2008 Transformation Contest

One of the dominant factors in my training in 2007 was that I took part in quite a few (1 mini, 6 sprint distance) triathlons. During the entire year I hovered between 290 and 300 pounds, so the very notion of doing these events seems a bit asinine in hindsight. However, I wanted to prove to myself, and everyone else, that triathlons were not just for skinny minnies.

It all began on February 17th, 2007, with the Sanford Indoor Triathlon. I had seen a sign for the event up at the Front Desk of the gym a month before. I asked Angi, one of the gym staff, about the event and with a mischevious smile she started talking about and before I knew it she had signed me up. She ignored my protests of not being able to do such an event, especially since I could not swim, well, at all, at that point. However, she dismissed my concerns with reassurances of my capabilities and told me to get to work.

The following month would be spent learning how to swim properly, logging lots of miles on a stationary bike, and building up my running endurance. Calling it running is another hindsight joke, as it was more like slogging… or slow jogging. However, I put in the time and the effort, and when February 17th came, I was ready. My goal for the day was to finish in under 30 minutes, a lofty goal considering I was new to each of the sports involved in a triathlon.

The swim nearly drowned me, but I survived. The bike I rocketed through due to my legs being strong. However, the run was the most grueling 13 minutes of my life. I cried, I puked into my mouth and swallowed it, I started to see stars.. but I survived. Not only did I survive, I found inside of me a confidence to achieve anything.

Now, the time rapidly approaches for the Sanford Indoor Triathlon again. They’ve changed a few things around (adding 2 miles to the bike distance and changing to the i-cycles) but overall it remains the same event. This year the event won’t really be a grueling death-test like last year, but it will serve as a reminder. A reminder of what I have accomplished, and that nothing is impossible.

I wanted to share this because I know that life can throw things our way and at times things may seem dark and dreary. But remember, the only limits you have are the ones you allow yourself to set.

SCT