Due to the dangerously cold weather on Wednesday, we will be cancelling our group. Weāll still be here Friday, just make good decisions on dressing warm enough. Iām hoping to bring my new knee in and have some fun with it. Itās getting better each dayā¦slow but sure.
Linda will be leading another painting class this Friday. Hereās a note from Linda:
Sounds like balmy weather for this Friday, 2/1, so join us for Introduction to Alcohol Inks, Part 2 where we play with metal and metallics! Newcomers are welcome. $1 or $2 donation appreciated. 11:45 to 1:15 in the breakroom.
INDOOR TRIATHLON – Iām thankful that Jerry, Mary Jo and Lowell are making the indoor triathlon at Westwood possible for us again this year. This is the event that gave birth to all we are doing 6 years ago. Jerry sent out an informative e-mail last week that answers lots of questions. Please consider doing the indoor triathlon this year. Be not afraidā¦please keep in mind that there will be many people to help you and it brings them great joy when you share your journey with them. Iāve attached Jerryās information in case you didnāt get it or didnāt consider it. Please consider it!
Letās hope for some better weather and have some fun again this week!
We all need to āJust Keep Movingā! It doesnāt matter where we start. We can start with laughing which is great exercise in itself. Other than that, we start with the body parts that will move and keep moving them as much as we can. Let them rest and then move them again.
I know there are still many of us going through other life challenges in addition to our challenges with MS. Letās stick together, keep our chins up and keep sharing our journey. Better days are ahead. For those of you who havenāt been able to make it by us on Wednesdays and Fridays lately, please know you are missed and in my thoughts and prayers. I hope youāre able to make it back soon!
I hope youāll join us both Wednesday and Friday again this week. Rememberā¦consistency is key. With MS, it takes a lot of consistent effort every day to make small improvements. Yes, itās frustrating so be patient and consistent and youāll be amazed how your quality of life will continue to improve. Itās been about 17 years of exercising just about every day for me and Iām still making improvements (encouragement, love, support, nutrition and proper rest help immensely too). It takes time so please be patient. It sure is better than MS getting worse. I really donāt know what my life would be like if I didnāt do this (nor do I want to find out). Iām so thankful you are all joining me on this journey of making progress with our MS and quality of lifeā¦THANK YOU! Weāll continue to learn togetherā¦thereās so much power in the love and support we all share with each other.
In the past, Iāve been telling you to bring a friend. Unfortunately, weāre going to need to start a waiting list for new people. Please feel free to continue to share your experience and what weāre doing together. Let me know of anyone who would like to join us. Iāll communicate with these people through e-mail or phone and help them any way I can. When we have room for them to join us, Iāll encourage them to do that. If youāve joined us in the past, please continue to join us.
We are here to help you and anyone with MSā¦no strings attached (well maybe an occasional story about the progress youāre making, smile, high five or a hug). I remember how challenging life used to be when my MS was bad. I get great joy sharing what Iāve learned and feel blessed with the progress Iāve made. I hope you make progress in some way too!
Place: W228N791 Westmound Dr.
Waukesha, WI
When: Wednesday morning from 9:30am ā 12:30pm (open gym concept, come for all or part of it)
Friday morning from 9:30 ā 12:30pm (open gym concept, come for all or part of it)
Any questions? Give me a call.
Dan Erschen
Cell: 414-305-0418
Westwood Tri,
YES, itās time to really get thinking about the Indoor Triathlon at West Wood. So mark your calendars, Sunday, March 17th.
As was done in the past, there will also be a 6 week training program leading up to the race. The training will be on Thursday mornings at West Wood, 10-11:30. It starts Thursday, February 7th. As was done last year, it will be 30 minutes in the cycle room, 30 minutes for run/walking and finishing with 30 minutes in the pool.
Information sheets and signup sheet are at the gym. Iāve also attached a copy.
For those who have done it in the past, currently there are no plans on changing things. For those who have not done it, here are a few answers to questions you might have.
Q. What am I getting into? Iām not a triathlete!
A. You will be. The event is 10 minutes of swimming, 20 minutes on the bike (same bikes as are in Danās gym) and 15 minutes run/walk on the indoor track at West Wood. Your distance traveled is your race result.
Q. What time is the race?
A. Participants are assigned to a wave, 8 per wave. First wave starts at 8:00 AM and every 30 minutes after that. As best as possible, the MS athletes will be grouped in the last waves. Based on prior years, your waves will start around 10 or 10:30.
Q. I donāt like water.
A. Use Club Soda.
Q. No, I mean Iām afraid of water.
A. During the training, there will be volunteers to help you overcome/handle that fear. Ask Shannon. What a trooper. Yes, Dennis said he would help again.
Q. Can I swim with a life preserver or noodle?
A. Yes. Weāll figure out what works during training.
Q. What if I only make it to the end of the pool?
A. Then you will have 25 yards for your swim distance. Good job!!
Q. What if I canāt even make it to the end of the pool?
A. Then your swim distance will be . . . zero. Weāll get your hair wet to make it look like you swam and then you head to the cycle room.
Q. I canāt get on and off the bike by myself?
A. Thatās what volunteers are planning to help you do.
Q. I canāt bike 20 minutes?
A. Then you ride for as long as you are able to in that 20 minute period. You can start and stop peddling as often as you want. Weāll work that out during training.
Q. How do I know how far I rode if the bike hasnāt moved.
A. The distance for your ride is determined by the watts measured on the bike. A conversion table determines how many miles you traveled based on the watts energy you put into the ride.
Q. I canāt run.
A. Who says you have to run. Walk just like you do at Danās, . . . except there will be no fork lift trucks or loud machines banging around you. Volunteers will keep track of how far you go. If needed, volunteers will also be allowed to walk with you.
Q. Do I have to do the training to do the race?
A. No . . . but itās very highly recommended. Also, if you just want to do the training but donāt want to or canāt do the race, thatās okay too. If you canāt make all 6 training sessions, thatās okay too.
Q. Ah, what does this cost?
A. NOTHING! You just have to show up.
Q. Where do I sign up?
A. Signup sheets for training and/or the race are attached and at Danās gym.
I know there may be a few more questions out there, so ask me or any of the other people who have ventured outside their comfort zone to do it. Kathy Korn has done it every year. Ask her.
In the meantime, see you at the gym.
Jerry Huhn