Since I've been following Johan's blog at www.tri-stemmet.blogspot.com I've never seen the Previous Fat Guy pictures of him. As a matter of fact, I was reading his blog for a long time before I even knew he was a PFG.
Today he posted his PFG pictures. They show an amazing transformation. Not only did Johan lose 83.7 lbs / 38 kgs, but in a relatively short period of time, he became an elite age grouper and Kona qualifier in the process.
I love his story. It shows you can go from Previous Fat Guy to Skinny Fast Guy (SFG). Johan also shows it doesn't have to end at just "losing weight", he shows getting "good" is also possible. In his first sprint triathlon, he breast stroked the entire 600 meters and even had to stop and rest on the lifeguards surf boards. Other than "drowning", it does start any worse than that.
Talking about weight, I've gained a little. I came back from China at 177 lbs and now I'm back up to 183.4 lbs. Even though I'm heavier, I feel much better and stronger. I'm surprised I'm not heavier with all the beer and "crap" food I've eaten over the last 4 weeks. It was salad at lunch for me today.
Mentally I'm back motivated to train. I'm not sure if it's the 3 days I took off last week or my desire to stay thin, 183.4 lbs is the most I want to weigh. Truth be told, my number one motivation to train has always been to keep my weight down. It's not to improve my times. Getting better is just an added bonus.
I went for a short run today. I wanted to test out my Achilles, but not overdo it. It was tough to keep the run short. The Achilles felt better and when I got home, I stretched and iced it. I didn't want to go overboard because I still have a long ride and run this week and a 10 km running race on Sunday.
I'm feeling good about my fitness level. In 3 weeks, I've went from feeling like I just started training, to getting my full mojo back. Today I hardly felt any soreness from doing lunges yesterday. If you can do lunges and not feel it the next day, that's a sign your in shape. Three weeks ago, I was painfully sore for days after doing lunges.
I got an email from Doru today. I think he enjoys scaring the crap out of me. He sent me this link to a forum page. Essentially, it's about a guy who did a 5:40 bike at Ironman Florida and that translated into a 7 hour plus race rehearsal ride on the Ironman St. George Course. It sure doesn't sound like it will be a fast course.
Mod Run - 34:26 / 7.0 km / 4:55 pace / 131 avg hr
183.4 lbs / 22.8 % BMI3
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11 comments:
thanks for that success story from your fellow blogger. What an amazing transformation. I, too, love stories like that. I think that we who weren't always athletes and had to overcome obstacles truly appreciate all that we ... and others ... have accomplished.
sounds like you do have your mojo back, too. Congrats on getting back into the swing of things!! good luck to you!
Nice....now you can forget any timne goals and just race the race!
Glad to hear about the turnaround in your training! I wish I had some PFG pics...not willing to back there! hahaha
-Derek
mate, race day is sooo close, good to see that the achilles is coming back to form,
B
Thanks, yes I waited to post PFG story until I was at 40kg but with donuts and some beer lately I just can't get there, but will get there someday. 40kg is my goal but I'll take 38.
Hope your Achillis gets better before IMSG, don't want it to hamper you on what's gonna be a great day.
I wouldn't worry to much about the post regarding the guy who went 7hrs plus.
If i look at the forum his Norm. power is 147 with a goal of 154. Not being arrogant or funny but that is low. My watts for IM last year was 236 with norm power at 253and my goal for this year is higher. I see myself and you in the same class when it comes to biking and you will definately do a sub 6 hour on the bike.
When I did the course on the CT although it was only 1 lap my ave was above 31km/h and that was a training ride not the real thing.
One thing I do agree on is get a 12/27 casette if you can. Don't know if you like to spin the gears as I do at 90rpm for IM or are you loving the heavy grinding.
I found that with the 12/25 I used when I did IMSG on CT on some hills I had to work hard and the rpm was slow.
With a 27 you will be able to keep the momentum without getting out of the saddle to often.
best of luck with the Achillis and last few days of training.
J
That's really good advice from Johan on the gearing - I'd take it if I were you and get a 27-12.
Rock on PFG's
My PFG story for this year... I was plowing snow and had to unbutton my pants while in my truck because they were too tight... and those were the biggest pants I have ever worn.
Running my third marathon this weekend, first back from being a fat guy again, and I am not dropping this lifestyle this time. I feel too good to ever go back!
Ice is your friend. Keep training smart.
I have a friend doing IM St.George and she went up to Collingwood to get some hill training in as supposedly the St.George course rivals as the toughest bike course ever. But 'hilly' to tri-dorks and hilly to a hardcore cyclist are two different things :) I have no doubt you'll do well, we have the nice rolling hills here to train on!
Heck, I learned last night that Dundas and area was voted best riding in Canada!
I love all the PFG stories, they are very motivating. So glad you got your mojo back, it's good to hear a 'spring in your step' again. Must be the beer.. ;-)
It's funny how that motivation starts sneaky up again. Glad your getting back on track. BTW lunges kill my legs. I'm sore for days after my leg workouts.
B. I am sure that you do not scare that easy :-). For me, as a beginner, what's scary about IMSG, is the hills+wind combination. In the same forum someone says that the winds are forecast to be strong, even though I am not sure how they can forecast the weather so long in advance. For you though, the same combination should work in your advantage because you did a lot of your training on windy days and hilly roads. So, even if it will be hard to get a PR at IMSG, you probably have a better chance to beat your competition, who might not have trained in the same conditions, and that's all that matters in order to qualify to Kona.
By the way, I wanted to ask you if MAO is helping you with a racing plan for IMSG?
Congrats for getting your mojo back and best of luck with your Achilles.
RD, thanks. Glad you liked J story, it's quite remarkable. You too keep up the good work.
D, thanks. Haha. I want to see yours. I've saving mine, I've got a few REALLY bad ones, for one day, not sure when.
V, Thanks.
J, thanks for the info on the bike. I'm not into Watts, but now that I look at it, it does look low. Mine will definitely be in the 200's. I'm also glad you rode it, I trust your evaluation. I believe I have a 12/27 on my racing wheels, but I'm going to get it checked out, if not, I'm going to get them. Thanks for the support.
S, agreed, I'm going to take it.
M, haha, I can just see you in the truck. Good luck this weekend. I'm with you, never surrender, never go back. Thanks for the support.
J, thanks, and your right, it's all hills out here. Wow, that's cool to know about the Dundas Area. I need to go into there more on my long rides.
A, thanks. We need you to add to the PFG stories, although you have less to lose.(supportive, non offensive women comment, haha).
T, thanks, I hear ya again on the lunges.
D, for sure, it sounds and looks daunting. It's going to be an interesting race, I'm going in with no expectations but to finish. My big concern right now is the Achilles.
B
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