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...