we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint... (Romans 5:3-5)
Welcome to my blog. Here is part of my journey. I hope you enjoy...
Balance...Sacrifice...Discipline
Well, starting Moday, December 19, 2016 I will begin training a 30 week program to prepare for Ironman Lake Placid onJuly 23, 2017 where I will be racing for the Unbound Trailblazers,Team Unbound, and increase awareness of their great work. Below is the uniform I designed.
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For those of you who didn't know 'the old me' I had struggled with weight my entire life. I'm sure there were times my scale said more than 267 pounds (and even this number was low I'm sure because home scales are never accurate) but this part of my journey started at 267. I was travelling for work covering all of the northeast. I stayed in hotels often and ate mostly at fast food restaurants. My meals were paid for by my employer which made it easy to have larger portions (and desserts). In September of 2012 I decided I was (as Dave Ramsey says) "sick and tired of being sick and tired". There is no question I accomplished and continue to accomplish my goals with the help of my three partners, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To whom I give all the glory. There is no way I would have accomplished (and still accomplish) my goals without my Team! This part of my journey started with a very difficult and personal event. To 'escape' I started running. I ran with headphones in so I could be in my own world. As I ran, I started to expand my music library and soon almost all of my music was of a Christian nature. As a cradle Catholic, I had always had a sense of God's presence in my life but the combination of the physical exertion (and exhaustion), my mental state, and the uplifting music began to have a change on me. I found that instead of running FROM something, I began running TO something. Or, more accurately, to someONE. One of the many lessons I learned and still am learning is that I needed to empty myself of ME and fill myself with HIM. To give it all to Jesus, the ONE who gave it all up for me.
Because I am competitive and I looked for motivation I signed up for a 5k. Then a 5k mud run. The a 10k. In the meantime I bought a road bike and started to do what I had enjoyed as a kid. I traded off between running and cycling. Both on the road and in the woods. The woods became a great escape because the attention needed on the ground to navigate the trails with stumps and rocks took my mind off the exercise and pain and allowed me to just be in the present moment. In 2013 I did the Niantic Bay sprint triathlon and was hooked. I had begun to realize that the symbolism of triathlon (3 sports in one) God was talking to me. Soon I would realize that He is ALWAYS talking to me. I just wasn't always listening. But the more He revealed Himself to me, the more I wanted Him to reveal to me. It was then that I decided I wanted to be an Ironman. I started competing regularly in 5k's, 10k's, and did the Surftown half-marathon and Hartford full marathon in October 2013. In April of 2014 my family and I traveled with my bike to Florida to compete in my first half Ironman. I gave myself a goal of 6 hours. Actual time 6:02! Wow...so close! I remember sitting down by the lake after finishing and eating a Subway sub with my family. Then I needed their help getting up. I had NOTHING left in the tank! I remember thinking "there is NO way I could do a full Ironman. But, although I'm not sure exactly how long after, maybe a couple hours, I remember making the decision that I WOULD do a full Ironman. Fast forward to autumn 2014, I remember sitting in a McDonalds parking lot (using their wifi, not eating their food (haha)) and I got an email from Ironman. It said that if I signed up for Syracuse half Ironman, I would get a spot at Lake Placid (Lake Placid is considered one of the most popular and most grueling Ironman races in the world and sells out in minutes). I called my wife, Barbara, to get the ok as the price tag for the two races together is over $1,000. She gave me the thumbs up and I signed up when I got off the phone. Syracuse was the next June as a warm up to Lake Placid in July. I started focusing on Lake Placid training for about 30 weeks, gradually increasing my intensity and distance. My goal for Syracuse again was 6 hours. the only difference (only???) is that Syracuse, like Lake Placid are brutally hilly whereas Florida is relatively flat. Well, I did it! Finished in 5:59. Now it was game-on for Lake Placid. Initially I had given myself the goal of 12 hours. Naively thinking if I could do 70.3 miles in 6 hours, I could do 140.6 in 12. After looking at the elevation in Lake Placid (you know, winter olympics style mountains!) I went to a more realistic 13 hours. I had been training 6 days a week, 1 to 3 hours a day. In between baseball practice for my son, Owen, and dancing and track practices and competitions for my girls, Sarah and Emily, I was focused and determined. I was ready. Well, it's difficult to put into words. But my journey to Ironman was truly a miracle. I finished, and became an Ironman, in 12:21. It was 12 hours and 21 minutes of propelling myself forward (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a marathon (26.2 miles) for a total of 140.6 miles. The whole time I talked with God. I wanted to quit so many times. My head was saying no. But my body kept going. I still have a hard time describing it. Absolutely everything hurt but at the same time nothing hurt. Nothing went wrong. I didn't pull any muscles. No cramps. He was with me the whole way. I continue to race Ironman races and currently have a personal best of 12:05. My new goals are to break 12 hours and to qualify to race in Kona Hawaii championships. God is Good! Below is the chronicle of my journey.
