Biggest Loser Comments

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for taking valuable time from your day to write to NBC’s The Biggest Loser on my behalf.

I received emails from many of you that have touched my heart and increased my motivation!

Most of you know that the email address that NBC has on their website is not working right now and your emails have been returned. I am sorry that you took time out of your busy days for not. However, it meant so much to me.

I wanted to post the emails I have received from those of you who forwarded me your letters to The Biggest Loser.

Thank you again for all of your support.

Next week I will be posting a look into my world of obesity and my questions as to why I am so fat.

Greetings friends at NBC,
I have been asked by my close friend and financial advisor, Christopher Boggs, to write to you. I have known Christopher about 6 years, since I asked him to aid in planning my retirement from the local telephone company. I want this to be brief, yet to convey to your shows producers, what an excellent choice Christopher would be for your program. I want all of America to know Christopher as I do. The entire time I have known him, he has been struggling to stay healthy and to lose weight. I have seen the astounding transformations that have taken place on your program, and I want so very much to see this fine, kind, man healthy and happy. I have often stated to my wife and friends, that the principles you instill on your show, could be used to help with other debilitating habits or life styles. The structured enviornment at the ranch is vital to the success of these folks, hoever, the fact that nearly all of your guest's continue their strict regimens after the show, is what is the most astounding fact about it all to me. Please, give Christopher Boggs all of the consideration you can when selecting the new "stars" for you program.
Most Sincerely,
Robert Louis McGrath
Walker, Louisiana


DEAR BIGGEST LOSER,
What follows is a non exhaustive list of why you should have my friend Christopher Boggs on your show. If you would like pictures of him in compromising positions and or dirt for future episodes, please feel free to email me at your convenience. With that said here goes.

1.He is FAT and is not sensitive about the subject. I thought I would start with the obvious.
2. He will do anything you say to lose weight. This includes drinking pure garlic puree, 500 sit-ups, eating a goat’s nut (or probably any nuts for that matter, goat or otherwise, etc. etc.
3. He is serious and unafraid. Also if he refuses to do anything you say, you may email me and I will let him have it on our triathlon forum (a place where much smack talk is delivered).
4. Did I mention he is FAT!
5. He showed up at our Triathlon Club meeting last year unashamed and ready to get help with his training and weight loss. No one at this meeting approaches anything close to overweight. THIS TOOK MORE COURAGE THAN ANYTHING I HAVE EVER DONE! Now that is a set of balls. (I cannot attest to the physical size thank goodness)
6. He takes well to being called names and being yelled at, which is good for training. I have not yelled “Hey fat ass, get moving!” to him as he would probably kick my ass, but he wouldn’t hold it against me.
7. He will out will anyone in this competition.
8. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals of being around 200 lbs.
9. He is going to do a half Ironman triathlon this year and a full Ironman the next. To those of you who don’t know the distances, a half is a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run 70.3 miles of fun. A full is double that for 140.6 miles.
10. He has completed something like 8 or 10 already. Most people will never complete a sprint tri (800 m swim, 18 mile bike, 5 k)
11. He spent a ton of cash to go to a triathlon camp with 15 other people all of whom were some of the best triathletes in the nation. It was led by 5 or 6 professional triathletes. Again, big balls. 12. He called me one day to come to his house and take pictures of him in his drawers which he promptly posted on his blog so the world could see how fat he was.
13. He is the type of guy who would give a stranger a $20 if they really needed it.
14. He likes puppy dogs, bubble baths, romantic walks on the beach, teddy bears and those who will really listen to his dreams of being a dancer.. I would appreciate it if you did not tell his wife that I know that.
15. He is the type of guy who would wipe an eye booger out of a dogs eye. And I mean that in a good way.
16. I jumped his case on his blog one day about his eating/slip ups etc. My phone rang and he said, “Damn you got me good, what can you help me with.
17. He is FAT!

So there’s seventeen (13 if you count the repeats). What is most interesting about all of the above is that I have only known Chris since June of 2005. He is one of the nicest, genuine guys I know and he is willing to do anything to lose weight. I want him to be successful because he deserves this. On his own he has taken it on. However, he needs help. He has issues with food that need attention. Whether it be an imbalance, psychological issue or something else, I feel this could be the jumpstart that could get him over the hump. All dramatic bullsh*t aside, if this show was simply who could work the hardest and want it the most, Chris would be the winner. Easy. I hope you folks in TV land make the right decision and give him a shot. He would be the star of the show on so many plains, you all may have to hire him on a soap-opera or at least on one of those crappy shows that gets cut every year. Clearly he has the skills to be on COP ROCK or something.
Sincerely,
Patrick Fellows

Dear Biggest Loser Show Host:

I am writing to express my support for Christopher Boggs of Baton Rouge as a candidate for your show. Christopher is a business associate who I have had the pleasure of working with for some time. One of his finest qualities is that he is a very sensitive individual who cares for his clients. He takes care of them, is patient with them, and is always empathetic to their needs. I have been fortunate to be able to observe him personally interact with many of his clients on numerous occasions – and I call on many financial advisors in my profession but few ever display the kind of compassion and professionalism that Chris does.

He has been fighting the battle of obesity with every fibre of his being. As you may know, he has entered (and finished) 8 triathlon events – a true testimony to the lengths he is willing to stretch himself to in order to accomplish his goal. I’m not sure that I could personally imagine just how difficult a triathlon would be at my own (normal) weight – much less with the weight Chris is so desperately trying to lose. Even after mustering this strength and fortitude, his battle has continued with much desperation and disappointment at not being able to lose enough weight.

I know you get many candidates to pick from, but I think your listening audience would not only enjoy watching Chris but I think they would be able to really FEEL his struggle and hopefully his victory. You will also find Chris very articulate and entertaining with a great sense of humor – qualities that should really help you hold your audience in their seat. As just one example of his sense of humor – he and his wife, Amanda, thought about going to a Halloween party last year in a very uniquely paired costume. Chris would dress up in a chicken suit (what a huge chicken!) and Amanda would simply wear a royal blue swimsuit but paint herself to look like one of the Blue men. Amanda would put a red rope around her waist and Chris would hold the rope. You have to picture this in your creative mind – she is so cute, but so tall and skinny – they almost look like Popeye and Olive together! You are probably wondering by now what they would represent with this pair of strange costumes . . . Chicken Cordon Bleu, of course! What a sense of humor and what a great pair for your show!

So, I highly recommend them and would tell everyone I know across 6 states to watch. Thanks for listening and considering Christopher Boggs!

Brian Ragle
Richardson, Texas


Dear Biggest Loser NBC Program Director -
I'm a slightly overweight 52 yrold female, who also participates in triathlons in Louisiana, just likeChris Boggs. Chris has applied to your network, to participate in theBiggest Loser show. I think Chris would be a great candidate because he hasthe will to "JUST DO IT" and would definitely give 150% to be the biggestloser on your program. He has never been concerned with what other peoplethink, or if he looks like the typical triathlete. He just "DOES IT". If he were selected for your show, he would motivate other overweight peoplethat YES you can participate in sports and YES there is a healthy way tolose excess pounds and body fat. His motivation has inspired many of thehard core athletes in our Baton Rouge Triathlon Club, and we've all acceptedhim as an inspiring, highly motivated team member. He would truly inspireall over weight people who have dreamed of competing in sports, that thereis a means and a process to make that happen. Regards,

Janice Owens
Membership Chairperson
Baton Rouge Triathlon Club

Ballerina's Rule!

The Bet Is On!!!!!

Oh what a fun race season it will be!!!

In the world of triathlon it is essential that you find new methods to push yourself to new highs or Personal Bests. For my first season in racing, simply finishing each race was my motivation and that was all I needed to push me. However, I found that towards the end of the season I began to finish with energy still “in the tank”. I was complacent with my racing and my times didn’t improve too much. I wasn’t happy with this.

Solution?

A BET!

Last year two of our top club racers in BR-tri challenged two racers from a nearby club in Alexandria Louisiana. They raced in five events and combined each team member’s time then which ever team had the lowest race time total won the event.

The prize . . . The non-winners had to do the last race of the year in a skirt.

The BR-tri members Vanilla and Brianna won the challenge or bet. Bammaboy and Don from the other club had to wear the skirt. Which I am not sure they did, however I am not sure.

DING DING DING!!!!!!!

My new motivational tool had been spawned. Many of you have read my blogs where I have written about my friend Michael Pate. He too is from Alexandria Louisiana and a member of the Tri Club there. Michael was my motivation and mentor to even begin triathlon after much contemplation. He has struggled with the bulge for many a year as well. What better way to get us going!!!???

I pitched the idea on our forum. The members of my club Brianna and Vanilla were a bit hesitant at first I believe. I am not a fast racer AT ALL. Michael Pate and I split the two races we were in last year 1-1. Michael has been racing much longer than I have, so the odds are not in my favor, but I understand that and I am prepared to face this challenge.

I want you to know they beauty of this is more than the challenge. More than the bet.

This is very important for me to relay to you. Win or lose, that is not my motivation. I am going to tell you the PRIZE for the winners at the end and you will love it, however that is not my motivation.

I want you to think about yourself for just a second. Ask yourself these questions.

Do you feel comfortable exercising in public, especially with buff, in shape, Adonis’s?
Do you wish some times that you could hang out with those elite individuals in the gym or at the jogging park, or in your tri club?

Why don’t you?

