100 Days

So at the end of June I ended up back in the doctor's office dealing with my GI track; acid re flux, the fact I was losing my voice (didn't want to get sick again) and a lovely female issue I won't mention.  While sitting in with the doctor I was telling her all my tails of woe but was most excited to tell her I was back running again (she is a triathlete too) and she was happy to hear that.  After I shared my good news we went one by one down the list of the problems.

She explained to me that the GI track issues could be a result of a few things stress, travel, all the antibiotics I was on etc.  She also explained to me that it could take a while for the inflammation to go down and for things to calm down.  So I have to just take it one day at a time.  We discussed nutrition and she advised me to take a fiber supplement.  We then moved on to the re flux and she explained that the reason I was losing my voice had to do with my acid re flux ... the acid was causing irritation in my throat which effected my voice.  Some people were probably thrilled that I had lost my voice, I was just happy to have an answer and excited that I wasn't sick again.

Since then I have been keeping tract of what I eat and how it affects me.  I have been dealing with my stomach issues as best I can and trying to not let it take over my life.  I am feeling better but not 100%.  I have been exercising and I have lost 10 pounds!!

So I am sure you are curious about the title "100 days"?  John "the Penguin" Bingham is a famous marathoner who has never won a marathon.  For years he was a columnist for Runner's World Magazine; he has written several books and he has promoted many of the Rock n Roll Marathons.  I have met John several times through his work with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Team In Training.  He is a wonderful motivational speaker as an average runner.  Through Facebook John started these 100 day challenges in which he challenges individuals to exercise at least 30 minutes a day for 100 days.

I started thinking about this last week.  Since this last year was a struggle with training, traveling and getting sick I hadn't signed up for any triathlons this summer.  And I couldn't tell you the last road race I have completed either.  So I decided that this summer and this coming fall will be a time to build my endurance and get in shape again.  I didn't want to focus on just one race and that finish line.  I want to focus on getting healthy and back in shape.  This will take discipline and motivation, which can be a weakness of mine but I know this is the only way I am going to get back on the starting line again.

So with that in mind I decided to start my own 100 days challenge (I hope you don't mind Penguin).  I started Saturday, July 12th with a great swim and then today I ran/walked for 33 minutes in the morning before the rain started.  During this challenge I have to complete at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.  The exercise can vary from swim, bike, run, yoga, strength training etc. And when I complete the 100 days challenge the date will be Sunday, October 19, 2014.  That will be the day before my 44th birthday ...

Challenge accepted!!