Its Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I posted last. Well who am I kidding it has been 2 years. A lot has changed in those 2 years. For starters I have a new job, lost 55 lbs, completed 3 half IM's, ran dozens of races, made new friends, joined new teams (go Big Shark), got more involved in St. Louis Tri Club, shaved my head (& legs but whose looking), and the list goes on and on. Oh yeah my wife Beth, would like to throw in there that she taught me how to swim. She no longer is embarrassed to go to the pool with me. I used to think that swimming 5oo yards in an hour was good. I would get so excited to tell her when she got done coaching that I swam 500 yards during her high school swim practice never realizing why she was laughing at me and had that smile like oh geez if he only knew. I now realize that swimming 500 yards in an hour is not really that good I would venture to say terrible. I have cut that time down to around 8 minutes or so. I just can't wait for the day that I actually beat my swim instructor. I know Beth is dreading that day (it's closer than she thinks though).

With all of the changes along the way I would not have been able to do it without the support of those around. There are way too many people to mention, but I have learned that importance of support. Support from Beth, my brother, friends, teammates, and really just anyone who screams "keep it up," "this is your last hill," or "one more mile." Those are the people that keep me going and get me involved in things I never thought possible a few years ago.

After a long ride with a new friend, Mattn, I have taken the plunge and signed up for a full Ironman, Ironman Coeur d' Alene (IMCDA). Really the fat guy that swam a 60 min 500 yard is now doing an Ironman. Who woulda thought that? Truth is I enjoy it. I enjoy the time and effort put into planning out the 8 months of my life in terms of training blocks. It makes those rest days every few weeks really enjoyable and the final race a day of celebration and not anguish.

With IMCDA in June of 2012 I had to find something that would keep me busy through the fall and winter. This is where I found two things, cyclocross and a marathon. One is going to be a lot more enjoyable than the other, but I will leave it up to you to decide which one that is.

Cyclocross has taught me that my bike handling skills are horrendous. I am very good at going in a straight line without drafting. Throw dirt, off camber hills, crowds of riders, and obstacles in the mix and I have a lot of work to do. Truthfully, cross has been one of the best things I have decided to do. The relaxed but intense atmosphere at each race has been awesome. Too bad the season is so short.

Next week should bring tons of adventure with my first full marathon St. Jude's Memphis. I am looking forward to racing and spending the weekend with my brother Brad and his wife Heather. Brad and I have been going through most of the triathlon adventure via phone and text with him living in Austin. The nice part is that we choose races that we can do together. The last race I saw them at was Rev 3 Cedar Point in September. I am however upset that Beth will not be racing as she has had some recent bad luck with allergies and a lack of time with her final two semesters of grad school.

I do love the taper week before races though and this is no exception with Thanksgiving thrown in there. How can you go wrong with a lack of exercise and extreme amounts of food?

-Be safe, wear a helmet!

In the Beginning

I am new to the sport of triathlons. I would not yet call myself a triathlete seeing as how I have not competed in a triathlon. To date the most competitive swim/bike/run race that has been conquered by me is the Nashville 13.1 half marathon. Since this race in April of 2008 I have fallen off of the deep end with staying fit. I am 25 years old and weigh 209lbs. That is the highest number of lb's that the scale has seen when I am on it.

So the Story Begins:

I was recently at the Louisville Ironman 140.6. That is where my mental preparation began before I actually knew I was actually mentally preparing for something. It was motivating to see the pro's finish the race. However, all though I did not stay to see the average joe's finish I was motivated by them the most. I realized that although I am fat, out of shape, and drink too much beer I can finish a triathlon. My brother and I came up with the genius idea to compete in the Ironman 70.3 in Branson, MO on Sept. 19, 2010. To tell you the truth my mental preparation began on the car ride home from Louisville to St. Louis. My wife decided to fall asleep in the passenger seat. The dogs were even sleeping in the back seat. I had 4 hours to think about anything and everything. The only thing that even crossed my mind was finishing my own triathlon. I mean after all I can swim 1.2, bike 56, and run 13.1 right?

It is now Sept. 15 and my training began last week. I have one year to go from not even knowing how to swim and breathe at the same time to finishing a half marathon. Since last week my training schedule has consisted of 5 runs ranging from 2.0 miles to 3.75 miles. My blog will document all of the trials and tribulations along the way to completing my first triathlon and then onto my first Ironman 70.3.

A little bit about me:

My name is Robby and I am 25 years old. I recently married my wife Beth and we have two dogs (Captain and Morgan). All of my life I have been involved in sports. Once I graduated from college and got my first real job in sales I have decided to put my fitness and overall health behind me. I travel Monday through Thursday for work and have found that it is hard for me to get my needed exercise. This is why the Ironman is a motivation for me. I know that I have something to look forward to not only for my health and fitness but also for me. I need to prove to myself that I can complete this. My journey from being out of shape and never having competed in a triathlon to finishing an Ironman 70.3 will be documented in the days, weeks, and months to follow.