that I didn't quit and knew deep down, that I had it in me the whole time, I just had to "dig deep" to find it - and I'm glad I did find it!



I knew triathlons were both mental and physically demanding, but I had no idea just how mentally unprepared I would be.  Fortunately, you can't get mentally prepared unless you experience it so I felt I took a lot of knowledge and maybe a little experience with me that day.  My next triathlon is on July 15th, and it happens to be the same location of the first Olympic triathlon.  I will do better and hopefully, will be a little more prepared physically and mentally.

So, I learned a great lesson that day.  You can train as much as you want and as long as you can handle, but like most things, experience and first hand knowledge may just be the best preparation. So I am hungry to do better, and am excited to see just what I have in me to finish it again.



So, I am in the middle of my training, humbled by my experiences in this sport, but getting stronger and of course, running...

My ADHD and the Power of People...What???

Just in case you didn't know, I was diagnosed in high school as a kid with ADHD. And diagnosed again 10 years ago, and once again less than a year ago. So basically, there is no way around it, I am one of those ADHD kids. Haha, and that's exaclty it, I am a kid and just about anyone that knows me can tell you that too. 

The woman I train with regularly even has an ongoing joke that while she is focused on training and getting properly prepared for races and events, I am off running and chasing bunnies and squirrels on a moments notice. All I have to say is if I see a squirrel or rabbit while I am running or biking, I may break my neck trying to chase one down.

In other words, I get excited about things very easily, lose focus constantly, and am basically all over the place.  I believe excercise and training has allowed me to learn how to gain focus and maybe even "let out" all the excitement!  However, sometimes, it just increases my excitement and energy!  My family says that I act like I am twelve years old. If thats the case, I am fine with acting twelve because I really feel much younger since this weight loss. 

I am happy I get a chance to do and experience the things that I have this past year and a half, but most of all, I am happy that I have changed my life to become healthier and most of all, probably increased my life so I can drive my family and friends crazy even longer!! Haha
Seriously though, I am so fortunate to be able to have lost the weight and also have family and friends that care about me.  I am also very fortunate to have parents that are strong enough to fight and beat cancer multiple times.  I can't imagine how tough it is to fight something like that, but I know it can be done because I have seen it with my own eyes. 

We all know that life is busy and never stops for anyone to wait and catch up.  I guess the trick is to just keep running and get the most that we can while we are on this planet. I am very fortunate to have been able to lose this weight and even learn a thing or two about the power of the human spirit and whether they show it on the outside, just how strong people can be!!

So as I get back to my busy life and my training, I look back and realize how fortunate I am. 

I have also posted this video/slideshow because people have said that I need to post it, so for those of you hecklers, give me your best shot, because I can take it, but for those of you who are interested, check out the video below.

My First Weight Loss Video!! Tell Me What You Think!!


Back to training, humbled by the power of people, and happy to be alive...

Have I Trained Enough? Am I Ready for This? Let's Find out!!

These last 2-3 weeks have been difficult to say the least.  I have, once again, had my share of ups and downs during my training.  I have had good training days and also some bad, actually very bad.  However, things always seem to look up as I get closer to an event.  For some reason, the closer I get to the event, the better the training gets.  Maybe it’s because I am more focused and realize that time is a valuable asset as the event date nears. Not too sure, but maybe that’s it. 

I have been trying to run during daylight hours so I can try to get accustomed to the type of heat that I will probably face during my events this summer.  I have been putting in more time on the bike/spinning to give myself more endurance during my ride.  And lastly, I have been trying to get into the pool more often to get more endurance during my swim.  All of these methodologies have seemed to pay off in some way.  I feel strong and confident when I run; I feel more comfortable on the bike, and as far as the swim is concerned, I am just trying not to drown during the open water swim.

