Saturday, January 03, 2009

What Motivates You?


What motivates me has evolved over these 3 and half years I have been in triathlon.

 

In the beginning it was to have a reason to exercise.  I had to train in order to just finish a triathlon.  I had to get out and ride, swim, and run in order to finish a race and the race was somewhat the payoff.

 

Then racing became what motivated me.  I loved to race.  I loved to get out there and compete.  Now, I have always and probably always will compete against myself.  I have a log of all my splits from each race and I measure myself against the previous year and compete that way.

 

Then last year I began to find a new motivation in the bike segment of triathlon and this led to believing I can compete with others rather than just myself . . . Which brings me to this year.

 

What motivates me this year is time. 

 

I weighed 452 pounds in 2005.  I raced in my first triathlon at about 425 pounds.  This year I will race at sub 220 LBS with NO BELLY in the way on the bike or killing me on the run.

 

I have time goals for the two races I am focusing on this year . . . Sub 5 1/2 hour finish IM 70.3 NOLA and sub 12 hour finish IMFL.

 

I know those are lofty for a bum like me, but I will do it.

 

This gives me the venue to once again thank so many of you guys who have helped me get here.

 

Seriously.  Thank you.  Thank so very much.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.  I am lucky to have friends in our Tri club and my BLOG who believed in me and even those who didn't that provided motivation as well.  You guys are, as Tina says . . . "Simply the Best!".

 

What Motivates YOU?

3 comments:

Unknown said...

At the moment, I'm motivated by good health. Trying to be good to my body every day that I have on this planet and enjoy it. :-)

Best to you in 2009.

Amytrigirl (aka Amybee) said...

Great post and great photo. I've always wanted to meet Jillian...actually, I'd like to hire her, but then I'd probably end up hating her....

Anyway: Motivation: sometimes it's fear (I don't want to be the old fat chick that comes in last).

Sometimes its chasing away ghosts (of being the always-last fat kid in gym class)

Sometimes its just because...

Lynnea B said...

Hey Chris, I am the lady who cut your hair at E Jay's in Highland Heights on Saturday 2/7/09. It was great to meet you and talk with you. I have been skimming your blog and I hear my husband in your words..the self doubt, depression etc. I hope I can get him to read your blog and maybe see a way out of his situation. If nothing else, it will help me to understand what he is going thru a little better. Anytime you are back in Northern KY, come visit me, contact me etc. I know you have friends here, but I would love for my husband to meet you. Don't worry about the Dad thing, somehow God helps us to do ok and our kids love us just as we are. My blog isn't nearly as interesting as yours, I appreciate your candor and honesty.