Swimmimg...Again???

Today, I have my first "official" private swim lesson. Not only will I be intimated by the location of the lesson (a local swim, bike, run center), but my instructor is a SEC all-American swimmer (oh, how lucky am I - sarcasm).  I am sure he will take one look at me and suggest that I take lessons the rest of the year just to get up to speed.  To me, swimming is so difficult technically and because I don't have those technical aspects locked down, it is very hard physically. 
I am hoping that this instructor can help make my "anxiety" in the water go away. I can go to water parks and swim all day in pools with my kids, but swimming laps or in competition, I get nervous.  There is something about not being able to breathe or holding my breath that gets me "out of sorts."  It must be that I have gotten used to being able to breathe every breath or something like that - haha. I am not trying to break any speed records, but I do want to be able to complete any distance of swimming that I sign up for, and because of that thought, I know I have to seek an instructor to help achieve that goal.  Swimming is so different because I can't just be told or read about how to swim, I have to be shown and taught in the actual environment to get any understanding of swimming.  It's not like biking or running where someone can kind of just tell me helpful hints or tell me to read an article, swimming is completely different, and for that, I get nervous.

But all in all, I am going to learn how to swim one way or the other, whether I pass out or struggle with it for the next few months, I will get it; I have learned that much about myself during this time of training.  I know that although I may not be the best, fastest, or most efficient, I will not stop or quit. 

I heard a quote the other day from one of my Facebook friends that really resonated with me, I think it's from Babe Ruth:

"It's hard to beat a person that never gives up."

or even another similar one of from Hershel Walker:

"If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat."

Other than trying to avoid drowning this evening during my lesson, I will be using quotes like these to help motivate me past my worries about swimming.

Worried, nervous, but still swimming, no I mean running... haha

One Year Ago...Where was I? Year in Review

Ok everyone, here is the yearly total.  Last week, was one year January 10^th and I have lost a total of 151 lbs. in those 12 months.  Wow!!  I can hardly believe it.  I still have a hard time seeing 151 lbs. gone from my body but the scales do not lie.  I started around 380 lbs. and as of last week was down to around 228-229lbs.  I honestly never thought that I could get this far, but I have and I really don’t want to stop either.  People ask me what weight I will stop at and I tell them that it isn’t about that, it’s about getting my body (and mind) in the best possible shape that I can.  So, whatever weight that is, that is my ultimate goal.  Of course it’s pretty awesome to get this far.  I will keep training for races and events, and if the weight still comes off, then I will not complain. 

You will see in the photo below that I had a “biggest loser” moment.  I kept those pants for a reason.  The idea was that after I lost 150 lbs. I would hold them up to the “new me” just like they do on those types of shows. Well, there it is for everyone to see.  I went from a size 50 waist size to a 33/34 waist.  It still hasn’t hit me yet.

As a whole, my life has changed for the better by leaps and bounds.  My health is remarkably better and I have un-relentless energy.  To start something like this takes desire, humility, and self-control, but to get this far, it takes that and so much more.  It takes people (friends, family, co-workers) to support and encourage/motivate along every step and every transition.  I didn’t get this far because of just my self-will; I got this far because of my wife and my children who watched me race and push myself constantly, the people at work who tell me that I am an encouragement to their own weight loss trials, the staff and instructors at the YMCA who ask how my journey is going, the people at the bank who ask to see my ID and then verbally question if the old driver’s license picture is really me, my parents who tell me how proud and motivated they are, and the people who read this blog and encourage me on Facebook.  Everyone has helped in some way. This is not a journey that I would like to do alone and fortunately, I have never been alone.  There has always been someone to help give some words of encouragement.

I know I will never win a marathon, triathlon, trail race, or bike race, but I don’t need to because I have won so much more than any podium finish or medal can provide – I have won my life back and for that I am endlessly grateful. Thank you to everyone who has helped me this far – I will never forget all that you have done for me.

I hope everyone has a great work week!

Happy, humbled, and of course running, but most of all - LIVING…

You Want Motivation?? Here You Go!!!

