Reading old entries.

Yesterday, while I was running at 5:30 am mind you, I was thinking a lot about progress. And today, I was reading back on old entries in my blog.

I needed to run for thirty minutes at a pretty good pace. At least 7 mph. So I ran my "easy" route to the Junior High School and back. While I was making good time and passed the school in about ten minutes, I remembered that this is the route I started to walk when I began the whole weight loss journey.

I started to think that this route was a great way to measure my progress and fitness. When I started losing weight last June I couldn't walk to the library (.75 miles from home) without feeling winded. When I started jogging, I can remember the places I used to take walking breaks.

Now I run two to three miles without a stretch/catch my breath break. I pass the old landmarks kind of like I'm running against a shadow of myself. It's pretty rewarding.

It's been a year since I started to lose weight.

I can remember trying to lose weight so I could go to a yoga class. So I could feel like I fit in. Now I realize that doesn't matter and I should have gone sooner.

I can remember the desire to cycle, to run marathons. Like it was some kind of dream. Sometime in the distant future, I will ride a bike. I will run a marathon. Now that's coming together for me. The triathlon is now, the marathon is in the near future. That's amazing.

I can remember celebrating being 172 lbs. 145 lbs. 135 lbs. 130 lbs. It's all very clear in retrospect.

Things have really turned around for me. And I need to remember when I'm failing at something (most recent example swimming) that I have accomplished so much. And that eventually I'll accomplish what I'm failing at. I will be successful at swimming, I just need to give it the proper attention and time.

I've done things I never thought I would do. Interacted with new people. Learned skills. Found passion in things I never thought I would like.

Ah, it's been a good year.

Now I need to make some slight adjustments to my new, rad bike and I'm off for the day. The bike, the shoes, everything works in delightful harmony. It was a good purchase. My only complaint (and it's not even the bike's fault) the saddle feels high. But this is a road bike, not a hybrd like I'm used to, so that's actually where it's supposed to be.

Brick workout today!

30 minutes hard cycling, 10 minutes running.

I'll let you know how it goes.