Can I do it?

Is it in me to finish the race that has been put out in front of me? A good friend and I made a bet 3 weeks ago while watching the Florida Gators play. 

The bet: to get my weight down below 200 lbs by February 1st 2009. At the time of the bet I weighed 222 lbs. In doing this, I have also challenged myself to compete in a 1/2 Ironman in May of 2009.

If I do not make the weight, I have to ride my bike, in nothing but a speedo for one hour anywhere my friend choses. There is an escape clause, I can pay him $500. If I do make the weight, he pays for any Tri event I choose.

This is definitely a challenge as my only real experience in this sort of thing has been a 5k I ran this year (little over three mile run). Also, I turn 40 in exactly one week. 40! Where did that come from? Life cant be 1/2 over for me, or is it just beginning?

I weighed in on October 12th at 215 lbs. My ideal weight to compete should be 185. I was pumped- lost 7 lbs already. My training- Running on a treadmill twice a week, swimming 20-25 laps at lunch twice a week, cycling on a stationary bike once a week and working out minimally with weights twice a week. The biggest challenge has been mental. Keeping on track is a battle. Telling myself this is possible, I can do it. I can feel my competitive nature resurfacing.