Newbie Intro - Triathlon Week

bbradbe · 07-30-2006, 05:51 AM

I am new to triathlons have found the information in these forums to be great. I just completed my first sprint tri this month and it was a blast. I understand why swimming is considered a contact sport and I have a new appreiciation for brick training. I have another sprint in August and I have signed up for the Arizona Ironman in 2007. My friends think that I crazy for signing up for the IM, but I think it will be a great challange. I started running if Feb 2006 and started biking/swimming a couple of months ago, so I have a long way to go. However, I have gone from 265 lbs to 180lbs since last year, so I fell that I can handle anything. Again, thanks for sharing all of your experiences, so newbies like myself can improve and injoy this great sport.

Todd

sfricks · 07-30-2006, 09:49 AM

Congrats Todd. You rock! 265 to 180! What's your secret?

This site was instrumental in helping me along the Iron Raod. Your IM quest is going to prove to be an incedibile journey and a defining point in your life. We'll be here to support you along the path to Iron and here with you in 2007 to say Todd, you're an IRONMAN!

bbradbe · 07-30-2006, 10:07 AM

No secret to the weight loss - changed eating habits and started exercising. I started walking 2-4 miles/day with a co-worker, quit fast food, and replaced the soft drinks with water. In 8 months, I lost 80 lbs, while eating more than I was before. Then, a marathon runner at work talked me into running a 5K and I was hooked. Next, another co-worker talked me into doing the sprint tri. Peer pressure can be a good thing.

Not to say it was all easy. The first month of walking, I experinced terrible shin splits. At 5'8", it was tough walking with someone 6'4". However, after the shin splits went away, the tall guy could hardly keep up with me.

Todd

jwier92 · 07-30-2006, 11:32 AM

Good job and great story. People think it is so hard to lose weight, but really once you want to it is simple. I too went from 250 to 175 in about 9 months (back in 2001 I was 265) and now like to stay motivated by doing tri's. Cheeper than gym membership that most people do not show up to use.