I had a great email dialogue with a friend of mine today about my experience in training for the triathlon. Here are some notes for anyone who may be interested in taking on the challenge. I think many people who know me think that because I am athletic that the triathlon may have come easy. I assure you that there is nothing about swimming, biking and running that came easily.
Here is the absolute honest truth. I have never been a runner, swimmer or biker...honestly, I didn't like any of these sports because I have made a history out of making excuses for myself. Ever since I was young, when things got tough, I would quit or just find something that I enjoyed more like basketball, softball, or any team sport. I so much prefer sports that put me up against another person's abilities and don't force me to look into the face of my weaknesses. I am athletic...God made me that way. But I am a wimp when it comes to pushing myself beyond what comes naturally. I swear, a few years ago when I would ride a bike for more than 20 minutes, I would get nauseated. One time I had to get off my bike because I thought I was going to puke.
In January when I decided to do the triathlon...it was a mental decision. I still am not a great runner, but every time I go out to train I am not only training my legs and lungs, I am working on my brain believing that I can do it. I run just under a 10 minute mile...on a good day, a 9 minute mile. My triathlon partner runs an 8 minute mile. She has done a great job pushing me to be better just by trying to keep up with her. I have almost convinced my mind that one day I will be able to match her step for step.
I think the key is to pick something....even if you don't know if you will like it AND DO IT! Work on it until it become natural. I had to do that with swimming. Being a redhead, I didn't spend much time in the pool growing up because it involved way too much sunscreen to keep me from being miserable. The first time I went out to start my training, I could only go one length of the pool and I had to stop and catch my breath. Now I can go 32 lengths on a good day without stopping. It was adding a little every day and believing that no matter how hard I had to work or how long it took, I would have success. Honestly, I still don't like swimming, but I committed to squeezing by big fat butt into that swimsuit. Now my backside isn't so big anymore which makes it all worth it. And what a sense of accomplishment it is to swim half a mile and know that I could go longer if I needed to.
I still have a long way to go until I feel good at running, biking and swimming...but I am proud of my progress. The whole purpose of signing up for the triathlon was to lose weight and get back in shape. My only goal at the triathlon was to finish without stopping and I did it. Since January I was able to drop 20 lbs and 2 sizes. The weight comes off slow! It took me almost 2 months to see any difference at all, but in the past 2 months I think I have dropped 12 lbs. I guess my body had to be certain that I was serious before it let go of the fat. So my advice is to be patient with yourself and don't give up....don't assume you will have big numbers fall off right away. Life is not like the "The Biggest Loser". Be thoughtful about what you eat but be sure to still enjoy your food. I pay very close attention to how the foods I eat make me feel. It is easy to get rid of junky food when you realize that they wipe out your energy and affect your performance. Have treats that make you smile. My daily treat is a Coke Classic. I enjoy every last sip and it brings a big smile! I eat ANYTHING I want....I just don't eat a lot of it.
If you can't tell, I am excited. I love that what I did is inspiring. I feel so blessed to have made a change in my life that has made such a huge impact on me and a few others! I love that life is what you make of it. We have to make choices each and every day to move toward what we truly want. I think I had resorted to the fact that life will just become whatever it becomes. That is such a lie. I had to take tight reigns of my life to make positive steps toward who I truly want to be. Now don't get me wrong, it is a struggle. I may be making steps forward in the fitness and health...but steps backwards in other areas. Life is a juggle, that is for sure. I hope one day to find the perfect balance...this is perhaps only a dream.
So, you want to do a triathlon? Or a Marathon? Or a 5K? Or lose some weight? I believe in you. You can do it. Throw your heart into it and NEVER underestimate the power of your mind. Have fun and be proud of what you are capable of. Hopefully I will see you on the road running toward your personal goals.
Blessings,
Becca
Here is the absolute honest truth. I have never been a runner, swimmer or biker...honestly, I didn't like any of these sports because I have made a history out of making excuses for myself. Ever since I was young, when things got tough, I would quit or just find something that I enjoyed more like basketball, softball, or any team sport. I so much prefer sports that put me up against another person's abilities and don't force me to look into the face of my weaknesses. I am athletic...God made me that way. But I am a wimp when it comes to pushing myself beyond what comes naturally. I swear, a few years ago when I would ride a bike for more than 20 minutes, I would get nauseated. One time I had to get off my bike because I thought I was going to puke.
In January when I decided to do the triathlon...it was a mental decision. I still am not a great runner, but every time I go out to train I am not only training my legs and lungs, I am working on my brain believing that I can do it. I run just under a 10 minute mile...on a good day, a 9 minute mile. My triathlon partner runs an 8 minute mile. She has done a great job pushing me to be better just by trying to keep up with her. I have almost convinced my mind that one day I will be able to match her step for step.
I think the key is to pick something....even if you don't know if you will like it AND DO IT! Work on it until it become natural. I had to do that with swimming. Being a redhead, I didn't spend much time in the pool growing up because it involved way too much sunscreen to keep me from being miserable. The first time I went out to start my training, I could only go one length of the pool and I had to stop and catch my breath. Now I can go 32 lengths on a good day without stopping. It was adding a little every day and believing that no matter how hard I had to work or how long it took, I would have success. Honestly, I still don't like swimming, but I committed to squeezing by big fat butt into that swimsuit. Now my backside isn't so big anymore which makes it all worth it. And what a sense of accomplishment it is to swim half a mile and know that I could go longer if I needed to.
I still have a long way to go until I feel good at running, biking and swimming...but I am proud of my progress. The whole purpose of signing up for the triathlon was to lose weight and get back in shape. My only goal at the triathlon was to finish without stopping and I did it. Since January I was able to drop 20 lbs and 2 sizes. The weight comes off slow! It took me almost 2 months to see any difference at all, but in the past 2 months I think I have dropped 12 lbs. I guess my body had to be certain that I was serious before it let go of the fat. So my advice is to be patient with yourself and don't give up....don't assume you will have big numbers fall off right away. Life is not like the "The Biggest Loser". Be thoughtful about what you eat but be sure to still enjoy your food. I pay very close attention to how the foods I eat make me feel. It is easy to get rid of junky food when you realize that they wipe out your energy and affect your performance. Have treats that make you smile. My daily treat is a Coke Classic. I enjoy every last sip and it brings a big smile! I eat ANYTHING I want....I just don't eat a lot of it.
If you can't tell, I am excited. I love that what I did is inspiring. I feel so blessed to have made a change in my life that has made such a huge impact on me and a few others! I love that life is what you make of it. We have to make choices each and every day to move toward what we truly want. I think I had resorted to the fact that life will just become whatever it becomes. That is such a lie. I had to take tight reigns of my life to make positive steps toward who I truly want to be. Now don't get me wrong, it is a struggle. I may be making steps forward in the fitness and health...but steps backwards in other areas. Life is a juggle, that is for sure. I hope one day to find the perfect balance...this is perhaps only a dream.
So, you want to do a triathlon? Or a Marathon? Or a 5K? Or lose some weight? I believe in you. You can do it. Throw your heart into it and NEVER underestimate the power of your mind. Have fun and be proud of what you are capable of. Hopefully I will see you on the road running toward your personal goals.
Blessings,
Becca