Feel free to email me at brian@journeyforlife.org if I can help you with your journey.
Because I am competitive and I looked for motivation I signed up for a 5k. Then a 5k mud run. The a 10k. In the meantime I bought a road bike and started to do what I had enjoyed as a kid. I traded off between running and cycling. Both on the road and in the woods. The woods became a great escape because the attention needed on the ground to navigate the trails with stumps and rocks took my mind off the exercise and pain and allowed me to just be in the present moment. In 2013 I did the Niantic Bay sprint triathlon and was hooked. I had begun to realize that the symbolism of triathlon (3 sports in one) God was talking to me. Soon I would realize that He is ALWAYS talking to me. I just wasn't always listening. But the more He revealed Himself to me, the more I wanted Him to reveal to me. It was then that I decided I wanted to be an Ironman. I started competing regularly in 5k's, 10k's, and did the Surftown half-marathon and Hartford full marathon in October 2013. In April of 2014 my family and I traveled with my bike to Florida to compete in my first half Ironman. I gave myself a goal of 6 hours. Actual time 6:02! Wow...so close! I remember sitting down by the lake after finishing and eating a Subway sub with my family. Then I needed their help getting up. I had NOTHING left in the tank! I remember thinking "there is NO way I could do a full Ironman. But, although I'm not sure exactly how long after, maybe a couple hours, I remember making the decision that I WOULD do a full Ironman. Fast forward to autumn 2014, I remember sitting in a McDonalds parking lot (using their wifi, not eating their food (haha)) and I got an email from Ironman. It said that if I signed up for Syracuse half Ironman, I would get a spot at Lake Placid (Lake Placid is considered one of the most popular and most grueling Ironman races in the world and sells out in minutes). I called my wife, Barbara, to get the ok as the price tag for the two races together is over $1,000. She gave me the thumbs up and I signed up when I got off the phone. Syracuse was the next June as a warm up to Lake Placid in July. I started focusing on Lake Placid training for about 30 weeks, gradually increasing my intensity and distance. My goal for Syracuse again was 6 hours. the only difference (only???) is that Syracuse, like Lake Placid are brutally hilly whereas Florida is relatively flat. Well, I did it! Finished in 5:59. Now it was game-on for Lake Placid. Initially I had given myself the goal of 12 hours. Naively thinking if I could do 70.3 miles in 6 hours, I could do 140.6 in 12. After looking at the elevation in Lake Placid (you know, winter olympics style mountains!) I went to a more realistic 13 hours. I had been training 6 days a week, 1 to 3 hours a day. In between baseball practice for my son, Owen, and dancing and track practices and competitions for my girls, Sarah and Emily, I was focused and determined. I was ready. Well, it's difficult to put into words. But my journey to Ironman was truly a miracle. I finished, and became an Ironman, in 12:21. It was 12 hours and 21 minutes of propelling myself forward (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a marathon (26.2 miles) for a total of 140.6 miles. The whole time I talked with God. I wanted to quit so many times. My head was saying no. But my body kept going. I still have a hard time describing it. Absolutely everything hurt but at the same time nothing hurt. Nothing went wrong. I didn't pull any muscles. No cramps. He was with me the whole way. I continue to race Ironman races and currently have a personal best of 12:05. My new goals are to break 12 hours and to qualify to race in Kona Hawaii championships. God is Good! Below is the chronicle of my journey.
Feel free to email me at brian@journeyforlife.org if I can help you with your journey.
week one...
I weighed in at 267 pounds, my official starting weight.
week
two...
