Category Archives: re-invention
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?
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
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
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.
First Steps the Hardest 