It's no secret. At first glance you can see that I am a "big" gal - about 35 pounds over weight (down from 50!!). What comes as a surprise to most people is that I am a healthy overweight woman who is training for her first sprint triathlon!
It all started several months ago when I got my body fat composition analysis for a work-sponsored fitness challenged. I held a device with outstretched arms for a few minutes and it told me that I had around 42% body fat. I was shocked. I knew that I was overweight, but I did not think it was that bad! My thoughts were centered on my son who was only two at the time - What if I didn't get to see him go through his life milestones because of my health issues? I have to do something and do it now!
I started researching exercise classes in my local neighborhood and decided that I had to go back to Weight Watchers. I was temporarily a member a decade ago, and knew it would be the best weight-loss program out there to suit my needs.
I took Zumba classes at first because I like to dance, but I'm not that good at it. Since I was new and temporary to the neighborhood (as we have a one year lease) I had no shame.
I also joined the local YMCA because I had lost weight by exercising there while in college.
And then my husband and I also started up our couch-to-5K jog program.
I was getting a good handle on exercise, but I wanted more. During one of our Weight Watchers meetings the leader of the group talked to us about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Program. Essentially, you raise money for Cancer research and they provide a coach and a team that you meet with weekly (or more) and train for an endurance race.
My thought process went something like this: I can do a half marathon because it's essentially a 5K times 4 and some change. (I like math!) I believe I can do this!
I called our local chapter and signed up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon which took place in February 2012.
At first each time I went out for a jog with fellow runners I felt it was very spiritual. I was typically in the back (one of the last three to finish), but I just felt thankful to be able to run and in such beautiful scenary. (I live in Tampa.) I am typically not the outdoorsy type, but it felt good to be outside in cool crisp fall weather. By the end of the long runs I was just happy to finish!
I also ran alone at first and each week I learned something new about hydration or fueling needs for running. Gradually, I started to find someone to run with and by the time we hit the long runs we were talking and laughing and a bit delirious throughout our 8, 9, 10 and 11 mile runs.
All the while I had lost about 15 pounds! Though it was a good start I knew I had more to lose. It proved a bit difficult because after the long runs I would PIG OUT! Burning 1000 calories in one day makes you very, VERY hungry.
The weekend of the Half came and it was a lot of fun. We stayed at the Disney Polynesian Resort and I had a blast with my teammates and my family. My husband, son and even my parents flew down for the event. The run itself was difficult. We had to wake up around 2:30 in the morning, meet at 3, take a bus and then walk to the starting line which didn't go off until about 6:30 for our corral. I was tired, but also had a lot of excitement when the fireworks went off for our corral and we started running. I stayed with my teammate until about mile 5 and then lost sight of her. She was much faster and I knew I needed to conserve energy if I was going to finish. I saw my husband and son around mile 5 which made me happy. After mile 6 I stopped jogging and started to walk and jog. I was getting really tired and losing faith. I took my energy chews and kept chugging along trying to mentally motivate myself. Some of the participants were rude. It's difficult to navigate through the slow people, cups on the floor and other garbage. I said "Excuse me" a lot as that is the etiquette, but that seemed to piss off some people. At mile 10 I had a sore foot, reached a huge hill and it started to rain. (By the way I also had my heaviest flow day of my period...yuck!) So, I called my husband and got some support. He told me, "You're almost here. You can do it." I looked around and thought I saw the "Do Not Finish" buses around the bend so I started to jog and walk faster. Like most people I walked up the hill and then jogged down it. Around mile 12 I got a shot of energy realizing that I was going to finish! Then, I crossed the finish line with a big smile on my face and saw my husband, son and parents cheering me on. One of the best moments of my life!
I felt proud and the sense of accomplishment after the race, but when I went for my first run about a week after the race I felt like I was running for no reason. The big race I trained for was over and running seemed futile. I probably did a jog once or twice a week for about a month.
In April my husband announced that he wanted to also do an endurance race - a century bike ride. In one of my emails Team in Training announced that they had one available in September 2012 in Vegas. So, he signed up and we both got bikes so that I could train with him on the lighter rides. At first I was afraid of the road bike and it's skinny tire. But after getting comfortable on a hybrid and working hard to keep up with my husband who was on the road bike I traded up to the road bike.
I also decided that I was going to sign up for a triathlon. I keep saying to myself, "It's small. Only a 5k run, 10 mile bike ride and 225 yard pool swim. I know I can do this!"
And thus, a blog is born...
