2 Hours, 3 Minutes, 56 Seconds!

I did it! I actually finished an Aquabike race! I finished a half-mile swim, 14.5 mile bike, and another half-mile swim in 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 56 seconds! I wasn't the last one to cross the finish line, either! I was so hoping for under 2 hours, but after about mile 9 on the bike, all I could think was how I just wanted to finish and who cares how long it took.
The first swim leg felt easy. I came out of the water with ease, and ran back into transition to get on the bike ready to go. The bike was rough. It's 14.5 miles of rolling hills, which sound nice but are, in my mind, mountains. I made it to the halfway turn around point and thought, well at least the hills are more down than up going back. It's only when you're biking into the wind that you even realize it's there. The wind wasn't as bad as I've ridden in before in training, but enough to push against me. At about mile 9 of the bike, I lost my water bottle. I still had my Gatorade bottle, but I was at the point that I really didn't want that sweet taste anymore. I was trying to put my water bottle back into the holder and dropped it. After that, the bike just felt long and painful. I couldn't get my legs to move faster than about 9 miles an hour on the flat parts, when I can usually keep up 15 miles an hour. I kept telling myself I could do it. In the beginning, I felt a twinge of saddness every time someone passed me. After mile 9, all I could think was how much I just wanted to finish and how little it mattered if everyone passed me.
I finally returned to transition after the bike, and really had to force a smile at my cheering parents, husband, and kids. I walked most of the way to the water's edge for the last swim leg. I was so happy to be getting into the water again to cool off and float :-) The third leg, and second swim leg, seemed to take forever in the beginning. There was even a point where I was talking to one of the canoe helpers that I felt like all I was doing was standing still. My ankle kept painfully clicking, but I finally made it out to the last bouy and started the swim back to shore. Something about seeing the shore made me speed up. I think I may have also finally gotten my legs back at that point. Getting out of the water was amazing. I was exhausted but knew then that I had done it. I could crawl to the finish line if I had to! I walked back up to transition to the finish "shute". I ran the last 200 yards to the finish line with the biggest smile on my face.
I may not have lost the weight I had hoped to at the beginning of this journey, I may never be as skinny as I want to be. But this victory is mine! Despite some bumps in the road, and some not-quite-so-good training weeks, I have finished a race! With the support of my family and friends, I have done something I never thought I could do. Now, it's on to the next great adventure!

About ready to take off for the first leg swim. At this time, I really was thinking, "What are you taking a picture for, Mom, it's not that big of a deal."

Running to the water's edge, full of energy!

Coming out of the water from the first swim leg,  26 minutes, 26 seconds. Thinking, "This is pretty cool!"

How the family entertained themselves while Mommy biked.

Returning from the bike leg. The smile was much harder work this time.  1 hour, 2 minutes,  13 seconds to complete the bike leg.

Leaving transition to return to the water for the final leg. Feels like my legs can hardly move.

Coming out of the water after the final leg! 28 minutes, 43 seconds for this final leg.

Running to the finish line! 2 Hours, 3 Minutes, 56 Seconds.

Couldn't have done it without my support team. Behind the camera, Mom and Dad! I love you all!

2 Weeks to Go, and I'm Ashamed

So, it's been awhile since I've posted, I know. It's because I'm ashamed. I'm embarrassed that I quit the Half-Ironman race in September. I'm embarrassed that I took over 2 weeks off from working out, and have since only been working out 45 minutes a day, 6 days a week. But, I'm especially ashamed that I haven't lost any weight.
4 months ago, when I started this blog, I titled it From Fat to Triathlete in 4 Months. Well, I'm still fat. I could take a picture of me now, and compare it to one of me in November, and you couldn't tell the difference.

March 2010

October 2010

July 2011 (sure seems like I'm the odd one out)

I'm still the same size, 16 or 14 on a good day. I know I said I lost weight the last time I posted, but I've gained it back. I'm currently at 182 pounds, again. I know it's about what I eat, and I just haven't been willing to give that up. I had a really good couple of weeks before we left on vacation, but that was 4 weeks ago! Since then, I've had dessert every day, yes, Every Day. Good days were where I had fruit and homemade whipped cream for dessert instead of cookies or ice cream sandwiches. I even got past the point of making up reasons why I could eat dessert. I just did because I resigned myself to losing weight being too hard and saying it would never happen anyway so why bother.
Well, now I'm less than 2 weeks away from the race. Yes, I'm still doing the shorter race. Half-mile swim twice and 14 mile bike. I swore I would not be in the "Athena" class for the race. Athena is short for heavy woman. Well, I'm still way over the 150 pound mark for that class.
I really wanted to be skinny and geogeous for our 10th wedding anniversary.

Not that I'm skinny here, but certainly skinnier.

I wanted David to be proud to say, "That's my wife!" I just think when it comes to the looks department right now, I married up and would like to look like we belong together. I know it's stupid and petty and materialistic, but this is my therapy session!

This is what I used to look like, in case you need a reference to what I would like to look like again...

I know, I know. It's not all about looks. When I really stop myself and think about it, I really do know that. I mean, the reason I love my husband is because he's caring, funny, a good father, puts up with my BS, a true partner, loving, and is truly my better half. The fact that he's handsome is not on the important list. Yet, I can't get past looks when I think of myself.

The good new is: I am racing in less than 2 weeks! I biked today for 45 minutes, swam yesterday for 45 minutes. I did a Body Pump class at 24 Hour Fitness last Thursday. Wow! I've done it once before, over a year ago, and couldn't sit down for a day. This time, I definitely overdid the arms weight. I couldn't straighten my arms for 3 days afterwards. I could finally straighten my arms enough to get my hands on the handlebars of my bike this morning! I'm going to either ride the bike or swim tomorrow morning. Wednesday-Friday I get to swim in Pagosa Springs! I'll ride the bike Sunday when we get home from the cabin. Then, I'm a week away from the race!

After the race, I'm excited to start my new exercise routine. I'm going to swim twice a week, bike at least once a week, hopefully twice, do Body Pump once a week and Body Flow once a week. I'm thinking that adding in variety with the new classes will keep me committed and engaged. Anyone out there want to join me? I'd love someone to ride with (David and I hope to ride Fridays after work), or someone to go to the classes with...Body Pump at 5:30pm at Parker and Quincy on Wednesdays, Body Flow at 7:30pm at Chambers and Alameda on Thursdays.

I'll post again after the race!