Two nights ago I attended a storyboard unveiling for my local YMCA.  My oldest daughter was on one of them and I wanted to see the new boards.  What I didn't know is that my outlook and opinion on the YMCA would change dramatically.  I have always respected the message that the YMCA brings to the community and it's members.  From helping the financial needy get a membership to helping people in the community, and putting together programs for the young to old; the YMCA is a great place to be a part of, but I just never realized what the YMCA MEANS to people, until the other night.

Last year, the YMCA created storyboards and placed them around the lobby and hallways.  These storyboards are meant to showcase the local members achievements and highlight programs within the YMCA.  I always thought they were used to be an advertisement tool to show what the YMCA is all about to new members. This year, the second year, they decided to take a personal approach and highlight people who have be positively affected by having the YMCA in the community. Not only were the boards showcased, but the people whose stories were highlighted were there to talk about their experiences.

The first one was a man who in two years had lost 180 lbs!  He weighed 406 lbs and now weighs an amazing 225 lbs!  He stated that a friend had pulled him into a spinning class one day and before he could say no, the instructor had set up the bike for him and got it ready to go.  He said ever since that day, he has not stopped or looked back.  He watched his diet, kept a food journal, and made sure he "made" himself get up and get to the YMCA. He says that the instructors and staff's positiveness is what kept him always coming back.  He was pre-diabetic, taking all kinds of medicine, and now he doesn't worry about his blood sugar and has gotten off most of his medications.  WOW, what a story!!

The next one involved a family of three where the father was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor a few years ago. The father is getting radiation treatments and whatever else is needed to try to help, but the tumor is still inoperable.  Well, his brother-in-law convinced him to go the YMCA to go swimming to maybe get his spirits up.  Since that day he went to YMCA, his family has continued to exercise and regularly go to the YMCA.  Since then, his tumor has actually decreased in size.  Pretty amazing stuff huh!

There were other stories that were just as powerful and moving, but I really wanted to share at least a couple.  I enjoy being a part of the YMCA and now know that everyone has some type of story, whether bad or good.  I am not advocating that everyone should become a member of the YMCA or some gym, but I am advocating exercise, and the positive effects that maintaining a regular exercise routine can have on a person.  Sure, exercise is not the cure-all, but it is a start in the right direction to a possible healthier life.

I hope everyone is starting their New Year in the right direction.

Motivated and moved, and of course, still running...

Time to Hit the Trails! In More Ways than One...

This weekend was another on the list of firsts for me. I ran and biked my first series of trails.  The running was not bad and I actually enjoyed running on the uneven and softer earth.  It was a nice change of pace from concrete and asphalt.  I did the trail runs because I am going to register for a 15 mile trail run on February 11^th in Louisville.  Since I didn’t know what to expect, I figured I would see what trail running was all about.  I have always been told that running on dirt is so much easier on a person’s joints because it is softer.  So, assuming that I liked it would mean that I would sign up for the 15 miler. Well, I guess I am about to sign up because it awesome!  Crossing over little creeks and running down into valleys and up hills was not as difficult as I thought and the impact to my body was so much less.  Now, don’t get me wrong, the hills are a bit more challenging, but overall, running on trails does provide a nice break from road running. Running on the trails alone makes you feel like you are all alone, just you and your running, and sometimes, that’s nice.

Anyway, back to the weekend.  I have discussed my newfound interest in trail running, but the jury is still out on mountain biking.  First of all, let me explain my experience with mountain biking.  Uhmmm…Zero.

Well, besides the fact that my back wheel would always slide to the right over roots and spin out in the mud on the way up hills, I felt like I was on the ground more than being upright.  To give you an example, total number of miles rode on mountain bike = 9, total number of times I fell on my butt = 10.  Therefore, I fell more times than the number of miles I rode.  Maybe it was because I was cleated to the bike and didn’t realize just how fast I need to clip out to stay upright.  I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to start up a hill, have my back tire shoot right, spinout because of the mud, and then because I wasn’t able to clip out fast enough, decide which side (left or right) looked softer to fall. I know it sounds funny, and after reading this, I did have to laugh a little.  After all, if we can’t laugh at ourselves, then how can we find anything humorous in life right?

