I’m thinking I might just be crazy! I know some of you are thinking…finally, he admitted it! Why am I crazy? I’m sure there are a lot of opinions as to the answer to that question however, here is my take. Four weeks ago, I stared into my soul and took on one of the hardest challenges of my life by admitting that food has controlled my life. I went away for several weeks to get some help on fitness, stress, and nutrition.
It honestly has been one of the best decisions of my life. I have learned a lot, and with God’s grace, I have made some progress. So here is where it gets crazy. I had an insane idea of trying a sprint triathlon. That’s a ½ mile swim, 16 mile bike ride, and a 5k run. Now 4 weeks ago, I couldn’t walk a mile without being exhausted, and get this…the triathlon is Sept 28th.
I know. Insane in the membrane.
Monday, I accomplished a half mile swim for the first time in my life. I was pumped out of my mind! Today, I rode my bike for 12 miles…pumped again. But then I tried to run right after. My legs felt like they were going to spontaneously combust! I pushed thru and made it 3 miles…but then I tried to walk. Seems simple, right? Not so much. Now I’m walking like the Hunch Back of Notre Dame. I really hurt. I’m talking major pain…could this be what child birth feels like?
I was feeling confident with the swim thing…but now I’m second guessing. I knew it would be painful…but not this bad. Glad I already paid the registration so I wouldn’t quit.
I’ll keep you posted.
Keep going my friend. Keep going!
Hi Buddy~
I don’t know if you remember, but I am a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist. Massage isn’t just for relaxation. It helps athletes, like yourself
, recover from and helps with training.
Jennifer Butler, LMT
That combo of the bike leg and the run leg is called a brick b/c that is exactly what your legs feel like after the bike. Try a few more of those is your training and also try to sneak in the entire distance (swim, run, bike) about a week or so from the race date so that you have the confidence of completing all three legs. Go get ‘em.
Buddy, you DO realize I hope that most people who try taking on a triathlon do so only after training for many months… Still, it’s not a bad goal, just don’t really kill yourself and make yourself feel so bad that you want to give it all up. You’ve come so FAR! Remember, if you decide to do it, you don’t have to come in first. And if you decide not to (yet), there’s always another one just waiting in the wings… This is a big area for races of one kind or another.
That’s So inspiring. I think more of us in ministry need to set the example to our people. Thanks, By the way, you probably don’t remember, but my wife is Guy Jordan’s daughter, Courtney. She says, “Hi!”
Buddy,
I’m so proud of how you’re doing. I can already see the changes. Success is a great feeling isn’t it. As far as the “could this be like childbirth?”…my son and his wife JUST had thier second child at 11:03 last night. I’ll be sure to ask HER about your comparison. Ha!
Keep up the good work. You’re in inspiration!
Marty, I’m on it…trying to get lean and mean like you!
Jenn, Good advice!
Todd, Brick legs is a great description….thanks for the advice!
Marti, I hear you ….my goal is just to finish.
Rob, Sure I do….Great to hear from you..thanks for the encouragement..Tell Courtney I said hello!
Sue, Congratulations! you are blessed….Let me know….I don’t think she will agree with me.
Get out there and walk, run, do something today to keep the legs moving.
Burning, aching feeling in the muscles themselves is due to a build up of lactic acid in them. If you go do an exercise it requires the muscles to release the collection and speeds up the process of recovery.
Most people don’t do anything and it can easily take a week for the body to release all of it. But if you go out and stay active, your turnaround time is much shorter.
Does it hurt? Absolutely but it’s one of those ‘good’ pains and you feel much better afterwards.
Good luck bro!
Cornick, Really? I was going to take it easy….but I guess now I’ll go ride my bike…running? No way! Thanks for the tips!
Don’t go nuts though dude. Go for a nice stroll get back do some stretching you’ll feel much better much faster.
I don’t want to see pics of you in Utica or anything like that on your iphone because you went ballistic.
Of course, we could just play some hoops…but I know you’re too chicken for that…
Good luck Buddy and as I can see you are getting alot of good advice on training and man you will do great
I got alot of faith in you man and just remember all you have to do is finish, then the next one you can
focus on trying to win.