I asked myself those questions and then I FORCED myself on two of the best in our club. I posted on our forum antagonizing the other club and my friend Mike was all for it right from the start. His friends, Don and Bammaboy were all over it too and excited for him. My friends Brianna and Vanilla are psyched about it now and we have a challenge!

THERE IS MY MOTIVATION!

Christopher Boggs, fat, slow, last in almost every race, is on a team of elite racers where his race counts.

I am in. I am one of the team. Not that I need this for my self image. I don’t need friends to make myself feel better. People are going to love me for me no matter, but this is different. This is me being a contribution to a team in an atmosphere that two years ago I would not have attempted. I have surrounded myself with awesome people who are willing to . . .

HERE IT IS!!!!

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is it. That is my motivation. Period.

Everyone is happy for me when I finish. If I am not too slow and people have waited around I also love that feeling I get when I cross the line and people are cheering and clapping.

However, this . . . This is a new feeling that I have found in my fight for health. These guys on my team are not just giving me obligatory pats on the back. These guys are putting themselves on the line. Their humility on the line. Their compassion on the line.

I am touched AND . . . I am motivated.

This is the challenge schedule and the prize:

We all do, Louisiana Tri (4-28-2006)
Heatwave Classic (06-03-2006)
T-Gator #3 (07-16-2006),
River Cities Tri(08-06-2006)

Mike and I are doing T-Gator #1 on 04-02-2006. We will add our times to you guy's IM MOOO for total times on that "event".

That will give us 5 opportunities before Meat Pie.

Non-winners at Meat Pie will

Do the swim portion in pink Speedos, the European style.

The bike with pink ballerina skirt, the pink European Speedos, and pink bra that is "stuffed" accordingly.

The run will require a platinum blonde shoulder length wig that make be put into a scrunche, however no hat or cover is allowed.

That is it.

Think positive thoughts for team BR-tri and I will keep everyone posted with the results!

Be brilliant today!!

2006 Race Season Begins!!!

And they’re off!

The race season has officially begun!

Morning, cold, wet, windy. After loading the vehicle with 4 bikes and loads of gear I quickly decided the day called for long sleeves. As I pull open the drawer to my semi cold weather clothing I move my wool gloves in order to retrieve my long sleeved t-shirt. This is an important moment since it will dictate most of my race.

The Evangeline Oaks Duatlon, my first of the duathlon sorts. A duathlon is a race that incorporates a run, a bike, and a run. Different from the triathlons I have been doing which are swim, bike, and runs. Today was a short 2mi run, 10 mi bike and 2 mile run. I was prepared as well as I could be and looking forward to the day.

Nice short ride to St. Martinsville located a few miles from Lafayette, which is approximately 55 miles from Baton Rouge. Nice ride with Matt, Corey, and Todd while Mark, a new member to Br-tri, was following in his jeep. We talked about the upcoming year and races we were planning to compete in and shred with Todd some of the things to look forward to in the sport. Todd is a friend of mine who is just beginning the sport of triathlon, welcome Todd.

We unload, check in and rack up our bikes. It is slowly sinking in that the day is going to be very cold and even more windy. About now I am thinking to myself, you know I had to actually move, yes move my wool gloves out of the way to get to my t-shirt.

Mistake number one.

We line up at the start. Corey makes a statement that we should get in the back and not up here in the front of the pack. I pointed out, in response, that if we began in the rear, that is at a minimum an additional twenty or so paces and I was not willing to risk losing that much energy!!!! We laughed and the director started the race.

The run was an out and back. I am not so found of out and back runs and bikes since I get to see how far behind EVERYONE I am. As I reached the half mile mark of the run the first runner flew by coming the opposite direction, I cheered him on and continued to sludge forward.

This year is like beginning over for me. I think it will take a few more races before people know I am not a running heart attack. As I was coming in off of the run, I was feeling GREAT. My cardio was kicking butt. I felt like I could run all day. I was implementing the fundamentals I had learned at my recent Multisport.com camp and I was on a roll.

However, I was getting the look. The one that expresses great joy and extreme fear for me all at the same time. The nice gentleman that was running the transition area seemed to be really worried about me. He offered to walk my bike to the mounting point, he continued to ask me if I was ok, etc. I guess he plenty of reason when I began to run off with my bike and he reminded me that I still had on my running shoes and not my cycling shoes. Oooops.

Here is where the whole gloves still in the drawer thing really began to sit badly with me. The bike was cold. The wind was in your face the entire way out on the ride. I was watching people fly down the road towards me with smiles and legs pumping! I was MISERABLE!!!!!

What is worse about the wind is being me, in the wind. I am basically a mast. Mast are a good thing when you have the “wind to you back” however, when you don’t it’s . . . Not good.

After the turn around the wind let up and then on the last leg home the wind WAS to my back, to bad I spent most of my energy trying to get through the wind. However, I did realize why everyone was smiling when they passed me earlier.

Back into the transition area, running shoes on, cramps beginning a little and I was off. My friends Corey, Matt, and Todd decided to join me on my run, since they were all finished. I was very happy about this. Les, another Br-tri member, also joined in.

God love them, because I do. They are each super awesome guys. Yes, there is a but, coming.

It was a little demoralizing that I was doing my “run” part while they were walking beside me, chatting it up. I will get better. I will become faster. I will make them jog next time!!! HA!!!

My finish was awesome. The guys ran ahead and began to cheer me in as did the rest of the race participants. I would say that was one of the first times I had a cheering squad that large. It makes it so worth while. I know they are cheering for a guy that they are happy for as well as a bit astonished by. It means so much to me.

I finished in 01:56:21 which was 11 minutes more than my goal, but it was windy.

It’s ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Race season 2006!

I feel good now and I am looking forward to my next race.

Thanks to everyone.

Amazing Day!

What a day.

It is only 11:20AM here in San Diego, but I have already had the greatest day!

I woke at 5:15AM and did y morning rituals. After my shower, I got a phone call from Roch telling me he wanted to run with me since he is rehabbing a hip injury. That took a lot of stress off of me worry about holding up a group or being dropped from a group and getting lost or sum’n.

We headed over to UCSD’s track and did a short mile or so to warm up and then hit the track for drills. Roch and I just ran 3 min on 2 min off. We worked on my running form. I have been practicing on my own in the afternoons by runnin a couple miles down by the beach trying to reshape my horrible nonproductive form. I am doing better hitting on my mid foot rather than my heel. In changing my style I got another massive blister, but I don’t care because I could have run ALL DAY LONG!! I really could have. I don’t know why and I am not sure if I will be able to do it again, but after somewhere around maybe 2.5 miles, I was just getting pumped, but the there was the blister.

After returning to get some grub and shower we headed to the meeting room to hear a lecture from Faris Al Sultan. Now many of you will know him, but for those of you who aren’t as familiar with him, he won Kona, Hawaii Ironman last year. He kicks butt. More than that . . . he is as cool as the other side of the pillow, just an all around cool dude.

He is pictured, with me, in at the top of this post. He didn’t speak, rather he just took questions. There were many and then he signed the Triathlete Magazine cover where he was pictured for winning Hawaii.

Wow, I am having a blast.

Again, I would advise anyone who enjoys this sport or is thinking about taking it on to attend this camp. There are all levels here. There are groups that could be pros to me, my individual group, but I get a lot of one on one attention, so it works out.

Until tomorrow . . .

The Day of Redemption . . . Sorta

Redemption?

I find myself regretting moments in my life as I had yesterday. There is no use for that, none the less, I regret it.

Today has made that regret much worse since I woke in high spirits avoiding all mirrors and focusing on the day that lay ahead. The sun was coming up, the air was crisp and chilly, and the soul was shinning, soulshine shining.

All of these things left me thinking about what the day could have been yesterday, but no worries as the my Canadian friends here say relentlessly.

We took a short ride, about 1 ½ miles to the pool. I think we did about 1,200 all together?? It was nice. We practiced the drills Roch taught us and the filmed in the water. I felt great. I love the water. I think I may have been a turtle in a previous life, maybe an otter, I like otters. As I swim I always feel fluid and . . . thin actually. I can’t explain it really, but I feel the water elongates me somehow?? Later we watch the video, I probably will recant this feeling thin thing once I see that!!

After we finished in the pool we headed out for our ride. In Louisiana, no hills, none, Nadda! In San Diego, Hills. But we didn’t hit the really tough hills, we only hit the steady long hills and I almost lost my cookies twice and had an out of body experience once, until I almost ran off the road. I came back to in body quite quickly.

My highlight was having Heather Fuhr as my personal coach today. Wow, so cool and easy going and makes you feel good about yourself, even when you clip in and layout flat on your back in the middle of the road. Yes, that would have been me. I hit the ground like a rock, however, to even my surprise, I got my big butt up lightning fast!

I told her about the only other time I had fallen, in Georgia, when I feel UNDER a car. I was pulling up to a red light and was clipping out (taking my foot off) of the right pedal, but the bike began to lean to the right. There was a car full of nice looking women to my left. I proceeded to tilt and fall onto and then under their car. Smooth, that’s what they call me.

Back to my awesome day. Heather and I rode and she helped me with my pedal stroke, I tend to lead with my toe and I need to have my heel flatter or even lead with my heel. We think that is why my calves cramp so much.

We did a little more than 18 miles today and called it quits. I had a great day.

To top it off, as you see above, Mechellie Jones and Heather took a picture with me!! Woo Hoo! They are just too cool, what a great sport.

If you don’t know, Heather is a Hawaii winner in 96, and multi winner of Lake Placid, and several other IronMan races.

Mechellie (Pronounced mAkili, sorta) was second and led most of Hawaii last season and was silver in the 06 Olympics. She will win Hawaii very soon.

