Category Archives: Thoughts
Iron Girl Registration …….Done!
So okay this is a sprint triathlon here in New Jersey in September. I registered last year but my very interesting health issues caused me to lose focus and then my training failed. I will not be daunted this year. I paid my money and am determined to make it this year. For those of you that don’t know what a sprint triathlon is, it is short distances.This year the website says the swim is 1/3 of a mile (1/2 in the past) 15 mile ride (longer than last year) and 3 mile run. I am still freaked out about the bike part but I joined HbWomen a riding group affiliated with Hilltop Bicycles in Summit and Cranford New Jersey. When they schedule beginners rides I will be there. I’m even buying a bike in the spring. Of course the knees don’t run but they can still walk and that’s what I’ll be doing. So it’s done. I’m even thinking about a second one.
Training Flexibility
I’m not very flexible in my thinking. Today was a pool day. I had a lot to do so I made sure that I got there soon after the 9:30 am opening. When I got out of my car Wonda was coming out of the gate and she told me the pool was closed due to engineering issues. What the heck. I got back in my car and headed home. For me this meant no exercise today because I was going to go on with my day and that didn’t include an alternate exercise plan.
Half way home I decided to go to the park and walk. It was about 35 degrees (Fahrenheit) Not too cold. I’m a walker not a jogger/runner so I have to go some before I get warm. Anyway I still had time since I would have been in the pool. So I went to the park. Not my best walk, just about 2 1/2 miles but it was something.
I have a goal and that’s to be comfortable in my fall 2014 Triathlon. Training starts now and if I can’t do one thing maybe I can do another. No swim but can I walk and eventually ride? Sure I can. I have to be flexible and just do it!
This Year Is About Duty To Self
I don’t mean to ignore those that depend on me like my Mom and remaining Uncle in Georgia and Aunt in New York. I just mean that I have to prioritize my time and goals this year. My husband and our sons are grown-ups with their own agenda’s. I have to focus on mine. Henry Ford said “If you think you can or you can’t you are right either way”
I think I have tremendous reasoning capabilities. Generally though I can find more reasons why I can’t and not can. I have to change that thought process so that I can do things this year. I want to sign up for this 5K for next month. I may have mentioned it. Well I spend time every day saying suppose it’s really cold. I walk slowly and may take too long. I wonder if anyone else in my crew will do it. On and on. Wow! The power of negative thinking. Got to turn that around. This morning my friend Roz and three of her friends went to the park. The two ladies ran and the two men walked. It was 5 degrees! So what was I saying? Oh yeah “If you think you can or you can’t you are right either way”
The Challenge of Being Still!
I did make it to my Weight Watchers meeting in spite of the cold (around 8 degrees) in New Jersey but was very happy to get home. Felt guilty for no work out again today. I am not good with working out at home and generally skip it if I can’t leave the house to do it. Anyway I decided to stay in. Anxiety comes after a few hours.
I had to remember being patient this past summer and appreciating every thing, every day. I had work to do on my computer for the next semester and of course there is my knitting/crochet but somehow I am restless after a few hours. Perhaps this is a good time to meditate, be still and take in my surroundings. I have a warm home, a fire in the fireplace, good food and family. There are people who would be happy with one of those things.
I am still here!!
2013 was an interesting year. It was about focus and change and patience. Things I had to learn. It ended well but it was a tough year in general. Anyway it’s 2014 and who knows. I did my first 5K New Years Day. Don’t get excited can’t run but I can walk. A group of my swim friends and some runners I know and some runners who are swimmers (confused yet) did the January 1, 2014 Hangover Run in Westfield, New Jersey. Three of us walked. I had never done an official race so when I saw all of those people I decided to let them run and walk past me. We were the last three to complete the race. Lol. Did it in 58 minutes. I was happy. Now I have a best to beat. We had a cheering squad by the time we reached the finish line. And a plan was hatched!!!
I intend to do some type of athletic event every month this year. Well that’s my plan. I am going to sign up for a 5K in February but I must admit if it’s too cold I will not do it. We’ll see. I signed up for a practice triathlon that takes place at Montclair State College (indoors) in April and I am signing up for the Irongirl Triathlon in September. I will let you know as I fill in the blanks.
Happy New Year, it’s about the mind, body and spirit this year.
T
that’s me back row second from the right. 62 and going strong!!!
Can’t Afford To Save Money!!!!
So is this too much to ask? I want to open savings accounts for my granddaughters. Just something small to get them started and I intend to occasionally put money into each account (I have two granddaughters). The major bank that my son and daughter-in-law use wants $5.00 per month for balances under $300.00! Really? I found one that only requires a $50.00 deposit and charges $1.00 per month if the balance goes below the $50.00 mark. These are the same people who are offering interest rates that are little more than if you kept the money in the sock draw like grandma did. I just want the kids to get the idea that they need to save to get the little things that they want. I realize that you don’t get rich this way but it’s a start.
Hey! The Hair Dye Doesn’t Help!!!!
Okay I’ve said this before but it’s worth repeating. If you are a man and your hair is gray or salt and pepper when you go home tonight, do not use that black hair dye or as my friend calls it the shoe polish dye and come to work tomorrow. IT DOES NOT LOOK NATURAL!!! Especially if you do the mustache! You do realize that people are snickering when you leave the room. Just saying.
The End of Creativity is Near!!!
My students get tired of me telling them how media and technology are ruining our ability to imagine and create but I believe that it’s true. My Mom was born in 1916 and she often talks about how they entertained themselves pre-TV. She said that my Great Aunts and Uncles would entertain by playing the guitar and piano and singing. She was and is a prolific reader and spent many an evening reading to amuse herself. She passed that love of reading on to me.
My friends and I could play outside all day with a pair of skates, a jump rope and a dollar for penny candy. Today I saw a commercial for the movie Carrie. I thought it was for the original on TV but it wasn’t. They have actually remade Carrie. Does that make my point?
Call for help. It’s out there
Lee Thompson Young former Disney star apparently committed suicide early today. I didn’t know him as the “Famous Jett Jackson” but had watched him on Rizzoli and Isles” for several seasons now. He didn’t look the same to me this season but certainly I didn’t see trouble in his eyes. This scares me because more and more young people see death as the solution to their problems.
I can’t begin to understand how they feel because I don’t feel that way. I know that there are people out there willing to help if they are reached out for. All we can do is keep in touch and pray that the person facing these issues looks for help.
A Kind Word Can Mean So Much
Today at church a young man came up to me and hugged me and thanked me for encouraging him the week before. At first I was thinking what did I do? I thought some more and said to myself I guess that telling him perhaps learning patience was the lesson that he was to get from his recent undiagnosed illness. I told him that this summer for a variety of reasons I had begun to learn the same lesson. Things are not always done in our time frame but one way or another they get done. Any way, after two separate hospitalizations he finally has a diagnosis and is receiving treatment. He is beginning to feel better and I was happy to hear that news. I didn’t think I did any thing and he felt differently.
So if the kind words are in your heart, let them out of your mouth. They may help some one.
First Steps the Hardest 