Monday, February 22, 2010

Never Looked back.

Well this is the 3rd Anniversary Smoke-free (Feb 23) but since I'm on night shift this week I am a day ahead of everyone else. So a little background is in order I guess for people that bore easily just tune out now.

For some stupid reason I started smoking in Highschool. I then continued this till I was 27 and 100lbs overweight. In 2006 it was late July I had some car troubles and was working 100+ hours that week. It was a 3 hour break in a 16 hour shifts and the oil pump went out of my Jeep. I thought about it and decided I only live 3 miles from work or so I'll go to my parents and get my old mountain bike and ride to work. So I got a ride over there and air up the tires (5 years or more since I rode) and took off home. I took 8th street too work. I really had a great time doing 12 mph and not able to breathe. Upon arrival at work I sat down in the smokers room and lit up my prework smoke. 5 different people asked if I needed medical attention I was pale white and couldn't breathe. After 45 minutes I recovered enough to work the night. After the next 2 weeks of riding it was getting alot easier and I felt a bit better. I had decided to keep riding since my Wife had done the weight watchers thing and I was feeling the push there, I thought if I keep riding I can skip the diet. Some time around February I decided to trade off smoking for a new bike (trek road bike). I lost 85 pounds haven't smoked in 3 years and went from a new road bike to ride to work to 10 bikes, racing, joining a race team.
So I think even though cycling cost far far more than smoking (at the moment double) I do have some cool bike to show for it after 3 years and am in the best shape I've been in since freshman year in high school. All I had to show for the years of smoking was nothing. My original goal was to not gain anymore weight and be able to walk up 3 flights of stairs without resting at the top, and to save a couple hundred dollars a year in gas. I now have done a 200 mile ride (13.5 hours) Many 100 milers, 5 crit races, 2 mountain bike races, 1 cross race, A lot of rides, 2 running races, and many miles to go. My goals have changed a lot I'm starting mountain bike racing this year (jumped in head first) and still would like to hit 10k miles in a year.

If you think you can't then don't try, because success is for the positive. Stop talking about goals and just go win.

8 comments:

Steph said...

you rock

Iowagriz said...

cool background....I had no idea. Congratulations on making such a quick transformation.

Capital City Sprints said...

This is totally awesome! I have put on 20 lbs. this winter and loooking forward to working it off.

Unknown said...

I'm so proud of you and so happy to call you my husband!!! Love you babe!!!

Maverick said...

Proud to be your friend. - Its people like me that slow you down. -mike

Pastor Richard said...

Court, So glad you quit. Keep the pedals moving. Someday I might even join you, don't count the days though. LOL.

Courtney Hilton said...

Mike slowing down isn't a bad thing, otherwise I would always be chasing Rick.

Anonymous said...

Well done. Quite an inspirational story.

10 bikes in 3 years? I started cycle-commuting ~1 year ago, and I still only have one.

Need to catch-up, just don't tell the girlfriend.