Off to lunch.

Again, thank you all so much, my success is a result of your commitment to me and I cherish you dearly.

A Follow Up From THe Last Post . . .

Thank you all . . .

The day was not lost.

I went to the lectures on Heart Rate Training and the Periodization Training and learned a great deal. I am looking forward to utilizing it in my workouts.

Afterwards I hung out by the pool, still feeling a little awkward about missing the morning events. I know I shouldn’t worry about all that stuff I have no control over, but I do. The good news is that Paul Huddle, one of the coaches spent about 45 minutes with me. We talked and I expressed my morning distress to him and he was very helpful to my state of being for the day. After our talk, I feel better, I feel OK. That may not seem like much, however feeling “OK” in times like this is a lot, because I like being OK, on many levels.

I will report tomorrow after the morning events and let you know how I did.

Thanks again to all of you for my messages; I am not sure what the day would have become without them.

Until tomorrow . . .

Ashamed . . . Struggling.

Shame

I woke this morning at 5:40AM and showered. Put on my cycling gear and packed my swim gear in a bag.

Today is cycling skills and swim taping. Then some great lectures this afternoon.

After I packed I sat on the bed. I looked in the mirror and began to destroy myself. I don’t know how I do this. I was out of my mind excited about this camp. I thought about all of the pro triathletes I would meet, the things I would learn, the skills I would acquire and I was pumped!

There some great people here running this camp. Roch Frey is really cool. He set my bike and I do feel good on it. Heather Fhur is very nice. Paula Newby-Fraser is a spark plug, she is funny. Great group of people here.

Yesterday we did some different tests and heard from Danny, who works with Pros on the running form and in particular orthopedic support. And Roch went over swim technique and a few nice drills for us to work on. I had a great time.

Then this morning happened.

As I sat there looking into that damn mirror, the destruction of all that was good until that moment had begun. I systematically ripped my confidence and motivation apart. I thought about not being able to do these hills people were talking about. I began to see myself in my swim suit and how disgusting I look to myself. I literally pushed myself into a depression in about 10 minutes.

I sat on the bed, took off my sandals and convinced myself to stay in my room.

This camp is not cheap. As a matter of fact, my wife was not thrilled with the cost, but she was excited about the idea so she accepted the cost. Now I have let her and me down. I am still sitting in my room and I am contemplating my choices this morning and what in the world to do next.

I missed the ride and swim taping because of my inferiorities. It is not like this is a camp of hundreds; this is a small group for strong interaction with the coaches. The coaches know I wasn’t there.

ISN’T THIS SICK!!!!! I am angry at myself right now and I am shaking.

I am ashamed now and just want to disappear from this camp.

I will go have lunch next door.

I am so ashamed at myself. Why can I not succeed at this fat thing? Why am I so destructive of myself? Why can I succeed at ANYTHING else in my life and accomplish so much, but fail consistently, time and time again.

I am stronger than this. I am smarter than this. However, I can’t do it.

The destruction continues . . .

Multi Sports Tri Camp . . .Here I come!

http://www.multisports.com/camps.shtml

Today begins my first day of the 2006 race season. I am in Dallas/Ft. Worth sitting in the airport on a 3 ½ hour lay-over, woo hoo! I am heading to San Diego for my 5 day triathlon camp.

Do you ever find yourself looking around an unusual setting, daydreaming, wondering why you are there?

That is where I am right now, sitting here in Dallas. In 5 hours I will be in San Diego with 35 triathlete studs, I am assuming. The camp brochure and description says this week of training is for triathletes of “all” levels.

Did they mean the 400 pound level?

I began to stress Sunday on my drive from Shreveport to Baton Rouge. That is one thing about my work; I have long drives that allow for deep thinking. As Amanda and I cruised down the interstate, I began to dwell on my inferiorities and slowly the magnitude of this week began to smother me.

Amanda and I had a wonderful morning in bed Tuesday. Easy . . . Not that kind of wonderful, or at least I will never tell about that. I was really struggling with attending this camp and my weight. As you all know I sent in my video and application to the Biggest Loser and next week I am flying to Los Angeles for an open audition. We talked about the many things culminating in my life that has to do with my health.

My wife was such a wonderful support foe me, as she always is, however on that particular morning, she was brilliant.

I am I need of a different life when it comes to food. I am trying to re-introduce myself to food in a style that makes food a part of my life instead OF my life.

However, for today . . . I tackle a new experience in my library of this thing called life. I will walk into the camp with a smile and my chin high. I know triathlon folk. They will be stoked to see the 400 pound triathlete. I will do my best and push myself to new limits. I will be proud of myself and take time to enjoy each day with the eyes of a child, for this is how I must re-learn or re-introduce myself to the new relationship of health, as though it were for the first time, as though I were a child.

Until tomorrow when I update you of the first day in camp, be brilliant and be kind to someone. We all need it.

2006 Race Schedule

2006 race schedue

2006 Triathlon Race Schedule (REVISED)

I am preparing for an eventful year in 2006. I have lofty goals and no fear!

Let’s have a recap and then I will list my schedule for the entire year.
I plan to be down to 300 LBS. by my first race in May.2006

I am to complete 1 International/Oly sized TriathlonBy 12/31/2006

I am to weigh 250 LBS.2007

I am to complete 1 Half IM12/31/2007

I am to weight in at 210 LBS.2008

I am to complete my first FULL IM (probably IMFL)

So that is the recap of the goals I had set for myself. In 2005 I raced in nine sprint triathlons and completed eight. Since the former post of my 2006 race schedule I have been motivated through peer pressure and kindness from the BRtri Club to complete a Half IM in 2006 so that I can complete my FULL IM in 2007 instead of 2008.
After much deliberation and prayer . . . I will race in a half Iron-man in 2006

I will race in IMFL in 2007

2006:

Feb. 1-5 Multisport.com training campSan Diego CA

Feb 11th Evangeline Oak Duathlon (my first Du)

April 2 T-Gator Series tri at Lake Charles LA

April 22 Louisiana Tri at New Roads Sprint

May 6 Crawfishman, Buch LA (Sprint)

May 21 Memphis in May Int/Oly Triathlon Memphis TN

June 10 Buster Britton Sprint Tri Pelam AL

June ? Yam City Sprint Triathlon Opelousas LA

July ? Disco Triathlon - Sprint Dallas TX

July ? Abitaman #3 - Sprint New Orleans LA

July 23 Tri-America Int/Oly Tri Louisville KY

Aug. 6 Rivercities Tri – Sprint Shreveport LA

Sept. 10 Cajun Man – Sprint tri Lafayette LA

Spet. 24 Disney World Int/Oly tri Orlando FL
Sept. 24 Meat Pie - Natchitouches (I am unable to do because of Walt Disney tri)

Oct. 1 Tri-Andy's Tri - Sprint Houston TX

Oct. 29 Ironstar HALF IRON MAN Conroe TX

I hope all of my friends and family in the Kentucky Ohio area can make plans to come down to Louisville for the race in July.

Notice I am doing 3, yes THREE International size triathlons in 2006!

THEN ENDING THE YEAR WITH A HALF IRON MAN IN TEXAS!!!

I am doing it . . . Biggest Loser

I am doing it.







I am flying to Los Angles on February 10th to audition for the Biggest Loser cast 3.

I have been contemplating this action for about 3 months now. My wife brought the cast call to my attention then and suggested that I apply for the show. Since then it has been in the back of my mind. My friends that I have talked to about this endeavor have been very supportive. Many have also stated that I would be great on the show. Thank you for the kind words.

I am concerned about the time away from work and the potential exposure it might bring. I know my clients will support this opportunity and I also have faith in my partners to take good care of them for the time I will spend taping the show. I will also spend every off minute checking my clients’ accounts and making sure I am able to respond to any need my clients may have. I hope I am able to do myself, my family, and all of my mentors and friends justice on the show. I will hold myself to a high level of integrity and also provide support for my co-cast members.

I am doing this for knowledge as much as personal need. I do need to lose weight and as most of you know, I am working hard to lose my weight, however what really bothers me about y weight besides all of the psychological scars is that I can’t figure it out!

I haven’t been able to beat my fat.

There is not much in life that I have not been able to overcome. I have dealt with the hard roads in my life, as we all have, with a learning approach. Learn from my mistakes, learn from my wise decisions what to do the next time, but always learning, gaining knowledge.

I haven’t been able to gain the knowledge to beat my fat. I am praying that I am able to become a part of this show and learn. I want to gain the knowledge to beat the fat and give to others the new life choices I take from the Biggest Loser and pass them to anyone who will listen.

I don’t want a penny. My wife, Amanda and I were talking about this. I wasn’t aware that there was prize money for the show. However, we found out last night there is a $250,000 prize for the winner. If I were to get on the show and win, I will pay my staff/team a nice bonus for holding down the fort in my absence and with the rest I will contribute it to my Alma Matter Northern Kentucky University to promote the implementation of the Biggest Loser weight loss philosophy into the health center through education, books, and classes.

Call me stupid, I don’t care. I am not in it for money. I am in it to be able to love myself again. I am in it to be able to wear clothes not purchased at a store with the words “Big and Tall” in it. I am doing this to live long enough to see my children have children. I am doing this so I am around to take care of my clients for their lifetime. I am doing this to help me and in return help others. I am not doing this for money.

How many of you, if you had $250,000 to spare, would give that money to unlock the knowledge and your own potential to become healthy and slim? I know many people who if they had that kind of money would do it gladly, I am one of them.

