GFI - The Quest

There comes a time in a girl's life when she wakes up and says..."What? When did this happen?" Somehow 45 years have blown past me and I'm ready for a big personal challenge. Read along as I offer my journey to tackle a triathlon, despite the public commitment scaring the bajeepers out of me. I'm thinking..."If I can do it...so can you."

Starting Point

Here I am, July 18, 2010 finishing the Seattle to Portland, 204 mile bike ride.  I have a history of setting goals, but don't consider cycling hard work, because I love it so much.  The running and swimming of a tri are really daunting to me though.  In this photo, I weigh about 230 pounds - that's a lot to lug around and puts me in the obese category when I figure what % body weight is fat.

I did 150 miles the first day, sleeping in Kelso with my family and finished the last 50 on the second day, arriving in Portland around 11:30.  My family was at the finish line and considering how much my knee hurt (strained while trying to pass a lifeguard certification course) I had to hold back that lump in my throat and tears.  It felt victorious...and I'm afraid that feeling might be a factor in wanting to strive some more.  Baby steps...Just like you, I know that I don't have to be an athlete to accomplish the goals I challenge myself with.


Here I am with some Monks south of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  I happen to live here via my husband's career with UNICEF.  I'm the larger one, in black - nothing like a photo to keep you honest!  Of my friend, they said "You are very pretty."  Of me, they said "You are large...so big."  this is 2 months after the STP ride and I'm down to about 220 or so in my weight.

I do want to make it clear that I'm not a big advocate for skinny.  I would like to not haul so much superfluous cori around, but I don't anticipate being small any time soon.  I am eating well and exercising a lot and from there will just let my body do what it does. I have a photo of my grandmother holding my father as a baby and the genetics are clear.  I'm going for fit and will keep that continuously present in my posts because I don't believe that skinny is where it is at.  If I wanted skinny, I would take up smoking.

Third week of September, 2010 - the beginning of this
little journey.  I dislike swimming - I mean it would be
okay if I didn't have to get wet, but I leap in with both
feet - training here with my daughter's early morning
swim squad at the Himawari Hotel in Phnom Penh and
in the evenings at the VIP.  At this point, one length,
25 meters puts me out of breath, but I commit to
20 lengths (500m) - form and fitness before speed.

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