Bragg's, anyone?

[redrhodie]

I just want to cry. My life has been dominated by weight. I'm tired of being the fat mom. I'm embarrassed to run into women I know at the Y in the locker room, because there I am in all my pale, whale-like glory, and yeah, I just swam a mile, but who cares? I still look like a ten months pregnant pear.

I'm a bit, I don't know what I'm feeling about this, but the two tall, healthy, gorgeous friends I got into cycling a year ago are outriding me on a regular basis. I just can't keep up. I'm a hundred pounds heavier than they are. I can go farther, but nowhere near as fast. I can't even ride with them because I don't want to compromise their workout because I'm so much slower than they are. They're both training for the women-only tri in October, the one I invited them to join me for last year (I did the bike leg with two other friends for a relay team). They both had to get bikes to do it.

Ditto for the swimming. They are like dolphins. I'm a manatee.


Roxy

I have a lot of thoughts ((((and hugs, Roxy)))) about everything you've written, but I'll keep my point to this...what does "outriding" mean? If you can go farther, then you win (this is your life, and these are your rules!). Focus on your strengths. You're built for endurance. You're strong and healthy. You've got a lot going for you for cycling. If you're into doing tris, you won't even be in the same category as your friends, so you can't compare what you're doing to them. It's not the same (but it's just as good).

My ultimate goal is to be a long term cyclist. I'm going for "still riding when I'm 90". (Actually, I'm going for 100, but since no one in my family has ever lived to 90, anything over 84 will be gravy). I ride in a way to not get injured, moderate distances, and I keep a moderate pace. I see no reason that if I don't get hurt, I can't be doing this for the rest of my life. With this as my focus, I don't care if I'm fast, since speed isn't necessarily going to help me reach my goal. I just keep pedaling, because it's good for me and fun.