Inspiration

Sometimes we inspire others by just being. By just setting a goal and showing others that if you can believe it then you can achieve it. Last year, I set a goal. I was not trying to make a statement or inspire anyone. I was just trying to be a better Rebecca. I wrote about my experience, because I wanted to capture it all and I shared it with the world. It was not a slick Jedi mind trick to get my friends to join me. I had no idea the impact that my words and actions would have on others.

On yesterday I ran into Pam, the only other black woman in my Triathlon training program last year. Pam was in the swim class the day when that mean ugly lady screamed at me when I kept stopping. She was in the Chesapeake Bay that cold May morning when I was freaking out about swimming in open water for the first time. Pam was also with the group the first time I tried my clipless pedals and with the first group ride when I got left by the group because I was too slow. Pam and I only interacted briefly, as she was  much faster and I never saw her after the initial hello and then I was left in her dust.

Pam shared with me on yesterday that her most memorable moment during her first Triathlon with me last year was seeing me get out of the water. If you read my race report, you may recall my loud cheering squad and the picture of me running and jumping in joy when I emerged from the water. How about that? It was her first race too and her most memorable moment was seeing me rejoice after overcoming that challenge. 

Pam shared with me that her Mom and Aunt are now training for their first Triathlons after reading my blog. She said that whenever they are saying how they can't do something, she refers them to my blog again. How Inspiring!

Lessons of what works for me

Over the last few months, I have learned many lessons. I just returned from a Multi Sport Expo and I think that I learned the greatest lessons of all: my body composition, what to do for MY body type and how to train and achieve my goals. See, there are so many schools of thought out there about what to eat, when to eat, how to train , etc. I even saw a Nutritionist who told me a lot about what I should eat and when, but I don't think that she really took into account my working environment and a lot of what she said made it hard for me when I am on the road a lot. It seems that I was able to put it all together today after talking to the lady who did my body analysis.

I am not one of those women who get all bent out of shape because of what the scale says. I like to go by how my clothes fit and how I feel about myself when I am disrobed and looking into the mirror. I always compliment myself on what I like and am very gentle about what I say and think about the less than desirable areas.I have been wanting to slim down for a while now and really thought that while training for a Triathlon, that it would take care of itself. NOT!  I have tried a few things since learning that I had to do something different, but listening to the friend who starves herself and only eats before a workout, or trying the low carb thing or eat 5 meals a day when I am in and out of the car all day, etc just has not worked for me. Working out is not my problem. However, I do have to admit that I have been consistent about every other week for the last few months, but that has a lot to do with being burned out and dissatisfied with the results that I have been getting.

After learning today that I have strong arms and core (greater than average muscle composition) and weak legs, my body percentage of fat and muscle and my hydration percentage. I know exactly what I need to do. The lady who did my analysis told me to focus on leg exercises with weights to build my leg strength which will help me to power through those hilly rides. She told me that working to make my legs stronger by using weights will help to burn more fat since these are larger muscle groups, so I can take care of fat loss and building strength in one sweep. She also told me that if I want to get leaner and loose fat quicker, to interval train on all of my runs. I can do this on the bike ride and swimming as well. This will help to burn fat quicker and help with my speed.

Regarding diet, I attended a seminar on nutrition for Triathletes today and have spoken with my Boot Camp instructor about diet and have put everything together that I've learned from them and that Nutritionist that I saw. I have been playing around with protein drinks and have found a good one that I like. So, those 5 meals will be taken care of with 2 protein drinks a day, I have a better idea of what to eat before and after workouts and when to eat them and if I get enough sleep, I should be on my way.

If I think about the numbers on the scale, I would like it to be 30-40 less the next time that I step on it. Regarding my clothes size, I am still working to get back into my size 6's and maybe some 4's. I have a way to go and I am okay with that. I do not have a timeline to get there, as this is about lifestyle changes and choices, so when I get there, I hope to be able to stay there for life.

The journey continues here

To read how I got to this point, please see my blog at: http://tribecca-journey.blogspot.com/

Tri Unify Member of the Month

Me? What an honor!

Featured Member 

Name: Rebecca Williams

Profile Name: TriBecca

Current Location: Washington,DC

Triathlete? Duathlete? Other?: Triathlete

What brought you to triathlon?