I weigh in at 389lbs today. I am not happy with who I am and at times, I am down right disappointed and angry at what I am. I know many of us that battle with fat feel the same way. If I am selected and have the opportunity to unlock the knowledge . . . I will bring it back to you all.

Wish me luck and pray for me on Saturday, Feb. 11th when I go in front of the panel who will decide who is a part of the next cast of the Biggest Loser.

Below is the link to my last Biggest Loser post:
http://tri-ingfatman.blogspot.com/2005/12/biggest-loser_113355275434497629.html

I love you all.

Education . . . Who me!!!

I try and make my writings motivational, educational, and entertaining. I know that I fulfill the entertainment portion by simply telling the stories of my accomplishments or lack there of, in the sport of triathlon. I also hope that I am motivating by my examples of success and failure. I succeed at times and I fail as much but, I keep going. My only concern is the lack of education I provide in my writings. I don’t know anything!

Today I embarked on an excursion of nutritional learning.

I spent most of last Friday answering more than a hundred questions for a nutritionalist and today I spent another 30 minutes online doing the same. The questions, while at times obscure, were self revealing and confusing. I didn’t and still don’t understand what the thickness of my neck has to do with anything, but I m willing to work with it.

I hope that I am able to share with you the nutritional information I learn from Brandon, my nutritionalist. He is definitely on his game and has a wealth of information. Sitting with him today for about 45 minutes was mind blowing. He went over a preliminary list of foods I need to cut out immediately and once he receives my test results back he will then give me detailed plan of foods to have and avoid.

I was impressed and excited.

I am concerned however, with the training aspect of his directions for me. It seems I am putting my body at risk with the training I am doing while my body is nutritionally deficient. Therefore, Brandon wants me to focus on a regimented exercise program that consists of less impact and aerobic exercise, I think, I am all confused now, but my point is that what I am doing to prepare for my race season 2006, is hurting me more than helping me.

Brandon said that we could compromise and add in some of my running, biking, and swimming with the zone programs he has for me, but he informed me that continuing to follow the plan I have will result in just what is happening now. I am working hard, but going no where. I am building my endurance, but not losing weight or gaining much strength because my body has problems repairing itself.

Craziness huh?

I am going to log in to the blog the different test results and what it is I am supposed to eat and not eat. I will also log on how my body is reacting to that. I will post my weight and my food log on a weekly basis.

If this works for me I will be eternally grateful, if it doesn’t I will take it as a learning experience. I hope that is does work so that I can fulfill the educational portion of my blog by directing you to a local FITT Nutritionalist in your area.

Have a great day and train hard . . . and smart!

22 days until my Multisports training camp!!!!

Turkey and Dressing and Pie! OH MY!!!!

There are times in life when I think we will ourselves to believe in our success and talk ourselves into believing we are doing well at a specific job, goal, relationship, or whatever. When in reality we are really screwing up!

Think about this for a second.

I want you to pick one instance in your life, something you really thought you had in the bag, so to speak. Maybe it was a certain test in college that you had convinced yourself that you had studied enough to ACE. Maybe it was a task you had been given to do at work that you just knew you had nailed it on the head. Possibly a relationship when you were younger that you felt you were doing everything right and this was the one!

Now the twist.

I want you to think of all of those instances and then remember the ones that caught you off guard. One that when the bell rang, or the time had come to put up or shut up, you sucked! You failed miserably, or your girlfriend broke up with you just as you were about to ask her to the prom.

It was mind blowing to you right? It was unexpected. You had studied hard, you drank your 2 liter of Mountain Dew and pulled an all-nighter but, you still did poorly on that test.

Or, you did the research; you put together the power-point presentation of the year with indisputable support, but your boss didn’t get it.

How does this happen? How can we feel so good about something that is going so wrong?

I went to Cincinnati Oh, for 3 weeks over the holidays. I made a commitment to train HARD. I dedicated myself to exercise. I focused on my weaknesses.

I packed my trainer and 4 spinervals DVDs. I bought a good pair of winter running shoes. Amanda gave me my Christmas present early, a Garmin, Forerunner 301. I was ready to go!!!!!!

I did, I worked my can off. I ran and biked more in 4 weeks than I did over half of the race season. I ran consecutive 4 and 6 miles, which I haven’t done since I was in the Army. I hit the trainer hard. I was doing two-a-days. I would ride the trainer in the morning and run in the afternoon.

There were days when it was snowing or icing with 10 degree weather and I was out there with purple knees and all, running.

I was feeling great! I was doing it!

I was the king of the triathlon training world!!!

I couldn’t wait to get back to Baton Rouge, head out to the River Road loop we ride here and burn it up!!! I have never run the lakes around the LSU campus here out of fear and self deprecation. But, not now baby! I was heading home to tackle those lakes and show off my new skillz!

Could 9 baby! PUMPED!!! Ready to Rock and Roll!!!! Don’t get in my way, cause you might get runt over!!!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!

Then . . .

It was late. I had been driving all day from Cincinnati, Ohio. I had been in my Excursion for 11 hours. I was tired. The traffic was a little annoying, but not too bad. I was just focusing. I was thinking about riding with the bigboys around River Road and maybe even staying with them for 5 or 6 miles before they dropped me. I was dreaming big!!!

I arrived home in Baton Rouge sometime around 1:30 AM. Monday the 2nd.

Home . . .

I went to bed directly and slept like a log.

When I woke I had the urge to see how well I had done with my weight while I was in Cincinnati. I knew I must have done well, I had gone off my eating regiment, but with all of that working out and training, I was good as gold. It is hard to weigh yourself when you weigh more than 350 lbs. most every scale only weighs up to 280 lbs. and the doctors office scales only go to 350 lbs. I had to order one to weigh myself.

I mosey on over to “my room” that holds my bikes, and training gear as well as the scale. I was so confident, I didn’t even strip down as I normally do. Nope, not this guy! I left the short, T-shirt, Birkenstocks, and even glasses on.

When I left Baton Rouge in early December, I weighed in at 364 lbs. As many of you know, my highest weight was 411 lbs. and my weight when I began to train in May of 05 was 405 lbs.

As the digital screen on the scale flipped around I had a big smile on my face.

When it stopped . . . I didn’t.

385 lbs. 385 LBS. 385 POUNDS three hundred and eighty-five pounds.

What happened?
That is all I could muster up in my brain. What did I do?

I gained over 20 lbs.

I stood there, in shock, mouth open, and hand on my forehead for a second. Then I began to reflect.

Do this with me now.

Remember those individual instances I asked you to think about? Let’s think about them again.

Did we do the best we could in each of those instances? Did we study enough, or properly? Did we go in the correct direction with our business proposal? Were we really doing the right things in our relationship to keep it strong?

Answer?

In my case, no. I didn’t do it right. I know that and I think I knew it all along.

I stayed with a very good friend who drinks sodas. I drank sodas. It was the holidays and I love to cook. I cooked and I ate, much more than I should have. I went to football games and I drank my share and your share of beer.

While I was pushing it hard with my training and I did work hard, however I was destroying that hard work with my really bad nutrition. In my mind I was telling myself it was OK because I was working out so hard, but in reality I was not looking at the fact or I was conveniently avoiding the negative issues that were going on and only celebrating the positive. I think that is normal, but I think we must recognize it and handle it.

Did you find or do you find this happening to you?

Do you focus on the positive and discard or ignore the not so positive? Do you get really excited about your successes and avoid your crutches?

It is ok if you do. I just shared mine with you and I think I do this more than the average Dick or Jane. What I have learned after reflecting on this for the past 48 hours is that I need to recognize all of the influences and effects of my actions, good and bad. I need to focus as much, if not more on my negative functions as I do my positive ones.

In order for us to be successful with this life change for health we can’t forget the whole picture. While it is good to celebrate our success in certain areas, we must keep an eye on our downfalls as well.

The big picture.
I am proud of all of us. Skinny or fat, if you are working on yourself, you are a hero in my book.

Keep your head up and your body moving.

I have learned a lot in the past few days, I hope I can take that knowledge and cultivate it into success with my health.

Until next time,

Ciao!

What is a Spinerval?

I had a comment posted asking me what a spinerval is.

GREAT QUESTION!!

Here is the link and then I'll give you my interpretation of a Spinerval Video/DVD.

http://www.spinervals.com/index.php?main_page=index

Spinerval Videos/DVDs are training tools for you bike. They also produce running and swimming training tools as well.

You can purchase a trainer,

http://www.spinervals.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=58

on this site or on EBay or at your local bike shop. There are good ones and then better ones. I like mine which is the Kinetic SuperFluid Tainer. However ask those you know and trust that use trainers and they may have better suggestions.

The DVDs range in difficulty and length. I currently use the Team Clydesdales and Sweating Buckets Spinervals.

I get great workouts using the DVDs and I see progress in my road work as well. I am increasing speed and my endurance is getting better as well.

I hope this helps.

Have fun!!

Merry Christmas and I need to whine!!!!!!

Confucius say~
The place to look for a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.


The Holliday’s have been long for me this year. I am not trying to rub it in. When I say long, I mean the ongoing type of long, never ending type of long, or the, stuck at you in-laws too late after Christmas Day dinner, TOO LONG.

I have been pushing my body hard the last few weeks. I have received wonderful new toys to help me in my training. My Garmin, Forerunner 301 (Thanks Amanda my wonderful wife), a new pair of running shoes (Thanks Mom Donna), “The Stick” to roll out the knots in my calves, and so much more. However, I think I have tried to put too much into TO big of a body.

