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CNN Fit Nation: 2013 Triathlon Challenge
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My name is Megan, and I am a 30-year-old attorney. Unlike some of the other applicants, I am not and have never been an athlete. In high school and college, I didn't participate in sports and I generally didn't exercise. I didn't eat particularly healthy, but the blessings of a teenage metabolism meant that I didn't see the consequences of my exercise and diet decisions at that time. Although the weight began creeping up in law school, my struggles truly began after starting my first sedentary desk job six years ago. Combinations of lunches out, a slowing metabolism, a cheap and accessible supply of soda to stay awake, the stress of making billable hours and completing projects, long hours and a comparatively long commute all took their toll, and have been ever since.
I suspect my story is not much different than thousands of other Americans, albeit with different triggers or life demands. Over the past year, I've come to realize how important balance is to one's life, and particularly the balance of health in relation to other life demands (in my case, work). However, I haven't found the tools to successfully achieve that balance. By participating in the Triathlon Challenge, I hope to gain not only the tools to take my own health back, but tools I can share with my family, my friends, my community and others to help them take their health back. Ultimately, I'd like to be an example to other adults working in time-intensive careers that health doesn't need to (and shouldn't) come at the expense of one's career.
Participating in the Triathlon Challenge would also help me to cross goals off of my bucket list, which includes completing a half-marathon, a marathon, and a triathlon. I've taken baby steps towards those goals this year by completing two 5k races, but the assistance and support of the CNN Fit Nation team would be invaluable in pursuing those goals.
I suspect my story is not much different than thousands of other Americans, albeit with different triggers or life demands. Over the past year, I've come to realize how important balance is to one's life, and particularly the balance of health in relation to other life demands (in my case, work). However, I haven't found the tools to successfully achieve that balance. By participating in the Triathlon Challenge, I hope to gain not only the tools to take my own health back, but tools I can share with my family, my friends, my community and others to help them take their health back. Ultimately, I'd like to be an example to other adults working in time-intensive careers that health doesn't need to (and shouldn't) come at the expense of one's career.
Participating in the Triathlon Challenge would also help me to cross goals off of my bucket list, which includes completing a half-marathon, a marathon, and a triathlon. I've taken baby steps towards those goals this year by completing two 5k races, but the assistance and support of the CNN Fit Nation team would be invaluable in pursuing those goals.
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