Do not be intimidated!!

Sue M.
on 9/1/11 4:11 am - Nantucket, MA
Ok, so we've been showcasing our IRONMAN participants (and rightly so!!!!) for the last week.  The four people (MacMadame has been quiet of late, but you've all certainly seen Dan, Jillian and Andrew posting) have shown us what we can all do if we put our hearts, minds and bodies to it.

This kind of event is not for everyone.  I fancy myself to be pretty tough, but I feel no draw to Ironman or most triathalons.  I have just gotten on a bike after 25 years and while I enjoy the few rides I've been going on, nothing about road cycling looks like something I want to do.  So maybe someday when I buy a bike of my own (i'm borrowing for now), I'll get a nice hybrid and do some sprint tri, just to see how it goes.

Anyway, not the point.  The point is - yes, we can accomplish AMAZING things.  We know people who have done things they never dreamed of.  Absorb their confidence and ambition and make it your own.  Use it do accomplish your goals,  your dreams, your "I could never do that" ideas.

For some of us, that's running a 5k, or walking a 5k.  Some of us will become Zumba instructors.  Some of us will stick to a regular gym routine 3 days/week for the first time in our lives.  Some will run marathons.  We all got here on different journeys, and we continue on our own journeys - with the support of eachother.

By all means am I not discouraging ANYONE from dreaming of and completing a 100 mile run, ride or an Ironman event - I'll be the first to cheer you on.

I just don't want newbies or people with regular fitness and exercise questions, concerns to feel out of place here.  EVERYONE with an interest in physical movement to promote better health is IN THE RIGHT PLACE!!




Read my blog, BARIATHLETE   I run because I can.

First 5K race October 4, 2009   (34.59)  PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010  (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21)  PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20

Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can.  If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
nate2009
on 9/1/11 4:20 am - Lebanon, OH
Absolutely correct !!!!!!1 Couldn't have said it better myself. My goals and anyone else's may not be the same but we are ALL here to support and be supported!!!! No one's workout is too big or small for this group.
    No longer about weight , it's all about living.            
Paul C.
on 9/1/11 4:32 am - Cumming, GA
Way to say it Sue!

It doesn't matter how far or fast you run if you run, everyones runs are important.  The focus is to get out and live a Healthy and Fit Lifestyle.  We are all here to support eachother and to cheer eachother on.  Remember we all started at the same spot but we will end up taking different paths.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op  (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03      
      First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (
PR 2:24:35)   
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
superconducting
on 9/1/11 6:07 am - Montgomery, NY
 Awesome post!  And remember that even if you have a dream of Ironman, it begins for all of us in the same spot.  2 years ago walking a half mile was a BIG deal for me.  18 months ago, Dan gave me the hard sell to go out and run my first 5k - and I was scared ****less.  Completing that 5k was a really BIG deal.  

We're all at different stages in our journeys, reaching our goals and stepping out is just as significant for the gal making her first long walk after surgery, as it is for Dan rocking a sub 12 Ironman.  

And the best part is with our common origin in morbid obesity, we relate to each other and cheer eachother.  I gotta tell you, I was as thrilled and excited for Jillian rocking her Ironman as I was my own, and I am equally thrilled when I read about someone getting excited about working out from this board and accomplishing their first goals - there are no insignificant goals for us!  :)  

Bravo, Sue!  :)  


Scott William
on 9/1/11 7:23 am
Hmmm....Zumba instructor!..
Scott

Link to my running journal
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1303681

4 full's - 14 halves - 2 goofy's and one Mt. Washington!
fatfreemama
on 9/1/11 8:11 am - San Jose, CA
Bay to Breakers 12K May 15, 2011 (1:54:40)           First 5K 5/23/11 (41:22)
Half Marathons: Napa:  7/18/10  (4:11:21)   7/17/11 (3:30:58)   7/15/12  (3:13:11.5) 
                        
 SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22)  Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54) 
                         Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00) 
HW/SW/CW  349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein

MacMadame
on 9/1/11 8:23 am - Northern, CA
 Great post!

People tell me all the time: I could never do what you do. But when I started, I was going to the gym 1-2x a week for 30 min. and couldn't run for more than 2 min. at a time. I didn't start out doing Ironmans!

I tell people: start where you are and gradually build up to where you want to be, whatever level that is.

HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
Visit my blog at Fatty Fights Back      Become a Fan on Facebook!
Starting BMI 40-ish or less? Join the LightWeights

Leolioness
on 9/1/11 9:15 am - OR

Your post made me tear up....

As someone that is just starting their journey and has goals of finding their inner athlete as a part of that journey, I truly appreciate the reminder to celebrate the baby steps. 

I have surgery October 11th and I have signed up for my first 5k in March....whether I run, walk or a little of both my first goal is to finish!  :-)

Started the conservative couch to 5k and am just excited that I am getting out there and getting my walks in.

Maybe I am just being ultra emotional these days because reading the race reports made me tear up too....lol.....so inspirational you all are!!!  I am happy to have discovered this forum.  Seeing everyone's accomplishments towards a healthy active life gives me such hope that it really can be a reality and not just a dream.  Thanks to all of you!

 

Bettisima
on 9/1/11 1:23 pm
Thank you Sue. I lurk a lot on this board, and I have goals that I don't communicate, because I wonder how realistic they are for me. My surgery and the weight loss that has come with it, make me feel young and able to do anything. 10 minutes of thinking about my physical age makes me think I have been too big for too long to meet some of those goals.

It is about moving and getting healthy.
John V.
on 9/1/11 2:28 pm - MN
 What a fantastic post, thanks so much!
 HW:  280  /  SW: 250  /  GW#1: 175  /  GW#2: 160  /  GW#3: 150 / CW: 147.8    
 Includes 30 lbs lost pre-surgery.    
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