I'm an athlete?

     Hi everyone!  

By way of introduction, I've been lurking on this little corner and the LW corner of OH for about a year and a half now.  I also started reading MacMadame's (thank you!) inspiring blog during my recovery week.  Anyway...

I had RNY back in May 2010 and have dropped from a high of 280 down to my current weight of 143 (+/- 1-2lbs each week).  I think a big part of my success, which I'm sure comes as no surprise to anyone here, has been a commitment to fitness and exercise.  I've made a 180 degree turn from my old life and find myself thinking about the next time I can get out and bike just about every time I have a free moment.  

I do have a question for everyone... has anyone had an identity "crisis" with this change?  The reason I ask, is that I was talking ot my wife the other night and turned to her and with quite a bit of hesitation asked the question, "Am I an athlete?"  This was a very difficult question to ask, mainly because I felt, and still feel like I'm somehow not "worthy" to ask this question.  I've always been the heavy guy, the guy who isn't fit, etc.  I believe that the answer to that question is "yes," but it is difficult to ask that question, let alone give that answer.  Anyone else, or am I crazy? 

Anyway, milestones that I've hit this year and am very proud of: 

1)  Ran my first 5K on August 6, 2011.
2)  Biked for 80 miles straight on August 12, 2011. (didn't quite make that century, next time!)
3)  Competed in and finished my first Duathlon on August 28, 2011 (5K run, 18 mile bike, 5K run)

Yes, most of the earlier summer was spent training for a busy month of August.  I have a 10 mile race set for October 29, and am so addicted now that I want to do something else between now and then.  What happened to me?!  

Anyway, just thought I would pop in and say "hi!"  All of you have been so inspiring to me, without you even knowing it, over this past year and a half.  

Thank you!
John

 Funny you mention this...  Over the weekend, one of the things that struck me was being constantly called an "athlete" at the Ironman.  I mean, during check in, it was "athletes only", at transition "athletes only..  Everytime I heard it, I had to stop and think:  "are they talking about me?"  :)

Yep, we're athletes!   We have to embrace it!  

So true!  I saw all the signs at the Duathlon on Sunday that said "Athletes Only."  I almost felt like I was breaking some sort of rule by being in the transition area, or the starting area.  Such a mindset I need to change... I'm sure that it will change though.  I don't quite gasp in surprise everytime I look in a mirror anymore.. I'm sure I'll get over this too.

We indeed half to embrace it!  Thanks for the reply! :)

 

Dang straight your an athlete. Anybody that gets up off their butt and works and competes at a level that your are is any athlete!!
Congratulations on your weight loss and committment to a healthy lifestyle.

LOL, I asked my wife the same thing a while back! It's so strange to transition how we think of ourselves, but as time goes by it will seem more normal.

Cuz if you are running, biking AND racing- you are an athlete!

Here's to your next event!

:Danni

Anyone on this particular forum is an athlete, or at the VERY LEAST, well on their way to being one.  I'm not sure where the line is, but it comes way before we're ready to realize it, that's for sure!

Welcome, fellow ATHLETE!

Yes, you are an athlete. And so am I! It's the biggest change for me with this surgery. I've lost weight before (couldn't keep it off but that's another issue all together) but I've never been an athlete before. I was always a Brain, not a Jock.

 Thanks everyone!!  It's so nice to hear about everyone's journies and know I'm not the only one that had some of those thoughts.  :-)

i will be 3 years out from RNY at the end of October, and did my first 5K/Triathlon the summer after my surgery 2 years ago.  I just did a sprint tri a couple of weeks ago, it was the third time i did that one as it was it was my first 2 years ago.  this year i added a coach in March specifically for Tri's and long distance endurance events like the RAIN ride and the Goofy Challenge.  she started to refer to me as an athlete, and in the same breath comparing me to her other "athletes".  i couldn't figure it out, but for a long time i just felt uncomfortable with her calling me an athlete.  i felt like a fraud, and i would always deflect when she called me an athlete.  she actually had to sit me down and say, look stop putting yourself down and start to embrace the fact that you are a serious athlete, you don't have to win races or be a professional/elite athlete to be an athlete.  so simple, but so true.  it's not about how long or fast or winning races, it is about lifestyle choice and commitment.  hope to see you around the boards!