Triathlons and stuff

So, its Monday, October 1st.  A big day for me for a couple of reasons.  One (and most importantly) it is my son's second birthday.  Lincoln turns 2.  Unbelievable, weird, and time really does fly.  Lily's birthday is Wednesday (6).  I can't believe she is in kindergarten and closer to 10 years old then her birth.  Life is funny.

I was talking to a good friend of mine, Bryan Thorson, and we were talking about how you never know where you are going.  He was telling me how he had accepted the fact that he may not get married or have children. Now, he is married to a wonderful woman and has two beautiful step children.  He, like me, probably would have bet all of the money I had (not much at that time) that I wouldn't be where I am.

I mean professionally (at Greensfelder), married with 3 kids.  In 2004, I had just gotten back to St. Louis from Nevada, MO.  I was married (not to bec), but it was clearly ending.  I was working at Brown and James (until August 2004).  I was in such a different place that I would have bet millions of dollars that I would not be married with kids.  Life is funny.

That leads to my next point.  Last year at this time, I could not have run one mile slowly.  I weighed close to 300 pounds (depending on the day).  I ate like shit and I wasn't healthy (though I rarely got sick :)

Then, in November, Bec started working out with a friend, Sarah, doing group classes and stuff.  She decided in December to run a 1/2 marathon in Champaign, IL.  Within a week, I decided to do it too.  The hilarity of that strikes me now b/c I had no business committing.  I guess, though, I did.  As bec says, I am remarkably stubborn (true) and I began training for the 1/2 marathon.

In February, I ran 3 miles in 42 minutes (that is almost walking).  I thought I was going to die.  Over the next two months, I worked and worked, ran and ran, and in April, I ran teh 1/2 marathon.  I did it in 2:36, which was fine with me. I had lost about 40 pounds in the process.  Since then, I have continued running and working out, eating healthily, etc.

I ran another 1/2 marathon in May.  It was very hot, but I did it in 2:42 so that was okay.  Over the summer (which was difficult for different reasons), I slowed down on the working out, but I did not gain weight.  In fact, I kept losing weight.  In August (or July), Bec decided to do a triathlon in Benton, IL (Rend Lake).

I signed up too.  During the past 2 months, I've swam, biked, and ran to get ready and yesterday, I did it.  It was harder than I thought it would be.  I swam 750 meters, biked 21 miles, and ran a 5K (in 35:00 which is one of my fastest times and AFTER biking 21 miles).  I underestimated the effect of riding a bike for 21 miles on running (my legs were jello in the beginning).

In any event, I finished 6th for men over 215 pounds and it was good.  I'll do more triathlons b/c I thought it was fun and it is a good way to stay in some semblance of shape.  I'm down to 245 pounds, and I'd like to get to 235 (i Probably should get lighter than that, but baby steps).

One year ago, I would have told you that I couldn't run a 1/2 marathon or that I couldn't do a triathlon.  I did it, though, and I think almost anybody can if they are willing to do some work.  Its hard (but what isn't).  but it was worth it.

I hope you have a great day!

be easy

-cp