General Discussion Introduce Yourself!!! » Hello!! Rss Feed  
Moderators: IndoIronYanti, k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2018-01-21 7:21 PM


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Subject: Hello!!
Hi my name is Crystal and I am a 42 year-old African American woman who lives in Maryland, outside of Baltimore. I have been a runner for 10 years and have completed numerous 5ks, 10ks, a 15k, 10 milers, quite a few halves, and 1 marathon (Baltimore). Also, I have won a few age group awards. I love running and I have met some many wonderful people and have run races in approximately 10 different states.

During my years of running, I was introduced to the sport of triathlon. My biggest barrier to pursuing to register for a triathlon is swimming. When I was a child, I almost drowned in a family friend's pool, so for a long time I had a fear of water. But, during my college years, I decided to face my fears and take swimming lessons. Fast forward to now and after taking swimming lessons 3 times and with the help of the staff of my current gym, I finally can swim one lap of the pool!!!! This is such a big accomplishment for me. I have registered to take swimming lessons for the 4th time in March so I can learn how to tread water and improve my swimming endurance. I love the water and I love swimming. Currently, I cannot swim for 2 more weeks because i colored my hair and oh my how i miss swimming.

My ultimate goal is to complete a triathlon and that is my focus. I am aiming to complete my first triathlon in 2019. I am glad this website exist because I have many questions. I am so excited for this triathlon journey and I hope to inspire others, especially African Americans, to complete a triathlon. Faith over Fear!!!


2018-01-22 7:50 AM
in reply to: tazrocky

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Subject: RE: Hello!!
Welcome Crystal! We're glad to have you!
We have a section in our Articles for swimming, and you might find some helpful reference there.
We also have lots of people to answer questions in the Triathlon Talk forum.
In addition, there are a few free Mentor Groups still open. Those run until April, and some keep going after that.

I'm rooting for you! Overcoming a fear like that is not easy.

In addition, we sure could use some more diversity in this sport, so you're certainly a welcome member in that way as well, and it's great that you want to inspire other African Americans! If you come across anything you notice about the sport that specifically doesn't seem welcoming to people of color, would you please point it out so we can try to do something about it?
2018-01-22 11:14 AM
in reply to: alicefoeller

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Subject: RE: Hello!!

Welcome, fellow Baltimorean!!!  (or is it Baltimoron???  ).  There are a couple of us around here, and if your pool is the Merritt, you'll see us there. 

That's really great on overcoming your fear of water.  There are tons of resources here (when I first came here ten years ago I just started reading through old threads).  Don't be afraid to ask questions in the tri forum, you will usually get a decent number of answers, sometimes from pretty decent coaches.  Be patient, sometimes it takes a couple of days.

Good luck!

 

2018-01-23 11:13 AM
in reply to: jmhpsu93

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Subject: RE: Hello!!
Welcome! Way to overcome that fear of the water! BT is a great place for individuals at all levels of swimming, biking, and running.
2018-04-29 1:14 PM
in reply to: alicefoeller


11

Subject: RE: Hello!!
Thank you Alice!
I apologize for the so late reply. I need an email or something to let me know someone replied to my post. But, I will be checking this website more often, now.

I have an update - I have completed my swimming lessons and now I am confident in swimming in deep water. I learned how to tread water for about 20 seconds, the backstroke, and I learned how to dive. My next step is to swim in open water. Over the pst week I have re-ignited my love for cycling so I am looking to purchase a bike.

I will definitely give advice for diversifying the sport. I have been posting my swimming experiences on FB and I have inspired some friends, family, and coworkers to take swimming lessons, so that is a good first step.
2018-04-29 1:18 PM
in reply to: jmhpsu93


11

Subject: RE: Hello!!
Thank you Mike!
I re-joined Brick Bodies in Reisterstown because they have a deeper pool than LA Fitness. Have you done the Baltimore Triathlon?


2018-04-29 1:20 PM
in reply to: 0


11

Subject: RE: Hello!!
Thank you Amy!


Edited by tazrocky 2018-04-29 1:20 PM
2018-04-29 1:48 PM
in reply to: tazrocky

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Subject: RE: Hello!!
You can Subscribe to threads so you'll be updated if someone responds. You can do it with the Subscribe button on an individual thread. That should help!

Also, BT is short for BeginnerTriathlete.

2018-04-30 9:57 AM
in reply to: alicefoeller

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Subject: RE: Hello!!
Welcome!
2018-05-01 8:56 AM
in reply to: tazrocky

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Subject: RE: Hello!!

Originally posted by tazrocky Thank you Mike! I re-joined Brick Bodies in Reisterstown because they have a deeper pool than LA Fitness. Have you done the Baltimore Triathlon?

No, I haven't, but know a few people that have.  I actually live like 5-10 minutes from Gunpowder State Park, so I really don't have an excuse. 

2018-05-01 12:12 PM
in reply to: tazrocky


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Subject: RE: Hello!!
You'll crush it.

As I've always said about swimming (for most of us...who weren't swim team kids and the like), we're starting pretty low on the swimming spectrum. Which just means we deliver far more and faster improvement on that than anything else. You've gone from some trepidation about the swim to swimming a full lap in 3 lessons. Just think what you'll be like after you approach it like anything else you do in life!


2018-08-27 10:11 PM
in reply to: alicefoeller


11

Subject: RE: Hello!!
Hi Alice.
I do not see the subscribe button.
2018-08-27 10:12 PM
in reply to: jhaack39


11

Subject: RE: Hello!!
Thank you!
2018-08-27 10:13 PM
in reply to: alicefoeller


11

Subject: RE: Hello!!
I found it!
2018-08-27 10:14 PM
in reply to: jmhpsu93


11

Subject: RE: Hello!!
So true. Yo should do it. I signed up to volunteer.
2018-09-12 1:07 PM
in reply to: 0


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Subject: RE: Hello!!
Edit: I just reposted stuff I already said.

Edited by jhaack39 2018-09-12 1:10 PM


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