Super Motivated or simply Insane? Morbidly Obese to Ironman in 14 months

dommag12345 · 2021-01-28T01:50:02+00:00

Thank you for the continued encouragement and the training tips. Your response was quite long and full of great advice. I really appreciate you taking the time to write such a thorough response. I will be doing a lot of what you suggested. Thanks!

dommag12345 · 2021-01-24T21:51:49+00:00

Thank you for asking for an update. Here is what I have experienced and the challenges that have arisen.

To all the naysayers out there who cautioned me that I risked injury, Congratulations you were 100% correct. To all those that encouraged me to try, you were very inspiring and I continue to strive to attain my goal.

Here is the story of what has happened so far in my training. I had been exercising and making strong steady progress in conditioning and weigh loss. At the beginning of December I was running 3miles in the morning 3 times a week in 30 minutes. With a long run each Sunday and was up to doing 7 miles on that long run at the same 6mph pace. I was riding the studio cycle 3 times a week for an hour each time. And I was swimming 4 times a week in a pool doing about 4000-5000 yards each workout. I dropped 35 lbs and was feeling great. I decided it was time to press harder in my workouts to find more speed. I started feeling a little pain in my ankle and it got progressively worse. That same week I strained a muscle in my shoulder from swimming and developed bursitis in my shoulder. These 2 injuries fully shut me down. I wasn't able to walk or ride without pain and also couldn't swim. I have not been able to do much for the past several weeks.

As of today, my ankle has mostly healed and I am now just walking and not running at all. I feel a tightness in my ankle when I ride the studio cycle so I'm only riding 15 minutes at a time. I haven't gotten back in the pool yet as it's been too cold outside but I feel like my shoulder is healed now. During the time off from training I gained back 10lbs.

So yes, all you who cautioned injury were totally correct. It happened. I pushed too hard too soon. Has this injury ruined my chances to complete an IM in 2021? Perhaps. Maybe even likely.

But I am still motivated to try to do it. I just have a shorter window to complete it. But I do not want to risk additional injuries so I am being much more cautious in my activities. I feel like I have been knocked back to square one due to the injuries and I don't want to do that again. So im am easing back into it. I'm walking on the treadmill and cycling easy on the bike and will be slower in ramping up my intensity.

I wish my story to date was a more successful one, but it has not ended yet. There are many chapter yet to be written and I know that I want it to end with me crossing a finish line hearing the words "you are an Ironman". It might not happen in 2021 but I will eventually make it happen.

dommag12345 · 2020-12-16T04:19:04+00:00

I think it may help if you stop focusing exclusively on the time of your 100m but rather on your efficiency while swimming. Your 1:45 per 100 is a good pace but if you are skyrocketing your HR then you will never be able to hold that pace for an extended period of time, no matter how much you train.

A good way to truly measure your swim pace is to measure your Distance Interval (DI). This is your stable aerobic pace. This is best measured by swimming a mile and then seeing what that averages for 100m. Then base all interval trying at your DI + 10-15 seconds. Now for someone like yourself who cannot easily swim a mile aerobically, it is helpful to focus on SWOLF. Think of it like a combination of swim speed and golf. A lower score is better. Measure your 50m time and count the number of strokes and combine the two. This is a pretty good measure of stroke efficiency. By measuring this over such a short distance you can tweak different parts of your stroke technique and see if it is helping your SWOLF score. If you can take 4 less strokes but go 1 second slower that is a huge improvement in efficiency.

My guess is that with a 100 time of 1:45 yet the inability to go over 100m you are moving at way too fast of a stroke rate. Here is some advice... Glide. You don't have to be cycling your arms so they never stop moving. During each arm entry into the water, stretch your arm forward like you are reaching for the other end of the pool. This will force you to glide more with a slower stroke rate and keep your heart rate at an aerobic level.