Not only has my training been tough, so has the non-training part of my life.  My mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and went into surgery to remove the cancer, but while in surgery, the doctors found more cancer in her lymph nodes near the breast cancer and had to remove that too. Basically, it was pretty tough to have to tell my mother what happened later that day.  But this is my mother’s fourth bout with cancer and she has gotten pretty tough since her first diagnoses many years ago.  She has beaten cancer three times and I am sure this time will be number four.  She was out of the hospital in two days and was at the YMCA five days after her surgery riding three miles on a stationary bike.  Like I have said, she is a tough woman all the way through.  Shewill be going through some aggressive chemotherapy and I hope that she gets rid of the cancer once and for all!

Anyway, so while I train, I think about my mother and other people who everyday, have bigger struggles to deal with than just bad day of triathlon training and it makes me "shut up" and just work as hard as I can.

Also, I attended a 10K run that my daughter participated in two weeks ago and cheered her on to the finish.  She ended up placing second in her age group!  She has done two races and the first 10K, she placed first in her age group, and in the second 10K, she placed second.  That is just amazing. It was nice to sit on the sidelines and cheer for another person to succeed.  I really liked that. 

I also volunteered for an Kid’s Triathlon on Sunday June 3^rd.  It’s the first time a Kid’s Triathlon has been coordinated this early in the season in Lexington and it SOLD OUT at 150 kids with ages ranging from 8-14!  It was a blast and I had a great time!  There was just something to seeing these kids cross the finish line as they heard their names called out.  They were competitive, but more than anything, they were filled with "pure and innocent" joy!  Its great to watch these kids have fun because they have no worries about training, work stresses or schedules, car payments, house payments, or anything. They are just kids having fun and that, I think was awesome to watch.

Anyway, the nerves are starting to set in.  I only have 3 days until my first open water swim and my first Olympic distance triathlon. Shouldn’t I be used to these nervous feelings right?  Well, I don’t know about that, but I think part of the excitement is the nervousness and anxiety that comes building up to an event.  Because during the event, it seems like a whirlwind and there is not really any nervousness once the event starts.  At that point, I will find out if I did enough training or not. Hopefully I have, because I am starting to taper and at this point there is nothing more I can do about my training. 

Just three more days to push myself and do a little tapering before toeing the starting line, but a lifetime to remember the outcome - time to train, time to endure, time to be ALIVE…

Where Do I Go From Here?

So I have finished my first triathlon, my first marathon, and my first full year of weight loss.  So where do I go from here?  What do I do now?  Of course we all know the answer.  The answer is to "Keep on Truckin'..."

I have spent much of my life starting things but never really finishing or following through.  I was always good at starting things, but always seem to fall flat when it was time to continue. Well, not this time!  The stakes are far too important.  This is my life we are talking about and I am not about to let my past dictate my future!  I will continue on with my plans to complete a half ironman, ironman, and ultramarathon. And after that, then I will find something else, something to keep me looking forward in life rather than behind me.

I am sure many of you are probably saying "why is he making such a big deal about this?" Well, it's because I have to keep realizing that I have a new life to live and sometimes, I feel that if I dont make a big deal out of how my life has changed, maybe I will get lazy and fall back into a the "old me" way of thinking. 

Therefore, I am getting focused and prepared for my next four events that are in June and July.  They are the Southern Indiana Triathlon, Warrior Dash, Bluegrass 10K, and the Buckhead Border Triathlon.  I have also updated my Google Calendar to reflect my upcoming races and events for the remainder of the year.  Its time to get motivated and start pushing myself again!  I also signed up to be a volunteer for the Louisville Ironman at the end of August.  I can't wait and will defintely be motivated for that event!

Anyway, I have not only found something that I hope, once and for all, that I can stick with, but also something that I can push myself to get better at.  I am loving the new life that I have and loving the chance to do things that I never even thought possible.  You  have heard the saying, "Dream the impossible dream."  Well, that is really what the last year has been for me... An impossible dream. But I now am starting to realize that maybe it wasn't so impossble after all. This new life has been here waiting for me all along, just counting the time it would take for me to step up and find it. 

