Looking Back At The Ironman Journey – T minus 4 to go!

I am pretty much logistically prepared for my trip to Madison for the 2009 Ironman. In an attempt to make sure I keep perspective, I had my wonderful trainer Kate do a last Fitness Assessment on me before the race. I hadn’t done one in almost a year. The last time I had measurements done was immediately before I started the Endurance Nation Outseason Plan (11/26/08).

I’ve done a lot of work, and it’s shown up in the data. Here’s some stats from when I started working out with Kate (11/9/07), pre-OS plan, and today:

Weight (lbs)    251    230.5      208

Chest (in)         46.5      44.5      43

Waist at
Belly Button   42.5    38     36.5

Thigh (in):        25      25      22.5

Body Fat %     26%    18.8%    15%

Now, there’s no doubt I NEVER should have gotten up to 251 lbs in the first place.  I’m maybe pushing 6′2″ on a good day.   However, I did get there over the course of a decade, so to be able to get within striking distance of a ‘1′ handle on my weight within a year of hard work is pretty good in my book.

So anyway, Ive been pretty hard on myself the last 3 weeks as this cold has dragged on and I’ve had to make the uncomfortable decision of dropping workouts to make sure I didn’t over-exert myself and extend the virus’ reign.  Even though I know the last two weeks have no fitness build in them, I was doubting the amount of work I’ve done up to this point.   Today’s results reminded me that 1)I’ve done a ton of work 2)it’s paid off in many ways including my appearance and fitness and 3) I belong just as much as anyone else at the starting line on Sunday.

Hope to see you there.  Giddee up!  Track me from the page above – or if that’s not working use the spreadsheet Endurance Nation will have linked on their front page.