Yanti & Salty Mad Manatees PART 3: FULL POD (Page 48)

Asalzwed - 2012-07-18 1:18 PM

Well. Ok...I was active in HS and then played a little hockey in college but once I graduated I became, well, quite frankly fat and lazy. With that came some depression and then, I dunno...just a bitterness in life, in general. 

Finally I woke the eff up and realized I needed to make a change (I'm summarizing here)I also realized there were some things that were completely out of my control (I got dealt a few crappy hands) and there were some things I could control. So, I started working out on a regular basis and started seeing small changes, physically and mentally. Finally I kind of hit a plateau and realized my diet needed some work.  No one makes this part easy. There is so much conflicting information out there it's mind boggling. I started logging my food and made and effort to eat non or lightly processed food and just kept researching.

Around a year ago, a friend talked me into signing up for triathlon. Of course, she backed out but I went for it. I did a few 5Ks in preparation and realized, with a little training, I could run. I had always hated running but once you start to see what a little training can do in terms of improvement, I started to like it more.

Around this time I found BT and started getting into Tri more. I did a few tris and bike rides and runs. I also won entry to this half marathon (the day before) and more or less ran it on a whim. I had been tri training so I wasn't totally unprepared. I got a decent time considering and realized with some actual structured training, I could probably be a pretty decent runner.

That is when I started training for my first marathon. I ended up running that first marathon in 3:34 and qualifying for Boston. So, I decided I wanted to dedicate myself to running to see what my true potential is. That is where I am today. 

Phhhhewwww. 

In terms of time (training, family, life in general) Well, that is NEVER easy. It's all about prioritizing. I have made a promise to myself that training, for now, doesn't interfere with my family. I am lucky enough to have a gym on site at work and work for a company that values life/work balance. I frequently do 2-a-day workouts (one at lunch and one in the evening) my evening workout is generally with my SO (as the gym. She doesn't run but at least we are at the same place) I have also sneakily drug some of my friends into running, convincing them they love it as much as I do and now instead of happy hour, we run (clever, I know) 

I have to cut a lot of stuff out too. There are certainly sacrifices. Lots of Sundays when really I just want to sleep in and watch football and instead I have to do a 18-miler. Also, lots of Friday nights where I need to cut out early so I can get some sleep because I have a run in the morning. But, it's all about balance and always will be. 

bcraht - 2012-07-18 3:31 PM

Wow.  Ok, now I really want Yanti to write the article about you .  That is pretty amazing that you went from depressed and bitter to where you are now, because of running.  I wish more people understood that you just have to make the choice--to be happy, to be healthy, whatever.  Too many people are unhappy and expect life to change for them instead of them changing for life.  Thanks for answering!

And somehow I suspect that happy hour happens in addition to running

Asalzwed - 2012-07-18 1:48 PM Alright, sorry about the Krakauer kick but Into the Wild is my very favorite. If you like those kind of books I would also recommend Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston. They made a film about the book (127 Hours.) I think it's well written and just an exciting read. 

bcraht - 2012-07-18 5:09 PM

I have a huge list of books that I would like to read, and it just keeps getting longer.  Went to the local library recently and they had none of them.  Decided to check work library today for what they have, and they have all 3 Krakauers, so just took them out.  And now I realize that I have seen the movie of Into the Wild.  Great movie, looking forward to the read as well.  Thanks for all the titles, everyone, keep 'em coming!

reecealan - 2012-07-18 3:46 PM

Took my 15 (almost 16) year old son the the running store yesterday.  He said he wants to start running, for real!  Running store guy brought out Asics, Brooks, Nike and Addidas, looks like boy's a neutral foot.  He ended up choosing the Nike Pegasis which was actually on sale for $60!  I told shoe guy not to talk price until boy chose.  All the other shoes were over $100, I love when things work out like that.

He ran 1.5 miles with me this morning, that's a great start.

Speaking of critters, reptiles, amphibians, insects etc., I came across a black snake on my run today.  He was taking his sweet time crossing the path so I picked him up and placed him in the bushes so he wouldn't get run over.  He's just too valuable as rodent control!

Congrats to all you racers this past weekend!

reecealan - 2012-07-18 4:46 PM

Took my 15 (almost 16) year old son the the running store yesterday.  He said he wants to start running, for real!  Running store guy brought out Asics, Brooks, Nike and Addidas, looks like boy's a neutral foot.  He ended up choosing the Nike Pegasis which was actually on sale for $60!  I told shoe guy not to talk price until boy chose.  All the other shoes were over $100, I love when things work out like that.