The great thing about losing this weight and trying to stay healthly, is the people you meet along the way.  I don't mean the triathletes, endurance runners, cyclists, fitness instructors, coaches or anything like that. Those people are absolutely great too, but I am talking about the people who have also stood in the same shoes, and have done the same things I have.  I am talking about the other people that have changed their lives by weight loss.  I have met people in their 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, and even 60's, that have lost over 100 lbs. and changed their life.  Even though there may be a large age difference between these people, there is always one thing we have in common and it's the way we look at life now.  Everyone I have met looks at life as if, for the first time, they just started living.  Their value of life is so much diffferent; you get to do things that you have never been able to do before.  It's not like saying that you used to run only a couple miles, and now you can run a marathon.  It's completely different, it's like saying I used not even be able to walk, and now I run until I say to stop.  It's amazing to meet people that have overcome such obstacles to get where they are now.

So for those of you who think that a new, healthier way of living is beyond you, or if you think your "prime" years are behind you...think again.

So, today, I am officially taking one of my first breaks of the Spring 2012 season! I am getting organized, motivated and prepared for what is in front of me. 

It's also Mother's Day and for all of you mothers out there.  I wish you a very happy, healthy, and relaxing Mother's Day! 

I am here looking forward, staying true to myself and my goals, and tomorrow, I will be running again...

WHEW!! What a Month April Has Been!!




 

The NEW Me at the Heart and Sole Tritahlon

 

The OLD Me.  Lucky to get off the couch...



 It all started January 10^th, 2011.  A very, very large man was looking through his Christmas 2010 photos. While he was looking through them, he saw someone he really didn’t recognize anymore.  He saw someone who was headed for a probable “abbreviated” life.  During the previous year in 2010, this guy was asked to exit an amusement park ride because the “extend-a-belt” (aka. fat boy belt) wouldn’t even fit over his stomach.  He even got winded after walking two flights of stairs. He had to get a belt with a small belt buckle because the belts that had a big belt buckle would leave a painful mark on his overlapping stomach. His idea of shopping for clothes consisted of elastic waistlines, and stretchy materials to hide his huge stomach and enormous love handles. He didn’t want to go to water parks because the site of him without a shirt was too horrific for even him to fathom. Does this sound ridiculous, sad, gross, or even pitiful? Well, it was all of those until he (me) decided I needed a change; a new life, a better life, an “un-abbreviated” life. 

Sure we can’t determine exactly when or how we will go, but we can certainly do something to try to make our life healthier, more enjoyable, and more rewarding.  That’s what I think I have done; I have made my life have more than just a beginning and an end. My life feels like it has meaning again, like I have a fresh slate at life. At 171 lbs. total weight lost, I feel amazing!  I have been taken off all medication (high blood pressure and cholesterol medications) because I have lost the weight and am eating right.

I just finished two weeks of some of the most challenging and rewarding times in my life.  I finished my first triathlon and my first marathon in back-to-back weekends.  I am sure some of you say “big deal,” but for me it has been an eye opening experience of how much fun my life has become. I like to do these races not just because they are fun, but mostly, because I now know that I can.

I finished my triathlon 27^th out of a little over 100 people, and also finished my marathon in half the pack of over 2000 people.  While I am not burning up any speed records, I have been having the time of my life.  I go to spinning and bike classes and I smile, because the endorphins kick in and I know I can push through any pain if needed.  I run hard for miles because I know I have some endurance. I swim laps upon laps in the pool because I know I can take it. I do pushups till it burns, and then I do more, because I know it is possible.  I have learned self-discipline because that is what it takes to change your life.  I am by no means saying that I can do anything at will, but I know I can do a lot more than I did last year at this time, and next year, I want to say the same thing, and so on and so on.

I know I will never stand on a podium and finish as a top triathlete, runner, swimmer, or cyclist, but I know I will have fun chasing those who do. So, for those of you who are podium finishers and top athletes, be aware, I am behind you, probably miles and miles behind you, but don’t stop, because I will always be there, pushing as hard as I can.

Chasing new goals, new dreams, but always pushing and running...

The Time is Upon Me!