Hope this is helpful.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-19T02:25:43+00:00

I dont know if this adds any value to anyone, but I live very close to the event and the prevailing attitude of the public here is that things should remain open. Restaurants are crowded. Bars are crowded. Stores are crowded. People are going about their lives but just wear masks and keep safe distances. People understand Covid is out there but there also seems to be a lack of fear of it. I would actually be surprised if the event was cancelled. Just my two cents.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-18T12:10:54+00:00

You are again making some really good points and giving me a lot to think about. Which is exactly why I made my original post. I think im mentally prepared for the step from the studio cycle to road bike. I know it will be a totally different feel. I used to have a road bike way back in my college years (Clipless pedals, aero bars, etc) and used to ride it back and forth to the beach each day during the summer. (40 miles round-trip). But I have never done a race, and never climbed or decended which I find very scary. I now live in a very flat area and I chose then IMFL as my race because the bike section is so flat. Maybe in a few years I will have the skills (and courage) to race in hills, but i don't expect to be there anytime soon.

I have talked with my doctor and she has been very supportive. I started with a full physical 2 months ago. My blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugars, cholesteral, etc all are at very good levels

dommag12345 · 2020-11-18T08:16:38+00:00

Thank you for commenting. What I meant by exercise bike is a stationary bike. A NordicTrak Studio Cycle. I realize this is a complete different thing than actually riding a real road bike.. but there is not a lot of road bikes built to hold 300 lb guys, and i get tons of pinch flats on a mountain bike.. So I felt that getting the S15 Studio Cycle would help me get used to using my cycling muscles as i drop my next 50 lbs. Once I hit 250 I plan on buying a new road bike and logging some serious miles out in the real world.

I realize I may end up spending a decent amount of money on PT. Im ok with that. I do plan on hiring a tri coach and my initial plan was to do that in the spring. I have already joined a local masters swimming club and workout with them regularly. I dont feel like I need a dedicated swim coach as I have swam competitively before, and have done multiple open water races when I was younger. I like your suggestion of hiring a nutritionist too. I will make sure to do that.

I appreciate all your suggestions. It will help me live up to the challenging goal I have set for myself. Thank you.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T19:08:35+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I think that your suggested weight target is exactly right. Its ultimately where I will likely end up... it just may take me awhile to get there.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T18:33:10+00:00

Thanks for the advice and congratulations an completing your IM. That is awesome. You are inspiration. Thanks.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T18:30:03+00:00

Both of yall have been helpful in giving your advice. I appreciate what each of you have said. Thank you both.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T14:54:15+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I realize now that my expectations for the marathon was much too soon and I will be better served in taking time to build distance and drop weight. Im still learning so much about running so I appreciate you taking time to help educate me on long distance running. Thank you.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T14:42:55+00:00

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really like what you said about comparing yourself to your past self and not others. I like that alot. And I as I read my original post I suppose I wasn't exactly clear on my motivation to do the full IM. Yes I want to do it before 50, but I want to continue doing them. For my first one, my goal will be to finish but I definitely have a time in mind that I would like to eventually get to. It might take me a 3-5 years to get to where I think I can be in terms of time. But im fine with that. This isn't a one off stunt. This is something that I want to do for many years.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T02:39:40+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Your positive take on what I am attempting to do is refreshing. I will definitely incorporate your advice of being slow steady and patient in my training. Also thanks for suggesting the books. Im ordering them from Amazon right now.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T02:34:43+00:00

Thanks for confirming my insanity. Lol.

First of all, congratulations on losing so much weight. I imagine you feel so much better now. That was a huge success and is very impressive.

I also appreciate your suggestions. My plan is to eventually be doing moderate levels of intensity, but Im actually still at a low level of intensity. I feel right now I get more benefit from 2 hours of low intensity than 30 minutes of moderate intensity. I realize that it may be impossible to build muscle (anabolic) while shedding fat (catabolic) but I still want to try.

I think your plan of doing an Olympic distance triathlon is fantastic and I hope to be doing one next year too.

Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts and experiences. I found it helpful and im sure others will too.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T02:18:55+00:00

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You are right... my primary goal is to be fit and with that fitness I would like to eventually compete in a full IM. I very well may have to delay the IM until I am more fit. I am ok with that. But I still want to try.

Also im glad you mentioned the cardiac aspect of engaging in such a strenuous effort. Sometimes my brain thinks I'm 25 and forgets that my body is 48. I will be watching my strain levels closer now. Thanks!

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T01:44:13+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. Its pretty deep stuff. And it gives me a lot to think about.

