I've never been a small
girl. I remember in 6th grade my mom had to buy me a size
16 woman's dress. I was teased a lot about being Fat. Yes, this is my 6th grade pic with custom mom bangs and all.
Children can be so mean – yet they are just
telling the truth the straight up hold no punches way. I learned to be tough so the
teasing wouldn't hurt. Although, it still hurt, I could punch back and I learned to laugh.
When I started middle
school, I slimmed down to a size 10. I stayed there until I was out
of school. It was after high school when I just let it go. I started
growing more on the outside than inside.
In 2005, I ballooned to
my heaviest, weighing in at 235 lbs and wearing a 20/22. I was on
high blood pressure and high cholestrol medicine. I was also on
antidepressants and anxiety meds. My life was busy with my business,
I was sad, depressed and I was definitely a heavy drinker. Oh yes, I was also smoking 2+ packs of cigarettes a day. I guess you can
say I was digging my own grave.
I had many things happen
within the next year, but amazingly I decided I needed to be
healthier physically and spiritually. So I started spending a lot of
time in the Bible and at church. I also starting walking every
morning for 1 hour. I didn't care about mileage or pace, I just
walked.
Within 3 months I was down
20 lbs (215), dropped down to a size 16. I started feeling so much
better about myself. I didn't quit drinking but the “daily”
drinking did stop. I was taken off my blood pressure medicine and I
took myself off all the others as well. (I wouldn't recommend doing
that without a doctor's approval).
In 2007, I had continued my
walking program at least 5x a week. This year was MY YEAR. I met
the Lone Rider (Now known as Former Lone Rider – FLR). Within 6
months (2008) I moved to California. It was a hard yet easy
transition if that makes sense. I missed my family, friends and my
business (which I was no longer a part of) that I had for 12 years.
FLR and I kept busy. I was happy inside. I had started loving
myself. FLR taught me how to ride a motorcycle plus we had off
roading toys and watercraft toys. We were enjoying life TOGETHER. I
also quit smoking.
Here we are just a few months after we met. We were in Chicago at the Signature Room
It wasn't until 2009 when
I noticed my clothing was getting tighter. I started having some
medical problems. Went back to the doctor and I was up to 224 lbs
and my blood pressure was rising as was my cholestrol (325). I knew
this was it. Enough is enough.
FLR's mom finally talked
me into runing a 5K. I thought I would die and never make it but I
signed up. It was Fontana Days and my first event I have ever
completed in my entire life. I did train but I had no idea what
training was. Training was going out everyday and walking 3.1 miles
– same in same out. Race day came and I told FLR to watch for me
around 50 minutes after the race starts.
June 2009 Morning of the Race in Fontana and I WAS SCARED!
So there I was, amongst a
lot of runners and walkers. All different sizes and shapes. I was
nervous, I was scared! FLR's mom was there with some of her walking
club members. Everyone was nice trying to keep me calm. The gun
went off and everyone took off. I could not believe the adrenaline
that was pumping through me. It was Amazing! I remember running. Yes
I was running! I was passing people. This couldn't be me. Soon I
saw the finish line and heard the cheers. It was coming and I was
giving it all I could. And I saw it... The clock and finish line..
39:40. WHAT!!! I crossed over 10 minutes faster. I heard my name,
saw FLR, went to him and cried. I cried like a baby. I couldn't
believe it. I did it! I ran a 5k and I survived. I had a medal
around my neck to prove my accomplishment. I knew at that moment, I
would do it again. I also knew the weight had to come off.
After that, I did two more
5K's getting closer and closer to 30 minutes. I ran every day,
different mileage (up to 5) just to check my ability. I even started
timing myself. FLR's mom did it again. She talked me into my First
Half Marathon. I had only been “running” since June and the race
was in October. I was scared again. I trained and completed two 10
milers before my race. I finished in 3:10. I didn't cry like my
first race but I felt incredible. I was ready to run, run and run.
January 2010 I decided to
get serious about my weight. I realized then I could workout
everyday but without watching my diet, nothing was going to happen.
So FLR and I started a “healthy” lifestyle change. I was
learning how to cook healthy and make better choices for us at home.
Within 3 months, FLR was
down 25 lbs. I was down 40. I was weighing in at 190. I had joined
a gym (mainly because I thought it was nuts I could not walk for
almost 2 weeks after the half marathon) and continued to tone and
tighten. I decided that 2010 was the year I would run a marathon. I only
wanted to do one marathon.
