I am not a skinny triathlete

This is my first triathlon season since making the declaration: January diet? Nope, I bought bigger clothes.  Over the winter and spring I slowly started adding new pieces to my wardrobe and I’ve been feeling very comfortable in my new skin.

Until triathlon training kicked into gear. I forgot to get larger triathlon clothing!

My ego was bruised for oh, about two minutes. I had to remind myself that when I wear clothes that fit, I know I look fine.  Good.  Actually, better than fine or good. Sometimes I even look hot.

Putting my ego and mirror aside, and bigger shorts on, I got out there.  My running is going well. No knee or hip pain.  Steady pace.  My swimming sucks. But that’s just because I don’t like swim workouts so I avoid them (I cram my swim workouts in the two weeks before the triathlon — not advice, just a fact).

And then there’s the bike.  Finally I was able to pull my bike off the wind trainer and I’ve been riding outside.  On the first ride out I learned something within minutes of mounting the bike:

More junk in the trunk = screaming downhills!

Oh. Yes.  I owned that first downhill.  And the next. And next.

Now, the obvious conclusion is that more weight is good on a downhill, but it can’t be good uphill.  This could be true but I’ve always been a hill slug–even when thinner–so I don’t notice being slower. In fact, what I notice is more power on the uphills. I have legs (and I know how to use them) and they are working those hills.

I used to think I was a “slow starter.”  It usually takes me awhile to warm up. But this season I’m finding that I’m in a groove on the run and the bike much earlier than I used to be. I can’t help but wonder if it has to do with the fact that I’m eating more.  Over the last six years, whether training for a full marathon or for an Olympic distance triathlon, I was always dieting. When I trained for my first marathon — I was just turning 40 — aging gracefully meant being thin.  Six years later I’m not chasing skinny.  I’m not dieting. My body is fully fueled. And my workouts feel strong.

I’ll be competing in a triathlon in seven weeks.  I’m training in a bigger swimsuit. Bigger bike shorts.  And I have bigger workouts.

I’m not going to be one of the skinny triathletes out on the race course. But I will be running and riding with an ear-to-ear grin from the start line to the finish line. Because I’m not racing to burn calories–I’m racing for the pure joy of it.

And I’ll have bread after the race. Count on it.

I was syndicated on BlogHer.com

21 thoughts on “I am not a skinny triathlete”

  1.  You made my day! Thank you for this post – it is jus the inspiration I needed to accept where I am and the strength my body now has to power through workouts and life.
    xo

  2. Great post, JL! Getting back to my fitness to be gain strength rather than lose weight is my goal this summer. Thanks for the motivation.

  3. Great post, JL! Getting back to my fitness to be gain strength rather than lose weight is my goal this summer. Thanks for the motivation.

  4. LOVE IT!  JL, you are awesome.  I can picture you bombing down hills.  Personally I like to crank on the uphills but I’m nervous of speed on the downhills (never was much of a downhill skier either).  I’m going to train this summer for my first duathlon in the fall.  I am not a swimmer.  YOU are an inspiration.

    1. A duathlon, Elizabeth! That’s fantastic! I love them, too. I need to remember that and maybe quit putting the swimming pressure on myself!

  5.  You go, Girl!  Great post!  Can’t wait to hear about the play-by-play and blow-by-blow details of the Triathlon.  Enjoying the progress reports in your training.  You’ve inspired me to put on my “big girl” pants and get going, no matter what stage of the game I’m in!  🙂  Have a FUN-TABULOUS Friday!

  6.  Skinny isn’t always better. Look at some of the top female mountain bikers, they aren’t uber thin, they have legs (and they know how to use them!). I’m so impressed by you and I’m trying to step away from the scale myself and buy the size that fits well & makes me look good, once I’m happy with that I’ll see what the scale says and theres my new happy weight. Again, you’re awesome.

    1. Regina, thanks so much. You will find that tossing the scale is liberating! I now only weigh myself once a month — I want to keep in touch with how I’m doing but I do not need to weigh every day to do so! Here’s to you finding your happy weight!

  7. I think I read somewhere that it’s more important to be fit than thin. In fact really thin people who were not fit had a higher risk of disease than larger fit people. I can’t remember where I read this but anyhow, there’s research that shows you have the right approach!

  8. Great post on embracing your body and the reality that substance is more important that style. I continue to have a personal debate with 10 pounds. Lighter, and I think I look better. Heavier, and I know my body performs better. Everyone notices the latter, and I only seem to notice (or care) about the former. Yet, up and down I go! The extra 10 and I will have a great, active, strong, and vibrant feeling weekend. Hope you and yours do too.

    1. Thank you so much for your comment! Yep, my relationship is with 10lbs exactly. Now that I dress them better we’re quite fond of one another 😉 Here’s to a wonderfully active, healthy weekend (I’m heading out for a bike ride this morning!)

  9. Hey, it’s like my hubby says, no one likes a bag of antlers – too skinny = not good. That’s awesome you’re doing a triathlon and you’ll do great! It’s so tough to diet while training, nothing worse that crashing on a long run due to lack of energy, I ran into that training for my first half and trying to balance the increased appetite. When I did the Women’s Fitness Festival 5k last year, I saw paramedics escort an anorexic looking young girl off the course who was about to pass out, very sad.

    So fun to follow your training adventure, can’t wait to hear more about it.

  10. My name is Kelli and I am very fat, if you find a doctor that can help me please just gimme a call, thank you that will be all.

    1. Kelli, I will point you to my blog’s disclaimer (below) I wish you the very best.
      JL

      Disclaimer
      Material on this site should not be considered a consultation with a medical professional. This site is community-based and peer supported. It is simply a place for individuals to share their experiences. The information on this site should not be construed as treatment. If you need medical assistance or counseling, contact a professional of your choosing.

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