Why get fit?


When I was younger I was a very active kid. I was skinny as a rail and could eat pretty much what ever I wanted. When I got to college I gave up playing competitive ice hockey and started to neglect my physical health (neglect is probably not the right word, may abuse is better).  As I got into the workforce and had children of my own this trend continued.

The first real wake-up call to me was watching my father lose his battle at the end of his life. When you are little Dad is Superman! He was the strongest person you knew and the fastest, and the bravest. My Dad used to take us to the batting cage on the weekends and he would get into the fast pitch machine (90mph) and hit 7 left handed and 7 right handed (he was a very good baseball player when he was younger). It was like a show to watch him, he never seemed to miss a pitch. To see my father struggle to live and be bed ridden in his mid 50's was a hard pill to swallow. I couldn't process that he was still so young but was living like a cripple. I knew that if I continued to live my life the way I was that my own children would be standing in my shoes and thinking the same thing.

The second wake up call for me was when Kim's grandmother (who can be brutally honest at times) challenged me to change my life and make netter choices. I was compelled to take her up on this challenge and jumped in with both feet.

The first weeks of getting in shape are hard. Even today when I take a few months off in the out season and then start training again I feel horrible the first few weeks. I learned how to pace my self and gradually build up to my goals. As the weeks went by I started to feel very different about my life style. I started to see my self as a healthy person. I wanted to make better choices and I wanted to push my self harder.

When my body is in good shape my life is very different. I am happier, calmer, and feel like I walk taller. Even though I am tired at night I have a lot more energy all day. The benefits are really to numerous to list here. I wish that I could put the feeling in a bottle and sell it to people.

I was an active kid and got obese fast, what will happen to the kids today who spend the majority if there time in the house in front of a TV? These kids are doomed. This is why I love the mission of the Chase Kowalski Foundation so much. The programs that they are putting in the community are taking kids off the couch and challenging them to get strong and be fit. When you teach a child to love being active and they get bit by the fitness bug you are really changing the course of there life.

One of the things that really jumped out at me when I first learned about Chase was how much he reminded me of my son Noah. Just like Chase Noah took on the challenge of the kids triathlon at 6 years old and meet it head on. Just look at this video:
http://youtu.be/UdEnuryqCGo

that is one confident kid. Noah was the youngest kids in the race, he was the last one out of the pool, but he never gave up and he never slowed down. He was so proud of himself for what he did. I have never seen a kid build self esteem and self worth like that in front of a video game.

Recently Noah and Josh came home form schools with applications to enter the Race 4 Chase Kids Triathlon program. This is a free program to help get kids out of the house in the summer. The program is designed to teach kids swim, bike, run but also show them how to be healthy and get fit.

I am proud to be working to raise money to support programs like this. Chase and his family are taking tragedy and changing the world for a lot of people in a lot of communities. What an awesome legacy!

I want to thank everyone who has helped me raise over $700 in the first week. I am truly moved by your generosity. I am continuing to work hard and push my self to get thinner, and faster every day. Your support is pushing me out the door on VERY COLD mornings to do this. I am very grateful for all of you!

Please visit my first giving site if you would like to make a donation to help programs like Race 4 Chase and make positive change in the lives of kids!!!!!!

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/DavidPrudhomme/race4chase

On October 3^rd I will be competing in my second Ironman distance race.  This year I will be running to raise awareness and funds for the Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski Foundation.  Chase was a first grader at Sandy Hook Elementary School who lost his life on December 14, 2012.

Living in Newtown it is impossible not to think about the SEHS tragedy every day. As I run through the very neighborhoods that were so effected by the tragedy I often find myself in prayerful reflection for the victims and their families, their names and faces forever a part of who we are as a community. 

I first read about Chase Kowalski last October when I met his family and learned about his foundation at a community event. I was immediately drawn to the foundation because Chase and I share a similar passion for competition and for triathlon.   

As I spoke with the family it struck me that Chase would have grown in his love for triathlon as he got older (all triathletes become obsessed with the sport eventually) and like most triathletes he would have started to think about doing the Ironman. His questions would have been no different than my own when I first started out in triathlon…..

 

Could I really do this for 17 hours?

 

What does it feel like to take on a challenge that big?

 

Does body hair really slow me down that much?

 

It’s heartbreaking to know that he will never get to accomplish his goals. His family will never get to go through the experience of waiting, cheering, worrying, and celebrating with him. He will never get to answer questions about being an Ironman (one of my favorite things to do). Questions like….

 

Did it hurt?

 

What if you need to go to the bathroom?

 

How much did you get paid to do this?

 

Why would you want to do that?

 

And of course my favorite,

 

So, you really wanted to spend an entire day exercising in extreme pain, peeing in your pants, and not even getting anything in return, why would you want to do that?  

 

It didn’t take me long to realize that even though Chase never got the chance to be an Ironman, I could do it for him.

 

As I prepare to embark on the challenge of completing Ironman Maryland, and all the emotional, mental, and physical struggles that go with it, I am excited to have Chase with me. I am going to carry him not only for 140.6 miles but for 9 months of training, suffering, and triumph.   

 

The CMAK foundation is committed to providing programs and initiatives that encourage personal improvement, healthy lifestyles and strong family and communities. All in the spirit of Chase Kowalski. They are working to “turn tragedy into triumph”. I encourage you to read more about this great organization on their website: http://www.cmakfoundation.org/

 

I am working toward the goal of raising $5,000.00 for the foundation this year. This will not be easy, but just like the Ironman the struggle makes the triumph even greater.  

 

So I ask that you please help me in remembering this amazing child and helping his foundation do great work in many communities.

 

Please click on this link: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/DavidPrudhomme/race4chase and support my efforts this year. Any amount which you can donate is greatly appreciated.

 I will be updating my journey on my blog at http://swimbikerunraise.blogspot.com/ 

Please visit the site often for updates on my training and races throughout the year.