While training for the
marathon, I had read about cross training. Never in my life had I
heard that term but thought, I could do it. I saw an ad in the local
paper for a reverse sprint triathlon. Never heard of triathlon or
Ironman before either. I saw the 5k run, 12 mile bike and 500 yard
swim. I thought, I can do that! I just need to learn how to really
swim. (You won't believe this but pools are actually made for
swimming and not floating with a drink in hand..Wow). With the help
of a local trainer at the gym, I learn how to get in the water and
swim. Not well or with my face in the water, but swim nonetheless.
He would put a rope around my waist and tell me to swim in the center
of his pool. He also taught me about transitioning from each sport.
I trained with him for 3 months.
Day of the race, I was
very nervous. Mostly about that darn swim. I had been training with
two other women, my bestie Jamie and Debra. Debra was racing with me. My run was strong but I
slowed and stayed with Debra. My bike was weak on my $79 Walmart
Special. Debra waited for me. We both ran to the pool together and
it was at that moment I had my first panic attack in a long time.
Debra sat at the end of the pool with me and help guide me in. Once
in the water, I was okay as I breast stroke to the end. We both got
out of the pool together and ran over the finish line. I was
officially a TRIATHLETE. I knew right then that wasn't my last
race.
We are Triathletes! First Reverse Sprint Tri - Apple Valley Sept 2010
Rock n Roll Vegas Marathon 5:27 and it was painful towards the end
I joined a triathlon club,
Triathlon Connection; did my marathon and signed up for more races in
2011. Since 2010, I had fluctuated between 170 and 180. I stayed
that way almost all year. I also married FLR (now known as –
hubby).
I was completely off all my medication and I had this
burning desire to become an Ironman. Completing the ultimate
triathlon and endurance event in history (excluding the Championships). (It doesn't help hanging
and training with Ironman peeps, it sinks into your blood without you
even realizing it)
Wildflower Olympic Finish - Felt Strong - May 2012
Ironman Boise 70.3 - at the Finish Above and Exiting the Swim Below - BTW it was 36 degrees and snowing when I started the race. BURRRR
2012 was going to be an
amazing stepping stone year for me. I signed up to do two half
Ironmans in preparation for Ironman in 2013. I had also lost another
25 lbs. I was down to 155 wearing a size 8.
I probably wouldn't have done Boise if it wasn't for these two amazing IRONMANs
When I was
training for the marathon, I started having major pain in my hip.
Since arthritis runs in my family, I knew what it was. I had an MRI
and was told I had hip dysplasia which has helped the arthritis in
the hip get worse. I was bone on bone at the bottom of the joint with
lots of spurs. I pushed through the hours of running and cycling
doing what I could. I am proud to say I finished Boise 70.3 and that
was my last race. (Pictures above) I had gotten to the point where I could not walk without limping,
not ride aero, no kicking while swimming and lucky to bend down and
get back up. I had a choice. I could quit my lifestyle the way I
knew it or get a new hip. I decided after 3 surgeon consults, lots
of therapy and shots and lots of research, to have the hip
replacement.
March 2013 I had my new
hip installed. My recovery has been amazing. Within 8 weeks, I was
back on my bike and pedaling 12-15 miles. However, during that
recovery I used my shoulder a lot more than normal and with it having
arthritis, it was tweaked. An MRI shows a small rotator cuff tear
and impingement besides osteoarthritis. I am on the list to have it
reconstructed in December.
It was quite the challenge to overcome this hip issue. I promise once I am an Ironman, my running shoes will be donated to charity.
I can not wait until this
final surgery. I am so excited to start planning my journey to
becoming an Ironman. I have already signed up for 70.3 Silverman in
Vegas in October 2014.
I feel that great things
are going to happen in 2014 as I lose the final 30-40 lbs and work my
way towards my dream of hearing.. “Barbara Weber, You are an
Ironman!”
Enjoy the journey with me.
This is me now (well taken 5 weeks ago so kind of now.) sporting my #Swirlgear
Yes, I have my FIRST Ambassador Sponsorship Program. Pretty Excited and love their gear.
Here are a few more before and after photos. I am still fluctuating between 160-165 but I feel the DESIRE burning in me again. I know time I will drop the weight and be swimming, biking, running and hiking all over.
Above January 2010 - Below December 2012
