Saturday Group Brick

  So I joined a growth group at my church (groups that get together to do whatever so that we can build more of a community), and we are training for Triathlons.  Nothing hard core, most people are just enthusiasts.  I think myself and 1 other person are the only true newbies, though.  We did a 14 mile bike ride, and a 3.6 mile run.  I stayed a bit behind the lead group on the ride, but forgot to switch my computer magnet onto my road wheels, so I don't know my average.  The lead group was going about 20-22mph, so I was probably somewhere around 18-20.  I rode alone most of the way, but made up some time on the back side of the out and back.  I felt good (I am used to longer rides, so no biggie)- but should have stretched or warmed up, and should have had breakfast.  But whatever.  We all have our days.
  The run was kind of crappy.  I started a couch to 5k about a month and a half ago, but went to Portland for a week, didn't run, then didn't run the week after, so I am kind of back to square one.  I ran for about 1 mile, walked a bit, and cut the run short at 2 miles.  Probably ran a mile and a half and walked a half mile altogether.  I was pretty slow, but that only means I am going up from here.  In 2002, I was training for an Olympic triathlon with my girlfriend, and was probably in the best shape of my life.  I had my mile down to 6:00, and could run a 10k with an average of around 7:15/mile.  My girlfriend was a swimmer, and had me doing ridiculous workouts that totally kicked my butt, but they worked.  She broke things off before the triathlon, and I was all down in the dumps about it- so I didn't do it.
  It's hard to have been in great shape- racing athlete shape, and then gain a bunch of weight and try to do things all over again.  The hardest part is that I remember what it felt like to run 6 minute miles.  I remember how fast I could ride my bike 100 miles with a bunch of climbs.  I used to have total control of my heart rate with controlled breathing.  I had a killer mindset.  Now- I am running 12 minute miles, something I used to just about walk.  Riding 100 miles now just hurts my ass- and I sure as hell can't throw any hills into that distance.
  I'm not really looking to become a triathlete. I am a cyclist- not a runner or swimmer.  But I know training for three sports will help my mission of losing enough weight to be competitive again.  I am hoping my weight gain will be a blessing in disguise.  When you pedal 260lbs up a hill, or anywhere, for that matter, you build pretty muscular legs.  If I have the endurance to ride 70 miles at my weight now, how much will it improve when I lose 90 lbs?  If I don't lose too much leg muscle, my theory is that I will be an animal in a year or two.
  Really, it's all about mindset, and making those small decisions every day that improve, not hinder.  I know it's a lofty goal to get back to where I was, and then improve.  But it's not impossible.  Now that I am a stay at home dad, I am really working on my positive mental attitude, and getting back to to the basics.  Time to buckle down...