Just dont give up brother, because God has done this with you to help you and man you will do great.
Best of luck.
Prayers man!
To ease pain (could be vascular?) stretch and
deep breath before/after/inbetween all work-
outs for at least 15 minutes. This may help
heaviness in legs. Thank you Pastor for putting
it out there…God infact gives us THE vision of
who He meant us to be! I’m 200LB + and starting
to really SEE God intended me to move as a true
athelete! Thank you and May the Lord continue to
bless your efforts!
You are not crazy; it is an excellent goal. Months of training are necessary for a full triathlon (something like 2-1/2 mile swim, 100 mile bike & 26 mile run). If you had signed up for one of those I’d be callin’ Bellview, but you can do this. Don’t stop. Glutamine powder (~$15 at the price chopper) and good quality protein along w/ what I’m sure is an excellent diet structure from camp will help hasten recovery after a hard workout. I’ll try to see you this weekend – I can help. As mentioned light stretching and exercise will also help, and you will soon feel better and more capable as you work out, but keep it light and resist the temptation to press it. Keep it nice and easy. The soreness is due to small tears in the muscle fibers and they need time to rebuild and strengthen. That’s why I recommended glutamine (an amino acid) and protein – building blocks to help your body rebuild.
Cornick, You don’t want any of this…I’m back to my college game dude!
Cahill, Thanks man! I’ll keep you posted!
Dawne, Good advice on the stretching….congrats of your discovery! Keep it up!
Scott, Very cool…I’ll pick some up tomorrow ……I’ll pass on the 100 mile thing though. Thanks again for the 411….hope I dont have to call 911
Buddy,
You are just an inspiration and have been such a breath of fresh air in my life the past year. It seems like every service your talking to me and now your doing it through your blog. Thank you for compasion. You a such a gift from God.
If you can bring so many people to the Lord you can make it on your personal quest.
God Bless,
Melanie
Bro, that is so stinkin’ cool – rock on!
Buddyyy. You can do this, we all know you can. =]
Remember, its not if you win or lose, it’s the fact you did something.
And as for the insane part well…..face it you where never reallly normal! =) but that is what makes you such a great Pastor!
so where/when ( like times) is this?
Melanie, So glad that God is encouraging you at Northway and on this blog….thanks for your kind words!
Byron, I will rock on with my bad self….I shared your post on potential last week with my team….great stuff!
Kaitie, good point. I’ll let you know…the closer I get to it.
Buddy, You are right about it being a life long battle,
great job going out there and learning about it. Mind if I
ask were you went to get some help on it. I ask only with
interest as I too am 45 and have a history of gaining and
losing 40 lbs every year and face many of the health risks
that you commented on yesterday. I too could use some help.
It looks like your weeks away have started to pay off,
congratulations.
PS: My daughter Larissa wants to say hi to Natalie, they met
at Survivor camp and had alot of fun together.
Hmmm, your race is the 28th, my due date is the 26th. We can compare notes and decide which is more painful…although I have a feeling I know how that conversation would go…
Jim, I feel your pain man….for right now I’m keeping it where I went on the DL.
You can go online and search….there are many options like the place I went to. BTW if you get a referral from your doctor your insurance will pay for it. Natalie said she loved hanging with Larissa….Nat said Hi!
Libby, I don’t know …….Libby,I think this maybe a close competition….Cant wait to get the call from your husband that your little girl has arrived! Praying for you guys!
Buddy, I got your back and I know you can do it, I know after having the Gastric Bypass Surgery I couldn’t hardly walk outdoors across my yard without my legs giving out on me. I could not walk the mall with using my scooter or sitting down every 15 feet now that 89 pounds are gone, I feel reborn again, mentally, and physically. It sure makes one big difference, the part weight can play on our lives. I feel like a new person and I can actually walk a mile without using a inhaler or being winded. So I know you can do it, We are all proud of you and I know your family is smiling on your accomplishment. GOOD LUCK I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!! GOD is in control, not our weight controlling us. Think Different, Live Different. If you need a cheer team let us know!!!!
Keep working bro!
Libby, you know all he’s going to say to you, right? SUCK – IT – UP!