Here is my transformation story that I submitted to Ben Murphy - Parent Athlete. What do you think... As an active parent who does her best to lead by example, I think I can consider myself a "parent-athlete". My journey began as an overweight mother who at 295 lbs realized that leading an unhealthy lifestyle could make it difficult to raise a family and set a good example. Although a gastric bypass surgery help me lose 150 lbs, I knew that I needed to do more to maintain my health both physically and mentally. I tried MANY different exercise programs and gyms including YMCA, kickboxing, step, cross fit, aerobics, P90x and others, but I was found these to be more of a chore than a tool to reach my goals. Then in 2011 while volunteering with my son’s Boy Scout Troup, I noticed several of the scouts ran track. In fact, one family would often show up to the meetings after running four miles. I thought that they were crazy. Why would anyone want to run without having a destination like ice-cream at the end? I came up with the idea of having that scout earn his fitness badge by teaching me how to run 1 mile. By Mother’s Day, four weeks later, I attend my first 5K… and I did it in my most flexible pair of jeans!! I had no idea what I was doing but I knew I wanted to do this. It was important to me to show our troop and my children to have a goal and work hard to reach it. After a few 5ks, a 10k seemed reachable. After a few 10ks, a half marathon seemed reachable. After a half marathon, a full marathon was just crazy but yes reachable. I have done a road and now a trail marathon. I even ran a DU and a Triathlon. Through the 108 races I have run, I have found that could combine my joy of trails with running. I prefer to be run on trails. Did you know they now put obstacles on my trails! I tricked my husband into running with me with the promise of obstacles, mud, fire and all this for a free t-shirt and a beer. I can only hope that my children can take something from my experience and apply it to a part of their life that makes them as happy as running does for me. I don’t make it a point to try to inspire others, but somehow I do. Out of the 9 friends that I helped mentor through a local running program, 8 of them are still talking to me and these 8 are still running and also following me to my next adventure. I asked 2 of these friends today why do I inspire you… and they said because you keep it real. You are not fake and the joy you get out of exercising and running is contagious. Wow, that was powerful. Where were these friends you may wonder… they were at the local Rochester Triathletes Run Bike Run training session, because they are ready to run their 1st Du and 1st Tri! Next step, I bet I have them hooked by next year, is Spartan Sprint!! Aroo!!!!
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:36:13 +0000
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