One Year Blogging Anniversary

by Nicole on August 23, 2010

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A year ago this past weekend, I decided to start this blog. You see I had been reading blogs since before I left for Germany from Tucson about 3 years ago. I started reading Diary of an Amateur Triathlete. It was an eloquent smooth flowing blog, and her writing was so inspiring. I would read her blog on my lunch breaks and felt completely compelled to start training for a triathlon. She was also a science geek like myself, but she wrote like some English major in college: A LOT more descriptive than a typical science/engineering nerd. She wrote about her feelings regarding training and accomplishing things she didn’t think she could accomplish. That could be me, I thought.

Triathlon training began. I SUCKED at swimming. I remember swimming 25 meters in the pool and being completely out of breath. My husband, then boyfriend, stepped in for help. He has to know how to swim really well for his job, and he was patient with me. I read Total Immersion, and that helped me so much with my swimming. By the way, if you are not the best swimmer, and you still haven’t read this book, you are doing yourself a huge injustice. READ IT!

Anyway, after a few months training, I was all ready for my first triathlon. Then, all hell broke loose. My husband, then boyfriend, got orders to Germany…and he had to leave in a month. They gave us a one month notice! WTF! We had to sell our house, make the decision to get married–then get married, quit my job that I was so proud of, and move to another country in ONE month. Um, hello gray hair at 24!!  The only day that we could get married happened to be the same day of my triathlon that I had worked so hard for. Needless to say, I got married to my man of my dreams instead of completing my triathlon.

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I moved to Germany and was really depressed my first few months there.

I missed my family.

I missed my 40-60 hour workweeks that made me think.

I missed feeling like I was contributing to the household financially.

I felt isolated from everything I ever knew.

My Spanish did not help me in Germany. hehe

It was freaking cold and wet. I missed wearing flipflops in Tucson year around.

I had lost 10 pounds of muscle since the move because I was never hungry and pretty much stopped working out.

I decided that although I could not change the situation that I was in, I needed to change my reality that I was in. I was the only one who could make me happy. NOT my husband. NOT my family. NOT my friends. ME. It was all on me.

In addition to Diary of an Amateur Triathlete, I started reading blogs again for inspiration to get myself to the gym again like Marit’s blog (she is REALLY FUNNY by the way). I started going to spin class again. It felt so good to be moving again!

I started meeting like minded people like myself at the gym who liked working out. My group of friends started to grow, and I actually liked hanging out with these people. I started training and completed another few half marathons and my first triathlon FINALLY. ;)

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far cry from my last triathlon. ;)

Finally, through The Healthy Tipping Point, I came across the Healthy Living Summit that had some of their sessions online. Like a lot of people who started a blog around that time, I watched one of the sessions over how to start your own blog, and I thought to myself: I could do that! Maybe.

These bloggers seemed like magical perfect people who were great writers, and it was really intimidating. I never thought of myself as a writer, and my first few months of posting were pretty boring to tell you the truth. I wrote about my daily food intake like many bloggers start off doing with some training stories mixed in, but after a while, discovered that just wasn’t me. I love food, don’t get me wrong, but the thought of photographing all my food was revolting to me. I don’t like waiting to eat!

Then, I started getting emails telling me how inspiring I was. Me?

  • I was the completely un-athletic geek in high school who someone threw a fit over in P.E. when I was the last one left to be picked to be on a team, and since they were the second team picking people, they had to take me.
  • I was the girl who always got hit in the face with some type of sports ball in P.E.
  • I was the girl who got made fun of because my legs were abnormally long for my body thus I was always “ready for a flood” with my pants, feet were too big, thus embarassing clumsyness ensued.
  • I was the girl who tried out for the swim team when they were pretty much taking anyone and didn’t make it.
  • I was the girl running 12 minute miles in P.E. Let me rephrase that, I was dead after running one mile in 12 minutes. My coach just shook his head in disgust I remember.
  • The first three years of high school NO ONE asked me out for a date or for that matter, no one seemed interested in dating me in the least.
  • Although, I had gotten over social awkwardness with the guys since high school, I still felt insecure about my athleticism.
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Thus, real writing from the heart came about. My experiences in working out and pushing past that comfort zone came into play with some food posts sprinkled in have seemed to work for me. I also blogged a little about my personal life.

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My blog is always evolving, and I like where it is headed. Sometimes, I feel weird for sharing things on the blog that I wouldn’t share with some of my acquaintances, but somehow it is therapeutic.

