training gear

I am a disgruntled customer today.

Whose idea was it to make 5 million different type of the exact same thing with the smallest modification so that no just any one will work, no it has to be the exact one for you....

I always thought I was pretty easy to please.  I tend to avoid shopping at all costs and do a lot of research before I go and buy something so I don't get caught in the store too long.   However lately I am finding getting the training gear I need is taking a lot longer and is much more expensive than I was planning.

Last fall as I saw my weight continue to climb I decided I would start running again.  so I researched good running shoes, what to look for, prices etc and headed off to my nearest shoe store.  I ended up with exactly what was recommended by the sales man, the internet and the lady sitting beside me who looked like she had been running all her life ( and never broken a sweat).  I laced up my new secret weapon to success and headed out the door to victory...

10 minutes later I entered a new door... defeat.  my legs hurt, my feet were on fire, this was not fun at all!  I struggled with the shoes for months running never having a successful run with limited pain, instead it got increasingly worse.  I stretched, I taped, I even purchased a pair of compression pants ( that is another post for another day) and no relief so I set off to find another pair of shoes.

I went to a speciality running store, the one where they examine your foot and watch you walk and only stock shoes geared for running.  The lady did her examination and looked at me and said ' I would recommend the shoes you already have"! Hip Hip Hooray!  I ended up with a different pair of shoes and the promise of reaching my running goal in the back of my head! However so far I do not have the shin splint pain or searing foot pain but do have a numbness problem with my feet in the new shoes.  however I have given up caring at the moment and just switch between both pairs of horrible colorful cheerful shoes!

Next comes the bike- I am not serious about this triathlon thing so I am just using the mountain bike I had bought 2 years ago for training and race day.  However as my bike time has continued I have started to have a real problem with numbness in my hands. I did all the research and it looks like I need to adjust the handle bar height.... the only problem is my bikes handle bars do not adjust..... now I have a serious bike dilemma on my hands

The swimming gear I have not figured out yet.  I am self conscious about my legs ( think a huge bowl of cottage cheese) so I wear shorts when I swim.  I am also self conscious about everything else on my body so I have yet to decide what apparel I am going to wear to start the race in a swim and then move into a bike and run without changing inbetween.  However I think it is best for all unsuspecting employees if I just stay away from the store for a few days.

ahh this momma is learning to run, bike, swim and be healthy but it is hard work!

traithlon training

I have exercised regularly most of my life.  As a youngster and youth I kept busy all year with competitive swimming and water polo. Once I left home and headed for university my first stop was to join a gym and I actually used the membership for all 4 years.  Once I was married and settled into my new life I still made exercise a priority. But as time went exercise became harder and harder to fit into my schedule.

A couple of years ago when I was on this mad dash to try anything to loose weight, I looked into triathlon.  Believe me, I have no idea why I was so set on triathlon.  However life stepped in again and I was unable to commit to a race due to the circumstances of my life.

This spring however, I found a race, bribed a friend to sign up with me, and payed my fees.  I was committed...

I thought I had this challenge cased.  I found a training plan that I could follow that was balanced and specific.  I had all the equipment I needed.  I had a training partner to keep me accountable.  I was undefeatable!  However here I am 4 weeks before my first ever race, feeling very inadequate.

When people hear that I am going to do a triathlon they take one look at me, and give me a LOOK.
You know that look.... the one that says "woooaaahhh Momma, you are way to fat to run! You are going to do what? that isn't realistic at all! Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?  I DONT THINK SO!!!"  yes a look can say all that!

But let me tell you something,  this Fat Momma is going to run this race, all 212 pounds of me.  And I am going to prove to myself that I can do whatever I set my mind to, whether my training program goes as planned or I look the part of an athlete! I am strong, I am not at all confident but I imagine as I go through the triathlon I will learn to find the confidence I need :)

Here I go... this fat momma is running!

Run Fat Momma Run

Welcome to my journey... get ready for a wild ride.

I am an overweight mom, trying desperately to be the best role model for my little girl and encourage healthy eating and body image for her. (and myself)

I am starting this journey at 5'2, 212 lbs.

This blog is my place to share my frustration, my success, my failures, and to keep me accountable.  I also hope it is a place we can come to laugh and learn.

I look forward to this journey!