Motivation vs Discipline

Recently I saw two quotes that spoke volumes to me. The first was:

"Set goals that scare you and excite you at the same time"

The second was:

"You will never always be motivated, you have to learn to be disciplined"

Well I am embarking on a new journey this week. I am back in grad school to pursue my Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration. I am doing this full time while continuing to work and train for the endurance races that I love. I know this will not be easy but it is what I want to do and I will make it happen.

I know for a fact I will not be motivated all the time. I know it will take discipline and hard work over the next three years but if you want it badly enough you will find a way to make it work. I can tell you I am scared. I am afraid of failure, of not being able to get everything done, and not living up to my own goals. However, I can also say that I am excited for the next few years to see what lies ahead. I am excited about pursuing something I have wanted for a long time.

Discipline will play a very important roll in my life over the next few years. I can not let my workouts slide, so morning workouts will be a priority. I will be rising before the sun, on most days, to get my training done. Work and travel will continue as usual but I will have to set boundaries in order to make time for my school work.

I am a true believer of you will never know unless you try and never give up even if it didn't go well the first time. I know I started my doctorate a few years back and was not able to complete it at the time. However, I know that the program I started was not the best for me. This time I researched graduate programs that would work with my schedule but would also challenge me.

Along with going back to school, I am continuing to set goals for myself that scare me and excite me all at the same time within the endurance sports world. And as I plot out my plan a bit more I will share goals with you very soon. Stay tuned for that...I think a few of you will be very excited to hear all about them!

In the mean time, "myfitnesspal.com" announced today that I have been logging consistently for three years. Talk about discipline. Every day I log every piece of food that I take in. I started this journey three years ago when I wanted to lose some weight. I lost the first 25 pounds on my own with the help of "myfitnesspal". I continued to use my fitness pal after I was diagnosed with diabetes. I used it to record my food so I could share it with my diabetes coach. I record everything...the good, the bad, and the ugly. And since having the surgery I continue to record, even while in the hospital after surgery I recorded the water and chicken broth I took in!! This has become more than a habit for me...it has become a way of life!

I have fallen in love...

So did that title catch your eye?

Maybe I should finish my thought. I have fallen in love with triathlons again! I did my first triathlon in June of 2001 and ended up doing two that summer. I then took a few years off and focused on my running instead. As the years went by I did open water swims, some biking and running but didn't put them all together again until 2010 or 2011. I enjoyed the competition and the training but as the years went and my physical health and body went down hill it started to become a struggle and it was no longer fun.

As a result of my surgery, I have been given an awesome opportunity to push myself. I have been reintroduced to a sport that I once enjoyed and today a sport I love! I have always loved to swim and I still do. In the past I did the bike to get through it but now I actually enjoy the ride and look forward to my bike workouts. And I have always loved to run but now it is easier and faster! In fact compared to when I carried around over 100 extra pounds I some days feel like I am running on air.

Also, as a result of being a part of this fabulous endurance community (running & triathlon) I have been able to meet some incredible friends. Yesterday I was able to compete with two wonderful friends. It makes the day so much better when you can push each other and support each other. A special shout out to these two special ladies who both placed in their age groups!!

In the first year post surgery, since July 26, 2016 I completed 12 races (triathlons,running, and cycling) I completed 3 5ks; a 4 miler, a 5 miler 3 half marathons, a marathon a 30+ mile bike ride, and 2 triathlons. Here is an inside secret...I don't plan to slow down!

Now starting my second year post surgery I completed another triathlon in Old Forge, NY. It was a great day for a race. The water temperature was 72 degrees and with overcast skies and a light wind it kept the temperature down throughout the race.

Yesterday's triathlon was an intermediate distance; 600 meter swim, 22+ mile bike and a 4 mile run. My overall time was 2:39:33 and I finished 10th in my age group. The course was tough, with some serious climbs, but you may find this unusual for me to say, I loved it! I am certainly not saying it was easy but I felt strong throughout the whole race.

I celebrated my accomplishment with some Byrne Dairy  Chocolate Milk and admiring the medal that was given out at the end. I think that this one is one of my favorites. I love the antlers that are part of the medal design. It will remind me of the encounter I had on the bike course. A friend of mine said be careful of deer while on the bike course. As I was starting the second half of the course, and about to start an uphill climb, I noticed two beautiful fawns in the woods off to my right.

I thought the fawns were going to turn and run back into the woods. However, one of the cuties, he must be the dare devil in the family, decided to run across the road right in front of me. I slammed on my breaks so I wouldn't hurt my furry friend. Then I swore a few times because now I had to start the climb from point zero without any momentum. Thanks Bambi!!

I thought this was going to be my last triathlon of the 2017 season. However, this weekend while surfing the net, I discovered that I am not traveling the weekend of September 16 & 17 and there area a few triathlons to choose from locally. I am thinking about doing the DeRuyter Triathlon on September 16th. I have done this race before and I love it. It is fun and a great way to end the season! So what will this second year post surgery bring me? I don't know but I am excited for the possibilities!!

At the finish line!

On a side note...I want to take this opportunity to thank this beautiful woman and her husband for being wonderful friends and awesome cheerleaders. At the lowest point of my athletic career I was finishing my half ironman in Jamesville, NY. I was the last person on the course, sick to my stomach and awful leg cramps but I moved forward. As the many associated with the race were gone for the day and the crew was packing up around me, two amazing volunteers, Mary and Shawn were waiting for me at the last water stop. I will never forget their support and from that day a wonderful friendship was started. It was so great to see you both this past weekend!!

SWIM BIKE RUN!!

One Year...

July 26, 2017...1 year, 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8760 hours...525,600 minutes (I hope my math is right...isn't always my strong point) since I underwent Bariatric Bypass Weight-loss Surgery...I haven't regretted it for one moment. As of July 26, 2017 I have lost 101.5 from my heaviest weight. I know I still have 8.5 pounds to lose but I have gained so much.

Since the surgery and the weight-loss I feel amazing. This surgery has given me more than just the weight-loss. Within this year I had three goals that I wanted to achieve as a result of the surgery; 1. lower blood pressure and get rid of medication 2. reverse type 2 diabetes and get rid of medication and 3. become a faster runner. I accomplished all three goals and I plan on being even faster in the future!!

Before and After...some days I feel like I haven't changed at all. On those days I need a reminder of how far I have come. In the last few months I have had friends not able to recognize me. I have even walked by store front windows and I didn't always recognize the reflection back at me.

I can remember over a year ago questioning if I should have this surgery. Knowing that it would help but would it fix everything? Then of course I laugh at the fact that shortly after the surgery I shared my fears with my nutritionist that I would be the freak patient that would never lose weight...ha ha...

This surgery is a tool, I still need to do the work, every day! I have to make sure I never forget where I was and never go back.

The Sunday before my anniversary I participated in the Gillie Girl Triathlon...this was my third time doing this event and I PR'd it. I ended up 9/25 in my age group and 74/239 overall...unofficially I was second out of  the water in my age group. My official finish time was 1:42:23...some days I have no idea who I have become...but I am not stopping!

I love the workouts and I love the competition. I always loved it before the surgery but what a difference it makes not to be carrying around 100 pounds. As I said I accomplished my third goal by becoming of faster runner...and I only want to become a stronger and faster athlete.

What will the next 365 days hold for me? Not giving up, losing the last 10 pounds. Continuing with my workouts...completing another triathlon, a couple more half marathons and a marathon....but what else? Do I dare to dream greater?