Major Milestone

This week marks a major milestone for me.  One year ago, I stepped on my scale and it said 240 lbs.  I had let life take over me and somehow gained enormous amounts of weight without even realizing what had happened.  I knew that something had to change and I said that this is the starting point.

I worked with a few guys (Buford Shipley and Joe Robertson) that were in pretty decent shape and we started running and lifting weights every morning at 6:30 at the office.  After a few months, I had a wild idea that I would buy P90X and we would do it together.  By that time, I was dedicated and we all agreed that we would do it. 

While in the middle of the P90X training, Buford completed Ironman Cour'd Alene and memories of how much I loved triathlon started putting a bug in my head that I could do an Ironman race myself.  I started adding runs and swims in the evenings and off days from P90X, and when we finished, I was in full fledge swim, bike and run training.  I was so excited with my progress that I decided that I wanted to see what Ironman was about, so I went down to Panama City in November and volunteered for Ironman Florida.  I wasn't sure if I was going to register, but it was something that I thought would be a great thing to do.  After watching those competitors cross the finish line, some with extravagent stories, I decided that now is my time.

The next day, I waited in a long line and registered for the race that this blog is talking about.  My training has continued to ramp up and I know I am going to be successful in my very first Ironman race.  I have met some great people that I never would have without this goal and I have gained a fitness that I never thought would be achievable.

When I graduated high school, I weighed 195 lbs.  Today, I stepped on the scale and it said 194.  I now weigh less than my high school weight and continue to move in the right direction.  I still will lose more weight before my Ironman race, but in 1 year, I have lost 46 lbs.  I have done it with hard work, dedication and keeping an eye on my nutrition. 

This journey has not been easy and there are many temptations out there that prevent you from being successful in a journey like this.  It is easier to drink beer and eat pizza while watching the big game, which I still do from time to time, but you can't let that take control of your everyday life.  Everyone can accomplish what I have done thus far and the best reward from this is that I have set an example for my children that I hope will stay with them forever.

I have yet to finish my first Ironman Race, but I have decided that I am not going to make it my last.  Anyone can do something like this, it just takes the right motivation.  Don't blame it on the job, because I have a pretty time consuming job.  Don't blame it on the family because I have 2 small children and a wife that I still find time for.  I could go on and on, but the only person you can blame it on is you.  You need to just go out and do it and not let the small stuff get in your way.

Next weekend I am racing the Innagural Lake Guntersville Olympic Distance Triathlon.  I look forward to a better race than I had last week and I will post my results.