He ran 1.5 miles with me this morning, that's a great start.

Speaking of critters, reptiles, amphibians, insects etc., I came across a black snake on my run today.  He was taking his sweet time crossing the path so I picked him up and placed him in the bushes so he wouldn't get run over.  He's just too valuable as rodent control!

Congrats to all you racers this past weekend!

reecealan - 2012-07-18 4:46 PM

Took my 15 (almost 16) year old son the the running store yesterday.  He said he wants to start running, for real!  Running store guy brought out Asics, Brooks, Nike and Addidas, looks like boy's a neutral foot.  He ended up choosing the Nike Pegasis which was actually on sale for $60!  I told shoe guy not to talk price until boy chose.  All the other shoes were over $100, I love when things work out like that.

He ran 1.5 miles with me this morning, that's a great start.

Speaking of critters, reptiles, amphibians, insects etc., I came across a black snake on my run today.  He was taking his sweet time crossing the path so I picked him up and placed him in the bushes so he wouldn't get run over.  He's just too valuable as rodent control!

Congrats to all you racers this past weekend!

bcraht - 2012-07-18 4:09 PM

I have a huge list of books that I would like to read, and it just keeps getting longer.  Went to the local library recently and they had none of them.  Decided to check work library today for what they have, and they have all 3 Krakauers, so just took them out.  And now I realize that I have seen the movie of Into the Wild.  Great movie, looking forward to the read as well.  Thanks for all the titles, everyone, keep 'em coming!

jobaxas - 2012-07-18 5:27 PM

Oh Into the Wild wasn't that the one directed by Sean Penn (one of my all time favourite actors) with the best soundtrack ever - Eddie Vedder.  I play that constantly in my car, it can make me smile make me cry whatever it just really connects to me emotionally.  It's haunting - if you haven't heard it, download it now.

TriAya - 2012-07-18 7:30 AM

You're gonna post pictures, right??? Man, I miss sailing ... Hobies are FUN and FAST!!! I miss surfing too ... but I really can only focus on one watersport (and one overall ridiculously expensive sport like tri) at a time!

bcraht - 2012-07-18 11:48 AM Got a good swim in this morning.  Something the coach said last week, coupled with Yanti's swim hint from yesterday, clicked for me (I have been doing breast stroke wrong all these years...).  I felt smooooooth this morning.  I have a ride on tap for later as well.  Hope everyone has a great day!

Asalzwed - 2012-07-18 3:48 PM Alright, sorry about the Krakauer kick but Into the Wild is my very favorite. If you like those kind of books I would also recommend Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston. They made a film about the book (127 Hours.) I think it's well written and just an exciting read. 

TriRx - 2012-07-18 6:12 PM

 

Oh Oh!  In addition to "The Climb," read:

No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks, 2007 and

K2: Life and Death on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain, Aug 2010

Both by Ed Viesturs.

 

Make sure you read the Climb - it'll change your mind about the whole thing!! It's good!!

Asalzwed - 2012-07-18 6:14 PM

I'm going to have to do that!

Reading all these climbing books solidifies the fact that I don't EVER want to climb anything significant. I had thought about Rainier 14,411 (here is WA) but I don't even know about that. 

TriRx - 2012-07-18 6:14 PM [

Asalzwed - 2012-07-18 6:18 PM

Oh Into the Wild wasn't that the one directed by Sean Penn (one of my all time favourite actors) with the best soundtrack ever - Eddie Vedder.  I play that constantly in my car, it can make me smile make me cry whatever it just really connects to me emotionally.  It's haunting - if you haven't heard it, download it now.

TriRx - 2012-07-18 6:21 PM

Yes! And yes!  Best movie (it affected me for DAYS) and BEST soundtrack!  I Die for Eddie!!

bcraht - 2012-07-18 6:21 PM If you were rich, and already had all the Tri gear you wanted, what would you spend your money on?   I'll start.  I would audit courses (cause I like to learn, but I HATE taking exams and writing papers) and I would buy books.  And build a library in my house, with a big fluffy chair, and a fireplace, and a ladder that moved so I could reach all my books.

Asalzwed - 2012-07-18 6:31 PM

Seattle represent!