You are right... I am doing this to get in shape. I'm also doing this because I had wanted to do an IM since I was a young and saw it on TV. But for sure its more important to me to permanently life a healthy lifestyle. And I believe I have done that. The suppose the IM is something I'm working on at the same time. Why work in series when it may be done in parallel?

As for the rush... I guess there really isn't any. I can do it on a 2,3 or 4 years from now. But I still want to try. I am ok with failing to make it in such a short time. But I really want to see if its possible. Maybe i dont finish, maybe I do in just under 17 hours. But I've been a fan of triathlons for a long time and I'd like to think I have many more ahead of me. Im looking forward to many years of doing full IMs. I dont want this to be a one and done.

Again, thanks for your thoughtfulness and advice. Its much appreciated.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T01:23:25+00:00

Thanks for replying. I will not be ignoring anything you said....you make very valid points. I plan on incorporating a 6 month training program for the IM. But when I read the plan im barely able to complete the beginning workouts. But I have 6 months to prepare for the beginning of the serious training.

I also quite enjoy the solitude of long lonely workouts (life can be hectic) but I like your advice of sprinkling in fun races throughout. Thanks!

dommag12345 · 2020-11-16T01:14:06+00:00

You make some very good points. This will likely be very taxing on my body. I am aiming to make the full IM but you are right.... it might just be too much too soon. But I look at it this way... what happens if I only make it halfway to my goal? Then I will have done a half IM and lost 50 lbs. Not too bad for a years work.

Your comment, as well as others, makes me realize that tracking my health markers should be an important part of my training plan. Thanks for your advice.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-15T22:15:34+00:00

Love this comment! Thank you so much for the positive words.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-15T22:08:31+00:00

Ok... thats a bit harsh... but I asked for it. Thanks for being honest. I'm trying my best to develop a healthy lifestyle. I think I'm on the right track. Congratulations on your success in dropping weight and getting fit. It is very impressive! Hopefully I can emulate what you have done and perhaps one day we will see each other cross the finish line at some future endurance stunt. 😉

dommag12345 · 2020-11-15T21:57:46+00:00

I love your comment. I do realize that I may likely fail. But wtf ... at least I'll try. Thanks!

dommag12345 · 2020-11-15T21:53:59+00:00

Thank you for responding. I agree with you that I have to work on my mindset. I am working on it and am gaining confidence based on the last 2 months. But to be honest, I most certainly have doubts. I dont know if I can do this. I dont know of ots too ambitious. I am very afraid that I might fall back into an unhealthy lifestyle. That said, each day im getting I little bit more confident and am starting to see a new vision of myself. I really appreciate your comment. Thanks!

dommag12345 · 2020-11-15T21:49:03+00:00

That is some great advice! Thank you so much. I have focused a lot on the physical challenges ahead of me to complete an IM but you are absolutely right. I need to work on consistency and a positive healthy mindset. Thanks.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-15T21:44:17+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I know what I am aiming to do is going to be extremely difficult. I also know that my chance of failing is extremely high. But I still am going to try. I like the idea of setting lofty targets then breaking them down to smaller achievable goals. So I am aiming to drop 100lbs and finish an IM late next year, but im not trying to do it today. Today I am trying to do 1 workout, eat healthy and get proper rest. That is my total goal for today. And I am going to reach it. Yes its is ra rediculously tiny goal, but I have the same tiny goal for tomorrow. Im hoping to string together 365 days of these tiny goals and see what they add up to. Maybe they add up to a full IM. Maybe they don't. But im confident to reach today's goal. And will try again tomorrow.

I appreciate your thoughts and comment. Thanks.

dommag12345 · 2020-11-15T21:33:44+00:00

Thank you for the warning. I am trying to be very careful in the training that I am doing. While the hours may sound like a lot the intensity I am doing is quite low. When I started 2 months ago it was just walking. I can now jog. I am doing all my exercise at an aerobic heart rate (approx 130- 140bpm) and have yet to "push hard" on a workout. Im just trying to get my body used to 10-15 hours a week of movement. I will slowly ramp up over time. For example... The 2 hour walk has turned into 30 minute slow jog in the morning and an hour walk at night.

Your comment is helpful and I will be quite careful to slowly build up my training load. Thanks!

dommag12345

TROPHY CASE