It’s all about the Journey - Featured Writer Lynnette Horton

I met Lynnette through a good friend of mine - Kelly.  Kelly was always talking about her amazing, funny friend who is extremely tough mentally and physically.  She talked about her weight loss journey, and how she started doing triathlons.  I was so impressed!  It was so inspiring to here her story and know that no matter how many trials we have in our life, they can always be overcome.  Lynnette has taught me to truly believe in who you are as a person.  If you want something bad enough hold on tight and fight for it.  Thank you so much for sharing your amazing journey of life.  Can't wait to formally meet you Lynnette!

It’s all about the Journey - Featured Writer Lynnette Horton
On March 28, 2010 my sister Patti was signed up for the 2010 Lavaman Triathlon in Waikoloa Hawaii. Patti had been training for this event for a year and a few months prior to the race she had realized that she would not have anyone with her in Hawaii to support her and she asked me if I would come to the island to watch her race? I told her, without a doubt, yes. Little did I know that this is the day my life would change forever!

Let me back up a bit, before I get into the details of my journey I must give you a bit of my history. I am the youngest of four children. I have two older sisters and one older brother. I really could have been considered an only child because there is an 8 years difference between my next sibling and I. My parents divorced when I was young and I really did not get to know my brother and sisters very well. It was not until my early twenties that my sister Patti and I were sitting on the beach in Hawaii sharing some facts about our childhood that our lives were forever changed. It was from that day forward that I new my sister and I would be forever inseparable. Though we live thousands of miles apart now, we are each other’s best friend, soul sister, and training partner.

As I watch Patti reach her goal of completing her first Olympic Triathlon on the Big Island of Hawaii, I instantly new that this was an accomplishment that I wanted to achieve. I have always been very active but this would in fact test my abilities as it would anyone. I began my training immediately when I returned to Idaho. One of the first things I did when I got home was to purchase my road bike. I also set some goals for myself. As a 38 year old, obese, but very active woman, I new that I needed to achieve many of these goals in order to make it to race day.

The first goal was to start training in each discipline on a regular basis along with continuing my strength training. I have always loved to bike as well as swim but I was always worried about the run because of my weight. As an overweight person, I like many others have lost weight many times. In fact, I have lost up to 100 pounds on three different occasions but for various reasons have gained it back. A few years a go a close friend of mine had Lap and surgery. My friend really wanted me to consider it myself but, at the time, I just was not ready… until now.

Goal two. Lap Band Surgery. This is no small feat. There are many qualifications and requirements one must over come. I was required to loose 10% of my body weight before even being considered. There were many tests and many doctors but on June 17, 2010 I reached goal number 2.

Before Lap band Surgery

Goal number three. Start narrowing down my training for the Y not Tri in Boise. This is a sprint triathlon held in August in Boise. The race consisted of a 400-meter swim, 12-mile bike, and 2 mile run. I never could have imagined myself running, let alone running a triathlon. One thing that really made this race special was that my sister Patti happened to be in town from Hawaii and she ran the race with me as well as my husband. It was such an amazing experience to share with both of them.

In October I went to Hawaii for two weeks of training. This is the reality finally set in. My trip also encompassed the World Championship Ironman Triathlon. My sister and I set out for a quick swim the Friday before the event, she told me “all of the triathlete’s will be resting”. WHATEVER! When we arrived at the pier there were hundreds of people down there, some watching and many swimming. It was that day that got over my fear of swimming with other athletes. It is all about the energy from the islands!

My winter training moved forward as I joined the Tri club at the local YMCA. Everyone was so helpful and welcoming! I have spent hours on the computrainer in the basement of the Y; received coaching tips from world-class athletes, and made many new friends! Who would have thought that I would be running 12 – 16 miles per week? I still can’t believe it!

I am now just under a month away from goal number 4, completing The 2011 Lavaman Triathlon, I am nervous, eager and ready! I look forward to updating all of you on my status in the coming months. In the meantime, love your family and friends, live your best life, and above all relish in the things that bring out the best in you!

This is one of the most current pictures that I have. I have lost 60 pounds to ate and I am loving every minute of my training! Bring on the 2011 Lavaman!