All in all, it was an exciting weekend with obvious up and downs (another one that made me laugh).  I did like the feeling of getting dirty while running and biking.  Reminded me of when I was a kid and wanted to play in the dirt.  It always seemed that, as a kid, the dirtier you got, the more fun you had.  Well, I can say if that is true, then this kid had a blast!

Trail rashed, motivated, and running…

Why am I Running; What is the Ultimate Reason? Maybe this is Why...

When I was out running last night, I found myself asking the question, “Why was I doing this?”

Again, I started this journey with the intent on making myself a better person, both inside and out.  I just finished reading a book called “You are an Ironman: How Six Weekend Warriors Chased Their Dream of Finishing the World’s Toughest Triathlon.” I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in triathlons, but with a warning, it may make you want to go out and register for an Ironman that day.  Anyway, in the book, there was an athlete that was going to participate in the Ironman and do it in honor of people who had cancer.  It moved me and even though I am not prepared to start fundraising for events yet (that day is sure to come), I wanted to commit to anyone reading my blog that I will also run the Derby Festival Marathon, held in April, in honor of all the people that have or had cancer.  If you can let me know the names of anyone that you know that has or had cancer, please let me know and I will put them on a laminated card and run with the list of names and in their honor.  I know it may not sound like much, but to be able to run a marathon with that type of honor will could me answer the “why am I doing this?” question. I am starting to think my running should be more than just about me, it should be about running in honor of those that can’t. I mean, I am not going to win any races with my blazing 9 minute mile speed, but if I am going to still run in these events, I think should be with a reason, and starting to do these type of things might just be the reason I should be running.

Therefore, if you know of anyone who has cancer, survived cancer, or was lost to cancer and would like their name honored by my running in the 2012 Derby Festival Marathon held in Louisville, Kentucky, please let me know.

I will start off with two names:

Daniel Maxwell – My Father
Edith Martin – My Mother

Both have survived their bouts with cancer, but like many, have had to make some extreme sacrifices to overcome their cancer.


Now, more than ever, running for a purpose...

Adding Some Features

If you are seeing my blog for the first time, you will not notice anything different, but if you have been following for a few posts now, you will see that I have added two new things.  I added a poll question to find out what everyone thinks about my blog (please be honest), and then I have added an event calendar so everyone can see what events I am anticipating on entering.  Like I said before, if anyone has any recommendations of events that should be on my calendar, feel free to let me know.

I am logging off here to go for a run.  I hope everyone has a great evening!!

It's cold outside, but I am still running...

Overwhelmed??? Yes, But Excited About It!!

I am getting a little overwhelmed with the volume of training that I want to do versus the amount that I am currently doing.  I want to increase my running mileage to 40-45 miles a week while doing three to four spin classes, three swim workouts, two weight lifting days, and one overall resistance day per week. Sometimes it is very difficult to fit all this into a week. 

Also, as I work into increasing my workout regime, I know that in the future, I will have to start focusing on longer runs, swims, and bike rides with the upcoming marathon and triathlon events that I have scheduled.  Also, to top it off, I know that as I approach the time to start preparing for the Half and Full Ironman events, I will be greatly increasing my training regimen. 

So as I look into the future with great anticipation, I am humbled by the shear dedication it takes to train and properly prepare for these types of events.  This journey that I am on is exciting and new, but it takes complete dedication.  I am excited about what 2012 has in store for me, but I know that I must also pay attention and learn from my experiences. 

Also, the YMCA that I belong to has, of course, gotten busier recently; obviously due to the New Year.  Watching all the new people coming to the gym for the first time in a while, or maybe even for the first time ever has reminded me where I was a year ago.  Watching these people come in and get excited about exercising has also increased my motivation.  I want to wish everyone that is starting or maybe even picking up exercising again good luck!  I wish the best for each of you and hope that you can stick with it! 

Overwhelmed, but always running…