I haven't written a post in a while but that is because I have been training pretty darn hard, at least to my standards.  I am now just one day away from competing in my first ever triathlon.  It is just a Sprint Triathlon, but it feels like an Ironman to me right now.  Nerves are on edge, anxiety is starting to set in; the question "why am I doing this, and am I crazy?" keeps popping up in my head.  Even if I look past this race this weekend, I look to next weekend and see an even more daunting task, the Louisville Kentucky Derby Marathon. But these events are exactly what I have trained for and what has given me the drive to lose weight and be healthier. These events are not the finishline, but the start of what I hope to be one of the best years of my life!

I volunteered for a local half marathon at the end of March.  I didn't participate because I was in the middle of my training and didnt want to go "all out" on a race event of that distance before my marathon - (sound advice from a co-worker.) So instead, I volunteered to give me added motivation of being around thousands of runners.  The race went really well and I had a few people I work with participate and get some really great times and PR's. During my time there, I met co-founder of Newton Running Shoes, Danny Abshire!  This guy is a self-made man who has developed custom shoes and orthotics for some of the most elite triathletes and endurance runners in the world.  If you dont already know how big Newton Running is, take a look at the most recent winner of Ironman Championships in Hawaii.  Look what he is wearing as he crosses the finish line. Yep, you guessed it, Newton Running Shoes. Now, I am not advocating that people switch shoes to Newton's but just getting the chance to meet someone of Danny Abshire's stature in this sport, is motivation enough.  But, it didnt just stop with meeting him, I actually ran with him and he evaluated my running form. Wow, I did feel lucky.  Dannny is a great guy who is very passionate about his product and it shows. He is a little man who looks a little like a very in-shape Mel Brooks.  He never stops moving and is always talking; he is a great guy.  So these are some of the reasons why volunteering at a large local race can be motivating; you may get to meet people that are influential in the sport, you get to give back to the sport, and its nice to get to cheer on your friends at the finish line.

Other than that, like I said before, I have been training as much as I can.  I train about 13-15 hours a week doing anything from strength training, running, biking/spinning, swimming, stretching, and yoga.  I have been going to a physical therapist for my hamstring strain and foot issue.  It seems to be helping, but I wish I had no pain at all, but I am not sure that will EVER happen.  It's better than the other choice of not getting in shape and sitting on the couch and taking years off my life by beign sedentary. That's what I used to be, and I damn sure don't ever want to go back to that.

Since I have my triathlon tomorrow and my marathon next week, I am into my taper period this week and next, so my workout schedule has lessened a little.  Insteaad of 3000 yard swims, I am only doing 1100 to 1500 yards, also I am only running 20-22 miles this week with a long run of only 10 miles. Next week, I will only run about 5-7 miles total before the marathon.  I am running shorter, faster runs rather than longer, moderate paced runs.  Biking hasnt really changed so much because I wasn't going especially crazy with the mileages anyway.  I try to keep my weekly bike/spinning mileage to around 75-100 miles a week.  I did go to a local Triathlon Shop and do some bike trianing with a wattage trainer so I could evaluate my power usage, but overall, my biking has remained relatively the same. I thought I would enjoy the taper period since it would be slowdown of my regualr activities that I have been gradually increasing for over a year now, but that is not the case.  In fact, it is just the opposite, I have been relatively uncomfortable about the whole thing. I have more time to think about the "what ifs" and "woulda, coulda, shoulda's."  For example, I now wonder if my taper period will affect my performance and endurance for the upcoming races.  Everyone that is more experienced than me (which is virtually everyone) says not to worry that I will appreciate the extra freshness and energy that my body will feel and that everything will be just fine. I know that all those people are right, but I still feel like I should have trianed harder, stronger, and longer.  I guess it's just the anxiety of the first races, but I hope I am ready. 

I still have that "fat boy" mentality that I am just not good enough to particitpate in these events, and that I still don't belong in these types of settings. It is still hard to look in the mirror and see an a runner, triathlete, or even a person that has lost the weight that I have.  Speaking of weight loss, I have lost a total of 170 lbs., but I still dont see it, or that I have lost that much.  It is nice to see people that I havent seen in a while, and they walk right past me not knowing who I am.  That does make me feel good and it shows me that even though I may not always be able to see the changes, that other people can see it.

