Last year at this time I was finishing up Stage 1 of my Get Fit For Life Initiative. After 11 months of dieting and exercising about 6 times a week I reached my goal weight of 150 pounds, after starting at 224 pounds. It was a momentous occassion.
I was nervous, though. I was I going to make this stick, this time around. Somewhere deep inside I knew that I was in a different place that I had ever been in before, I knew that this was a fitness for life goal, but still, I needed something a little more tangible than that. That is when Ruth suggested we do a triathlon together. So I added swimming and biking to my fitness routine, threw in a few bricks on weekends, and off we went to the races. As all of you know, I was able to complete that first tri, but I won't say I was very graceful about it. I achieved my goal, but it was rough.
Before we even finished that race, Ruth and I were talking about what my next goal should be. We got a little ambitious before the race and started talking about half ironmans. 3 hours and 42 minutes later I was cured of that notion. I knew there were no half ironmans anywhere in my near future. What I did decide to do was significantly improve my tri time. I decided that in 2014 I wanted to finish the same even in 3 hours and 15 minutes. That wouldn't get me winning my age group, but it would be me squarely in the middle of the 50+ women; and it would be a 27 minute improvement on my time.
During the fall, I continued to swim, bike and run on my own, but I knew I needed more. I still felt like I was in Stage 2. I started looking for a solution and found the KCTri Club. At first, when I joined the club, I got nothing out of it other than a jersey (it's pretty cool, but it is too small - I hope it fits by summer) and a 10% discount on running shoes. Just like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. So I started poking around the website and found a group that offers 12 weeks of coaching to newbie tri athletes for free. I also found the Big Spin classes.
I have been working with my coach since December 28th and my first Big Spin class was on January 2nd. My training has kicked up at least 4 notches and I can tell you that Stage 3 has officially begun! My swim, bike and run sessions are much more focused and I am working much harder than I was when I was working on my own. It is also much less likely that I will miss a workout. I am not strength training as much as I was last year, in fact, I don't think I am strength training enough. I need to work more weight lifting into my week. But I am starting to feel a difference in my body, due to the increased level of exercise. I am beginning to think I may just be able to achieve my goal of 3:15 next August. It's hard work, but it's kind of fun. In a weird sort of way.
A blog where we can discuss our goals regarding health, fitness, food and general wellness. This should be a fun space where we congratulate each other for a job well done, plan fitness activities to do together, and ask for extra support when we need it. Advice is good - but only when asked for! Feel free to post as much or as little as you like according to your own goals.
There is nothing weird about it being fun. You are doing some great for yourself. It's supposed to feel good. I find it's a lot easier to workout in a class or with a biddy. It keeps you motivated and challenged.
ReplyDeleteYou have done amazing thing. I am quite certain there are more to come.