Blogging gave me a voice that I never knew I had. There are great people in the blogging community, and I have made many friends or “blends” since then. I’m so happy that I decided to enter this welcoming and encouraging world of blogging. I have come a long way in my athletic life (currently training for a Half Ironman) and blogging, but there is still a lot of improvement that I can make to my writing and training for that matter, and I hope you will continue to join me for the journey. There will be lots more fun, entertaining, stressed, racing, crazy times to be had.


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Happy Running, Swimming, Cycling ;)

P.S. The winner of the CSN gift certificate giveaway is: Heather from Where’s the Beach?!!! Congrats! Send me your email address at geektunedathlete@gmail.com, and I will get you what you need for the prize!

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{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }

Jessica @ How Sweet August 23, 2010 at 3:05 pm

I think you inspire more than any other blogger out there. Love you and your blog.
And happy 1 year! :)

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Nicole August 23, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Thank you, love!

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Faith August 23, 2010 at 3:16 pm

I loved reading your story — it’s been an amazing/inspiring year! Happy Anniversary!

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Megan @ The Daily Sweat August 23, 2010 at 3:18 pm

Happy Blogiversary! I just recently found your blog and I love reading it, thanks!

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Sana August 23, 2010 at 3:19 pm

I adore you and your blog! Keep blogging and sharing your story :) !

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Lisa August 23, 2010 at 3:26 pm

What a great recap! I didn’t know you had to do all of those huge life-changing things in ONE MONTH! Holy cow! Talk about pressure and stress. Happy anniversary! Keep writing, I love your site!

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genesis August 23, 2010 at 3:40 pm

wow, I did not know thats how your story started. you are a trooper and an inspiration to so many of us. to be honest, i find you more relatable than most bloggers. i feel youre more normal than most and thats why I keep reading!

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Nicole August 26, 2010 at 3:50 pm

:) The truth is: I’m really a lazy person! There are many days that I just plain don’t want to workout, but somehow I get to the gym or outside!

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lindsay August 23, 2010 at 3:46 pm

COngrats!! Yea, one year is big. And now you are a triathlete, thats an even bigger accomplishment. Way to go. Its addicting, isn’t it??! :)

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Kacy August 23, 2010 at 3:51 pm

I was that girl too! (Hell, I still run 12 minute miles, haha) and I heart your blog and I’m so glad you started it. It was a joy to meet you at Fitbloggin too, which never would have happened if you hadn’t started blogging :)

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Cara August 23, 2010 at 3:54 pm

I saw you post about this on twitter, and loved it! You will now be in my favorite reads!

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Krissy August 23, 2010 at 4:05 pm

What a beautiful post, sweet girl! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! The blog world wouldn’t be the same without you :) You inspire me so incredibly much and I look forward to continuing to follow you on your journey!! Happy 1 Year GTA!!!! xoxo

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Tasha - the clean eating mama August 23, 2010 at 4:13 pm

I have loved your blog from the very start!

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Nicole August 26, 2010 at 3:51 pm

You were also one of my first commenters! Thank you. :)

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Megan August 23, 2010 at 5:01 pm

So glad you came to the bloggy-world. :)

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Julie @SavvyEats August 23, 2010 at 5:11 pm

Love you dear: happy blogiversary!

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Erica August 23, 2010 at 5:12 pm

WOW- it has been one heck of a year for you! You rock and you ARE totally inspiring! I love your relationship with your husband too- what marriage is meant to be <3. Lurve ya girly!

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Nicole August 26, 2010 at 3:52 pm

Thank you! He definitely puts up with my craziness!

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TorontoGirloutWest August 23, 2010 at 5:49 pm

It’s clear you’ve come so far in the last year. I for one, am thrilled that you’re a member of this community. And I’m proud to call you a blend :)

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Cailin August 23, 2010 at 5:56 pm

I loved reading this! I feel like how you felt when you first started blogging, so this is such an inspiration :) Thanks for sharing! Happy one year!

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eatmovelove August 23, 2010 at 6:10 pm

Wow. My first time here – Happy Anniversary! And it was a great post for me to find out your history. You are so inspiring. I love that you made the best of your situation.

I am in small town – just moved – and I hate it and it so not ME and I want to be anywhere but….on top of that I hate my job…it’s not getting any better is it? ;) …I know I need to change my attitude and to just make it through a year, just a year…but it’s not easy. Not at all. There aren’t many people like me at all.

I look forward to following you Ms. Athlete :)

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Tiffany August 23, 2010 at 6:21 pm

Beautiful and inspiring! :)

Congrats to Heather for winning!

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Heather (Where's the Beach) August 23, 2010 at 6:22 pm

Happy anniversary. So glad you did start blogging! What a great story as to how and why. I started and was totally clueless, didn’t even follow many blogs. It’s always interesting to hear how and why people get started!

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Nicole August 23, 2010 at 6:24 pm

You know you won, right?