Well, hopefully I will make it through the next two weeks without too much much damage.  I will post again after the races.  To those of you that are reading this looking for some motivation, inspiration or gratification on your own weight loss, I am not sure how, but I hope you find it, because it is not about how many races we enter, how much blood or sweat we lose; it's about somewhere in all the running, weight lifting, walking, biking, swimming, hiking, and overall weight loss; that you just find yourself and try to make the most out of every day we are given. With that, I wish everyone the best, and I will talk to everyone next week!

Until next time!

Tapering my training, anxious, getting frustated, but finding myself...

Training, Training, Training...

I haven’t written in a while so I thought I needed to update everyone on my progress and maybe even take a different path in my post. 

First of all, I am smack in the middle of my triathlon and marathon training and working very hard (at least for me). I am right in the middle of my training for the Heart and Sole Sprint Triathlon and the Kentucky Derby Marathon.  The sprint triathlon (April 21st) is one week before the Marathon (April 28th). After today, I will officially begin my taper for the Marathon.  I ran my longest distance today (approximately 24.5 miles) and that will be the longest I run until the day of the marathon.  For the following weeks, I will be slowly reducing my weekly mileage and my long runs will become shorter (< 20 miles).  I am doing strength training, running about 40 - 45 miles a week while mixing in a few long, tempo, and short, quick runs.  I am also still working on my swimming and have increased to about 5000 yards per week.  I still am doing spinning classes at least two days per week and trying to get outside to do some biking on the weekends.  I average about 12-14 hours a week in some sort of training.

I have started to develop an injury or two, but nothing to derail my training.  I have been to a Sports Medicine doctor and have started physical therapy for a right hamstring strain and some sort of arch/toe pain.  Basically, I probably need to do more post-workout stretching after my run and strengthening of my glutes and hamstrings.  Again, the doctor said it is nothing to stop any of my training, but it is something that needs physical therapy. 

Anyway, I have lost approximately 167-168 lbs. and I am eating just about anything I can get my hands on since my training volume has increased.  I still eat “clean”, just quite a bit of it.  I really like it, but there is only so much someone can eat in a given day.  I really enjoy the new “me” and the progress that I am making toward training for races.  I still learn new things every day from some of the most amazing people.  That is what I really wanted to talk about in this post, is the amazing people that I have come in contact with over this past year.  I have met some really great, unselfish, and extremely motivating people along my journey and I just wanted to share a little about their story. 

I know I may leave some people out, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been motivated by EVERYONE that I come in contact since my journey began.  Let’s start with a few people I have met at the YMCA.

First there is a woman, my spinning instructor and running partner, or “the beast,” as I like to call her.  She is a woman who has competed in a few Half-Ironman Races and countless road and mud races.  Over the past year, she has been my spinning instructor, triathlon mentor, running partner, number one motivator, and friend.  She, like most extreme athletes, will push herself to her limits with only her own pure self-will.  She pushes through pain and injury like no one I have ever seen before (not that it is always a good thing), but she does it without a grimace.  She is currently training for two half-Ironman races this year along with a couple of mud runs and a sprint or Olympic distance triathlon here and there, but she definitely lives up to her nickname. 

Next is a guy named Mike.  He is also a triathlete, but his triathlons are mostly XTERRA type events.  For those of you who don’t know XTERRA events are those that involve the same swim, bike, run aspect, but the run and bike are done on trails and by mountain bike.  These are extremely difficult races and therefore, the distances tend to be Olympic distances. Well, this guy is very unique.  He trains himself and creates his own workouts from his readings and experience alone.  He, like most triathletes, is very regimented and dedicated to his sport.  He really understands the sport and how to train efficiently.  He has given me some great advice over the last year on training regimens and readings that I should pick up.

