Isela aka Purling Sprite lives in Cache Valley, Utah with her two lovely children, Bryant and Nyah and her wonderful hubby Sam. PurlingSprite.com was born in an effort to keep track of her knitting adventures, then it evolved to include anecdotes of her daily life, including running, cycling, and swimming.
Isela began running in the Spring of 2007 after her son asked her one afternoon if she was pregnant (no, I wasn't!) Like any other woman, my first reaction was to cry. I was sad. I had become rolly polly and I couldn't get out of it by just cutting down on food. I began running, slowly, running 1 mile killed me. My husband would take me around this area in our neighborhood and he would run ahead of me and I would drag behind, spitting my lungs out as I struggled to run 12-13 minute miles. I was really a pathetic sight. I struggled through the one mile but soon enough I conquered it. It wasn't easy but I was able to go from 1 mile to 2 miles. Mid summer I was running 3 miles, slowly, but 3 miles nonetheless. I felt so happy.
During 2007, I also got my very first bike. I learned to ride in our small cul-de-sac. Scared out of my mind, I took my first rides around the neighborhood. Mother's Day of the same year brought me a nice surprise in the form of my road bike Saphira, a Specialized Ruby Comp. Yes, with only a few hours of experience, I took a road bike and went out and rode. My first ride was a 20 mile ride that left me sore and scared of cars. My next rides were no better, I was scared, I was slow, and I was the chubbiest one from all my friends. Despite my slowness, I didn't give up. Always the last one in all the rides, I would ride and sometimes with tears, I would get to the rest stop only with enough time to get a drink and keep going. Unlike my riding friends, I am unable to get a drink while riding as I lack the balance. The month after I received my bike, my neighbors asked me to join them in this all women ride called Little Red. I signed up and joined them. With only a month of riding experience, I went out and rode 80 miles. It felt great, except when I got off my bike and realized that the feeling to my left hand was completely gone. I had damaged the ulnar nerve and I wasn't able to use my hand for a couple of weeks. Despite the damage to my hand, I was still able to ride and was able to click in a few hundred miles over the summer.
In 2008, I kept working on my running and cycling and realized that despite my chubbette look that I could run and bike far if I put my mind to it. I worked on getting my running mileage up from 3 to 5. As I neared 5, I set a goal. A lofty goal. I wanted to do a Half Marathon. I registered for my first HM, the Ogden Half. In May of 2008, I completed my first Half Marathon. In August 2008, I completed my second one. Cycling also saw some huge goals: my first two centuries. In June, I completed my first one and in July with hubby by my side I completed my second one supporting Multiple Sclerosis.
Running and cycling have allowed me to see that I can achieve my goals...I just need to focus on it and work for it. I am no longer chubbette nor a couch potato. I bike, I run, and I swim now. I shed 30+ lbs and I feel wonderful. The best part of it all, I am healthy and I feel strong.
My goals in this area include cycling the famous Lotoja Classic, participating in a marathon (completed!) and someday completing an Ironman.
Updated Sept 19th: I have completed my first marathon! I am so happy and I am looking forward to many more!
