The Prize
julieworley376
Posts: 444 Member
A lot of overweight people I have met have their eyes on a much bigger prize than the things we have talked about on another thread, a kind of ultimate goal to aim for.
I remember watching The Ironman and being inspired by the 70 and 80 plus year old people completing this grueling triathlon. I don't expect to ever complete a triathlon, or a marathon, I don't think my arthritis even with 130lbs gone from it would allow my hips to cope with that.
But there is something.. so I made a decision. That I will do RAGBRAI 2015.
RAGBRAI is a cycle ride across the State of Iowa, depending on the route it is about 420-520 miles long ridden over a week in July. My Weight Watchers leader has done it twice and will do it again this year. It is so popular people come from all over the world and they have had to start using a lottery to pick 10,000 competitors, in November this year I intend to apply to be one of the 10,000 next year.
It will take adherence not only to a cycle training schedule but apparently strength training too to have enough upper body strength.
So.. what is your prize? Do you have something that right now seems like a ludicrous goal, or if you voiced it others would think.. yeah right. Is there something you could aim for longer term that is going to take planning right from where you are to get you to that thing you want to do?
Let's dream, and then let's get cracking on the goal to realize that dream.
I remember watching The Ironman and being inspired by the 70 and 80 plus year old people completing this grueling triathlon. I don't expect to ever complete a triathlon, or a marathon, I don't think my arthritis even with 130lbs gone from it would allow my hips to cope with that.
But there is something.. so I made a decision. That I will do RAGBRAI 2015.
RAGBRAI is a cycle ride across the State of Iowa, depending on the route it is about 420-520 miles long ridden over a week in July. My Weight Watchers leader has done it twice and will do it again this year. It is so popular people come from all over the world and they have had to start using a lottery to pick 10,000 competitors, in November this year I intend to apply to be one of the 10,000 next year.
It will take adherence not only to a cycle training schedule but apparently strength training too to have enough upper body strength.
So.. what is your prize? Do you have something that right now seems like a ludicrous goal, or if you voiced it others would think.. yeah right. Is there something you could aim for longer term that is going to take planning right from where you are to get you to that thing you want to do?
Let's dream, and then let's get cracking on the goal to realize that dream.
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I have thought about a triathlon, mostly because I won't want to do either three of the sports all on their own so a mix of the three sounds the best. I obviously have a ways to go before that becomes a closer reality, but who knows where I will be in a year so perhaps then I can look into it more. I might have to steal your prize Julie as that sounds like an excellent idea. I love the idea of a long, multiday bike ride (not sure how my butt feels about it). I would love to do a ride from central to northern CA, but a controlled ride sounds better. Wonder how much a flight or train would cost.
I like you would like to accomplish something physical, even if its only once, to know you did it, to know you can do it.
I would say this about running, my father is in his 60's now and still runs (started in his 50's) marathons. Today is Bay to Breakers race in San Fransisco and as i type this he is out their running. He was overweight like me, still technically is but has lost a lot of weight and is a WW lifetime member, and is still running marathons, multiple ones each year. He also does a team relay marathon wich runs down the California 1 scenic highway. He also has arthritis issues, so its never to late.
Maybe I will try a Warrior Dash or Mud Run.0 -
I would love to become a long distance runner. Mud runs and color runs look like so much fun and I imagine finishing a marathon is super empowering.
This is a weird dream because I currently hate running.0 -
I would love to be able to run a half marathon with my friend. She just started running about a year and a half ago and completed her first half this past month. I'd like to do a 5k by the fall, a 10k by my wedding in April 2015. I have no set date in mind for being able to run a half marathon, but I think I'd feel awesome if I could do it. I'm working towards it, very slowly -- today I ran for 2.5 minutes at 4.5 mph and 2 minutes at 5 mph after a 90 second break, which is more than I've ever been able to do before. The Couch to 5k program starts with 60 seconds of running/90 seconds walking repeated 8 times with a warmup and a cooldown, and previously I'd never been able to get past that first week. Starting Tuesday, I'm going to try week 2, which is 90 seconds running with 2 minutes walking.0
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Go Norah!0
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Hey, Julie! I live in Iowa. RAGBRAI, the (Des Moines) Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, has started in my hometown a couple of times! Best wishes to you. I understand it's a grueling, but absolutely rewarding experience! I'm not a runner, but I do love riding bikes!
Good luck to those who want to run -- 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathons, marathons! Those are awesome goals!
Here's my "out there" goal: I want to coach one or both of my girls in soccer next year. The season is really short -- about 2 months -- but I've really wanted to do this for the past 4 years, since they both play. They are dancers, soccer players and swimmers and I really, really want to be a part of that in their lives. My dad was a coach when my sister and I played softball at their ages. I will never forget that!
Blessings!
Loree0 -
I loved Julie's Idea of RAGBRAI but a trip to Iowa is probably out of the question so I took a look for multiday rides in CA and found a website with a nice list per state for others if your interested. http://www.bikingbis.com/across-state-bicycle-tours-california-colorado/
It's an idea that really peaks my interest, of course I'm saying that and I haven't been back on a bike in years.0 -
Mine has always been skydiving. I am terrified of heights and the thought of bungie jumping is enough to make me hurl, but skydiving sounds so freeing and glorious. You have to be under 200 to do it so that has been my goal. I know I will be terrified come jump time but it seems so poetic to just put a big old exclamation mark on all that I have accomplished and a big screw you to fear.0
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