Some exciting news!!

I had hoped this day would come, and I have to admit when it finally did, I might have jumped up and down in my kitchen, while screaming quite loudly. A little bit of a back story here. Two and half or so years ago, I expressed at WW’s that I would someday like to do an Ironman, but that I would like to start with a Tri of some kind. I was somewhere around 370 lbs or so at that point in my journey. I think some people might have thought, “Hey that’s a great goal but she will probably never get there.” Over a year later and many lbs lost later I had another member approach me and say, “Have you heard of the CDA Tri Team?” I had heard of them and had actually seen an article on what she was to tell me.

She talked to me about this great club that does a sponsorship of local athletes who want to run a Tri or a 5K etc. for the first. The stories needed to be inspiring and life-changing and she felt I ‘fit the bill’. At that point in time I felt very strongly that I wasn’t ready for such a commitment. I did have high hopes that at some point I would be able to do it. I added the CDA Tri team to my Facebook and started watching what they were doing. Life is often full of small sign-posts and one came to me in October of this year.

I saw a sign for the CDA Tri Team as I finished the Susan G Komen. I had jogged part of the event for the first time ever, and done fairly well. I approached the table and took the first step of talking to them about the sponsorship, and found out that they had just started accepting applications. The next day I wrote a letter and sent it into the group, hoping that they would see how much I wanted it. The year before I hadn’t been ready, but now I am. I visited one of their meetings and kept the thoughts of this dream on the back burner.

I am beyond ready to do my first Mini Tri, or run a 10 K. I have worked oh so hard for this. Recently a family member gave us a very nice treadmill they didn’t need, I’m now able to train from my own home in bad weather. I also have recently began some light strength training with my husband. It all feels like things are going in the right direction and they are.

As I said at the start of this… I jumped up and down screaming because I saw my name in a post from the CDA Tri Team. They picked me as their first sponsored athlete of 2015. I cannot begin to tell you all how excited I am and how surreal it is. 11 years ago, I was a hugely obese woman who struggled to walk every single day. My first walk was a block, and it took a very long time. Now I am getting ready to begin training for my first Triathlon! Wish me luck y’all and watch for updates as I take another step in my journey.