Background

Let me first start by saying, that I am literally starting from square one. I am about 40 lbs overweight, so this is also my weight loss journey.

Even though I do swim aerobics and walking on a regular basis, I am still so out of shape. I have struggled with my weight forever, but especially so in the past 4 years. This past February, I decided to tackle it once and for all.

Since I have tried the low-fat diet without success, I decided to go for the low-carb diet. I was successful with it back in my 20's (I am now 38), so I thought I would give it a shot. Between the diet and the mild exercise, I am down about 25 lbs.

The main challenge that I have been working with is my left foot. Specifically plantar fascitis and some nerve damage on my heel. This has limited my exercise greatly (thus the water aerobics). I have tried every treatment available and will have to settle to have it surgically corrected. I am postponing the surgery until September so that I am not laid up all summer.

So, to get to the triathlon part! I am insecure with my place in the world. I have a wonderful family and am very lucky to be a stay-at-home mom. This lends itself to the challenge of "I do not have a career, what are my accomplishments, etc." I was soul searching for something big that I could do for myself. Something that would boost my self esteem. My husband is a runner, and is currently training for his first race. I was racked with jealousy that he could use our new and very expensive treadmill. The treadmill that we purchased a year ago with the promise that all of the exercise would just melt off my extra weight. Unfortunately, the plantar fascitis started acting up just months after the purchase, forcing me to stay off my feet for any pounding repetitive exercise.

Since I have a surgery date, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. It was then that I started thinking about my future and what I want for my life. I want to be physically fit and be able to hike, bike, run, etc. It was now or never. Between having a surgery date and my general insecurities about my life, I came up with the idea of doing a triathlon. A triathlon would be the ultimate accomplishment of my life (of course after having smart, well behaved kids). It was something I could do for myself and myself only. Yes, it would be hard but dammit, I thought to myself, I can do this!

Okay, a triathlon consists of a 800 meter swim, 12-15 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run. I have 12 full months to train. I am following the AARP (yes, for people over 50...hey, have to start slow!) recommendation training schedule.

The first thing I needed to do was to take a baseline of what my current athletic abilities.

Currently, I can do the following:

-Swim 3-4 laps in a 25 length meter pool. (stopping several times and towards the end collapsing; clinging to the side of the pool).
-Ride my mountain bike 3 blocks around the corner, huffing away at the smallest of small hills
-Run 3 minutes straight.

So as you can see, it is a good thing I am taking a year to train.