2010 so far

It's really hard to believe that 2010 is now at its halfway point.  We've had some happy times (Evan's 1st birthday) and some sad (Amanda's grandpa passing).  Evan still isn't sleeping through the night and we finally started training Owen to use the potty.  (He's doing fairly well I must say)  I guess one of the biggest changes for me was the decision I made back on 12/31/09 to run that race on 1/1/10.

It was NYE and a handful of people at the family party we attended were planning on running or walking the 5k race the next day.  I decided - what the heck - and signed up and ran.  Slow!  For not running a step in months, or training consistently for years, I guess it wasn't too bad.  However, it was not what I was used to after running in high school and college and a little beyond.  Thus began my journey.

Now I must say that my 'journey' has not been all on my own.  Naturally, my family is affected in some ways by my new found obsession.  I try my best to let it not interfere, but sometimes it just does.  Thankfully I have a wife who has been supportive and probably regretting the Christmas gifts she gave me last December:  gym shorts, Ipod, and 1 month membership to the YMCA.  One month has now turned into indefinitely.

I've kept a pretty good log over the last six months of my activity and I'd like to share it with you.  I'll probably update you monthly as a way of holding myself accountable.  This will be a good point to show you my half year totals as well.

June 2010:  Swim 13,750 yds; 7 hrs 17 min.
                   Bike 217.57 miles; 12hrs 36 min.
                   Run 65.78 miles; 8 hrs 32 min.

2010 to date:  Swim 46,250 yds; 30 hrs 22 min.
                      Bike 682.64 miles; 42 hrs
                      Run 259.97 miles; 36 hrs 29 min.

Considering I did nothing last year - or the 7 years prior - I'm pretty happy with this.  It's pretty amazing to look back and see all that has been done.  June was my best month in all three sports.  The weather has been great for training and I'm still able to get to the pool at least twice a week by 6am.  I've set some short term goals and I've already set some goals for next January - June as I train for the Half Ironman in 9/2011.  Perhaps the biggest stat of all is this:

Weight  1/1/2010:   183.5#
Weight  6/29/2010:  161.0#

Only downside to the weight loss is the suit I got for Christmas two years ago no longer fits.  And I have to wear a belt with everything.

I'm now 5 weeks away from my first ever triathlon.  If I'm able to finish it, I'll be able to move the tassle to the other side of my cap and call myself a triathlete.  I'm sure as July goes on and I think about the race, my nerves will start to kick in.  There's still so much to practice and learn:  run off the bike, transitions, open water swimming (yikes!). 

"Defeat is not the worst of failures.  Not to have tried is the true failure."

Here goes....