Author Archives: Tricraftual

Such A Busy Week


I shall return this week but the past week was too busy and I couldn’t write here. Also my computer is still in the hospital.  Anyway more Road to the Tri this week. Read the rest of this entry

Triathlon Training — The Saga Continues


Did I mention that my Triwomen group will begin a 13 week training program  in June. The Danskin which is now the Irongirl will take place at Sandy Hook in New Jersey on September 8th. They say that to take part in the training we need to be able to swim for 20 minutes, ride for 30 minutes, and run/walk for 20 minutes. Well I’m working on the swimming and if I don’t do freestyle I can swim for at least 30 minutes. Haven’t started the other two yet. Since I haven’t written in close to 20 years I am most concerned about that. In about two weeks I will be back in the park walking and hopefully that will improve monthly. I should be good for at least 45 minutes to begin. Just do it keeps coming to mind. What do you think Triathletes?

Comfort in Numbers – Road to Triathlon


So today there were eight of us in the pool for the first time in months. The heat pump was not working and the pool was actually a great temperature for swimming laps. Last week I was back to my freestyle stroke block and couldn’t make fifty yards without sputtering. I know it’s mental. Anyway I was pumped by having so many members of the team together. Just talking to them made me realize it’s possible. I decided not to worry about it today. I wanted to see if I could swim for a half hour. I was able to swim for 35 minutes. I did 24 laps in that time. Okay I was doing the old elementary back, breast stroke, side stroke and an occasional freestyle. Hmn. I have to swim a half mile for the triathlon. Two glaring things,  it would  be better if I could do all freestyle and at the rate I swim I will be in the water 45 minutes to an hour at the tri. I need to shave time off that and do it freestyle. So the process begins today. Stay tuned

Saturday Research — Knit/Crochet terms – Knittinghelp.com


There are so many terms to learn when you knit and crochet. Most you won’t learn until you need them.  I have suggested this before but I think it’s worth mentioning again, if you need help with basic stitches and abbreviations visit KnittingHelp.com

One of the things that drive me crazy is when a pattern says M1 and  doesn’t specify which type of increase should be used here. Knittinghelp.com says:

“Make 1. This means to increase a stitch. If the method isn’t specified, use whichever increase you like, for instance M1F.” – See more at: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-glossary#sthash.3rlJ6LgI.dpuf
Just one bit of great advice, they have tons. They also include crochet terms and advice. Visit the next time you have a question.

Swim Clinic with Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen


Well today I attended my first all day swim clinic. So we spent about an hour in the classroom and then we headed to the pool for two hours of free style stroke instruction.

The talk before the swim

The talk before the swim

Karlyn watching her video

Karlyn watching her video

Then we went to lunch, some people left and the rest of us returned to the pool for about an hour and a half more (thirty minutes per stroke) of in water instruction. Wow! I learned a lot and I have never been so tired in my life. It was worth it though! I’ll keep you informed of my improved strokes.

 

 

Tri bound


Second doctors visit in two days. The price of aging. This was the cardiologist and I told him instead of seeing him the end of August I want to come after my triathlon in September. He agreed but cautioned me to be sure that I have trained sufficiently. Okay I was pumped. After leaving however the cold hard reality hit me. I have to train aggressively to be ready. I have trained in my mind but not actually if you get my drift. I go to the pool four times a week but some days I hardly get anything done. That has to stop. Lack of training will not be the cause of me not completing this thing. More to come.

Triathlon Bound


I had to miss my workout today due to Dr.’s appointment. I am diabetic and on a mission to take good care of myself. I told the Doctor of my intention to do a Tri in September and she said by all means go for it. Since 2009 when I began to see her I have lost over forty pounds and am no doubt in better physical shape than I was in my forties. Having said that I know that I will have a long training road. Several people have visited my blog in the last few days and I will be following their journey’s this year as well. I hope to do at least one run/walk a month as part of my training. I will also be raising money for different organizations at the same time. It’s all good. We will make this trip together.

Triwomen rule


Last night I attended my first Triwomen meeting. I am really going to do a triathlon and these ladies are going to hold my hand through the whole thing. I have a long way to go to get ready but they assure me that it is doable. There were young women there and seasoned women like myself. They were small and petite and my size too (LOL!) and what they all had in common was the desire that I have, to do this. Stay tuned!

I Go To Sleep Thinking About My Freestyle Stroke


I actually go to sleep thinking about my freestyle stroke. I still don’t have the best stroke but I have visions of a much faster and certainly better stroke. I am going to my first swim clinic with Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen next Saturday and I couldn’t be more excited. My coach is great and has taught me a lot and I figure that anything I learn from the clinic will enhance what he has taught me. Execution and thought are not always in sync and there is so much to remember. Well anyway when I think about swimming, I’m not thinking about anything else.  My journey continues.

Isaiah 48:3


“I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass” Isaiah 48:3  New International Bible

Someone sends me a daily inspirational email and I must admit that I don’t always get to read it. This one caught my eye because I have spoken a triathlon into my life. Wow! I was blown over this morning when I opened this email which actually is sent by Joel Osteen.  So it is done.