Getting Serious

45 pounds heavier in 2008
When I first starting making a "comeback" into endurance sports I did it mainly because I wanted to lose weight since I topped off at 180 pounds. My daughter was born and I realized that I wanted to be active with her and my family as I got older so I decided to start running again to lose some lbs. As most people struggle with when getting back into shape -running isn't exactly the best sport. Although it will get you to lose the pounds fast, it is also the riskiest because your lugging around that extra weight which will get you injured. After two miserable attempts at marathons (5:12 in 2008 and 4:14 in 2010) and multiple injuries and frustrations I decided to get a bike and give triathlon a try. Even though I couldn't even make it across the pool for 25 yards in the summer of 2010, I was finally losing weight and I ended up racing my first triathlon in September of that year and ended up winning my age group at the inaugural Tri Rock Sprint in San Diego. I was hooked.

Fast forward ------------------------->

Hours on the Mountain Bike...
Hours in the water...
Hours of suffering on the bike...
Hours of Suffering on the run...
Good times and celebrations...
Bad times and defeated...
And of course, plenty of beers...
But now, I've recently come to an interesting stage. How far can I go in triathlon? The question is starting to climb out from a very deep part of my heart. I haven't dealt with this type of burning passion since I ran competitively. It's a bit scary, I push it aside - but then it makes its way to my mouth sometimes around others. I try to keep it concealed, but I can't. So I've decided that it's time to let it go and bear its fruits. It's time to get serious.

I've put in quite a bit of work to get where I am now but I haven't taken it as serious. When I say serious I don't mean quit having fun and all you do is suffer. I'm talking about giving that extra effort in workouts, in recovery, in lifestyle, in diet, in attitude and in life to become a better triathlete. There are SO many things I'm doing wrong right now and if I make some changes, who knows where I can go from here. I'm 33, I've got seven more years in my triathlon prime. Plenty of time to accomplish some dreams that I put away for over seven years. Plenty of time to get a second chance to become the athlete I wanted to be. Plenty of time to fulfill my passion.

It already started two weeks ago and there's no turning back now...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This sounds kind of mysterious...what will you do differently? What will have to give? I want to know more about this :) What will the rest of your season be like?

Anonymous said...

I only just stumbled on your blog but I love how you phrased this. "starting to climb out from a very deep part of my heart" and "burning passion" and "it makes its way to my mouth sometimes around others".

I think you know your answer, but the way you put it almost compelled me to leave you a comment.. GO FOR IT!!!!

As a 50 year old that is also obsessed with Tri (although I am BOP), let me tell you 33 is a PERFECT age to get real serious. And you will find that it adds a lot to your life, and in fact the quest and campaign is what adds zest to Life.

It will also set an example for your child(ten). Although I am BOP I noted that both my girls commented on Triathlon in their Fathers Day cards even though it is the thing in my life I am probably LEAST competent at. The quest and passion and determination has made a positive impression on them (or maybe they just feel sorry for me being so slow) but it's definitely added to our family life..Both my girls have done triathlons now too and they are fun to bike or swim with.

GO FOR IT!!! See where it takes you! You will never ever regret it! I'll be rooting for you!

James Adams said...

Thank you Anonymous! It's inspiring to see people go after it no matter what their age. That's the great thing about triathlon. It really is an "age-less" sport. Cheers

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