Introducing Bigalerickson - The start of a clydesdale recovery
 

Hello to All!

Greetings,

This is my first thread that I am starting, I have been reading around a little bit, and am now ready to officially to introduce myself to all of you. I am a clydesdale to say the least, haven't ridden regularly since the the nineties, and am entering the Wildflower triathlon for the mountain bike event.

My History - fall of 2002 take a hit on the football field that retired me, summer 2003; back surgery. 14 day hospital stay. highlighted by waking up from the surgery without feeling in my arms or left leg. With the surgery a success, and rehab out of the way I take to the couch. I ate, drank, and watched tv until I was so bored I couldn't take it anymore. Also during this time I started a very successful business, got engaged and broke the engagement off. Needless to say, I lead a relatively interesting, somewhat dramatic life. Fast forward to December 2006. I announce, half drunk, that I am going to enter a triathlon in 2007. Mind you, I have not had been physically fit since 2002, and haven't exercised at all in two years. My best friend Ryan directs me to the wildflower website, and I promptly enter in my credit card info, and just like that I am a traithlete :D

Some statistics - 12-2006 - 6'2" 334 lbs. the worst shape of my life. Just so you all know how bad I really am in over my head. My only good news - I have always been an excellent swimmer, and I have very strong legs. I am down to 310 lbs now, and feeling much more athletic. I am beginning to believe I will actually finish the event.


Okay, now onto mountain biking. I have no better memories than those from mountain biking. I miss every bit of it, and I cannot wait to get back into good enough shape to be doing it on a regular basis again. I am now prepared to purchase a bike. Honestly, I was so out of shape that even shopping for a bike wasn't realistic.

I will begin a mileage log starting immediately. I think that will be a very cool thing to be a part of.

Cheers,

Alex
bigalerickson@gmail.com
Less than 50 days to Wildflower!

Welcome aboard, Alex!

With dedication, you can certainly be in riding shape in 50 days. Last year was my first ride in 20 years. I was 350 pounds. Within 2 months I went from riding 5 miles a day to riding 25 miles a day. I'm not fast (13 mph) but I do it consistently.


Saturday, May 5, 2007- 9:45am (0.25 mi-swim, 9.7 mi-bike, 2 mi-run) This is certainly doable!

What bike did you buy (or plan to buy)? Is the bike portion mountain, or road miles?

Best of luck mate, I was 308 lbs in October and I am 268lbs now ....... I have no thoughts of doing a triathlon dunk or sober...... ;)

Collage ? Pro? Just curious and good luck.
Like the other guy said , drunk or sober, I have nevwer said I would do a triathalon...
Let us know how you do.
LJ

Alex, welcome to Clydes!

Let me extend you an invitation to our Spinner Miles program....it's a sticky thread up at the top of the forum. I run a free charting and tracking database for the Clyde's training miles. It's fairly simple. Report the miles once a week as well as saddle time if you want. Miles that count are trainer, spinner bike, live ride, etc. Basically, if it pedals and counts miles, it's good to go!

Good luck with your tri. Keep us informed on how you do!
I used to race tri's back in the early late 80s to mid 90s, until my college schedule pretty well wiped out any time I had to train. They're lots of fun, and I'd go back to doing them if my knees could take the running.

Know the feeling, I was never small but in October of '01 I made the stupid mistake of drunken football on snowy ground. An hour later I was in the ER with a torn MCL and partially torn ACL. Four years later I had ballooned to 567 pounds and probably a cheeseburger away from a heart attack. Now I'm down almost 200lbs, but still struggling to take it off.

This group is great for support, I've found, and just keep tryin'. When I started exercising in July of '05 I could barely walk for 15 minutes on the treadmill. Six months later I was "running" daily on a elliptical for 30-45 minutes - watch a 400 pound guy going balls out on a elliptical at the gym sometime, then watch everyone else watching him - it's awesome. Last summer after a brutal car accident that left me out of the gym for months I desperately tried a bike ride. Now I'm an addict, riding at least 5 miles/day to work.

Good luck, there's lots of support and wisdom to be had here.

Thats awesome man. i'm 6'2" and 255lbs so you aren't as out of shape as you could be.

good luck on the Tri. i cant run or swim but i'm trying to train for a 75 mile tour event in june.

Keep us posted.

Welcome aboard. I was 375 as of June 1 2006, now down to 303. I barely made my first ride of 4 miles and was a whip dog after, but I got out there the next day. I have a 20 mile avg, just did my first metric and I'm training for my first century ride. Just keep pedaling and before you know it, your be svelt.