random thoughts – Vegan Triathlete

My November Challenge

November 5, 2014November 3, 2014 Crystal Clarke 2 Comments

Every month I set up a money budget. I don’t follow it to the penny, but it gives me a

2014 race preparations races racing Racing racing goals random thoughts

Pre-Race Jitters

July 19, 2014July 19, 2014 Crystal Clarke 1 Comment

This morning I went for my pre-race swim with my training buddy, Blair. It went well even though I forgot

2014 Racing racing goals random thoughts training

Reality Sets In

July 6, 2014 Crystal Clarke 2 Comments

Yesterday I went for my first open water swim in a year. I thought it had been longer, but I

2009 2009 CDA Desert Half IM 2009 IMCDA 2009 life after ironman random thoughts season reflections

Reflections on the 2009 season

October 18, 2009October 18, 2009 Crystal Clarke 0 Comments

The past two racing seasons have been challenging ones, both physically and mentally. I felt due for a great season

2009 ironman life philosophy personal stories racing goals random thoughts simplicity untraining

Decisions of the head and heart

August 27, 2009 Crystal Clarke 0 Comments

Yesterday I decided to go for my shortest run in at least 6 months. I took my dogs out for

food rewards getting faster ice cream random thoughts

The off-season begins

August 31, 2008August 31, 2008 Crystal Clarke 0 Comments

I hadn’t realized it has been so long since I last updated. Basically, the week after my DNF race was

anxiety random thoughts

When Stess & Anxiety levels go up, Training goes down

June 18, 2008 Crystal Clarke 0 Comments

I have noticed over the last couple of years of hard training that when my stress levels are high, I

I’m Crystal Clarke and obviously I’m a vegan triathlete. I started my triathlon journey in 2003 and since then have completed all distances of triathlon, including 3 Ironman triathlons and many halfs.

In addition to triathlon, I have many hobbies and interests. I also have an illness called bipolar disorder, which is a mental illness that I’ve worked hard to manage as, like diabetes, there is no cure. I’m not the most consistent triathlete, which makes my triathlon “career” all the more interesting.

My family is important to me, but I try not to talk about them ’cause they don’t like it. However, my dogs get lots of air time.

Oh yah, and I like to write; I used to be very prolific thinking my thoughts were profound. Now I’m less prolific but I think it’s because Facebook has killed my creativity. Sometimes I don’t follow all the grammar rules and write how I talk. I’m educated, but not, like, academic.