In the last 4 weeks I have logged, thanks to http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/default.asp , 140 miles on the Cyfac (my awesome bike), 47 miles on the pavement running, over 9 hours on spinervals, and a little swimming here and there. It has been tough to get in a pool up in Cincinnati where I have been for the Holliday’s.

I have been highly motivated. I have logged two 6 mile runs; I have put in several days that encompassed a 45 minute Spinerval set then a 3 mile run. I have braved 15 degree weather here to run, I have two large blisters on my feet, but through all of this I was highly motivated.

Since Sunday, Christmas, I have been highly un-motivated.

My wife is concerned about a Multi-Sports Training Camp I am attending in February. I look forward to learning the correct way to train, how handle my nutrition better, and many other things. Amanda is concerned that I may no be able to really take advantage of the camp because I may not be able to keep up. I hear her concerns. But I have been working really hard and my bike is really coming along and my swim has always been, well, acceptable.

I had pre-planned this week to be an off week as I prepare for the return to a heavy work load and just simply a little break from training so hard. I set this schedule back in November. So I am not really slacking, but mentally I feel bushwhacked!!

I know I must work hard and consistently since I have extremely lofty goals for the 2006 race year.

http://tri-ingfatman.blogspot.com/2005/11/revised-2006-race-schedue.html

Three Oly/Triathalon races, many sprints in between and a Half IM at the end of the season.

I am . . . scared to death. I think that is my motivation right now, fear. I am afraid to fail. I may, but I am afraid of it. Memphis in May is my first big race and I am feeling a bit flustered as I write just thinking about it.

My legs hurt, specifically my calves and shins. My lower back hurts, my feet hurt, is this how it’s supposed to be?? If so then I am fine with it. But I think I may be pushing it a bit too hard.

I know my logged numbers pale in comparison to many of you who read my diatribes, but think about this, in November and December, I have logged half of my 2005 training times/distances. Now I didn’t get started in Triathlons until May of 2005 with my training, but I was excited to see my accomplishments over the past two months. But, then I begin reflecting on my pains right now.

I had the greatest lower body massage on Christmas Day. My Mother in Law, Donna is a massage Therapist. She is trained in a plethora of styles of massage and teaches many as well. She got into my legs and did miracles. I wish she would move down to Baton Rouge from Cincinnati. She is a wonderful German woman, as is my beautiful wife. For those of you who know my wife, you can agree, for those who don’t, she is a gorgeous, 5’10”, blonde, blonde hair, blue eyed goddess!!!!! Ok, enough of that.

Why am I posting such an ongoing, complain ridden, whinny, post?

I want feed back. I want to know that what I am doing is normal and that the pains I am having are par for the course or, I want to find out differently.

I have not been on a scale the entire Holliday Season since I haven’t seen a scale that can measure over
350 lbs. Since I left at 365 lbs. I am hoping I am less, but I will admit I have indulged in the Cornbread Dressing a bit too much!!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukah, Shalom, and the many more faiths I am missing, may your New Year be bright and prosperous, and may you find a peace about yourself that leads to eternal happiness.

With much love,

Christopher

"I Have a Dream"

“I have a dream.
~Rev. Martin Luther King

I don’t want to minimalize such a powerful and courageous quote. Please understand that I truly have a dream. I am going to set this as one of my many goals for the year 2006, but to me it is more a dream or possibly fantasy, rather than a goal.

Towards the end of the training season this year I had begun setting tiny feel good goals. For example, my goal in the last three or four triathlons that I raced in was to not finish dead last. I actually accomplished this goal twice! I was excited. I was proud, not because I beat someone else, but because I had made a new stride or reached a new level of success towards my goal of becoming healthier.

I am in NYC right now visiting my youngest sister who I love dearly. While visiting I also had breakfast with my awesome cousin, Michelle. If you read my blogs, you may remember I did Try Andy’s Tri in Houston with my cousin Michael. This is his sister. We were discussing the NYC Marathon and triathlons and her coming down to race in a tri with us and so on so forth.

I became extremely motivated!!!!!

As I sit here in the LaGuardia airport I am going through my training schedule and looking at the camp in San Diego, and then I pulled up the Memphis in May Triathlon, which Michelle said she would be interested in doing. As of now it is no where near ½ filled, but out of probably 100 or so people signed up, there are only 7 Clydesdale’s signed up.

Clydesdale’s are men who weigh more than 200 lbs!!!! I laugh out-loud at this. If you happened to be in the LaGuardia airport on Dec. 11, 2005 around 1:30 PM in US Air terminal 7 and heard a large man bellow out, that was me. 200 lbs.!!!!!! HA!!!!!! I weigh an additional Clydesdale!!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to see the African Elephant Race division for the 300 + pounders!!!!!!

As I began to look at the list of participants I decided to check on the rewards or awards and saw that they give awards five deep for Clydesdale’s!

Therefore, I have decided to create within me the dream to “place” in the Memphis in May triathlon, which is in Memphis, In May.

I am working hard. I have been training hard. I hope over the next few months and when I go to San Diego for my training camp that I learn to train for strength in this sport. I am going to meet with one of my tri club members, Vanilla, soon to learn how to properly utilize my heart rate and all that jazz, but I am setting a goal to place in the top 5 of all Clydesdale’s who race in Memphis in May.

Keep that in your positive thoughts for me.

Here we go!!!!!
Chris

"The Biggest Loser"

The Biggest Loser . . .

I watch the TV show, “The Biggest Loser” and I find myself more depressed after an episode than before I watched it.

I am a fat man. However, I am not a lazy fat man. I am active. I try to eat correctly, but I fail miserably. I try and stick to a weight regiment, but I fail. The only thing I have done consistently is my triathlon training.

Tri training is brutal! I train 5 days a week, between 6 to 9 hours a week. I can run a 5k, ride 35 miles averaging 16 mph, and I literally can swim ALL DAY LONG! I burn between 900 to 1400 calories a day with training alone, however after watching the results I see in the brave souls that participate in “The Biggest loser” I begin to question the need. Not literally, but in my head. A war breaks out in my brain that questions, contrives, simulates, reasons, and regurgitates until I have fried myself and give up!

The question I am unable to answer is; why can’t I lose weight?

This war that battles out in my head continually attempts to answer that one simple question that I feel could unlock the door to my obesity, but I can answer it. But I can imagine what the answer may be.

I feel I succeed in one major category, currently, while I feel I fail miserably in two or possibly three other major categories.

Failures first:

1. Healthy, size appropriate eating.
2. Weight Training
3. Possibly, self motivation or self sabotage

I am from New Orleans Louisiana and I will tell you that there is/was currently, no city in the world that has better eating than my city. I realize Chicago, New York, and many other Mecca’s of exquisite dining will likely disagree with vigor, however for my sake of obesity I stand by my statement.

I am also from the South. In the south we have a unique style of socialization, eating. Our social scene thrives around food. Tupperware, I would assume, makes gigantic profit in the Southern Region since all we do here is gather and graze!

Combine the two elements along with my strong passion for good food and lots of it and you can see where my first failure, I feel is most detrimental to my life.

I enjoy picking up a weight and throwing it around. I am VERY strong. I play rugby. Not that that is the reason I am strong. Many times our opponents will underestimate my strength and only recognize the fat the covers the muscle. Soon they regret that miss-diagnosis.

Where the issue for me is, I am an instant gratification freak. I want it and I want it now. If there was one major issue I could change about myself, it would me that. I don’t see changes in y body that motivate me to continue the body sculpting portion of my recovery. EVEN THOUGH I RECOGNIZE IT!!!!!!

Motivation or could it me self sabotage? I don’t know how to keep myself properly motivated. I am learning one thing about myself, which is that I need results driven goals. Triathlons are an example of that. I have defined, results driven goals where, if I don’t follow through with my goals, I won’t complete the race and the one thing I never want to experience again is a DNF in a triathlon.

I also think I self sabotage my opportunities at times. If I find a situation to my disliking whether it be because of a socially uncomfortable feeling, i.e.; running in public and having the self imposed humility of wondering in the people driving by in their cars are laughing at me, or whether it is the physical sabotage, i.e.; not believing I can actually do an event or exercise because of my obesity.

That is one of the issues that fires me up the most. When I was at my highest weight of over 400 lbs I didn’t believe I could DO ANYTHING physical anymore. I had bought into society’s view of fat people. I had bought into the “laziness” idea of fat people.

If I can give one thing back to all of you that are struggling right along with me is, you can do it! Don’t believe the hype about being fat! It may not be easy in the beginning. It may down right miserable for you to just walk up and down your stairs or around the block, but you will, I promise you will get better! You are not lazy, you are sick right now. You are able to do those things society tell us we can’t. I did a triathlon at 398 lbs. I did all of them above 375 lbs. Don’t let anyone including you, tell you that you can’t.

My Success:

1. Training for my triathlons

That’s it. I get up in the mornings and I dedicate time and energy to fulfilling that goal so that I can reach higher goals with in the sport. And I think I know why and I think I know why I become more frustrated after a viewing of “The Biggest Loser”.

It has structure and most importantly, I understand it. Key there is, I truly understand it. I understand that if I am going to attempt this sort of triathlon with this distance, I need to begin training here, with this regiment, and these types of training. It is laid out for me and I have experienced it AND HAD SUCCESS at it.

As I watched the final episode, which by the way, all of many of my clients and all of my family and co-workers think I should try and do the show, including my wife. But as I watch the final episode and see the beautiful people that the participants have become, I am left empty.