I had the desire to do something extraordinary. I had almost every odd against me: I could not swim, I didn't own a bike (I had not been on a bike in over 20 years) and was recovering from double pneumonia, so I couldn't run. The desire to overcome all of those odds superseded my fears and on June 20, 2010, I became a Triathlete. 


What athletic achievement are you most proud of?

Learning how to swim and going on to complete 3 Triathlons that same year (2 Sprints and 1 Olympic distance race).


Best Advice for someone thinking of doing their first triathlon: 

If you believe you can, and are committed, then you can complete a Triathlon and anything else that you want in life! 


Goals for 2011?

Become a faster Triathlete and complete a half Marathon



Contact: rwilliams25@hotmail.com

One year later...

It was this time last year that I was like:

Boy, have I come a long way! I still can't get in the medium speed lane at the pool and wish that I could go as fast as those chicks over there, but at least I can swim now. I want to go faster, but I have to remember that I am still "young" at this. Distance is no problem, but speed is a whole different thing! I think that I will start some speed drills tomorrow.

This Triathlon season, I am signed up for 3 races. I am open to doing a late season destination race if my buddy Dawn is down for going to Jamaica or some place cool with me and if I can afford it.

The schedule is:

• June 19th DC Triathlon (Olympic distance)
• August 7th New York City Triathlon (Olympic Distance) 
• August 21st Iron Girl Columbia(Sprint distance)

I plan to train for a 1/2 marathon this year too. I am thinking I will do one in New Orleans in October. We'll see.

I have not been running. I can only run short distances right now due to an ankle injury. Truth be told, I am scared of re-injuring it and that's why I don't go out to run. Everyday  I say that I will go out to run a mile and each day I come up with an excuse to not do it. I will try again tomorrow. I probably should just suck it up and ask one of my friends to join me to help me out. I have not been on my bike since November, so I am sure my legs will curse me when I do get back on it. I think that I will try to go out for a ride on Thursday.


Wish me luck in this 2nd Triathlon season....



Love,
Tri Becca

Race Report: SheROX Bermuda

The SheROX Bermuda Triathlon went better than expected, in most ways. I had an overwhelming feeling of joy after completing my very first Ocean swim. It was absolutely beautiful! My only negative feeling while in the water was that I was enjoying it too much and I was probably the only one left out there. There was a pretty awesome picture that was taken of me exiting the water and whipping off my wetsuit that made the newspaper in Bermuda!

The bike was challenging but I thoroughly enjoyed all of the spectators. The was 2 challenging hills. The first one coming out of transition that I planned to walk up. I just didn't plan to walk up it pushing my bike WITH MY WETSUIT STILL ON!! There was a nice guy named Spencer who helped me get out of it once I reached the top of the hill, and brought it back to the transition area for me. The other challenging hill caused me to get off my bike and walk the very last part. I did not want to re-injure my ankle on the bike.


The run was extremely challenging. My ankle just could not take it! I turned around and brought it home to the finish line in extreme pain. The ground immediately comforted me as I took off my shoe and athletic tape to find a rapidly swelling ankle. I had some help with ice and stuff and before long, I was walking again.

Dawn and I didn't know that others from the DC Area would be there with OnPoint Fitness. It was a welcomed surprise to have a team to race with and support. It was an overall fun weekend with some time in the sun to nap and make new friends.

The SheROX Bermuda Tri is definitely one that I would recommend!

The Perfect Ending to My 1st Triathlon Season

The start of this calendar year was chock-full of things that would make the average person believe that they could never complete a Triathlon. I was recovering from a major surgery and double pneumonia, I did not know how to swim, did not own a bike and could not make it down the stairs and to the corner (due to the pneumonia), and so of course I could not run. I had a goal of making it to the corner, and then to my friend Jolie’s house 3 blocks away, and then to the gym 6 blocks away. I was determined. I joined a Triathlon Club and training program, signed up for a few races and started to research bikes. My life became consumed with all things Triathlon. I had a goal and I was focused. On January 30th, I wrote a blog post entitled “what are the chances?”. This post questioned both my ability and my sanity, but I pressed forward. And on June 19th, I became a Triathlete in a Sprint distance race. I decided to Tri again and completed another race that was twice as long on September 12th, and now me and my buddy Dawn will end our 1st Triathlon season with a birthday weekend getaway for her to Bermuda, where we will race our last race of the season. This race is being put on by an organization named SheROX. How appropriate of a name?

Love,
Tri Becca