Hey....WEST. I've been dying to ask you

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Hey....WEST. I've been dying to ask you
4
Sun, 03-06-2005 - 7:00am

Where you always athletic?

Or what was your idea of exercise?

You said you couldn't swim two laps across the pool when you began. What made you start?

How old were you then?

How many hours a day did you start to train?

And how many now?

What motivated you?

And very personal that you don't have to answer, but I'm really wanting to know, because I've been truly thinking of going into a training process soon. How much did you have to pay a week for a coach and a trainer?

What are some of the other tips you can give us?

I know I am always so at awe when I hear your stories and when I see your pictures, I cannot BELIEVE that you are older then me! You look younger then me! Truly beautiful!

How much longer until your next race? How are you doing on the timing? St. Croix, right?

With the girls always so sick, taking care of my mom too and living in Germany where gym's are few and far inbetween and my 3-4 hr commute to and from work, I have no time during the weekend and even less on the weekend. I know that is something I definitely want to change this summer, when the weather is better and the days longer and latest when I return next spring to texas. I know you motivate us all and I know that a few of us are really wanting to know your secret to what made you start and kept you going. I know I do. Will you share?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Sun, 03-06-2005 - 8:25am

Thanks for asking, Catherine!!

I was NEVER athletic as a child - hated PE - was always one of the last kids picked to be on any team. Couldn't bat a ball, run, catch or play tennis.

But when I was in my late 20's I started going to the gym to just be fit. I attended some wellness classes where they had personal trainers. And I got fit enough to run 3 miles, lift weights, stretch, that kind of thing. My job was very physical - working 12+ hours in a kitchen - always on my feet, lifting heavy stuff, running around. So I was fit.

Then my son was born and I quit my job to stay at home and grow my own business. I did gain about 30 pounds because I am on the computer a lot. But after my son went to preschool I got serious about getting skinny again. I gave up all white flour, white sugar and anything with a lot of fat. Mostly lowfat soups, salads, cooked cereals, fish, yogurt, fruit, veggies. I started jogging 2 miles a day - sometimes I could jog the whole way, sometimes not - but I always went 2 miles. I lost all of the weight in a few months. To this day I am still very picky about what I eat.

Then I met my webmaster who was a running freak all the way through college and has a neat running site. He had some really neat stuff on his site and his stories fascinated me. So I started trying some of it - trying to run longer. And then I signed up for a 5K here in Weston. My time was so so slow - 31:08. So I decided to join the running club here in Fort Lauderdale - this was about the same time my husband moved out. But I really did it to learn more about running and have someone to teach me - this didn't have anything to do with the divorce/separation. I really like learning new things.

WHOA and WOW - these were serious track workouts with these runners. Many of them were triathletes. And our dear coach was an olympic level triathlete. She taught us so many neat things. I could see progress in myself. She was encouraging to everyone no matter their talent. And it was fun working out with such a great group of people!! I asked her if she had any more group workouts - she had biking/running or swimming/running or swimming in the ocean - this was for a group of triathletes.

I had a very old bike so I joined them for the biking and running day. AND guess what? I wasn't as slow on the bike as I was on the run - so that was encouraging. Now this seemed crazy because I was now 39 and hadn't been on a bike since I was 16!!!! I had a lot to learn - even had a bad bad crash (black eye, bruised ribs, bad road rash). But I was getting fit, making new friends and having fun. This was such a distraction to the divorce process.

I even met a nice runner that I dated all the way through the divorce. I would be with him now if he didn't have such a bad financial record - he really loved me. But he was $100K in debt and hadn't paid his taxes in 8 years and most importantly DIDN'T think any of that was a PROBLEM. Long story.

Anyway, I was always listening to my friends triathlon racing stories and wanted to be with them more. So I told my coach I would try a swimming lesson and see what happens.

She told me to swim 2 laps so she could see my swimming form. These were 50 meter laps - very long. On the second lap I was so out of breath I had to stop and grab the lane line!!! I teased her and asked her if she had ever drowned anyone. Then I asked her how many laps you have to swim for a race and she said 8!!! That was discouraging. But she encouraged me that it was all about FORM in the water. At the end of the lesson I was swimming okay - had a rhythm - could do quite a few laps - easy.

So I told her that I wanted a private lesson every week until I could be good enough to do the group swims with everyone else. I think we worked for a month or two and then I was joining in with everyone to swim in the ocean and pool.

By now my friends were anxious to take ME to the race with them. So they encouraged me to sign up for a sprint race here in FL. AND I DID!!

That was the turning point. I absolutely FREAKED on the swim - you had to swim 1/4 mile off shore to a boat and then back in. For some reason I thought I was going to swim out to sea the wrong way or get left behind or drown. So I swam, side stroked, back stroked panicked, dog paddled and the next thing I knew I was at the boat. Then I told myself to get a grip - we practiced the ocean thing and swimming thing so much. So I swam really hard back to shore - just like I was taught. And the next thing I knew I was on the bike.

I biked real steady and then went to the run. At first my legs felt so heavy - but then they lightened up. And I was able to run the 5K. All in all I swam 1/4 mile, biked 13 miles and ran 3 miles - in just under 1.5 hours.

And since there were so few people, I made 3rd place - I almost cried when I saw that!! This was 5 years ago.

