Numbers are very important to me.
On this LCJ they’ve become the way I measure my success and my failures. They’ve become my constant reminder that I am trying to make some changes in my life that will hopefully get rid of the fat that I’ve carried around for most of my life and get rid of it for good. Numbers have become both my saving grace and my worst enemy.
Here are some of those numbers:
270 – my highest weight ever.
28 – average hours spent per week playing World of Warcraft before starting this LCJ.
263 – my weight on Dec 29th 2009, when I decided enough was enough.
40 – the age at which I decided I couldn’t let my life slip away from me.
1800 – my initial daily calorie intake when I started counting calories.
15 – the amount of minutes I could go on the wii before being out of breath in January.
3 – how many flights of stairs I started walking when I decided that I wouldn’t take the elevator in January.
1.3 – daily average amount of times I cry every day fighting for my life.
12.9 – number of points off my BMI
5 – daily average amounts of time I stepped on the scale up until 3 weeks ago.
37 – number of weeks I’ve been on the journey.
2.3 – average weekly weight loss
84.8 – total weight loss as off Sept 10th 2010.
15:36 – how many minutes it took me to run my first mile.
8 – pant sizes lost
I let these numbers control me. I let them make me or break me. What I need to do is focus on some other numbers. Numbers that not only define me as a person but as an athlete and most importantly as a runner:
1469 – My first racing number. Capital City Half Marathon walk. Official time = 3:27:23 (May 13th)
179 – My second racing number. The Great Kilted 5k run. Official time = 37:40 (May 23rd)
6605 – My third racing number. Sound to Narrows 5k run. Official time = 37:00 (June 12th)
410 – My fourth racing number. Bill Burby 10k Memorial run. Official time = 1:08:43 (July 17th)
I’ll be adding another racing number to this list in a matter of days
469 – My fifth racing number for the Trek Triathlon. 1/2 mile swim. 12 mile ride. 3.1 mile run. I am ready. Sunday September 19th 2010 I will become a triathlete in the truest form. Me, Tara Martin. The girl who 8 months couldn’t imagine going a day without entering a fantasy world in order to forget the world in which she was living. The girl who couldn’t run a block. The girl who never thought the word athlete would pertain to her. The girl who thought she’d never cross a finish line and more importantly never step up to the starting line. The girl who for 40 years prior never liked what she saw in the mirror now sees someone she loves and is ready to not only step up to the starting line on Sunday, but ready to take on the world.
Are you ready?
You will rock it and feel like the amazing athlete you are. My one piece of advice, plan to go somewhere after, like shopping or out to eat and wear something that will show off your body marking, flaunt it baby!
You are an amazing person. You really and for truly are my hero.
Ps. You should let me do a photo shoot for you.
I’M READY!!! I’m so excited for you! And I LOVE the idea of this post, looking back at all your numbers.
Tara, you are the most amazing person I have ever had the privilege to know. Focus on those second numbers because you are going to kick ass on Sunday, and I am going to be there in spirit. The package won’t arrive in time, but know that you are my inspiration, you are the person I hope to be like, you are the person that, when I wake up, I say “I wonder what Tara is doing, and how it can inspire me today?”
Kick ass, don’t take names and remember- you are amazing!
You are awesome. Number 1 if you ask me! I’m so impressed and inspired by you!
How amazing Tara!
What a fantastic post!
I’ll be thinking of you on Sunday and waiting for the Tweets
Wow! You are an inspiration. Keep up the great work! I love how you decided to focus on the powerful numbers in your life. What a great idea. Best of luck on the Tri this weekend!
I am not a numbers girl but I love this post!! And I am SO ready! Rock it TARA!! I can’t wait to read you race report on Sunday!!
I love this post. You are right on. How clever to figure out which numbers really count.
I just found your blog. Really amazing story!
I am doing a sprint triathlon myself this weekend – my first!
Best of luck 🙂
You are #1. And I am so ready. ♥
Ok, so the morning of crying just got a little more pronounced. I hope no one walks in my office just now I look like a blubbering seal. I’m so proud of you. The shift in focus the last few weeks has been huge for you – have you felt it?! I will be cheering you on across the continent for your first Triathalon. You tackle one challenge after another and own it Tara Martin. Can’t wait to read about how you tackle the tri!
Good luck! And you’re doing an awesome job!
Love this post.
I’m ready to see you rock it like we all know you will.
Sweet post. You’re a machine.
Love the post Tara, and LOVE your new numbers! Way to rock it today, can’t wait for the recap post!
Sorry it’s been a while since I commented, I had a funeral this week. Which got me to thinking about numbers, and I absoluteley love those numbers. I cant wait to see your Tri report!
I’m an ex-WoWer as well … the number of days and hours lost to that game and those like it is killer. I hope to have a solid bib number collection like you soon. Keep up the awesome work!