Who am I?
My name is Michelle Wood. I'm a professional writer living the tri life. I've got some chronic health problems and I appreciate every minute I'm able to spend swimming, biking and running.
I've documented my adventures in racing for anyone who needs a good laugh or to feel better about their own race splits. You can see highly unflattering pictures and can tell from the content of my race reports, in case you had any doubt, that I am who I say. Because seriously, why would anyone make up something as embarrassing as this stuff?
What's my story?
After a decade of living with an undiagnosed thyroid condition I gained 150 pounds and my health declined to the point my doctor said I could have died. After getting proper treatment I began the long, hard road of getting my life back and losing all this weight. Along the way I found triathlon and my life changed forever.
I blog about the ups and downs of being an overweight triathlete at Hitting My Stride: The View from the Back of the Pack.
Why a book?
It first occurred to me to tackle a book project in the summer of 2005, after corresponding with triathlete and author Jayne Williams, of Slow Fat Triathlete fame. (Sidebar: If you're remotely interested in the sport and are up for a good laugh, you must read this book.) I told Jayne the abridged version of my story and thanked her for writing such a fantastic book for people just like me. She countered by saying my story was inspirational and that I should consider writing a book of my own.
I don't think I'm interesting enough for a whole book, but the idea was born. At the time I just wasn't sure how to make it work.
Why would anyone be interested in me?
Spring 2006: Enter the Get Your Geek On triathlon podcast (hosted by The Tri-Geek Kahuna and Iron Wil, available free via iTunes). In Episode 17, the Kahuna talked about how the elite racers get all the glory, but he believes the truly inspirational triathletes are the back of the packers. The ones for whom it is hard to do. The ones who overcome personal and physical obstacles to do it for the sheer joy of the sport. The ones who have no hope of winning, but still count it as a victory to cross the finish line.
He said that he's thought for a while that someone should write a book about those people.
Then Iron Wil, who knows I'm both a writer and a back-of-the-packer, chimed in and suggested I take up the cause. Seeing as how I'd already been contemplating a similar project, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to do something to bring positive attention both to the sport and to the people who make it great. (That would be you!)
If I talk to you, does that mean I get to be in the book?
I can't make any promises at this point about who will and won't be included. My goal, of course, is to include as many people as possible. Assuming I am able to secure a publisher, they will have final say on what goes in.
I'm not so sure about telling you personal stuff and then turning it loose for publication.
That's completely understandable, and about that I can only say this:
- I will not, under any circumstances, share your information (personal or contact) with others unless it is strictly as a part of the process of publishing the book (i.e. publisher needs it to secure your permission, to prove I didn't make you up, etc).
- I want everyone to be comfortable and will not include anyone in the final version of the book without securing consent.
OK, I get it. Now what?
Get in touch with me to share your story! If you don't want to use the form to get started, you can e-mail me with your contact info and I'll give you a call. If you live near Chicagoland we can sit down for a cup of coffee and chat, otherwise we can do it via phone and e-mail.