Are you ready, here is my self sabotage. I feel empty because I don’t think I will ever be them. I don’t know how. I only know that I would give many things to be them and to know how they feel now. To know you will see your children grow into parents, to know you will be able to love your wife for many years to come, to know you feel beautiful now.

I feel empty because I am training so incredibly hard, but I am not seeing the results. I am empty because I don’t know how to do it . . . eat correctly. I don’t understand how to do it and I have never had success doing it, therefore I feel eternally trapped in this horrific shell and I know that is how many of us feel.

But, we have to keep fighting those battles because the more we begin to understand that we DON’T KNOW the more we will begin to learn what we need to know. It may be from trial and error, God knows that’s generally how I figure out what works and more often, what doesn’t. It may be through literature. It may be by the death of someone close to us that lost this battle, one of us may be lucky enough to go on a show like this and learn through experience and success so we can teach it to others, I DON”T KNOW, but we have to continue to fight this until we beat it.

I love each of you that read this, while I may not know you, I love you. Some might ask how? How is because, we are in a common fight together against a common enemy and when pitted against such and enemy as obesity we have a bond that is very strong and we understand the pain and fear that goes along with being fat. If a person has never been fat, they will never understand the daily and minute to minute battle we fight.

I do love you all.

So when you are watching “The Biggest Loser” or a show similar that transforms people, be happy for them, encourage them with positive thoughts, but when it effects you . . . However it does, good, bad, or indifferent . . . USE THAT! Use it to help you continue the fight. Don’t let it lead you to the refrigerator or to the phone to order Chinese delivery. Use it in your battle to beat it. I know we can.

This week, I WILL STAY AWAY FROM FAST FOOD COMPLETELY.

Be Brilliant.

A Look Back at my 2005 Race Season . . .

May 28, 2005 Tri It On tri 01:47:08 200/9/2
June 26, 2005 Buster Britton 03:11:28 400/15/3
July 6, 2005 Disco Tri DNF
July 31, 2005 Abitaman 3 03:32:12 800/20/3.1
Aug. 21, 2005 Tri Andy's Tri 01:53:14 300/10/3
Oct. 18, 2005 ULL Tri 01:39:16 200/10/3
Oct. 30, 2005 Meat Pie 03:03:25 800/20/3.1

I really enjoyed my first season. I am looking forward to next year. I have an action packed race season begining with a multisport.com camp in February.

I will do 3 Int./Oly triathlon's and my first Half IM, with several sprint tri's in between.

Thanks to all of those who have been so supportive, most of all my BRtri club here in Baton Rouge and my Wonderful wife Amanda.

Cheers!

CBS and Obesity Tue. November 15, 2005

Please tune into CBS tonight to watch this series on Obesity.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/08/01/eveningnews/main15214.shtml

Tonight they will spotlight Obesity and triathlons!!!

TiVo it if you can't watch it live.

Chris

Before and After 2 (Nov. 11, 2005)

I don't see any change however I have lost 11 LBS. since the last set of pictures. I will post next set in Mid December. Thanks for your support!

REVISED 2006 race schedue

2006 Triathlon Race Schedule (REVISED)

I am preparing for an eventful year in 2006. I have lofty goals and no fear! Let’s have a recap and then I will list my schedule for the entire year.

I plan to be down to 300 LBS. by my first race in May.
2006 I am to complete 1 International/Oly sized Triathlon
By 12/31/2006 I am to weigh 250 LBS.
2007 I am to complete 1 Half IM
12/31/2007 I am to weight in at 210 LBS.
2008 I am to complete my first FULL IM (probably IMFL)

So that is the recap of the goals I had set for myself.In 2005 I raced in eight sprint triathlons and completed seven.

Since the former post of my 2006 race schedule I have been motivated through peer pressure and kindness from the BRtri Club to complete a Half IM in 2006 so that I can complete my FULL IM in 2007 instead of 2008. After much deliberation and prayer . . .

I will race in a half Iron-man in 2006
I will race in IMFL in 2007

2006:

Feb. 1-5 Multisport.com training campSan Diego CA

April 2 T-Gator Series tri at Lake Charles LA

April 22 Louisiana Tri at New Roads Sprint

May 21 Memphis in May Int/Oly Triathlon Memphis TN

June 10 Buster Britton Sprint Tri Pelam AL

June ? Yam City Sprint Triathlon Opelousas LA

July ? Disco Triathlon - Sprint Dallas TX

July ? Abitaman #3 - Sprint New Orleans LA

July 23 Tri-America Int/Oly Tri Louisville KY

August 6 Rivercities Tri – Sprint Shreveport LA

Sept. 10 Cajun Man – Sprint tri Lafayette LA

Spet. 24 Disney World Int/Oly tri Orlando FL

Sept. 24 Meat Pie - Natchitouches (I am unable to do because of Walt Disney tri)

Oct. 1 Tri-Andy's Tri - Sprint Houston TX

Oct. 29 Ironstar HALF IRON MAN Conroe TX

I hope all of my friends and family in the Kentucky Ohio area can make plans to come down to Louisville for the race in July.Notice I am doing 3, yes THREE International size triathlons in 2006! THEN ENDING THE YEAR WITH A HALF IRON MAN IN TEXAS!!!

IMFL

2 weeks ago I began thinking about going to IMFL. I have been swamped at work with a million things to get done for my clients before the Holidays. I continued to remind myself that on my long-term goals is the IMFL in 2008. Finally I bit the bullet and chose to go. After leaving Shreveport Louisiana at 3:00 PM Thursday afternoon I arrive in Panama City FL at 6:25 AM to see the sun come up. I had an animal I had to take into the 24 hours Vet. inside that drive, she is ok now so my vet tells me, we'll pick he rup today.

Needless to say, when I awoke at noon Friday I was regretting my travels.Walked around the race venue, man was it awesome. I spent too much on hats and other crap. watched as people dropped their gear off. The looks on their faces . . . very difficult to determine whether it was anxiety, fear, or hostility? Some were smiling and kidding around and the other 3,000 were oe of the above.

After dinner at Pineapple Willies and one too many "pineapple willies" Drinks we went to Wally World and bought out their poster board, paint, and wooden dowel sticks. I began at around 10:30 PM with a mound of creative juices flowing as I created my master pieces such as:

Fly FITBIRD Fly!

Run Doggie Run!

Geaux Timbeaux Geaux!

As 1:30 AM was approaching I settled with a simple:

RUSTY!

At one point Amanda woke up and asked why I was still up and made some comment like, "they will understand if you need sleep ad can't make all those signs."I explained that in each race I did, one of these guys (and gals) was there for me. Doggie at Yam City hollering RoadDog as I swam. Special K at the Disco tri making me feel better for my DNF, Susan at ULL giving props to my bike, Vanilla at Meat Pie waiting around for my finish, so on and so on, no way was I stopping.

I was beat. Did I mention the place Amanda and I stayed was nice but the bed was a full and then it was on rollers!

I move a lot in my sleep. We would wake up and the bed would be half way across the room.

I drove out and hammered about 15 signs out along the course and kept one for each racer to go along with us the next day. We painted my excursion with BTtri on one side and the IM logo on the back, we'll see how that comes off today.I was really feeling bad when I got back to our condo around 3:15 am.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!!!!!!!

5:45 AM . . . time to roll!

I roll out of the bed which has made it into the kitchen and take a shower, eat a bagel, grab the rest of the posters, wake-up, and head to the truck.

After loading the truck with Gatorade, signs, dowels, rubber mallet (I left the sidewalk paint in the room) I was off to watch the race.

Amanda and I were right on the beach next to the race start hotel, great place to stay for the race. We watched the start and then went back to the tents with the hats and crap, we and when I say we, I mean I, I bought more crap. We looked around saw some really cool stuff I can't wait to get when I can fit into them in about 125 LBS.

I called GW to see where they were , but couldn't ever get to them, it was crazy.

I was walking up on the race hotel just as a guy came out of the breezeway running to his bike. hit feet went out from under him and he crashed, I MEAN CRASHED onto his left side so hard that my shoulder began to hurt. He just laid there in pain as the medics attended to him.

One woman as she was entering the breezeway to change into her bike gear saw her husband who was standing right next to me. She ran up to him and they made out for a good 2 minutes! I don't mean hugging or a little peck on the cheek, I mean full french action a little groping going on by him, the whole 9 yards! I believe if I hadn't yelled out of the side of my mouth "get a room" they might still be there.

On a Chris Boggs note, I saw many formerly large folk doing the race as well as a few still larger folk (none chris boggs sized but . . ) doing the race. Kudos and I was pumped.

I saw out of the corner of my eye and person coming out of the water and it freaked me out at first just because of the "different" factor. There was a woman racing with a prosthetic leg. I saw her again on the run and I teared up a little. Man! Inspiration is such a small non-descriptive word when trying to put into words what she did for me.

Vanilla and Doggie came out of the swim one behind the other and looking good to me. Susan was smiling, I couldn't find Special K, she probably slipped through where the bushes were about 3 feet tall or something??????

I wasn't feeling too hot so I ran back to our room and grabbed a Gatorade. UMMMMM.

Amanda and I met NippsKonaboyBrianna, GW, PatO at the local Waffle House. Gotta love the Waffle House. I think a party at GW's is in order for one two things:

1. Celebrate the racers of Kona and IMFL

2. Watch the interviews that PatO and NippsKonaboyBrianna were doing of all the local and race fans. Classic.

As I walked in they were attempting an incredible interview with Rachel, the waffle house waitress about pre race nutrition. So many of us are looking to answers on this crucial subject and only they knew where to go for the answers!

