With the help of Hackley Health Management, I had lost over 60 pounds in the past 18 months and sustaining my improved health needed to become a part of the plan. I had started running again and working with a training partner to improve my stamina. We'd also started cycling with a goal to complete a duathlon in July.
The very word duathlon had not even been a part of my vocabulary a year ago. Now I was faced with the goal of running 5 kilometers, cycling 20 kilometers, and getting off the bike to run another 5km. Jennifer had run four marathons before and training with her seemed almost intimidating. However, I knew that I couldn't work the plan alone.
Now that I look back at the summer, I see that much of the success I experienced was a result of three things: setting goals, working the plan, and achieving results.
The plan required morning workouts--not something I was thrilled about because, historically, I am not a morning person, especially during summer vacation. Then again, it would help me launch my day and get moving. The old ways were about to change.
Following the Kick Off to Summer 5K in Grand Haven, the training commenced. The short 6-mile ride to school that I had become accustomed to needed to ramp up to 30 miles or more. A few trips to the Muskatawa Trail helped with that, however. I also established a few routes using an app on my new Droid Incredible smart phone...a little technology for the geek in me.
The Spring Lake Heritage Run was a nice warm up in June. Even our German exchange student, Theresa, ran that race...her first 5K run. The July 11 duathlon was approaching. Knowing how difficult the transition from biking to running would be, I finished off a few training rides with a short run...my legs felt like noodles with bricks attached.
Jennifer and I both crossed the finished line after 1 hour and 45 minutes of intense cardio activity. We were pleased just to finish our first duathlon. However, when the results were posted she discovered that she had taken first place in her age category and I had come in second place in mine. Walking away with medals in our hands was a nice bonus.
So the schedule not only included several 5km races and a duathlon, but opportunity came to ride 100 miles for a great cause, so another goal was set. Our century bike ride (actually 102.54 miles) on August 14 required 6 hours and 21 minutes of pedaling. The team of 8 cyclists raised nearly $5000 for Bluebird Cancer Retreat Center in Spring Lake. Outstanding results! That ride was only a preview of coming attractions, however.
Then the ultimate challenge of riding across Michigan in one day hung like a carrot dangling from a stick. On Saturday morning, August 14, we left Montague in the rain and dark venturing across this great state in the ODRAM (One Day Ride Across Michigan) with some 80 other cyclist. I think this was the most difficult thing I had ever done. After being on the road for 10 hours and 50 minutes, the shores of Saginaw Bay never looked so good. The 152 mile ride was brutal--my neck, my ribs, my hands, and even my toes hurt. I think new limits were established that day.
By summer's end, Jennifer and I logged more than 1000 miles in running and biking. All this can only be described as a reinvention of life for me. To sustain good health requires good habits, and I am making excellent progress. Once again, setting the goals, working the plan, and expecting results combined to remind me that life is VERY good.