How did I get here... ?

Let’s back up a little and find out exactly why I am doing this. To start with, I quit smoking when I was 34 and I gradually gained too much weight. My work as an x-ray technologist gave me little exercise and my busy family (5 kids at that time) made it difficult to participate in any competitive activities. Eventually, I took on management positions which left me even more sedentary at work, usually behind a desk. When I was 39 I hit the 230 lb mark (I am only 5’11”) and my body fat was probably around 25%+ (who knows). I began running and working out to get back into shape. I was very successful and got down to around 205 lbs. Unfortunately, I succumbed to recurring sinus infections thanks to newly acquired allergies and a nose that got broken when I was 18. I quit exercising after only 6 months and quickly regained most of my weight. I did this same cycle every year or so. When I was not working out, my diet would be horrible, eating tons of bad carbs and sitting on my butt being too tired to exercise. I would finally get up the motivation to work out and would be successful until my next sinus infection.

My answer to this problem was to have sinus surgery in May of 2008 to help avoid any future issues. My last workout had been in November of 2007 when I had achieved my best condition since high school. I was at 195 lbs with a body fat of 13%. I was sort of drawn to body building and was lifting hard 3 days week and running twice/week. By early July 2008, 8 months of no exercise, I crept up to 222lbs and 24% body fat. On July 8 I suddenly became dizzy and had to get a lot of test to figure out the cause. Nothing was apparent (no stroke or heart stuff!) but my cholesterol was awful! The highest it had ever been at 203 with triglycerides at 175. I finally started running July 28th in response to my declining health.

Today (6 weeks later) I am at 214 lbs with about 20% body fat. I can run 5.2 miles without stopping and I ride 12 miles a day on my bike. I’ll get into my training schedule on my next post. The most amazing thing is that I just had another cholesterol test for my annual physical. It dropped to 143 total cholesterol and my triglycerides dropped from 175 to 100. Just 6 weeks of diet and exercise! Of course, I eat pretty healthy which makes a huge difference.

A couple weeks ago I decided that I needed something to motivate me into staying fit. I don’t want to be satisfied and then go through the same cycle again. I want stay fit! The answer- competition! And bodybuilding wasn’t it. Don’t get me wrong, it may be exciting for some people, but I find it hard to get excited about posing your body. Somewhere I started reading about triathlons. That started to get my interest. I grew up as a football player and have a drive for hardcore competition. The more contact the better. I never dreamed I would be interested in running but for some reason this looks like a lot of fun. Add cycling, which I never really have done (except for my BMX bike as a kid) and swimming (which I did all the time as a kid) and this could be fun! Not only that, it will take nearly a year to get into good enough condition to compete. That gives me incentive to stay fit.

I will post some workout stuff, my progress and some thoughts on what I come up against as I go.

MY GOAL: Finish the 2009 Donner Triathlon – not in last place.

Here we go!

The Revolution has begun...

Call it mid-life crisis (crisis?) or just a redirection of my focus toward inner passions long removed. Whatever it is, the beginning is surely here. Do not mistake this as tossing away of current longings felt dear for elder things of youth. No, this would be the refining fire removing the wasteful things making room for what was once left aside. All this to say; I was born with a competitive heart and have tamed it over the years. I have raised and am raising a wonderful family alongside an awesome (and beautiful) soul mate- my wife. I work very hard to provide for them and in the daily grind to keep up with the status quo, I left something behind; my drive for competition and the spirit of adventure. It is this spirit that I seek to not only revive, but add to the legacy of my children.

I am currently training to compete in an international division triathlon in Tohoe, CA next summer. Although I have never competed in any running or cycling events (ever) and I am now 42 years old, I will give this as my only warning to others in my division: you better work hard and watch your mirrors, because here I come!

Much of my posts will pertain to that quest.

In addition to this personal and somewhat selfish journey, I am also proudly called to be witness to the greatest spiritual revival in human history. When Jesus said, “These things and more shall you do.” I believe that he meant we were made brothers in the same family. We were no longer slaves to a master and therefore we have all right and privilege to power and spirit that he has.

To this end, all I have to say is: The Unstoppable Revolution has begun.