Another person is a triathlete named John.  He is an older gentleman with great knowledge of the sport.  He has raced in anything from a Half –Ironman distance to sprint distances. He knows which races are good for beginners, and which races to stay away from.  He is actually the person who recommended that I try the Heart and Sole Sprint Triathlon Race. He is valuable resource when it comes to race knowledge.

These are just a few of the people that I have met along my way.  They are just some of the people who have helped me, motivated me, and even pushed me to reach my limits and even push past those.

Just an added note...

The preparation for my marathon has really become an eye opener.  I will tell you, a 20+ mile run will tell you a lot about yourself.  If you have read some of my other posts, you will find that I am passionate about running, more so than biking or swimming.  There is just something special about running. There are sights, sounds, smells (not always good smells though J), that most people won't get to witness unless you are a runner.  There is an area that I regularly run in the mornings that has the best sunrise that I have seen.  I am sure there may be better views of a sunrise on some beach, but this is a sunrise that I have found and maybe only a handful of other runners know about.  That is one of things that is special about running, you create your own place or even your own moment.

Next time, I will tell about my volunteer experience at a local half –marathon.

Great times, training hard, and running long…

Training for a Marathon and Trying Not to Look Back

I am more than two weeks into my “training” phase for the Louisville Derby Marathon and things seem to be progressing right along.  I am consistently running 35-45 miles a week and making sure that I incorporate one-two rest days from running each week.  I really like the thought of being able to delete “Run a Marathon” form my Bucket List.  The hardest thing about this training is keeping my priorities focused on training for the marathon.  I have my first sprint triathlon the week before the marathon and sometimes, I look at the triathlon part of things and get caught up in the whole swim, bike, and run aspect of triathlons.  I have really grown accustomed to practicing and training for all three sports, and most of the people that I train with or attend classes are triathletes.  Therefore, it remains hard to consistently focus on preparing for a marathon alone. 

By now, I was also hoping to have put in a distance of at least 20+ miles by this point in my training, but according to my plan, that will happen this weekend, so I am definitely nervous about the experience of putting in 20+ miles at one time.  However, I can remember when running 2 miles at one time seemed like a daunting challenge. But 20+ miles, that is a long, long way, and I get very nervous when I have long (17+miles) runs to do.  I get nervous for a number of reasons.  Since I train and run mostly by myself, there is a little more preparation that is involved when doing it alone.  First of all, there are the notifications to family members to let them know what routes you are taking (just in case you don’t make it home.)  Then you have to make sure you have proper hydration, nutrition, etc. before, during, and after the run.   Also, making sure your route will be safe (traffic, night-time areas, etc.) during the times you will be running through those areas.  And lastly, you need to consider yourself, what happens when and if you hit the “wall?” Can you tell the difference between pain and an injury if it happens? Will you allow yourself to walk or ask for help if needed?  Although these things may seem trivial and unnecessary, but in some way, shape, or form, most of these things, at some point, have been on the minds of every runner that runs longer distances. The main thing that differs from me and others that run long distances is that I am slower than most, and I don’t have the experience. 

Since I don’t have the experience of long distance running, I feel I have to be prepared for everything.  Therefore, there lies the question, “Am I over thinking this running and training thing?”  Chances are “yes,” but until I get more experience, I will continue to over prepare and over analyze things. For example, there is a guy at work who can just take off during lunch and run 16-17 miles, with no socks, and/or probably barefoot, and he will be back to work just as though he went for a 2 mile run through the park. Well, again, he runs much faster and has been running for years, so he has the experience and knowledge of what happens during those long runs.

Something new happened in my training this weekend. I have never really run any significant distance with anyone, but this weekend I did.  Again, please realize that I am very new to running and training, so each new experience opens my eyes even more than before. Well, this person is a lot faster than me, but they are coming back from an injury so I kind of kept up because of that. At least I hoped that I didn’t slow them down too much. I know will be left in the dust when they regain all their strength.  It was definitely a new and unique challenge to try to keep a good pace while trying to talk at the same time.  You have heard that term “conversational pace?” Well, I had to find mine really quick, but I really enjoyed it and hopefully I can try to turn this into a regular thing in addition to my solo runs.