After a lovely meal at the Waffle House it was to put on our game face and go cheer cheer cheer!!!!!!!!!!!In my vehicle the starting line-up was:

In the driver seat #76 CHRIS BOOOOOOOOOOOGS!
In the passenger seat #24 Amanda BOOOOOOOGS!
In the second row # 1 GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Also in the second row #2341 NNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPS!
In the back puling up the rear # 8 head - PAT OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
and last but not least # 50 cent - CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

We were ready to ball baby!

I had plotted out three places to see them pass and I was so wrong.

As we headed to spot # 1 I was informed they would be well past that spot so after a U-Turn (SORRY TO THE VANILLA FAMILY FOR HAVING TO PUT UP WITH MY DRIVING) we headed to spot #2.

On our way to the #2 spot we passed Doggie and Vanilla. Doggie was crushing it on the bike. I must say I was excited and impressed. We screamed at him and all that jazz and powered ahead in the diesel .

Then we saw Vanilla. After almost scaring him and the three guys drafting him off the road, with the horn and screaming by the "CREW" all he was doing was smiling. HE said he felt good and wanted to know where Doggie was. He looked really strong at that point. That was at about mile 55.

We got to mile 70 where we set up camp. Posters ready, thank you MANDA for putting the dowels and duct tape on the posters. We hammered the signs in and awaited the racers.Vanilla and Doggie were literally in one another’s jocks. They made the turn almost together. Where we were, we were able to see them pass twice (great planning Chris Boggs!) so as they made the turn we would wait for them to come back which is where we would accost them and chase them holding up signs with their names on them. WOOO HOOOO!

One by one we watched them power on.

Timbeaux scared PAT O at one point. We didn't even see him, then as he was passing by Pat O he said "Pat Obrien" very matter of factly, it was quite funny, to me at least.

Susan looked strong and pissed at the same time. I am not sure if she was having a very good time, but she was hammering it. Special K was charging ahead, I think a little embarrassed when we were hollering and screaming her name! WOOO HOOOO! I needed a few beers at this point.

The one thing that really sucked at this intersection was the police officers. They really needed a crash course on directing traffic. They would literally send a vehicle on as a pack of riders were approaching, then they would yell at the driver for not going fast enough on their command. There were several moments I thought it was going to be bad.

After everyone had passed us at this point it was off to meet them at the run!

BUT NOT BEFORE WE CHASED THEM DOWN ON THE BIKE ROUTE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

We caught everyone but Vanilla and Doggie on our chase. We would pull up beside them and hoot and holler. Give some words of encouragement, offer them a ride, and then move on to the the next racer.We saw Jonnie and their CREW at one of the turns, they were doing it up!!!!!!

I think the BR tri club had the bestest support crews of IMFL.

We selected as spot to camp out for the run and JUST AS WE ARRIVED THERE Vanilla goes running by as we cheered and chatted. He said he felt good at that point.

We had a blast at our new campsite. We pulled out the chairs and began our ROAD PAINTING endeavour.

Thanks to Amanda for driving back to our condo to get the sidewalk paint set that I forgot.

We set out painting the road for our racers. Pat O and I created the picasso and everyone else added to it with names etc. I think we should put that picture on the wesite, but that's just me . . .

After about 2 hours and seeing all of our folks run by the first time on the loop I decided we needed nutrition so I called up DOMINOS and ordered a couple large pizzas and way too many 2 litters . . . In 35 minutes Dominos delivered and we were happy.

Nipps and Pat O were interviewing the loacls and the mullets were out in full force!

At one point I had the Gatorade EMPTY bottle throwing challenge. This is where there was a garbage can aproximatley 30 yards from us and with the wid behind us the challege was to get the EMPTY bottle into the garbage. Many doubted even getting close with such distance, but I would not be denied.

After lining up and taking the slight turn in the wind in account I lofted the bottle high! I came down 3 feet to the left but distance was right on target!

As I went to pick the bottle up and put it into the garbage can a local female WITH MULLET!

The women in Panama had mullets too!

Said to me, "you better be glad you didn't hit my truck."

I informed her that while my friends that I was cheering on were master Ironman compertitors, I was a master Gatorade chunking king and had won national competitions doing so.

She didn't find this funny.

As I walked back to the "CREW" I thought to myself, what if the EMPTY bottle that weighed in at possibly 2 ounces had hit her truck??? The damage it would have caused!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then Brianna made an excellent point that she had plenty reason to be protective of her fine automobile, the 76 GMC!!!!!!!

Oh we had fun!

After filling our tummy’s and cheering a lot more for everyone most of the crew headed to the finish line. They were getting ready to maul the BR tri finishers!

Amanda and I hung back to root on the few remaining BR tri members one their first loop.

After seeing Special K and FitBird heading back out on the last loop it was time for me to head back to the CONDO.

Sorry to all for not meeting you at the finish.

As we were getting ready to leave and go to the finish line my body gave out on me. I hadn't slept in many a day and all the driving had taken its toll.

We went back to the condo to change and I became violently ill. It was puke fest in the Boggs Condo and continued throughout the night until I didn't have the strength to get out of the bed and puke. No I didn't drink anything, except Gatorade and a couple sprites.

Sorry I wasn't there. You guys rocked and I am so so so so so proud of you.I had a lot of fun hanging with DA Crew!!!!!

I can't wait till next year!

CHRIS BOGGS IMFL 2008

2006 race schedule

2006 Triathlon Race Schedule


I am preparing for an eventful year in 2006. I have lofty goals and no fear! Let’s have a recap and then I will list my schedule for the entire year.

I plan to be down to 300 LBS. by my first race in May.
2006 I am to complete 1 International/Oly sized Triathlon
By 12/31/2006 I am to weigh 250 LBS.
2007 I am to complete 1 Half IM
12/31/2007 I am to weight in at 210 LBS.
2008 I am to complete my first FULL IM (probably IMFL)

So that is the recap of the goals I had set for myself.
In 2005 I raced in eight sprint triathlons and completed seven.

2006:
Feb. 1-5 Multisport.com training camp
San Diego CA
May 21 Memphis in May Int/Oly Triathlon
Memphis TN
June 10 Buster Britton Sprint Tri
Pelam AL
June ? Yam City Sprint Triathlon
Opelousas LA
July ? Disco Triathlon - Sprint
Dallas TX
July ? Abitaman #3 - Sprint
New Orleans LA
July 30 Tri-America Int/Oly Tri
Louisville KY
August ? Rivercities Tri – Sprint
Shreveport LA
August ? Tri Andy’s Tri – Sprint
Houston TX
Sept. ? Cajun Man – Sprint tri
Lafayette LA
Spet. 24 Disney World Int/Oly tri
Orlando FL
Oct. ? Meat Pie sprint tri
Natchitoches LA

I hope all of my friends and family in the Kentucky Ohio area can make plans to come down to Louisville for the race in July.

Notice I am doing 3, yes THREE International size triathlons in 2006!

The day I thought my toes fell off!

http://www.doitsports.com/newresults3/client/97924_137638_2005.txt


This was a great race. My goal 3:05. I know that is a really bad time, but for me I would have been happy with it.

Amanda and I had to go to Morgan City Louisiana Saturday night for a client retirement party. One of my newest and coolest clients. We departed there and arrived in Natchitoches around midnight.

Daylight savings, a good thing to remember.

I set the alarm for 4:30 am and hit the sack. I have got to figure out how to sleep the night before a race. I literally wake every 30 minutes and look at the clock. This night was no different. Finally 4:30 arrives I wake, turn off the alarm, and head to the shower. I feel a little tired and sluggish so I decided to take a really cold shower.

As I am leaving to load my bike and double check my gear, I notice no one has left for the race as of yet and that there is not one sign of life milling around. Hmmm? I go back to the room, turn on the weather channel, 36 degrees, YES! But, the time says 3:50 am?

Then I remember.

I put on my biking shorts and hp back into the sack, then reset the alarm for 4:40am.

I rise, eat my banana and wake Amanda. She hates waking up this early, but she puts on a champs face for me.

I go back out and start the truck for her and my sister Natalie and my very good friend Mitchell. They are cold weather haters. I see Mitch on the way back in and couple other folks preparing for the race.

It is cold. I don’t mean chilly, I mean cold. I sweat in all circumstances. I was sweating this morning, but the problem with that was, I was freezing because of it. My toes were purple.

There were a lot of BRtri club members there and a few other friends. Butters from the BR Rugby team was there. He did his first Half IM last weekend. Go Butters! And then I spent a little while talking to Mike Pate, my mentor of the tri world.

Time to race.

As I stood there on the plank awaiting my entrance to the so called 72 degree waters I felt my feet disappear from my body. I checked to make sure they were there . . . They were, but my brain didn’t know it. I was laughing at people (on the inside) when they would jump into the water. I would see them jump in and then begin to flail around a bit, or side paddle, or breast stroke. I kept thinking to myself, “these guys are struggling already?”

Then it came, my time, my time to shine, my time to jump in a swim right off the get go with my newly trained “Fitbird” stroke from the Nat. I get back run forward, jump, hit the water feet first! I come up for air . . .

I CAN’T BREATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I try and move my arms, but they are saying to me, “Screw you man, we’re outaa here!”. As I wrestled with my state of mind, I realized that I might be drowning! It was so COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I stopped moving all together and collected my thoughts. I said to myself, relax, the freak’n water is only 4 feet deep. I began to breathe slowly and breast stroke. Yes, like ALL the others I had seen hit the water before me.

