Former Athlete.

We are all just a sad lot.

Goose here. What have I been up to? A science experiment. How long can a person maintain their weight and fitness level without purposing to exercise and eat well?

Somehow, with a side factor of stress, which for me manifests itself in an inward shriveling up, I have managed to maintain within 5 lbs my superfit weight. However, things are a jiggling 'round here.



It's true, I stopped exercising pretty much all last winter, much to Viper's dismay and harrassment. Spring and Summer were not much prettier, but I threw in a handful of Shreds and runs to remind my body that it likes to move.

Then, I got a "jenius" (spelling intentional) idea to sign up for another triathlon in order to force myself into regular workouts in order to train. Well, race day came with only a few shreds and runs, a couple stationary bike workouts and zero swim workouts under my belt. I like to live on the edge.

So the sprint triathlon was Oct. 2. I arrived with Viper in good spirits, having reconciled that I knew I could do each portion, just not sure I could do them all together, but that I would certainly be able to finish even if it wasn't pretty.

A formula developed in my mind. A science experiment of sorts. A graph plotting of training vs. health vs. outcome. This would be my third triathlon. And so, taking my experiences into account, here were the three styles of preparedness I have entered these triathlon: 1. Well trained, but deathly ill with bronchitis. 2. Very well trained and very healthy. 3. Untrained and very healthy.

The question was, which type of preparedness is the fastest and which is the slowest?

It takes no scientific genius to know that the well-trained and healthy was my fastest and best time, but I wondered about the other two: trained and unhealthy vs. untrained and healthy.



During the race I actually felt great. I was in a good mood, I found a steady pace, I had fun. So when I finished I think I had higher expectations for my time than it actually turned out. Turns out that trained and unhealthy enough to end up in an ambulance after my first triathlon was FASTER than my untrained and healthy triathlon! Wow. I wouldn't have guessed that!

But, I had FUN! I felt GREAT! I stayed STEADY. And I decided to be proud that, as Viper said, with a handful of shreds and a couple runs I was still fit enough to get out there and do a triathlon!



I have high hopes for getting back out there to run. I have 14 months before I turn 40 and have decided I would like to run a 1/2 marathon before then. Possibly this coming spring. So that is my new goal I will aim for and try to get my training groove back on. In my defense, I started working last spring and have not figured out how to incorporate regular exercise since then. Any suggestions?? (and remember I have a family of 6 and several animals that need me so it is not as simple as just doing it after work!)

Good to be back, I will try and not be a stranger. Maybe I can even dig Maverick and Iceman out of the woodwork. Mav is working full time now and Ice has 5 homeschooling kids, but that baby of hers is almost one and its time to get back to fighting shape!

Perhaps we should plan the 1/2 marathon for next summer in MN, ladies? We need to give Jessy a moniker and she can do it with us!

Goose Out