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…