I figured I'd start off with a little about me and my journey thus far into my new and healthier lifestyle:
My name is Megan. I'm a 26 year old female IT professional. This time last year, I was working full time, playing World of Warcraft 50+ hours a week and generally not caring about my health or how I looked. Don't get me wrong, I love gaming and always will, but I was in an unhealthy state. I was at my heaviest weight ever and absolutely miserable.
I have always LOATHED running. I mean.. I would do anything to avoid it. I played soccer growing up. What position you asked? Goalie. That's right.. I played the one position where you literally stood there and watched everyone else run straight at me. Playing goalie also got me a super duper knee injury which makes running SUPER fun/painful.
"Then why did you start running?" you may ask.
The answer isn't exactly a simple or happy one. A little under a year ago, the man I was going to marry moved out one day while I was at work. Saying that I was devastated would be an understatement. I ended up signing up for My Fitness Pal (MFP) to make sure that I was eating enough. I also created a list of 13 things that I wanted to do this year (I STILL haven't completed a vast majority of time.. oops!) which included running a 5k. This is something that I never imagined myself doing, but I knew that I needed something to do in order to keep me busy.
So, in cold and blustery Chicago January, I got off my butt and started a couch to 5k program.
It was definitely not easy. I was always doubting that I'd be able to finish the work outs due to my asthma and having a voice in my head telling me that I wouldn't be able to do it. With encouragement from my friends and my family I was able to persevere though and completed my first 5k in May (Run Like a Mother).
I was hooked. I started looking for my next race to conquer, and came across a sprint triathlon which was conveniently being hosted in my hometown in August. Now, some thought I was crazy for wanting to train for and complete a triathlon in 3 months (even though I jumped out of a plane not once, but TWICE this year), but boo on them. It was easily the hardest thing I have ever done, especially since I hadn't biked in at least 10 years, but I finished. I finished fourth from last overall, but I did not die and there was a tasty, tasty beer at the end.
10 months later and 50 pounds lighter, I'm looking forward to next year and trying to think of what goals I want to accomplish. I am writing this blog for some what of accountability, since WINTER IS COMING and I want to make sure that I keep on track for an Olympic distance triathlon in June. I don't know why I keep torturing myself, but I love every minute of it. There is such a feeling of accomplishment crossing that finish line and hearing your own mom say, "Wow! I never ever thought I'd see you do that. I'm so proud of you."
I know that this year was only the beginning of my fitness adventure, and I can't wait to share what comes next with all of you.
No comments:
Post a Comment