Are We There Yet?

The Sunday before last, I did something I absolutely love to do -- I completed the 2010 Aflac Iron Girl triathlon for women. It's a .60 mile swim, 17.5 mile (very hilly) bike ride, and a 3.3 mile run. I completed it in 2:39:45, which for a 45-year-old woman is not a bad time (not stellar, but respectable).

I felt so good after I completed it. Total strangers cheer you on, and as you cross the finish line, they announce to everyone within earshot: "You are an Iron Girl!" It's an amazingly rewarding experience.

Ten years ago, I got in shape. I had my best friend, Mary Ann, as my training partner, and she kicked my butt! We did "Mommy Boot Camp" together, and we both were in probably the best shape of our lives. Then she and her family moved, and it's been a struggle to work out and eat right on my own ever since.

About four weeks before the triathlon, I met my current training partner, Shannon, who also happens to be a nurse at my doctor's office. She was signed up for Iron Girl and, like me, had not been training heavily. So we joined forces. The next four weeks were pretty intense, and having a training partner made it more enjoyable, more doable, and more challenging. It has been so great to have a buddy along for the ride again. I love having a training partner, and Shannon is awesome!

Fast forward to this past Tuesday, with me sitting in front of the computer. "Your Iron Girl pictures are ready for viewing," the email informed me. And then . . . you guessed it. BAM! Those damn pictures. Every part of me, from my face to my feet, looked BIG. All that momentum and happiness I had gained was lost with one stupid picture.

So here's my question for the day: When is enough enough? Yes, I am 45 years old and yes, I've put on some pounds these last couple of years, but I finished a frickin' TRIATHLON. Shouldn't that be enough? I really am ready to win the weight war, but it's taken two years to put it back on, it may take awhile to take it back off. I am ready for it to FEEL like enough, just to be myself and be where I am today.

Prayer for the day: God, please let us all know that we are enough, that YOU are enough, and that it's enough for us to do our best just for today. Help us to let go of all the negative crap in our heads and push forward to the finish line. amen.