Andric Bowen ( 1974 ) New York City, NY (United States)
As long as I can remember I was a heavy set kid. I was bigger than my cousins and other kids around me. I was picked on, and sometimes made fun of because I was big. As recent as 2012, I was pushing ~200 lbs & 38″ waist size. I was unable to run at all and walking fast was a pain (literally). My nutrition was bad and working out… non-existent.
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With support from loved ones, I took that meanness and used it as an inspiration / motivation and started a journey. I did my research and found a privately owned club “FocusFitness” in NYC. We had several meetings as to what my goals were and what I wanted to do. Well, my goal was a very modest one. I wanted to jog around Central Park (6.2 miles) without shin splints and without being out of breath.
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The club put me on a 5 day workout program (including 1 yoga class). After a month and a half it clicked. I started dropping the weight, eating the right food and started slow jogs in my neighborhood.
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Transformation didn’t happen overnight. It took a long time. There were a lot of ups and downs filled with tears and doubts. It was a long learning process. But in the end, it was, and is, worth every sacrifice. I am running races, various distances; from tons of short distances to several half and 7 full marathons. So now what…
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…I had to add something else… What can that be? Let’s Tri.
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Before I could do that, I had to learn how to swim. As a child I had a near-drowning experience in the ocean. That experiment has never left me – it still creeps in the back of my mind.
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I also had to learn how to ride a bike again, with clipping in and out. It is so hard to learn how to swim as an adult. And, it is equally difficult to learn how to ride a bike again, with clips.
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Swimming was a challenge in itself. I did conquer it and am still at it everyday.
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Riding bikes: I have scars to prove it. I fell so many times, I can’t even count. In NYC there are hardly any empty roads – so, I would ride my bike in the park and fall in front of people. I was embarrassed but, I was not about to give in. I kept at it. I am not a pro, but I ride. I ride almost every day.
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Running will always be my base, but I fell in love with cycling.
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I LOVE cycling! The freedom it gives me. The areas I can explore. The places I can go. It Keeps me in line and in shape. And Not to mention, the cycling culture and its people, have welcomed me with open arms.
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I love cycling around NYC. I love to ride very early on the weekends. The only time this city is all yours is early in the morning. You feel like you own NYC.
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I ride in the city to discover new places, areas and spectacular views. It’s an amazing, crazy city. But at 4 am in the morning, on a weekend it’s sublime and serene.
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Sometimes I ride outside the city with a group but, mostly it’s solo. I love the feel of going out on my bike. It’s provided me with the solitude I seek in this big crazy city I love and call home.
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Now, when I travel abroad I like to either take my bike or rent one. I have had an amazing journey and this journey has just started.
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Also, let’s not forget, I’m MAMIL #mamil
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If someone had approached me 10 years ago and said that I would be doing Tri’s, I would have looked at them and said, “Have you met me?”. Tri’s, heck, running was not even on my trajectory. But, here I am. I’M POSSIBLE! And, I am enjoying every hour, minute and second of this amazing life.
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Thank you all for your encouragement, support and following me.
@artsynnyc
allblack cycling club 