Well I beat around the bush for a long time before deciding to sign up for that first race. My main procrastinating thought was, "I need to get in better shape, then ill sign up". But you know what? I was trying to put the cart in front of the horse. Once I signed up, the obsession followed. I didn't win any races, nor do I really ever expect to, but I did manage to lose about 80 lbs and get in perhaps the best shape of my life.