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Heather (Where's the Beach) August 23, 2010 at 6:29 pm

LOL – I totally missed that. I’m such a dork – I stopped after Happy Running, Swimming, Cycling. You’d think my own blog name would have jumped at me a bit more ;-)

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Nicole August 23, 2010 at 6:30 pm

haha. That is what I thought!!

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Dorry August 23, 2010 at 6:24 pm

Wow – what an incredible story! I’m so glad I had the chance to read it and look forward to following along as your story continues. :)

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Caitlin August 23, 2010 at 7:44 pm

Happy Anniversary!!! I am so glad you stumbled upon this community – it was so much fun hanging out with you at FitBloggin – my fellow Greek goddess! You are an absolute joy, a light and such a great BLEND! I am so glad to know and follow your story!! Love you girl!

And yes I call my Mom ‘Mum’ :)

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Alex August 23, 2010 at 7:52 pm

Happy Anniversary! As a fellow clumsy geek, who only recently fell in love with exercising , I love your blog because it reminds me of what I’m capable of! This July, I competed in my first Tri and loved it so much that I’ve since gone on compete in two more in the past month! You inspire me, and I’m sure countless others as well!

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Nicole August 26, 2010 at 3:54 pm

Yay!! One of my big pet peeves is when people say, “Oh, I can’t do that!” (what I do: run or do triathlon).

Oh trust me, if I can, you can! ;)

Thanks for reading!

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MizFit August 24, 2010 at 3:35 am

wow
time FLIES huh?

HAPPY HAPPY anniversary.

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Cat August 24, 2010 at 4:40 am

Happy Anniversary! I rarely comment, but I just wanted to let you know that I love reading your blog!

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Kat August 24, 2010 at 5:17 am

Happy Anniversary! and many more to come

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Alanna @ Blood, Sweat, and Cupcakes August 24, 2010 at 6:09 am

You’re so awesome! Like others have said, you and your blog inspire me more than any other I read. Reading about your time in high school seems like I’m reading something I wrote, it’s great to be able to relate. :)

Happy one year!

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Bonnie @ Salad Craze August 24, 2010 at 8:32 am

Happy Anniversary! I love following your blog. Glad I found you!

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Rachel August 24, 2010 at 12:22 pm

Thank you, thank you, thank you! My blog is a labor of love, and it’s been an incredible journey. I wonder what will come next. Congrats on your 1-year anniversary and triathlon triumphs!

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julie August 24, 2010 at 12:54 pm

CONGRATS GIRL! seriously such a good day for celebration :) you’ve been through so much and i think it’s awesome that you’ve blogged your way through it all and can look back and be so proud of yourself!

here’s to another year of adventures right!?

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Holly August 25, 2010 at 11:42 am

one of the best anniversary recaps i have read – i love seeing blogging giving people a renewed inspiration for life, and it shocks me to know that you were indeed at one time “unathletic.” i mean, you’re a machine now!

happy inspiring lady – keep on doin’ yo thang!

lotsa love,
holly

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Nicole August 25, 2010 at 12:33 pm

And thank you for being one of the few people who consistently commented on my blog in the beginning. ;) It really meant a lot to me!

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Sarah August 26, 2010 at 9:32 am

I love reading all your posts put this one really struck a cord with me. I am attempting to start a blog of my own and am feeling the exact same way you did! Thanks for making me feel like less of loser : p and thanks for being your beautiful self. Congrats on 1 year!

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pen August 29, 2010 at 12:27 pm

A (much) belated congrats on the anniversary! I can’t believe all that you’ve been through in the past year! I hope the next year slows down some for you and that you are able to accomplish all you hope!

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Jess August 30, 2010 at 5:30 pm

Wow! Somehow I didn’t realize you’d only been blogging for a year! Maybe because you’ve jammed a ton into that year that I assumed it was far longer that you’d been an active bloggy. :) Either way, I’ve loved reading your story and am totally inspired by you in so many ways! Congrats on the anniversary, girl :)

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Caree @ Fit-Mama December 21, 2010 at 1:15 pm

I just found your blog and what an inspirational story!!! love it!

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Allison @ Happy Tales February 13, 2011 at 9:49 pm

WOw, just read this post… you are amazing!!!
Allison @ Happy Tales recently posted..Oh- Happy Day!

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Cynthia (It All Changes) May 26, 2011 at 6:10 pm

I love your story and that blogging and activity helped you be YOU even in Germany. So glad to finally meet you and keep up with your story and friendship.
Cynthia (It All Changes) recently posted..Morning Carrot Cake

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Nicole May 27, 2011 at 7:03 am

Glad to finally meet you too!! ;)

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