This iReport is part of an assignment:
CNN Fit Nation: Triathlon Challenge
More iReports you should see
Triathlon for emotional health
Hi Dr. Gupta and your CNN FIt Nation colleagues
My name is Nancy. I’m a 54-(yikes almost 55)-year-old from Afton, Minnesota. A mom of two incredible kids, my 21-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter. The opportunity to compete in the Nautica triathlon would be amazing and just what the doctor ordered (no pun intended) to help me make it through the upcoming long winter that I am a little nervous about.
I would say that I am in okay physical health for someone my age - sure I could stand to lose about 10 to 15 pounds to get my body mass index into the normal range (and to match my driver’s license). I have lousy knees, and am in a constant battle with plantar fasciitis - all are manageable. Right now I could really use some help with my emotional health. Something we all deal with from time to time.
My priority has always been my family - I always do what I can to put them first. Something I do by choice and it has always given me great joy. This is in addition to having a full-time and rather stressful job that makes it difficult to find time or to do things for myself. They say that we all need to take care of ourselves first, but this is a challenge for me right now.
This past summer my husband of 26 years and I separated when he told me that he wanted a divorce. I am still reeling from that news. I thought we would always be together and it shattered many of my dreams. An additional challenge is that I am dealing with a number of issues related to my extended family. The icing on the cake is that my youngest went off to college this fall. All alone all of a sudden.
So, I spend my days at work and then come home to an empty house (except for two dogs and three cats) that is. I am doing my best to get some level of exercise, but it is often hard to generate the energy and very easy to make excuses. If lucky, I get to the gym on Saturday. During some weekday evenings I try my best to head down to the basement to get some exercise, with the dogs to keep me company.
I am a very stubborn person and so far have done a very good job of fending off depression (my personal battle) - although this is a minute to minute challenge. I have made a conscious decision to not go on antidepressants. Sometimes I wish I could have a stiff drink, but fortunately never began that habit.
I would absolutely love the challenge of training for and competing in the triathlon. Something to plan for and to strive for would be incredible. I would love to show myself, as well as others, the importance of exercise as well as setting challenging goals to maintain your emotional health. I do love a challenge. I am more than willing to document the process using social media, although I will need a tutorial!
My disclaimer is that I did once participate in a short (sprint) triathlon. Not something I’m proud of! I did not train for it and just tried it to say that I did! It was not pretty. I bet I swallowed a few gallons of water during the swim which was much longer than it should have been because I swam off course, my biking was moderate at best, and my run was, let’s just call it a moderate walk. I was humbled and made a decision that if I ever tried it again, I would need to train.
The selfish side of me came out when I read that the triathlon was being held in Malibu. I went to college there is a previous lifetime (1980 Pepperdine graduate). When I read that, it brought me back to a special and incredibly happy time in my life. A time when I learned how to be strong and independent. I now need to relearn this and I really feel that this triathlon, most importantly, the training for the triathlon, will help me get there.
Whew, although I do hope that you select me as a participant, I know that you have many deserving folks from which to choose.
Would I be a bit scared? Heck yes. Especially if I need to be seen in red lycra!
Thanks for your consideration.
My name is Nancy. I’m a 54-(yikes almost 55)-year-old from Afton, Minnesota. A mom of two incredible kids, my 21-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter. The opportunity to compete in the Nautica triathlon would be amazing and just what the doctor ordered (no pun intended) to help me make it through the upcoming long winter that I am a little nervous about.
I would say that I am in okay physical health for someone my age - sure I could stand to lose about 10 to 15 pounds to get my body mass index into the normal range (and to match my driver’s license). I have lousy knees, and am in a constant battle with plantar fasciitis - all are manageable. Right now I could really use some help with my emotional health. Something we all deal with from time to time.
My priority has always been my family - I always do what I can to put them first. Something I do by choice and it has always given me great joy. This is in addition to having a full-time and rather stressful job that makes it difficult to find time or to do things for myself. They say that we all need to take care of ourselves first, but this is a challenge for me right now.
This past summer my husband of 26 years and I separated when he told me that he wanted a divorce. I am still reeling from that news. I thought we would always be together and it shattered many of my dreams. An additional challenge is that I am dealing with a number of issues related to my extended family. The icing on the cake is that my youngest went off to college this fall. All alone all of a sudden.
So, I spend my days at work and then come home to an empty house (except for two dogs and three cats) that is. I am doing my best to get some level of exercise, but it is often hard to generate the energy and very easy to make excuses. If lucky, I get to the gym on Saturday. During some weekday evenings I try my best to head down to the basement to get some exercise, with the dogs to keep me company.
I am a very stubborn person and so far have done a very good job of fending off depression (my personal battle) - although this is a minute to minute challenge. I have made a conscious decision to not go on antidepressants. Sometimes I wish I could have a stiff drink, but fortunately never began that habit.
I would absolutely love the challenge of training for and competing in the triathlon. Something to plan for and to strive for would be incredible. I would love to show myself, as well as others, the importance of exercise as well as setting challenging goals to maintain your emotional health. I do love a challenge. I am more than willing to document the process using social media, although I will need a tutorial!
My disclaimer is that I did once participate in a short (sprint) triathlon. Not something I’m proud of! I did not train for it and just tried it to say that I did! It was not pretty. I bet I swallowed a few gallons of water during the swim which was much longer than it should have been because I swam off course, my biking was moderate at best, and my run was, let’s just call it a moderate walk. I was humbled and made a decision that if I ever tried it again, I would need to train.
The selfish side of me came out when I read that the triathlon was being held in Malibu. I went to college there is a previous lifetime (1980 Pepperdine graduate). When I read that, it brought me back to a special and incredibly happy time in my life. A time when I learned how to be strong and independent. I now need to relearn this and I really feel that this triathlon, most importantly, the training for the triathlon, will help me get there.
Whew, although I do hope that you select me as a participant, I know that you have many deserving folks from which to choose.
Would I be a bit scared? Heck yes. Especially if I need to be seen in red lycra!
Thanks for your consideration.
- TAGS:
- GROUPS:
What do you think of this story?
Select one of the options below. Your feedback will help tell CNN producers what to do with this iReport. If you'd like, you can explain your choice in the comments below.
Be and editor! Choose an option below:
More from this assignment - CNN Fit Nation: Triathlon Challenge
iReport welcomes a lively discussion, so comments on iReports are not pre-screened before they post. See the iReport community guidelines for details about content that is not welcome on iReport.
© 2013 Cable News Network. 
Comments