From couch to Duathlete

Tri_Dad

November 21st 2008 is the day that I decieded to take control. At 319 pounds I was tired, ashamed and could not understand how things had gotten so out of hand. I have been big as far back as I can remember. I had all the usual excuses, It's Genetic.....I don't have time.....I can't do it. I was wrong. My DW and I came to my fitness pal with hope. Hope that we could change, hope that we could be a better example for our two boys. The site's tools taught us a ton about where we were going wrong. Seeing what we actually ate in a day was eye opening. The community I found here has been more than supportive. I have made life long friends that mean more to me than many of the people I have known for years.

In may of 2009 I started the couch to 5k program. I had all the usual doubts about whether or not I could do it. But I had already learned lessons about not putting limits on what I am capable of. So I completed the program in 9 weeks and ran my first 5k on father's day.

In late June of 2009 I bought a bike and started riding. I loved the freedom and the feeling I got when I was out on the road. Suddenly Multisport peaked my interest. I would never have considered it possible. But truley, all things are.

Today I raced in my first duathlon. 2 mile run, 16 mile ride followed by a 3.2 mile run. There I was surrounded by people who look FAR to fit to be in the same race as me. In alot of ways I still can't believe I am a 198 lb athlete and not a 319 lb dissapointment. After the first run and the ride I started on the last 3.2 miles of running, my legs were on fire and I was hitting a wall. Then that old familiar voice came back. "Who are you kidding? You can't do this." "Your still the same lazy useless sack you've always been." But there was also a new voice, one that got louder with each foot fall. "Nothing can stop you if you believe you can do this." "The only person standing in your way is yourself." Suddenly I could see the faces of my wife, my boys and my friends here on MFP. They were all there in my heart, pushing me to continue, driving me onward. So I focused on getting through the first mile. I picked up to a steady pace and just kept going. 1 mile turned into 2 and 2 turned into 3. Before I knew it I was on the final stretch. Not just running to a finish line but also running from a past of limits. A past filled with dissapointment and failure. In the last 100 yards I gave it everything I had and sprinted across the line. When I crossed that line I left it all behind me. I stepped into a future of limitless possibility. I finished the race. And while the time keeper will likely tell me that it took me around 1:46:00. I know the truth. It took me 29 years to get here. And not a momment too soon.

Believe in yourselves everyone....One day, one mile and one bead of sweat at a time. Your strength is beyond your understanding. May you all be blessed on your journey as I have been blessed on mine.

:flowerforyou: :drinker:

Magenta15

thank you for sharing this :flowerforyou:

72lori

Andrew! So proud of all you have accomplished. Way to go. Keep pushing and dreaming, nothing is out of your reach.

laurajoyk

Thats amazing, I was debating whether or not to start the couch to 5k program today since I already went for a bike ride, but you totally inspired me to do it now, why wait till tomorrow!!

Keep up the great work! You're a total inspiration!

arewethereyet

Andrew,

I thank you for putting to paper the amazing feeling you get from setting a goal, believing in yourself, and doing all the work it takes to accomplish that goal.

I hope others are inspired by your story and take the first step. And old adage is " Every journey begins with one step" How true those words this day my friend.

I am very proud of you. I have printed the pictures of you and your family at the park last year and this.......to remind me I am not alone in my journey. That there are young people watching me who may make a better decision today for a better tomorrow.

God Bless you my friend..............and oh BTW


YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AmandaJ

Andrew, thanks again for sharing your story, you totally rock and I am so proud of you!

Beth, your awesome too!!!

Marla64

:sad: :sad:

Stop making me cry-- I just love you to bits, Andrew-- and your lovely, wife-- and all my black team--

ksproston

Congratulations Andrew! You did an amazing job!

Wecandothis

Very inspirational! Thank you so much for posting that! I am cheering for you!!!

Wolfena

That is such a great story!!! :bigsmile:

jessmomof3

Amazing!!! WTG!!!! I love reading stories like this. You did it! :flowerforyou:

Shanta1983

WTG Spy you know you totally rock dude keep up the good work :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :happy:

havingitall

Way to go! You just keep achieving great things! Be very proud of your accomplishments, you deserve to yell it from the rooftops ( although it might bother the neighbours:laugh: )

Keep on going.... who knows what you will do next!

