Gotta Love This Tool

Guys I don't post much but do still lurk.  This site has been a great resource to me and I hope this story may help someone who may be considering the surgery or needs a little push to keep on track.  Here is a cut from my profile and I hope you find it a worth while read. ************************************************************* I am updating because yesterday was one of the most incredible days of my life.  I took on the challenge of doing the Pewaukee Triathlon 12 weeks ago by joining a training program at the gym.  Well yesterday @ 4:30 A.M. I loaded my bike to the car and packed my bags and headed to the beach for the 6:30 A.M. Triathlon start.  During the training program I always thought of how cool it would be to just finish.  I had trained hard the last 12 weeks but the training never led to a whole Triathlon so I was still wondering if I could do it.  The last week was brutal I had dreams of not finishing and also of sleeping in and missing it but of course that didn't happen.  The emotional roller coaster yesterday was sureal.  My heart was pounding and I was nervous waiting for the gun to go off for my wave.  People cheering for us as strangers throughout the course made me feel awesome and I thanked them as I went along.  All the way to seeing my wife an kids screaming for me as I transitioned from my bike to my run.  Then the topping on the cake as I crossed the finish line seeing my boys and wife there screaming for me I felt the biggest sense of accomplishment I have ever felt.  Out of breath and almost to tears I embraced each of them with a major sweaty hug that they later thanked me for.  I had done it!!  A guy who 16 months ago couldn't run a mile now did a quarter mile swim a 16 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run in 1 hour and 41 minutes.  My personal goal was to finish in less then 2 hours and I surpassed that.  I don't type this to say look at me but to hopefully inspire people considering the surgery to see that this can change your life.  I never thought of my self as that guy who could do this type of thing but anything is possible.  The surgery is the tool to help change our lives but we hold the key to making it work.  This has also changed my families life.  My 6 and 8 year olds did the kis Tri on Saturday and we trained together so they are learning about setting goals and working towards them.  I am thankul for this second chance at living a healthy life!

It is a wonderful tool. Congrats!

Daev

Congratulations John! So much of the info that folks get starts with- "..a friend of my friend said…." Great to have first hand account out here for people looking into it themselves! Keep it Up! Best Wishes- Dx

John, Congratulations!  You guys that even attempt a triathalon are an awesome inspiration.  Glad to hear you made your goal.  Keep up the great work and keep sharing so to motivate more of us. Floyd

John, Thanks for the update.  I happened upon your profile months ago, and put it up top in the "Bookmarks."  I haven't quite matched your results (nor, no coincidence, your incredible enthusiasm for cardio).  But it has been a reminder of what is possible with this surgery if you are willing to put in the effort, and you are one of the people I've emulated in developing my own plan.  I'm almost exactly a year behind you, and I'd be ecstatic if a year from now things were going as well for me. Congrats on the triathlon.

John,  Letters like yours gets my motor revving as I look forward to acquiring this tool! Best Regards, BobM

Awesome awesome post.   Thanks for putting that out here on the Men's Board or I might have missed it. Thats what its all about,...quaity of life with our loved ones. joe

Terrific.  I'm jealous.  I recent;y ran 400m and it nerly killed me.  Perhaps this is something for the future.  Way to go. Greg