Over One Month Down

Well, it has been over a month since I started my training, and I am slowly improving. This time of year is particularly difficult due to the holidays. My routine was slightly broken when we headed back to Ohio to visit our families, but I managed to substitute runs for swimming and biking that just couldn't be done. I guess I grew to love my parents treadmill. I have found that I have yet to lose weight while doing this training, partly because I still think that I can eat whatever I want. I know in my head this is wrong yet I still continue to do it. So on January 3rd I will start weight watchers again. I love WW. I know its alot of work but I love the discipline that it brings and the results that I had when I did it before. I lost 15 pounds in three months. I remember the first time I got on the scale after about a month ( I know you are supposed to weight in more often but I hate scales). I had lost almost 7 pounds and went under 150 for the first time in YEARS! It was such an awesome feeling. I really want to feel that way again. So between WW and this training, I am going to find the new fit me somewhere in this mess :)

Day One

I made a crazy decision this weekend that I am going to begin training for two specific events that will take place in April. The first is a sprint triathlon in Gatlinburg on April 3^rd, and the second is a half marathon in Nashville on April 30^th. This may not seem like an overly difficult feat to accomplish for some runners, but for me, it is a mountain that I will climb, beginning today. I was a 100 meter hurdler in college, and the furthest distance that I ever raced was the 400 meter hurdles. I remember that distance feeling never-ending to me, but soon enough I grew to love the challenge. Sure, playing soccer in college as well called for a lot more distance running, but there was always a ball thrown in there to distract me from the longevity. Now here I am, preparing to tackle two things I never thought that I would have the bravery to try.

            I carefully established a training program that will prepare me for the tasks at hand. Today the agenda called for a three mile run and thirty minute swim. I eagerly hopped on the treadmill and fired it up. Three miles and thirty minutes later, I was finished, literally. Embarrassed at my ten minute mile pace, I trudged down to the locker room to change into my suit for the swimming portion of my workout. I was mortified to see the entire Pigeon Forge High School Swim Team wrapping up their practice as I shyly walked toward the giant intimidating bowl of water. I have never been much of a swimmer, so I know that this part of the tri is going to be the most difficult for me. It’s ironic really, for the simple fact that I am and always have been a very confident person when it comes to sports. However, I found myself embarrassed to get into the pool and let those seasoned swimmers see my weaknesses. Naturally, I am a very competitive person and used to being good at the sports I am playing, so I suppose this experience is meant to humble me and knock me back to reality.

            A half hour later, with numb arms and shaky legs, I managed to crawl out of the pool, completely exhausted. I have no clue how many laps I did, how wrong my form was, or how stupid I looked. But for that split second, I was so very proud of myself for attempting something that I know I am not good at. It was at this point that I realized the entire experience will be a wake up call for me in more ways than one. I will be humbled, I will be challenged, and most of all, I will have a lot of one on one time with myself. This is much needed considering that I spend my entire day surrounded by my needy students, teaching in a juvenile correctional facility, only to head home to my wonderful yet needy husband and three super-dependent dogs. I love my job, I love my husband and my dogs, but I also need some ME time, and this endeavor will provide me with just that.