SatelliteCrush80

Andrew-

I'm so proud of your for all of your amazing accomplishments, and so glad that you've shared your story here so everyone can see what they can do if they will only let themselves try and have faith.

So proud to know you!

m2kjenn

You story gave me goose bumps to read. What an amazing journey. As others have said you are an inspiration. Congratulations!!!!

MTGirl

Andrew - that is so awesome!! What an incredible story and journey. You give me hope and inspiration - keep sharing your story. You have the power to change lives! WAY TO GO MAN!!! BTW - if you're not a writer, you should be! You have an amazing way with words:drinker: Congrats on the awesome finish!

jlbay

Thank you for sharing. You have definitely inspired me - thank you for taking the time to put this into words for all of us. Congratulations!

musicmom04

YOU ARE AMAZING :drinker: :drinker:

Girlmom282109

What can I say about you that you don't already know about yourself. Not to much!!

You are truely a different man then when you started here and your boys are lucky to have you and that cute little wife of yours.:bigsmile:

CONGRATS!!!!

renae77

ANDREW-YOU TOTALLY ROCK!!

Way to go Sir! You are awesome and I am proud to say that we are on the same team! BLACK TEAM RULES! You give everyone the inspiration to keep on going!

annaliza

Wow....I had tears in my eyes reading your story.

You are truely inspirational!

Good job and well deserved...you worked hard for it.

musicmom04

What can I say about you that you don't already know about yourself. Not to much!!

You are truely a different man then when you started here and your boys are lucky to have you and that cute little wife of yours.:bigsmile:

CONGRATS!!!!

you're not so bad yourself lol

nicolet04

thanks for the much needed inspiration!!!! :flowerforyou: U R AMAZING!!!:drinker:

Tri_Dad

Thanks guys!

Your all an amazing bunch of folks!

:drinker:

Azdak

Let me just add my congratulations as well. Great job and really inspiring!

arewethereyet

I thought of you this week Andrew, and your story helped me to achieve another of my goals.

My BFF and I went to Key Largo to go scuba diving for the very first time. BOTH of us were terrified to even SNORKEL, and didnt know how the hell we ended up with 50 pounds of gear agreeing to go 40 feet under the ocean. :noway:

I was sitting there with this gear on my back......listening to the captain explain how we would walk the length of the boat, then jump in the water as we were taught. It occured to me:noway: ...........WALK with 50 pounds of gear:noway: Holy crap..............I cant do that.

Then my BFF asked me about your story (we were talking earlier).

She and I shed a tear, and laughed and hugged the best we could with all that stuff on our backs. She said, " Jeannie............you have come just as far as this young man you so admire. One year ago you were in bed with negative muscle mass. You will walk to the water, strong and confident, just the way Andrew ran and rode that bike..............knowing YOU have put the work into making your body stronger and healthier!!"

Well I did it............that turned out the be the easy part:laugh: ...............getting Bff UNDER the water is a whole different story!:grumble: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Tri_Dad

Jeannie - it looks like its your turn to bring a tear to my eye. I warms my heart to know I have done something to inspire you. You need to understand how much of an inspiration you have always been to me.and I love you for that. There are very few people in this community who are able to equal your positive outlook and supportive nature. Your a blessing to those of us who are lucky enough to call you friend.
Congrats on the dive. I will think of you the next time I need that little something to keep me goingl

arewethereyet

Jeannie - it looks like its your turn to bring a tear to my eye. I warms my heart to know I have done something to inspire you. You need to understand how much of an inspiration you have always been to me.and I love you for that. There are very few people in this community who are able to equal your positive outlook and supportive nature. Your a blessing to those of us who are lucky enough to call you friend.
Congrats on the dive. I will think of you the next time I need that little something to keep me goingl

samantha115

:sad: :sad:

Stop making me cry-- I just love you to bits, Andrew-- and your lovely, wife-- and all my black team--

Ahh. you both made me cry. Great job Andrew. You both are super awesome.

FabulousGia

Wow. That is awesome. Your story is very inspiring. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!