ironman triathlete

It took a few moments for the laughing to calm down. The cause of the merriment?  My answer to the question of what my aim was, when I announced I was going to lose weight. That I was going to compete in an Ironman competition and become a triathlete.  I was at that point 354 pounds and had tried losing weight before, so as much as it hurt, I understood their laughter.

However, I was deadly serious.

Since I’ve started on this path and my previous path to fitness, I’ve made goal setting one of my main tools.  I’ve mentioned before that I crave challenges and if something both excites and terrifies me, then there’s a good chance I’m going to sign up for it. Be it Tough Mudder, Spartan Beast or even the Copenhagen Marathon (did I ever mention that I ran a marathon….once?).

So, what is more exciting and terrifying, especially for a morbidly obese desk jockey than the thought of becoming a triathlete…an Ironman, no less.  And the crazy thing is, even now that I have regained some weight, I believe that it isn’t a dream, a fancy or an outlandish pursuit.  I will be an Ironman and I’m ALREADY a triathlete (and try-athlete)…..of sorts.

For a few years ago, I came across something that got me excited and partly terrified me.  The Fusion Mini Triathlon at my local sports centre. How could I pass it up? Quite easily could have been the answer, as I didn’t have a bike and er, couldn’t really swim.  Not triathlon stylee, at any rate.  But was I going to let a couple of minor issues prevent me from realising a dream?  Hell no. I would complete my first triathlon.

So on race day I entered the arena and made my way, first to registration and then to rack my bike.  I was surrounded by gleaming, shiny, finely tuned and sleek machines while the bikes weren’t too shabby either.  At first, I felt a little out of place.  Just like I used to, when I was obese.  But everyone at Fusion was really friendly and made me feel at ease.  So much so, that I felt comfortable removing my t-shirt for the swim (no matter, how much I progress, I’m still a little ashamed of my gut).

And I dived right in and was soon coursing through the swimming leg like a….well, like a not so fat non-swimmer.  But I can swim breast-stroke all day (thankfully I didn’t have to) and was soon overtaking a few

and before I knew it, it was time for transition one and time for my first competitive cycle. I say competitive, but the only real competition was which out of the bike and I would break down first.

For, as I had said, the bike wasn’t new and it weighed about the same as a small family car.  Plus, it had another problem.  One working gear. No,  it wasn’t one of these fancy training bikes, it’s gears simply didn’t work and no matter how hard I pumped my wee legs, Fred Flintstone style, everyone and I mean everyone overtook me.  But, I’m not a quitter (well, not now at least) and I ploughed on (actually, I think a plough also passed me).

Eventually, it was time for my second transition.  From bike to run and I was prepared and ready.

But, I’ll be honest, I did surprise myself and probably everyone else by doing a perfect transition. So much so, that it drew a few favourable comments. I say perfect, but I broke the pedal as I jumped off.

My spirit raised, I raced into my strongest discipline.  All that really means is that I’m never usually in danger of killing myself when I run.  I was a little tired after the swim and cycle, but I pushed on and started to overtake a few, not many, but enough to give me hope of not finishing dead last.  As I approached the finish line, I did my now mandatory sprint and raised my arms in triumph as I finished my first ever triathlon.  It might only have been a wee one, and I might have ended up in the wrong third of rankings, but now I wasn’t only a runner but I was a triathlete.

Not only that, but I had outlived the bike, which was subsequently taken to the dump (I doubt that even Glasgow Bike Station would have wanted it).

I’ve since bought a couple of “proper” bikes, via my work’s cycle scheme and Vitality – you may have seen my #Everyday Athlete video.

I will also finally take swimming lessons and check out Vigour Events, who specialise in outdoor swimming. I will regain my fitness and I will see if Garmin’s Forerunner , Varia and Edge gadgets (all the gear, no idea) make me faster and more safe, as I use active travel as a means of training.

For, in 2018, I will compete in my first Ironman 70.3, while next year I might try (sorry, I couldn’t resist) and find a couple of local triathlons and/or duathlons.