Monday, November 26, 2007

Welcome to the Journey

Keeping a journal is not foreign to me...keeping a journal online...well...thats something new and different in my world.  I felt that this journey to a life goal should be documented...so here I am..spilling my guts for the world to see.

I think this should begin with a little background.  I believe my journey to Ironman actually started almost 9 years ago.  At that time, I was 380lbs and in a battle for my life.  I had so many things wrong with my health that to list them here would take too much time..but trust me..the list is long: heart, blood pressure, borderline diabetic etc.  I decided to enter a clinical trial related to the Roux N Y Gatric Bypass.  I spent 3 days in ICU...7 days in the hospital and 6 week in recovery. Of the 12 that entered the clinical trial, 9 died.  I was one of the lucky ones.

After my surgery, my doctor told me that beginning a workout program would mean the maximum amount of weight loss.  I began working with a trainer twice a week and walking 3 days a week. The process was slow, but before I knew it, I was walking over a mile.  A year after my surgery, my trainer suggested that I enter the Danskin triathlon at Walt Disney World.  A 1/4 mile swim, 10 mile bike and 2 mile run sounded like an Ironman to me...but after 9 months of training, I completed my first triathlon in 2 hours and 20 minutes (thats not a typo)...at that point..I was hooked on the sport.

Since that day,I have lost 193lbs. I have done 45 triathlon, 18 half marathons, 1 marathon, 1 24 hour adventure race, and one Half Ironman.  My life goal became becoming an Ironman shortly after entering the sport and it has been my focus for the last year.

I signed up for Ironman Florida 2007 and trained for 7 months before being diagnosed with Acute Anemia and a B12 deficiency.  After a few months of Iron supplementation along with regular B12 shots, my levels had increased but were not high enough to safely race at Ironman Florida.  I was crushed! This goal that I had put so much hard work into had been taken away.  I decided to have a 24 hour pity party and then move forward.

I have signed up for Ironman Florida 2008 and continue to train.  My levels are almost normal now but still required infusion therapy.  My doctor says I should be in good shape if I continue with proper nutrition by January.

I have hired the most amazing trainer .  His name is Hector Torres (learn more about him at : 
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID+8325531192095315467.  I believe he is a piece of the puzzle I have been missing to acheive my life goal.


So follow me wont you...??? Follow my journey from Obesity to Ironman