I weighed in at 255 pounds
total weight loss...12 pounds
I did well this week while traveling on business. I avoided fast food restaurants, went from a
12" sub with mayonaise to a 6" sub with mustard. No soda, no cookies,
brownies, donuts, etc. I drank a lot of water which is difficult making
bathroom breaks all the time on the highway. Instead of driving to Owen's
baseball game, I rode my bike and then did laps in the parking lot in between
innings.
week
three...
I weighed in at 254 pounds
total weight loss 13 pounds
I stayed with my strategy of eating less, drinking more water, and substituting healthier foods
for my usuals. I went on a one hour bike ride, and walked instead of
watching t.v. When I walk, I take 2 1/2 lb dumbbells with me to get
excercise my arms at the same time. Played tennis with the kids which is a
win/win. I feel like I stalled weight wise but feel better with more
energy. Subway has become my regular stop now while I am traveling.
I added baby spinach to my subs to get more
vegetables.
week
four...
I weighed in at 251 pounds
total weight loss 16 pounds
I took my bike with me this week while I traveled and got to ride in New Hampshire. I frequented
Subway (like Jarrod) several times for low calorie/convenient lunches. I
rode my off road bike as well on the weekend. I also played tennis for the
first time in several months. This week I plan to bring dumb bells with me
when I travel and use them as I work in my hotel
room.
week
five...
I weighed in at 249 pounds
total weight loss 18 pounds
249 pounds was an important milestone
for me because my scale starts over at 250. So, I officially don't "flip"
the scale! I brought my dumb bells with me this week although I didn't use
them. They did make my suitcase heavy, though! I got to ride my bike
in northwestern, CT. I will be in Maine and New Hampshire this week so I
think I will take my off-road bike after that snow storm! I didn't do as
well as I had hoped, looking for more than two pounds. But there is always
next week. I got two more pledges this week and that will give me
incentive to push harder next
week.
week six...
I weighed in at 246 pounds
total weight loss 21 pounds
amount pledged so far
$800.00
january 1,
2013...
I weighed in at 203 pounds
total weight loss 64 pounds
well as you can see I lost my weight battle for quite some time! My wife, Barbara says "Brian
doesn't fall off the wagon, he gets run over by it!". well that USED to be
true. In September 2012 I began "trying" to lose weight again. I
started riding my bike again, and changed jobs to a position where I no longer
travel overnight. In addition, I purchased a Nutri Bullet after watching
an infomercial. Well I don't know exactly which or all of these changes
has helped in my success but I am only 16 pounds from my goal
now.
May,
2013...
I weighed in at 185
pounds
total weight loss 82
pounds
Mission accomplished! Many missions accomplished actually. I won my age bracket in the Quaker Hill
5k. I have competed in many other 5k's and 10k's, a Tough Mudder, a sprint triathlon, and a century (100 mile) cycling event
Sept, 2013...
Suftown Half Marathon, finished in 1:44
Oct, 2013...
The Hartford Marathon,finished in 3:55
April, 2014...
Ironman 70.3 Haines City, FL,
finished in 6:02. By far the most brutal challenge to date. Had to dig deep in the swim to complete 1.2 miles. Not a good time (1:03) but I more than made it up in the bike (2:47).
July, 2014....
Rhode Warrior 70.3, Westerly, RI
Crushed my goal of 6 hours...actual time...5:33!
Sept, 2014...
Surftown Half marathon, Westerly, RI
personal record 1:35
October, 2014...
Hartford Marathon, Hartford, CT
personal record 3:34
June, 2015...
Ironman 70.3 Syracuse, NY
hilly course, goal 6 hours...actual time 5:59:56 (whew!)
July, 2015
Ironman Lake Placid, NY
7000' of elevation change! Goal was 13 hours.
Actual time 12:21:02!
I AM AN IRONMAN!
I continue to compete in long distance running, cycling, and triathlon events. Since completing my first Ironman I have competed in, and finished, two more full distance Ironman races. Each time learning more about how...with God, all things are possible!
I weighed in at 267 pounds, my official starting weight.
week
two...
