What keeps me committed?
The fact that a long time ago somebody said I was crazy and nobody should ever do what I do.
No, but seriously. It all started a long long time ago standing on the lawn in one of my Dad's old Marathon t-shirts. I used to watch him run 10Ks, Marathons and compete in local triathlons when I was a little kid. Then I started to grow up and became a competitive swimmer in USS, high school and college. I lost interest in athletics after injuring my back and then in Sept of 2001 I made a decision. A steadfast decision to lose weight and get back in the saddle (literally). I'd done a few triathlons with my Dad when I was younger, but decided that now was my time and it was my turn to show the world what I was made of. I gave up all the bad things in life that tempt us (well most) and then started working out on a dedicated schedule and the pounds kept melting away. (One reason why I'm committed.) Then I went from being able to swim and bike at the gym to being able to run (#2) and then from being able to do one activity at a time to all three in a row.
I'd gone from being a nearly 300 pound, overweight, software engineer to a "nearly slim" and trim athlete. I'd lost nearly 70-80 pounds and signed up for my old college triathlon - mainly to show off my new physique to my college buddies. The look of the shock on their faces is one reason why I'm committed.
But mainly the feeling of coming down the street to the finish line without hacking, wheezing and generally wanting to die sucked me into the triathlon family.
From that moment on I became a Triathlon Die-Hard. I started training every day (stretching on rest days) and dedicated myself to the 2002 triathlon season. I PR'd in each successive race and watched the pounds melt away and watched my physique change dramatically. After the season I'd lost over 106+ pounds and had signed up for the Seattle marathon - who would have imagined?
I now look at lunch runs, long rides, early morning swim workouts, evening swim workouts, weight sessions, Ab class, etc... as fun. No longer do I look at them as painful. Each workout gets me closer to my goals of being an Ironman. Of crossing that white finish line and joining an elite family. Once that goal is achieved, then the goals change and it's about speed and getting to that white line faster and faster.
Now I look at myself in the mirror and see myself as a "triathlete." I'm not afraid to wear lycra, I'm not afraid to wear my running shorts out of my office building for my lunch run, my officemates still think I'm crazy because I hang my wetsuit in my office after my morning lake swims and I get here at 7:00am after my morning workout, so I can leave early enough to squeeze in an evening workout. These are the reasons I'm committed.
But mainly I do it for the love of being in shape, for the love of being outside, for the love of going fast, and for how it helped change my life. I wish I could share it with everyone and I hope that everyone has something that they are as committed to.
P.S. Can someone post the link to Tom's article?
The fact that a long time ago somebody said I was crazy and nobody should ever do what I do.
No, but seriously. It all started a long long time ago standing on the lawn in one of my Dad's old Marathon t-shirts. I used to watch him run 10Ks, Marathons and compete in local triathlons when I was a little kid. Then I started to grow up and became a competitive swimmer in USS, high school and college. I lost interest in athletics after injuring my back and then in Sept of 2001 I made a decision. A steadfast decision to lose weight and get back in the saddle (literally). I'd done a few triathlons with my Dad when I was younger, but decided that now was my time and it was my turn to show the world what I was made of. I gave up all the bad things in life that tempt us (well most) and then started working out on a dedicated schedule and the pounds kept melting away. (One reason why I'm committed.) Then I went from being able to swim and bike at the gym to being able to run (#2) and then from being able to do one activity at a time to all three in a row.
I'd gone from being a nearly 300 pound, overweight, software engineer to a "nearly slim" and trim athlete. I'd lost nearly 70-80 pounds and signed up for my old college triathlon - mainly to show off my new physique to my college buddies. The look of the shock on their faces is one reason why I'm committed.
But mainly the feeling of coming down the street to the finish line without hacking, wheezing and generally wanting to die sucked me into the triathlon family.
From that moment on I became a Triathlon Die-Hard. I started training every day (stretching on rest days) and dedicated myself to the 2002 triathlon season. I PR'd in each successive race and watched the pounds melt away and watched my physique change dramatically. After the season I'd lost over 106+ pounds and had signed up for the Seattle marathon - who would have imagined?
I now look at lunch runs, long rides, early morning swim workouts, evening swim workouts, weight sessions, Ab class, etc... as fun. No longer do I look at them as painful. Each workout gets me closer to my goals of being an Ironman. Of crossing that white finish line and joining an elite family. Once that goal is achieved, then the goals change and it's about speed and getting to that white line faster and faster.
Now I look at myself in the mirror and see myself as a "triathlete." I'm not afraid to wear lycra, I'm not afraid to wear my running shorts out of my office building for my lunch run, my officemates still think I'm crazy because I hang my wetsuit in my office after my morning lake swims and I get here at 7:00am after my morning workout, so I can leave early enough to squeeze in an evening workout. These are the reasons I'm committed.
But mainly I do it for the love of being in shape, for the love of being outside, for the love of going fast, and for how it helped change my life. I wish I could share it with everyone and I hope that everyone has something that they are as committed to.
P.S. Can someone post the link to Tom's article?
Last edited by:
SeattleTriGuy: Jan 16, 03 16:30