Tougher than a Cornflake

Sometimes the universe speaks to you in quiet ways. Sometimes is shouts.
This week, it yelled directly into my ear.

It told me that I was heading in the right direction-just keep going!!

While I do not lack motivation or drive to train on most days, there are those times when I just don't have the "oomph" I normally do or I find it a bit frustrating to have my workouts interrupted (ie: Lola smacking up a little boy in the Y daycare. Lola waking up early while I am trying to get my bike groove on. Hubby working late or being out of town. whatever)

I am a stay-at-home-Mom. While in THEORY is was easy decision for my husband &  I to make-to stay with my daughter and be Mommy-it was not so easy to give up my salary. In doing so, we sacrificed a lot of things by cutting our income in half. I don't have the budget to buy a great, new tri bike right now nor do I have the funds to hire a tri coach to learn the things I need to learn-I would love a (bike) trainer so I could ride the bike I DO have but for now I am resigned to the stat bike. Swimming is my weakest discipline right now and I could really use some lessons and/or a swim coach.
-but these things are not going to deter me. I will find a way to make these things happen.
I never quit and I don't question my motivation. I am trying to put a plan together to make it all work. I am reading. I am researching. I am learning. Working with what I have.

One day this week I was feeling down and a bit frustrated with some of these issues as well as some things that were out of my control.
Then-
I stumbled upon a link to a blog this week via Twitter.

Come to find out, this blog is written by a rockstar Maine Triathlete and Endurance Coach. Just the name of her blog alone should motivate you!

It's YOU vs. Can't, YOU vs. Excuses, YOU vs. the Odds--Let's see what YOU've got

The post that was Tweeted was titled
Where it all starts
(here is an excerpt)

It doesn't matter what your friends are doing. It doesn't matter what they think. It makes no difference whether or not your husband thinks it would be fun or if your parents would be proud.


You can't do it for them.
You Must do it for You.


If you want to succeed, it Must come from your Heart.

I highly suggest reading the entire post.

This just solidified everything I have been thinking about and planning for the last month or so.

Getting up at 3:45pm to ride the bike instead of sleeping in.
Running anytime I can make it happen, even if it means pushing 50lbs in the jogging stroller-or running in the dark. Or in the cold wind. Or the snow.
Swimming until I am waterlogged and wrinkled.
Selling my designer handbags to buy a new bike.
Eating steel cut oats instead of Captain Crunch to fuel my body.

These are some of the things I am doing because I have goals I want to achieve, I have dreams that I will make a reality.

I have the HEART to put in the work.

and I am tougher than a cornflake

(read the blog post to understand)

The neighbors can continue to stare at me as I run by in my dayglo orange or neon yellow reflective tops as I head out onto the roads in the dark. My husband can laugh when I want to fit in a second workout of the day. My non-runner/triathlete friends can shake their heads in confusion.

There are a couple friends that "get it" and I hold them close. I am sure there are many of you out in bloggy land that COMPLETELY understand.

I am going to continue creating FrankenJen in full force-one mile at a time!

"FAILURE WILL NEVER OVERTAKE ME IF MY DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED IS STRONG ENOUGH" ~Og Mandino


What sacrifices have you or do you make to reach your goals?

Fat A$$ Friday!! From there to here

Several people who know me now but did not know me during my "fat years" have a hard time believing that I was really as fat as I say I was. To those of you (and you know who you are) here it is. Proof in pictures. Yes, I really was more than 100lbs heavier than I am today. Yes, sadly it is all too true.


A big plate of chicken wings must be in my peripheral.

 So, when I was at my parents house a couple weeks ago and my Dad wanted to show me some pictures from not so long ago--pictures from my Fat Days-I could not wait to check them out.

I used to hide from the camera because when I would see the pictures, I would not recognize the woman I had become. I had never struggled with my weight and to be walking around at this size was foreign to me.

What I saw in my head did not match the person I saw in the mirror or in pictures.

Now when I look back at those pictures it is a bit of mixed emotion for me. On one hand, I am proud of myself for finally saying "enough is enough" and making the decision to take control of my life. On the other hand, I am saddened to know that at one time, I was in a very different place.

I don't know what's worse: the double chin or the double belly roll



oh.my.  Back fat rolls!!



But I have to embrace FAT JEN because without going THERE...I would not be here. And you know what? HERE is a pretty great place to be! And now we are working on FrankenJen (but that is a different post all together)



Running-it does the body (and the mind) good! Sept 2010



My husband is an absolute rockstar for sticking with me thru thick and thin (pun totally intended!!). When we started dating I was in pretty good shape and then over the next several years I just blew up. 

Then one day something in me just snapped and that was it. I had a plan and nothing was going to stop me until I achieved my goals and lived my dreams. 



Much healthier and happier, Michelle and Me at the Mainiac Sprint Tri Sept 2010

Along the way those goals and dreams changed and grew. The goals got bigger-the dreams became a reality. I found a new self confidence in being able to achieve things I never thought possible. I discovered just how strong I can be and how far I can push myself.

I have met some amazing people along this journey. Quality people who don't care what label lines my clothing or what bag I am carrying around. People who inspire me and motivate me to achieve new goals and dream even bigger than before.

When I started on this path, the thought of running one mile without stopping seemed impossible.

I could not wait to run my first 5k race.

I cried the first time I ran 5 miles without stopping.

I celebrated my first real push up with a big ole "HELLLLLL YA!"

Today I dream of running 26.2 miles after biking 112 and swimming 2.4~and with absolute truth I tell you that I will accomplish this. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it will be done.

Today I dream of taking my passion for health and fitness and making it my career when I return to the working world.

Today I dream of inspiring others to reach for their goals-no matter how big or how small.

Reach deep down inside of yourself and find that fire that ignites your soul. Let that desire fuel your motivation to do the work necessary to be a success. Achieve the things you never thought possible. Do not let anyone or anything stand in your way or deter you from your goals.

It can be done.

What do YOU want to achieve? What goal do you have in your sights?