After about 300 m into it, everything was fine. When I say fine, what I mean is, I couldn’t feel a thing! I put in a 23 minute swim on 800m. I wanted 19 minutes, but didn’t happen. Out of the water and to the bike.

I ran for the first time!

I said to myself that this race I was going to push it hard. I think I did, but I’m not sure. But, I did run from the water to the bike, where most of the time I walk it trying to gain strength.

This was the first race that I didn’t wear my signature Bermuda swim trunks. I decided to wear my cycling shorts the whole race. I really helped. I had the two fastest transition time of my short career BY FAR. My T2 (bike to run) transition was 2 minutes.

I jumped on the bike and immediately began to cuss (on the inside). It was cold, my toes were frozen and right after you get on the bike, I mean immediately after, you have to climb a little hill with no MO! (momentum) I was not happy. After almost riding off the hill into the grass I began to buckle down and Vanilla, a bad azz racer in of club was hollering at me to push it and pedal. I did and I made it up the hill.

The bike.

I am not exaggerating when I say my toes were frozen. After mile 4 or 5, I stopped worrying about them. Either they were going to fall of or not, I wasn’t stopping to find out.

The course was a little hilly, mostly rolling but, it still sucked because of how cold I was.

I am looking forward to losing more and more weight. I have lost 39 lbs so far the season (since May) and I plan to be down another 70 lbs. before my first race next year. That would put me right at about 300 lbs. I would have lost 105 lbs in one race season.

The reason I say that is because it is hard enough to do these races, but to have to pedal a bike while your knees are banging your belly having to lift your fat in order to make a full cycle, that takes its toll after while. I’m getting there.

The road was bumping in the beginning and end, but really smooth for the bulk of it.

Into the transition to the run my legs were sore, very sore. The insides where that muscle attaches to the knee area, burning.

I had the best transition of my life! I was in out and running. I have never done that and it was great.

As I was leaving the transition area I saw most of my fellow club members all ready digging into the meat pies, jambalaya, and beer. MMMMMMMMM, Beer.

I asked Matt for a bite of his jambalaya as I ran by, but he wasn’t prepared for that particular aid style service, so I trotted on.

Just as we had to bike up a little hill on the bike, we had to run up stairs to begin the run. Half way up OI felt great, then the legs cramped up in the same spot as the bike, were the large muscle attaches on the inside of the knee. So I walked about 200 yards over the bridge loosening them up.

The run was great. Lots of shade. Flat. I couldn’t ask for anything else, EXCEPT for maybe one thing.

It would have been nice to feel my feet. I felt as though I were Dempsey, the great SAINTS field goal kicker with half of a foot. My foot would come down, but I wouldn’t be able to tell it until about my heal. This went on for the first mile and a half until it slowly began to thaw.

About two and a half miles into it, I began to feel my foot, but not the toes.

Again I tried to push myself to the limit. I walked very little and when I did I immediately began looking for my “return to running” spot 50 yards or so ahead. I was struggling. My run looks like most peoples leisurely walk.

As I came into view of the transition area from across he river, I could hear my wife, Mitchell and Natalie screaming for me. Man what a feeling. One to hear that encouragement and two knowing I am so close to the finish!

I turned the corner and hit the bridge towards the finish. I could hear them giving away awards over the PA. I wished I was there to see so many of my club members accept awards. One day I will make it there in time for that. I trotted along with a purpose of finishing and beating my goal of 3:05:00. It was 3:01:02 when I turned onto to the last road before the finish. I saw Clay from our club run up the hill to root me on and push me AND THEN I heard them announce he had won or placed or something. I was very happy for him

I tried to kick up my snail pace and I did and it hurt. As I turned to run down the hill we rode up on the bike I looked at my watch and it said 3:03:59.

CRAP! I was trying to keep a smooth run going but it was hard going down that little hill. I was about 25 yards away and I was freaking because I was not getting anywhere fast!!!!!

As I got close to the finish I looked at my watch again, 03:04:40. I knew I was going to make it but, I wasn’t positive so I tried to go faster and I know I must have looked like a dork, but my legs just wouldn’t go along with the plan.

I crossed at (according to my watch) 03:04:56.

I sat down. I drank some liquids. I talked to Butters for a second. Clay came over and then I saw Matt. They congratulated me. I thought about taking a nap.

After about 5 minutes or so I walked over JUST AS they were announcing the BRtri and won the State Champ trophy AGAIN!!!!

I know I didn’t have anything to do with it, but it felt good to be apart of the group as it always does.

We have great racers and great people in our club.

That is my season. I had a total of 7 races, one DNF, and a lot of great experiences. I’m looking forward to next season.

Thanks to all that have been so supportive in this endeavor of mine.

God Bless!

Training Schedule - Oct. 17 - 23rd

Mon: OFF

Tue: Run 20 min - walk 10 min- run 20 min- walk 10 min- run 20 min- walk 10 min

Wed: Swim 1500m

Thur: Bike 1.5 hr

Fri: Swim 2000

Sat: Run 15 min

Sun: ULL Sprint Tri - 300m swim, 10 mile bike, 2.5 mile run

2theadvocate > Features > BR teen completes triathlon 10/17/05
101705 features112theadvocate.comThe crowd erupted when Lindsey and Wendy Ellis crossed the finish line in a dramatic, surprise finish in just under two hours.-->
BR teen completes triathlon
By LAURIE SMITH ANDERSONlanderson@theadvocate.com
Advocate staff writer

Photos by PAM ELLIS-LEAVY
Wendy Ellis, left, and Lindsey Ellis prepare to cross the finish line at the Crab Trap Triathlon in Destin, Fla. The Team Ellis members had more than 30 family members and supporters cheering for them as they competed. The crowd erupted when Lindsey and Wendy Ellis crossed the finish line in a dramatic, surprise finish in just under two hours.
More than 30 family members, friends and fans of "Team Ellis," not to be missed in their lime green and hot pink T-shirts, cheered, clapped, yelled and cried as the 45-year-old woman and her 18-year-old niece completed the Crab Trap Triathlon two weekends ago in Destin, Fla. A few feet from the finish line, Wendy Ellis pulled her niece from her trailer, supported her from behind and, together, they walked across the line.
Lindsey Ellis, a junior at Arlington Preparatory Academy here, has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. She can only walk short distances with assistance. Wendy Ellis, a physical education teacher in Pensacola, Fla., has been competing in marathons for the past five years and training intensely for this triathlon for the past several months.
"There were a few tears shed," Wendy Ellis said about the end of the race. "Lindsey and I had been planning the surprise for a while and I think it really touched a lot of people."
The two, who were first profiled in a People story in July, originally planned to compete in the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon in September. When that was cancelled because of Hurricane Rita, they switched their focus to the Crab Trap Triathlon which featured a 10-mile bike ride, 3-mile run and 400-yard swim in the Gulf of Mexico.
Outfitted with special equipment funded through a $10,000 grant from Balance Bar, they used a custom-designed convertible trailer that could be pulled by bike or hand, and an inflatable boat to pull through the water.
"I liked the swimming part best," Lindsey Ellis said. "The dolphins were swimming alongside us. It was all fun for me. I was just along for the ride." Teased by her stepfather, Andy Leavy, she admitted that she also enjoyed attention from the lifeguards.
The swim was easy compared to the cycling part of the race, Wendy Ellis said. "Pulling the trailer was kind of like pulling an open parachute behind my bicycle. I can pedal 20 miles an hour without the trailer. I'm lucky if I can do 10 miles an hour with it. Lindsey weighs 85 pounds, and the trailer weighs 32 pounds. I weigh 119 pounds, so I was pulling almost my body weight."
The 3-mile run came last. With adrenaline coursing through her body, Wendy Ellis said she was not even tired at the end of the race. The pair had met its goal, which was not to win, but to finish the race.
"I wasn't nervous. I was excited," Lindsey Ellis said. "But, when I finally stood up with Aunt Wendy, I was stiff as a board."
Many of the race participants who finished ahead of Team Ellis stayed to watch them cross the line. The winner had his picture taken with Lindsey Ellis and said that she was his inspiration. Team Ellis also won a special award and plaque in the team category.
"I'm just so proud of her," Bill Ellis said of daughter Lindsey. "I tell you, she inspired me. I started running again. I have a long ways to go, but maybe by this time next year, I'll be running with her."
Her grandparents have also taken up running, and her mother and stepfather are "talking about it."
As for Lindsey and Wendy Ellis, both said they are already looking forward to the next race. They plan to compete in the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon next April and are looking for an event to enter in the Baton Rouge area.
"Three hurricanes and two tropical storms couldn't stop us," Wendy Ellis said. "If Lindsey's story can inspire other people, that's what it's all about. We're a team and we're ready to go again."
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Training Schedule week of Oct. 10th

Monday: OFF

Tuesday: Run 15 min. - walk 20 min. - Run 15 min. - walk 20 min.

Wednesday: Swim 10 min. warm up - Swim 10 min HARD - swim 10 min. cool down
Weight training

Thursday: Bike 15 min. warm up - 15 min above race pace - 15 min cool down

Friday: Swim 10 min. warm up - Swim 20 min. above race pace - swim 10 min cool down
Weight training

Saturday: Bike 15 min. warm up - 40 min at race pace - Run 10 min - walk 20 min.

Sunday: Run 25 min. - Walk 20 min. - Run 25 min. - walk 20 min.


Feel free to call me out, make sure I am training.