Category Archives: Moving Forward
100 Yards Down, 780 To Go
Today for the first time I swam 100 yards freestyle without stopping. Thanks to my friend Tony who swam next to me and convinced me that I could do it. I still freak out at some point but it used to be before I reached 50 yards. Now I don’t begin to have a real problem until I am into the third lap (75 yards). When the panic sets in I remind myself that I can breathe every two strokes instead of every three and that slowing down and taking mental control works. So a long way to go to the half mile I need for my Tri but I have plenty of time to get there. Progress feels good!
Swim Team Meeting
Yesterday we had a meeting of our swim team and as usual we spent a lot of time laughing and joking before getting down to business. We did however start to plan our spring activity schedule and I am looking forward to warmer weather and being outside more. I can feel it.
Brick City Master Swim Team Meeting
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
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
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
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!
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.
More of a Reality Every Day
I’ve officially become a member of the TriWomen the group dedicated to getting you ready and through triathlons. While I’m still in some form of denial I am taking the steps that will lead me to the yellow brick road. Several of my swim buddies say that they are going to take part but today one told me she is still unsure that she can actually do it. I’m saying it daily and I am just that determined. I will not be deterred. Eight months to train and every day I say it out loud. I intend to be there.
First Steps the Hardest 