Tis the end of a season::

So starting Thursday both M.I.A.C swim meet and L.A.C. swim meets began. My heart is tied closely with both of these conference meets now. My brother who is in college swims at the L.A.C. meet, and I swam for the four previous years at the M.I.A.C. I am very thankful that my schedule allowed for me to time at the M.I.A.C. and for my dad to go and watch my brother. My brother had a phenomenal start to his meet getting a personal record of 21.84 in the 50 freestyle, and his relay winning the 200-free relay all together.

Below are pictures of us swimming butterfly.

 

Photo Credit: Bryan Tolcser Photography

 I hope my brother continues to do well, as well as my fellow wildcat swimmers! Both teams have started out strong, and if only I could be at both places at the same time!!

Below are photos sent from my dad's phone- turned instagram via AJKRAM {me!}.

 

(Left): One proud papa after Ryley's 1st-place relay finish. (Right): Ryley showing off his new hair-do

Well, I'll be honest there is a research paper rough draft due and I need to finish writing it; so I'll stop being distracted. 

Happy Weekend!!

a new journey// life without swimming

 

So here's something you may or may not know about swimmers/ swimming/ competitive swimming. Most people will say that one "can't live with it, can't live without it!"

The truth of the matter is for the past 4 years, October 1st meant the beginning of a new season, a fresh start. A  place to go everyday and only think about one thing, the water. This year will be a little different, I have used up my 4 years of eligibility and won't be able to swim this year. I will definitely try to go to as many meets as possible, and cheer these girls on! I love swimming, and life without it...well it's just different. 

Good luck this year wildcats, and to all of you that are groaning the moment before you jump in the pool; take it from me, you'll miss it one day! That's a promise! 

You can read more about my Wildcat swimming adventures {here}

Happy May Day?

Well I'll be honest; I have not ever really celebrated May Day/ really even know the origin or what it's about. But regardless, happy almost summer! Supposedly there's a storm supposed to happen later today so that's awesome; I love thunder storms, they are definitely one of my favorite things!

Well this post is long over due, actually nearly 2 months past due...my final college banquet was Sunday, March 4th, 2012. The biggest problem had more to do with me actually getting the photos off of my moms camera and less about me actually writing this post.

St. Catherine University's Varsity Swim Team 2011 - 2012 Swim Season

It was an afternoon filled with a bittersweet nostalgia amongst the senior swimmers & diver. There were six of us and we all had put in 4 years of hard work, dedication, and spirit into this team and truly made it our own. It's always hard to know how you're going to react to goodbyes, and the unknowns of the future, and even two months later I'm still pondering this reality. As I look at our swim team we truly have 20 individuals come together as a unique piece to our puzzle and I have to say it was hard sometimes, but I am learning to look back and appreciate every moment of it. 

I love these ladies, like another family, and I can't for a second regret the hours and dedication that it took us to get to where we ended up. Even though we are moving on, I know this team has a lot to offer in the coming years, and coaches that are ready to bring them there. 

From Left to Right Seniors of 2012:

Sarah V., Bridget, Reba, Mary, (me!), Sarah M.

  Coaches & I (Nicole Hempler & Shana Erickson)                                              Seniors and Coaches!

A few other steals of photos from MIAC that I downloaded from my mom's camera:

 

One of the last times I wore one of these crazy fast suits!

 

Coaches pep talk after one of my races :-) My lucky TEMPORARY butterfly tat 

Team cheer before one of the sessions!

 One of my favorites of Shana and I; my coach :)

On a slightly different note: an important petition YOU should participate in!! Super easy; takes like 30 seconds....

GO {HERE} NOW!!

We need more functioning pools in Minneapolis that have potential to change lives, like swimming has done for me! Take the 30 seconds, I mean it, sign the petition! 

....seriously just follow this link {NOW}

All good things have their time to shine! {Conference 2012}

St. Kate's Seniors 2012 - Bridget, Mary, Reba, Sarah V, Myself, and Sarah M. 

M.I.A.C. Championships 2012

February 16th - 18th

 What a crazy, wonderful weekend filled with highs and lows and emotions everywhere between. I figured out that my first championship swim meet was swam at the age of 8, where I competed in one event; the 25 yard breaststroke at the University of Minnesota. The last competition I will swim in my life is 13 years later at the age of 21 I competed in my last race in the 100 freestyle swimming a lifetime best of 55.93 and getting 25th in the M.I.A.C. It only seems suiting that I end and begin my career in the same place. 

This weekend I can say I have been filled with gratitude and pride looking back over the countless hours I spent in and around a pool. All the coaches that invested their time, believed I could achieve anything I set my mind on, and the teammates that were there with me every step of the way. I started at our local YMCA swim team under the lead of Charlie Kirks, Amy, and Kelly at the age of 7. Then moved on to YWCA of Minneapolis club team coached by a cohort but lead by Dave Cameron while also swimming for South High School under the direction of Jeff Sanders, Neil Anderson, and Amy Bouta. I finished my career at the St. Catherine University coached by Nicole Hempler and Shana Erickson. All of these times had their moments of highs and lows, but all came together to create the swimmer I am today, and person I have become. I will always feel eternally grateful for my parents who pushed me to do my best, never quit, and to pursue every level of swimming I can. I am thankful for my grandparents and extended family that spent hours in the pool just to watch me swim one event. I hope that at this time even though my competitive swimming career has come to an end in the pool, that I will have greater opportunities to work as a coach or who knows maybe I'll be a swimming parent some day! I know either way that swimming will always be a part of my life in some capacity. 