Well, tomorrow is another swim lesson.  By now, everyone already knows how I feel about swimming, so I will just leave it at that.  My weight is starting to go down even more since I am starting to up my training.  I have been at a plateau for a little while, but this weekend, I started to see a little bit of a decline in the scales.  At this point, I really don’t have a weight loss goal anymore.  I just want to maintain my health and be fit enough to race in all the events that register.  So now, I have officially lost a total of 161 lbs. and if I lose more, then I will not be the slightest bit upset.  I still don’t believe I have lost that much weight, but I do realize I have to get past that now and realize that there is an “old” me and a “new” me and I need to choose the one that fits who I want to be for the remainder of my life and try my best to live that way.

That’s what it really comes down to is choice.  We may not be able to change others points of views or lifestyle paths, but we can always change our own path, point of views, and our own life.  Knowing now that I can really change “me’ to fit whatever I choose, makes life even more interesting. 

I always thought that I would be a morbidly obese man for the rest of my life, but something told me that I could make a change.  I don’t know what it was or even when it really started, but there was a moment that I knew I could change, and I took that challenge and have tried to make the most of that chance. Either way, this last year has been one of the best rides of my life and everyone in my life has helped contribute in some way. So, thanks everyone!!

Opening my eyes to new things, hoping I make the right life choices, but most of all, having the time of my life.

Oh…and still running

Back to Swimming...

Swimming… One word that I have come to really not like using (unless it is followed by the proper expletive). I had a swim lesson this morning and I will tell you, if I wasn’t before, I am definitely humbled once again. I now have a swim coach, mostly because I need additional motivation to get in the pool on a regular basis. I will be working with this coach once a week until god knows when, probably forever at the rate I am going. For those of you just realizing this or even reading my blog for the first time, I AM NOT a big fan of swimming.  Anyway, since it was my first time with this coach in a while, he wanted to see where I was at endurance wise, speed wise, and technique wise.  I could have told him that I was at a big fat zero on all of those, but he wanted to see for himself. 

Well, I fared better than I thought, but like I said I was humbled.  I was especially humbled when we started doing drills.  For example, have you ever tried to swim freestyle with tennis balls in your hands?  Well, let me assure you, it is not as exciting as it may sound. I really enjoyed (just a hint of sarcasm) the 25 yard freestyle sprints with the tennis balls in each hand.  Or my absolute favorite drill was the freestyle swimming and only being allowed to breath two or three times per 25 yard length of the pool. For some, it may not sound like such an enduring task, but for me, I promise, I enjoy breathing, so that one was not very “awesome…”

As we were finishing up, my instructor made some comment for next lesson would include a snorkel, duct tape and a straw.  I have a feeling about what he is talking about but I do not want to imagine what it could mean.  I guess I will have to wait until next time. Joy, joy, joy… (Once again, sarcasm)

Well, I am not a quitter, so I will continue on with my swim training.  Even though I do not like swimming, it’s like everything else; I always learn something about myself and my fitness. Today, I learned that no matter how much I dread something or how bad it may seem in my head, it really is never as bad as I make it out to be.  Sure, I didn’t want to swim for an hour in the pool today, but I made it, and I am better for it too.  I know that facing this challenge will only help when I actually need to rely on my swimming skills.  I have to swim just under a mile across the Ohio River this summer. Next year, heaven help me, I really can’t even imagine, but I will have to swim over a mile for the Half Ironman and over 2 miles for the Full Ironman.  Needless, to say I really need to step up my training to properly prepare for what I want to do. It all goes with the old adage, “If you want to play, you have to pay.”  I know that I am starting to pay and put in my dues now, and hopefully, I will be able to reap some of the benefits of my training during my future events. 

So, for those of you who are great swimmers, I envy you, but for those of us that are just trying to make it to live to the first transition area during a triathlon, I hope to see you all there soon!

Swimming like a rock, learning slowly, but not drowning (yet)…