Category Archives: Moving Forward
Roof Open, Staycation On
I won’t be traveling this summer so I have to take my outdoor time when and where I can. This morning the staff at JFK recreation center in Newark, NJ opened the roof to our pool. I had no choice but to swim my requisite sixteen laps just to take advantage of the cool water and the warm sunshine. Lots of sunscreen and though I don’t generally wear one, a bathing cap to protect my pate from the sun. It was heavenly! So I can’t get to the Islands, I have my own water adventure five days a week for the next two months. The health benefits are the icing on the cake as they say.
Sixteen Laps – 864 Yards – Dang Near A 1/2 Mile!!!
Calculations are rough but today I did SIXTEEN LAPS!!!! Meters to yards this is .16 short of 1/2 mile. I can’t believe it. It wasn’t pretty or fast but it got done. Did a lot for my mental state for sure. Can I duplicate it or go further? We’ll see.
Can a Swimmer get a Break?
JFK with roof rolled back
This is what I should have seen this morning. Today was the day that the roof was rolled back for the summer. Instead it has rained most of the day and the forecast calls for more of the same for the rest of the week.
Can a swimmer get a break?
Triathlon News — 500 meters/540 yards
Today I swam 500 meters which is 540 yards! My best swim yet. Not pretty but I did it. I believe that next week will be the half mile week. Six more laps will do it. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
Meters to Yards?????
Today when we got to the pool the lane lines had been placed along the length of the pool instead of the width. We went from 25 yards to 50 meters. OMG I thought that this was going to be an impossible task. Not!!! I actually did two laps easily. I wore my flippers which most everyone did. I did four groups of two laps. Resting after each group of two. Before I left I took off the flippers and did two more laps. Not bad. Maybe I’m getting the hang of this swimming thing. Now I have to translate the concentration that I have developed in the pool to life in general. Sound simple. It’s not.
Thursdays Swim Plan
So I have stopped fighting. Yesterday and today I began swimming a lap counting to twenty and doing a return lap I am up to twenty-two laps. Still not non-stop but I think that it’s progress. Next week I will try to do fifty yds. (two laps) and then rest and return. If I work my way up I should be able to do the half mile in a month or so. That’s the plan for today.
Cherry Blossoms – Newark, New Jersey Style
The City of Newark, New Jersey takes a lot of hits for its crime rate and riots that took place nearly fifty years ago. It bears the brunt of comedians jokes and the disrespect of people who have never visited. Well I have lived here for thirty-six years and today I would like to tell you about a very positive aspect of the City. Cherry Blossom Trees! Branch Brook Park which runs through much of the City’s North Ward and through a section of Belleville is the home of a larger collection of Cherry Blossom Tress than the nation’s capitol. In April of 2012 the number of trees in the park was 2,700. There may be more now, the county is always planting new trees to replace lost trees and supplement where possible. In additions there are Cherry Blossom trees in other parts of the City adorning the urban landscape.
The Cherry Blossom festival brings thousands to our park with their cameras and oil paints. The elderly, the young and all in between. Today I drove my Mom and a friend to the park to enjoy. It was a nice day. Enjoy my pictures.
Triwomen Talked Me Down
Tonight I attended a meeting of Triwomen to discuss a training schedule for our upcoming events. I am only concentrating on the Athleta Iron Girl Triathlon in September. I felt a little better after hearing what type of training I should be doing. I am still freaked out about the bike part of the whole thing and fear bike accidents. I will have to get over that but at least I have a plan. I have about two months until I have to start the serious training plans and I am going to use it to get to the baseline I need in each event. Stay tuned.
How Much Can I Remember in the Pool?
Keep your face in the water, don’t hesitate when you breathe, elbows high, glide. Did I mention that I’m slow as all get out? Oh for goodness sake. Once I start swimming I can barely remember where I am. The coach is having no mercy and that’s what I wanted but yesterday and today I am exhausted. I guess there is progress but it’s not much at this point. I’m not exactly discouraged but… So this evening I’m saying to myself SUCK IT UP and just continue to do what you’re doing. No sympathy needed. Just perseverance on my part. What do you say?
First Steps the Hardest 