Fantasy to Reality TV

When I was overweight, I spent alot of time lusting after before and after stories from people who had successfully lost weight.  I would imagine what it would be like to be that person standing in one leg of her oversized old pants.  I would imagine what it might feel like to be that fit person they had now become imagining all the exciting things that you'd be able to do, that maybe you never thought possible.

But for a long time it lived as a fantasy in my mind, part of me thinking I wish it would happen to me but I just don't think it's going to. 

Then one day I woke up and enough was enough and took a step and followed it through with another step until I'd walked an entire set of stairs and beyond.

Then last Thursday I lived my fantasy, I was that girl standing there in pants, that many people might think are fake, but all the people who know me, know are really my old pants that I did infact fit into.  And there I sat talking on the TV.

Watching it I reflect and re-live all the amazing achievements I've made over the past 23 months (yep I'm one month off my two year anniversary).  Snow skiing, City 2 Surf, Fun runs, Rock climbing, Weight lifting, and even a Triathlon, this once overweight girl who almost gave up on life, now rides a bike to work.... even in my wildest dreams I think I've exceeded more expectations than I ever thought possible!

If you missed the episode you can see the video here :

http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/article/9071105/consumer/lose-kilos-week

To feel that your own life is worth living and a joy to live is worth so much and I wish that for anyone who feels it's all to hard to get started. It is possible, start with one step and you may be surprised but so grateful to find yourself at the top of a mountain!

I am a Triathlete

I didn't realise it had been so long since I'd blogged.  I have a couple of half started blogs that I never got round to finishing which would be part explanation.

On Sunday 13th March 2011, I became a Triathlete!  Whilst not on my goals list this year, a spur of the moment decision led to registration of the Trishave Women's Festival, I decided on the Enticer Distance which is a 250m swim/10km bike ride/2.5km run.  Whilst the main objective was just to finish I have to readily admit I am more than stoked that my time was well under the hour at 51:25.

My splits were:

Swim: 8:38, Bike: 27:42, Run 15:04

31/49 (30-39 age category)

66/118 (overall)

The swimming was my weakest point (expected) yet still I managed to not come quite dead last (unexpected!).  I made up great time on the bike, overtaking quite a few bikes quickly.  The run was relatively average, and feeling the pinch of the compounded effect of a swim and a bike ride, leaving not only my legs but my whole body feeling .... heavy! :D 

So the photos from the day are up and not a single one of me, lucky I had wonderful family and friends cheering me on, see my montage from Trainer Nate, who ran his own mini marathon after me capturing me at each leg, transition and finish line! :D  I know my sister also got a front one of me on the finish line and some mucking around ones afterwards, when she gets round to uploading them! hehehehe

So what's the verdict.  Well I want to improve my swimming that's for sure, and the Sprint level (500m swim/20km ride/5km run) is considered the competitive one to be entering, so it's likely I will at the very least endeavour to build up to that level, and give it a go.  But there's no rush.  A triathlon was not on my goals list for the year (well it's ticked complete now but you know what I mean)!  I still have a half marathon to do as well, so yes I will likely try again, but it doesn't have to be next week, my main aim would be to increase my swimming capacity to enable me to freestyle the entire way.

In the meantime, my local Crossfit gym has started morning classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, so along with Saturday mornings I'm giving that a whirl, whilst I finish off my next 6 weeks of swim squad and I'm going to try to throw a yoga class in there as well.  This should keep me pretty active for a while! :D
Stay tuned for some of my Crossfit excapades, this morning I deadlifted 70kg.  I'll be keeping records of my achievements so I can see what improvements I make.  Remember the main goal is chin ups (unassisted!).

So it's mid March and the year is flying by so quickly but looking back to the beginning of the year I feel I have achieved alot of what I had planned and wanted to do.... fun runs, a triathlon, rock climbing to zumba.  What is that you want to achieve this year, and what have you done about it so far?