I weighed in at 255 pounds
total weight loss...12 pounds
I did well this week while traveling on business. I avoided fast food restaurants, went from a
12" sub with mayonaise to a 6" sub with mustard. No soda, no cookies,
brownies, donuts, etc. I drank a lot of water which is difficult making
bathroom breaks all the time on the highway. Instead of driving to Owen's
baseball game, I rode my bike and then did laps in the parking lot in between
innings.
week
three...
I weighed in at 254 pounds
total weight loss 13 pounds
I stayed with my strategy of eating less, drinking more water, and substituting healthier foods
for my usuals. I went on a one hour bike ride, and walked instead of
watching t.v. When I walk, I take 2 1/2 lb dumbbells with me to get
excercise my arms at the same time. Played tennis with the kids which is a
win/win. I feel like I stalled weight wise but feel better with more
energy. Subway has become my regular stop now while I am traveling.
I added baby spinach to my subs to get more
vegetables.
week
four...
I weighed in at 251 pounds
total weight loss 16 pounds
I took my bike with me this week while I traveled and got to ride in New Hampshire. I frequented
Subway (like Jarrod) several times for low calorie/convenient lunches. I
rode my off road bike as well on the weekend. I also played tennis for the
first time in several months. This week I plan to bring dumb bells with me
when I travel and use them as I work in my hotel
room.
week
five...
I weighed in at 249 pounds
total weight loss 18 pounds
249 pounds was an important milestone
for me because my scale starts over at 250. So, I officially don't "flip"
the scale! I brought my dumb bells with me this week although I didn't use
them. They did make my suitcase heavy, though! I got to ride my bike
in northwestern, CT. I will be in Maine and New Hampshire this week so I
think I will take my off-road bike after that snow storm! I didn't do as
well as I had hoped, looking for more than two pounds. But there is always
next week. I got two more pledges this week and that will give me
incentive to push harder next
week.
week six...
I weighed in at 246 pounds
total weight loss 21 pounds
amount pledged so far
$800.00
january 1,
2013...
I weighed in at 203 pounds
total weight loss 64 pounds
well as you can see I lost my weight battle for quite some time! My wife, Barbara says "Brian
doesn't fall off the wagon, he gets run over by it!". well that USED to be
true. In September 2012 I began "trying" to lose weight again. I
started riding my bike again, and changed jobs to a position where I no longer
travel overnight. In addition, I purchased a Nutri Bullet after watching
an infomercial. Well I don't know exactly which or all of these changes
has helped in my success but I am only 16 pounds from my goal
now.
May,
2013...
I weighed in at 185
pounds
total weight loss 82
pounds
Mission accomplished! Many missions accomplished actually. I won my age bracket in the Quaker Hill
5k. I have competed in many other 5k's and 10k's, a Tough Mudder, a sprint triathlon, and a century (100 mile) cycling event
Sept, 2013...
Suftown Half Marathon, finished in 1:44
Oct, 2013...
The Hartford Marathon,finished in 3:55
April, 2014...
Ironman 70.3 Haines City, FL,
finished in 6:02. By far the most brutal challenge to date. Had to dig deep in the swim to complete 1.2 miles. Not a good time (1:03) but I more than made it up in the bike (2:47).
July, 2014....
Rhode Warrior 70.3, Westerly, RI
Crushed my goal of 6 hours...actual time...5:33!
Sept, 2014...
Surftown Half marathon, Westerly, RI
personal record 1:35
October, 2014...
Hartford Marathon, Hartford, CT
personal record 3:34
June, 2015...
Ironman 70.3 Syracuse, NY
hilly course, goal 6 hours...actual time 5:59:56 (whew!)
July, 2015
Ironman Lake Placid, NY
7000' of elevation change! Goal was 13 hours.
Actual time 12:21:02!
I AM AN IRONMAN!
I continue to compete in long distance running, cycling, and triathlon events. Since completing my first Ironman I have competed in, and finished, two more full distance Ironman races. Each time learning more about how...with God, all things are possible!
We receive inspiration from many things. While training in Lake Placid I almost stepped on the butterfly pictured to the right. I decided to pick him (or her) up and move him so no one else would. I had recently read the book 'The Butterfly Effect' by Andy Andrews which is an inspiring book about the effect we can have on the world. Click on the book cover to buy a signed copy of the book along with my bookmark for a donation of $25 to help Journey For Life change the world. Thanks for reading my story.
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