I am by no means a gifted athlete. I have endurance, a strong mind and a lot of persistence. Normally I don't win - but I am somewhere in the top 30% of my age group.

Now I am doing half ironman triathlons - those are 1.25 mile swims, 56 miles on the bike and a 13 mile run. I train about 15 hours a week. AND now I am getting ready for being on the US age group team to go to Denmark for ITU long course - that is 2.5 mile swim, 76 mile bike, 18 mile run. That is in August.

But I have so so so much fun!! I pay a small fortune in coaching and racing - I would never want to add that up because it would FREAK me out. But I make a lot of sacrifices - cook everything, clean myself, buy stuff used, etc. And my son enjoys this too - I bought him a road bike for Xmas - he competes in triathlons - and he is on the junior track team here in Weston.

You can find a personal trainer for about $30-50 per hour. To join a masters swim team is probably around $50 per month - the masters program is all over the US and it is a group of older adults who swim several times per week - and they usually LOVE to help newbies. The bike you can buy used - a local bike shop probably has someone who would help you - just go out and ride by yourself on a weekend and you will bump into tons of people your speed and find buddies to ride with. Local 5Ks are great to get in shape you can walk and run.

This year I have OD'd on races - I signed up for 2 half ironmans in May and June - St. Croix and Maryland. Then Denmark in August. I just figured out how I can afford to take my babysitter and son to Denmark.

I would rather be married with a happy family and to have another kid. But I don't want to settle and be with the wrong person. I want to find someone who enjoys staying fit and who is totally into me and who wants to be married.

So for now I am going to watch my fertility wane in style. If I get married and have another kid - fine - and if I don't that is fine because I am having so much fun and I have a son who is 8 and a total joy.

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Sun, 03-06-2005 - 12:41pm

That is so fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing. I am going to print this out to keep me inspired. I have always been fit, but just never stuck with the whole gym thing since High School, because I've had little time, energy or no money. I used to lift weights and be in track, but then later went into choreography dancing, plus worked in the hotel business, so like you was on my feet and all over the hotel on a 12+ hour shift.

I haven't been feeling very motivated, but always complaining that I needed to do something. Now for the first time, I am feeling so old in my skin. So I REALLY feel serious about finally getting up, leave the old blah me and find my new skin. I'm skinny, I am 5ft 6in and weigh 105 pounds. Not an ounce fat on me, except for some on my upper thighs that drives me nuts but I have the normal after pregnancy body for a petite woman who had no boobs in the first place. I just look awful and it's been 4yrs now. Well, I feel I look awful, so that means something to me, even though others disagree. I know I am the body still to get out, so a little bit and bounce back, but now I just want to keep it. I've done the 4-6 work outs and been able to get into great shape, but now I feel I want to do more and keep it their.

Anyhow, thanks for me whine. Thank you more for sharing your story. I hope you don't mind if I keep asking you stuff and getting your opinion on it.

Now something else? How long will you be in Denmark. Want to meet up in the Netherlands, say in Amsterdam? It's a 4 hr drive from me and it can't be that far from Denmark. I know it's the next neigborhood country. I'd love for you and your family to stay here with me in Germany. We would have a babysitter and you, your babysitter and I could hit Frankfurt, then show you great places in Germany. I don't think you want to come that far, but it would be fantastic. Otherwise, I'd love to meet you half way. We would have a great time! Amsterdam is AWESOME! Especially in August. I'd bring my oldest daughter who goes with me to Amsterdam, so she'd keep your son entertained.

Otherwise, if you can't get them both to come to Europe, then we will definitely have to figure out a way to meet up and have a few fun days together. I have vacation coming up in August anyways, so no better way, then to meet up in Europe.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Sun, 03-06-2005 - 7:42pm

Catherine, you don't look old!! I have seen your pictures and you are a very beautiful woman and naturally skinny. I know you have a full load on your plate right now between where you live, your mom, your kids and your job. It will all get sorted out better as you go.

As for me and my travel plans I am still not sure yet - I have to work out a budget and the logistics. Germany is a fun place to see. Do you ever get to Bavaria? I was there once a long time ago and thought it was charming.

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Mon, 03-07-2005 - 4:37am

Do I know Bavaria? LOL, yes, I most certainly do. I was born and raised, later worked and married in the most beautiful area in Germany. If you know Rotheburg then you know how gorgeous it is. That's was where I lived for several years. My X-husband was from their, my mothers family 20 minutes away and now I go at least every 6 wks to visit my daughters friends, my friends and the X's family. Here are a few links. If you see the one that describes the Eisenhut Hotel lobby with the Chapel door, you'll see two people at the front desk one of them is my X husband the other is me. They used to have the photo blown up all over Rothenburg in poster form. I used to model as the poster girl for that town 10 yrs ago, but I also worked for the Hotel. It was fantastic. Here are some links to the town. Like I said, I go all the time, because I have so many family and friends and I get treated like a queen, due to my families name (long story, but in Germany, family and title means everything and my family comes out of royality, quite a few still carry the names Countes and Barones. ) and because I know everyone. If you wanted to come, that would be the first place I'd take you. It truly is a fairy tale place. This is where Harry my X courted me for a year. Truly a dream. You just feel like your a princess in a place like this.

http://www.terragalleria.com/europe/germany/rothenburg/rothenburg.html

http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/galleries/germany/blg-d-rothenburg-marktplatz-houses.htm