Completed my first triathlon today!!!

I am seriously on Cloud 9. I'll file a full race report later, but I just had to shout this out! Five months ago today, I stepped on the scale and weighed 275 pounds. That's when I really decided to get serious about losing weight, so I started training for a triathlon. By eating well and working hard, I've lost 50 pounds (still a 5-8 clydesdale, though!) and followed through on my goal today.

I about lost it on the last bend before the finish line. It's just an emotional, physical and even spiritual triumph for me. My wife and kids were there cheering me on, which was awesome and inspiring. And my fellow triathletes -- love saying that! -- were just amazing.

As I plodded along on my run -- at my blistering 11:45/mile pace -- I just had doubts if I could complete the run without walking. That was a goal of mine. That's when I started thinking back on the cold, snowy winter days when I chose to workout instead of sleep, and to the rough time I had fighting negative thoughts while training. Remembering those moments of hard work and desire boosted me to keep moving at my pace, to aim for the halfway mark, then the next light pole, then the top of the hill, then the post-race meal, er, finish line.

I've almost lost 150 pounds overall now, so this has just been the most wonderful day. It's the icing on the cake.

Don't worry, I won't indulge on too much cake. My next sprint is in two weeks!

FYI, the triathlon was at a hot springs resort in northern Utah and was called the Shark Attack Triathlon (the sponsor club is the Desert Sharks). They put on a great race.

Sorry to ramble. Now I'm off the showers -- and, no, I won't be washing the #226 of either arm for quite a while!





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JodyTriFinish.jpg (65KB - 8 downloads)