Wow.
You guys!
Wow!
I’m so amazed at the outpouring of love and support from you after my triathlon post. It was amazing to accomplish one of my biggest fitness goals and have that kind of reaction.I read each comment, tweet and email and they all made me feel even prouder of myself. Thank you so much!
Several people also told me that my doing so inspired them and they’ve decided to start training for a run or tri themselves. That’s really awesome.
I guess it was kind of inspiring, wasn’t it? I certainly inspired myself. To be honest I wasn’t sure about my ability to finish or accomplish my goals for the race. I was somewhat optimistic but at the same time the negative part of my brain kept popping up. It kept saying things like “You still way over 200 lbs!” and “Your mile pace is 15 minutes!” and “You didn’t train enough!” Those negative thoughts popped into my head a lot before the race when I would get anxious but in the end I overcame them and finished the race. I’m inspired by my own ability to compete a triathlon with 200+ lbs and 15 minute miles and plenty of nagging self-doubt. That’s a pretty awesome accomplishment.
I’m awesome!
Almost as soon as I crossed the finish line I was thinking about the next tri in April. I was thinking about how I can lose more weight so I’m faster and more efficient. I was thinking about how I can improve my training now that I know what an event is really like. I was thinking about how I can be better. I’m already planning how I will improve and how I will do better next time. I truly inspired myself.
Since I finished the race and accomplished my big goal I’ve been thinking about what’s next. It’s only January and I’ve already done something huge! I still have a lot to accomplish this year.
My remaining fitness goals in 2011 are:
- complete the second TriWoman Series Tri at Pt Chev in April
- complete a sprint triathlon (still looking for the right one… thinking somewhere in the US in Aug/Sep/Oct…suggestions?)
- complete a 5k
- ride 2011 miles on my bike
I’m looking forward to accomplishing all of those things this year. I’ve had a lot of fitness goals in the past that have been on my list for a long time and never been accomplished. But I’m finally starting to knock things off the list and I realize that all of these things are achievable this year. It’s really awesome to set a goal and achieve it because then you realize all your other goals are just as achievable with a little hard work.
Now I have something to look back on when I’m having a rough day. When I’m getting down on myself or my achievements I can always look back at my first triathlon. I can remember that despite everything I did it and I did it pretty well. That means I can do anything. I’m inspired.
Get it girlll! 2011 is all YOURS!
You should be very proud. Just reading your list of goals is inspiring. :-)
Are you still flying high? :)
I am new to your blog and thought I would stop by to tell you that it was fun reading about your triathlon. I have been wanting to run one myself, and hope to one day soon. For the moment however, I am focusing on losing a little weight and slowly working out getting into better shape. Changing my eating habits have been extremely rewarding… have learned a great system thanks to Michael Snyder, M.D.’s latest book, “Full: A Life Without Dieting” (I have learned now to be full with less food but equally as satisfied ). Working out also has made me feel so much better. I am hoping that by April, I will be in good enough shape to start running more. Thanks for your great inspiration!
I love that you are honoring your health NOT by weighing in, BUT by challenging your body in amazing ways. I love that.
You did awesome! You have actually inspired me too! I have always wanted to do a triathlon but never had the guts to do it! What date is the triathlon in April? From your experience (yay you experienced triathlete!!) if I started training now would that be enough time to enter??
The triathlon is April 9. You would have over two months which I think would be plenty. I had slightly more than that but I took off around Christmas time. So yes that’s definitely enough time to train if you start now. And the best part is the series is all about being fun and it doesn’t matter who is slower or faster. It really is fun. I would looooove if you did it with me! That would be awesome!
I shall have to hope in joining another triathlon – I will be in Dunedin then! I think I will start C25K anyway!!
Aw, that’s too bad! Well, start C25K and we can do a run sometime or maybe next season we can do a tri together! :)
I was reading Christine Kane’s blog the other day and she kept saying, in reply to all her readers’ “Words for the Year” recaps of 2010, “See how powerful you are!”. This triathlon is one of those things that opens our eyes to how powerful we really are. Anything is possible!
When I wrote to say congrats before, I was wondering if I should warn you about post-race blues. Sometimes when you put a lot of effort into an event, you’re elated when you finish, but then sometimes there’s a real downer that happens later. The best solution I’ve always heard is to set a new goal. When I remembered that, I decided there was no point in telling you. First, you seemed justifiably elated and no sign of any post-race blues. Second, I knew you already had your April race on the calendar, plus all your other great goals for 2011. This is going to be your year! Woo-hoo!
That actually happened to a small extent (plus some other life circumstances helped), but then I remembered my next race. Every time I think about doing it again I get pumped and wanna hit the gym or jump on my bike. So I’m glad I already had another one scheduled because otherwise I would have been a bit lost. I have so much to look forward to this year!
Well, you have not inspired me to do a Tri—- but you did inspire me with your bike ride- 2011 miles for 2011.
I can’t realistically run 2011 miles, but I can run 1000 this year.
But hats off to you with the Tri thing. Keep going Mary!!
The Prefontaine quote goes something like this… O.K., EXACTLY like this: “You have to wonder at times what you’re doing out there. Over the years, I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.”
That is what these races are all about for me. Because I am NOT going to win.
Thanks!!!
That’s awesome! I love challenges like that. You can totally run 1000 miles this year. :)
I like the idea of riding 2011 in 2011! Mind if I steal your idea? ;)
Please do!!
I left a comment earlier and just wanted to let you know that I was able to find Michael Snyder, M.D.’s site to the book that I found to be so helpful titled, “Full: A Life Without Dieting”:
http://www.thefullbook.com/