 

Our goals we posted at the beginning of taper.

My college lane mate, where we always worked out in lane 2!

Butterfly Prelims - Lifetime Best take 1 - 1:01.83 (13th place overall)

This is the smile you get after getting a lifetime best in the 100 fly :D

 

At the beginning of my last race ever - 100 free - 55.93 (25th overall)

My partner in crime & Butterfly teammate Bridget

We couldn't have done it without our coaches! Thanks for everything :)

 

Taper Day 10 {2100 yards}

It's finally the week of conference! I am starting to feel like a swimmer again, and my front crawl is feeling good, particularly the flip turns, so that's good right?

My Events:
Thursday - 50 Free
Friday - 100 Fly
Saturday - 100 Free

Our team is hitting a few hiccups this week, but I am confident that this will give us more determination and push to compete at our highest potential. We will overcome obstacles and succeed I can feel it!

Taper Day 7 {3200 yards}

 

This is my goal, even though today was definitely a rough morning and exhausted was the place where I was at, I feel like I'm getting better. Still tired. But my stroke is sticking together, and I'm able to complete practices one day at a time. 

As I think about all the ways swimming has shaped me and helped define who I am, I think the biggest thing I've learned is dedication, hard work, goal setting, time management,...all these things I don't think would have been the same if I hadn't dedicated my whole life so far to a sport. I am blessed and thankful for the ability to swim, and be on a team, and be surrounded by many wonderful people. 

Thanks to swimming, this sport has changed my life!

Countdown to MIAC:  7 days!

Taper Day 6 {3600 yards}

So today, was a long day, and I could feel it in the pool. This morning I had a wonderful opportunity to interview a young mother from my church for a community nursing portion of our Maternal & Child Health class. Then I drove back to school, squished in finishing two loads of laundry that needed to be done, followed by practice and 1 power nap in there that just didn't seem to be sufficient so I had to resort to taking excedrine to survive the day and practice. 

I will be heading to bed soon, and I still am not looking forward to 6:15am practice tomorrow, where still I won't get enough sleep unfortunately. But one thing that will be nice is that before we start practice we'll have visualization to take us through our conference meet events, and this above quote reminds me a little about what our coaches say to us during visualization. I have swam competitively since I was 8 years old, competed at the University of Minnesota's pool since I was 9 at least once a year, and swam these particular events a handful of hundreds of times, and all of these experiences will help me and primed me to compete in my last competition ever next week. Now experience isn't everything, practice, and more practice, and dedication is a huge part, but I can go into the race knowing I will be and am capable of being successful, and I will own that through to the finish. Once again, I still am reminding myself, I don't need and shouldn't be fast now, I need to be fast starting next Thursday; and that's when it counts.

Day 4 {4400 yards}/ Day 5 {3900 yards}

Fun Fact: Getting up today for day 5 of taper practices was rough, all that kept going through my head was that we only have 2 6am practices left this season, or in my case forever, so I know I can do 2, everyone can do two!

Yesterday was rough, dealing with death is hard, no matter what the scenario. I am keeping her family and friends in my thoughts and prayers. But as reminded by a mutual friend, Jamaica always was able to smile, find humor or sarcasm in any situation in order get through it. I will try to think positively with a smile on my face to get through the next two weeks of taper and for the rest of the semester. I am truly glad that we crossed paths, even if it was for a short time. I hope that someday I can be just as fun-loving, and spontaneous as you one day!

Back to swimming, I know as you can see our yardage continues to drop, we're now half of where we started. Though lets be real, these practices haven't gotten easier, and I don't feel like they're taking any less time. So here's to the next day being better, and me being faster as time gets closer. I don't and shouldn't be fast now, I need to be fast next Thursday. 

Happy Tuesday! Find a reason to smile, and bring it through the rest of the day!

Taper Day 3 {5500 yards} & The Color Run!

So I've been thinking during this whole taper thing, and saying goodbye to my competitive swimming edge, and being an athlete, and really not liking the idea that I am just getting old and won't be able to perform at my highest anymore.....well then I was on Pinterest and found this AWESOME race and it's in July and thought this would be a perfect kick start to the rest of my life of amateur sports and working out. It's called the Color Run, and all proceeds go to a local charity, and this year it happens to be in St. Paul!

So I'm super pumped and I'm hoping to get my brothers to do it as well as my teammates from St. Kate's. It just looks like fun, and not so awful just running to run. Check out the Minnesota site {here}. The idea of being able to run through colorful powder and be multi-colored by the end just seems like a good day brightener, and good motivator.

I believe the only place that has gone is Arizona so far, so you can see photos below. Even though at the moment I'm exhausted by the number of intense yards we've swam in the last 3 days, this excites me to spend time doing fun things with my team outside the pool; it's a freeing feeling! You can like it on facebook if you click the photo below!

 

Taper Day 2 {5800 yards}/ Last Day of front - loading

 

It's finally Friday!

Which means I got through the toughest 5 days of the swim season, and of this half of the semester. 

The day did get a little brighter when our AM session got out nearly an hour early allowing us to get to swimming sooner as well as eat a full lunch before lab.

Sadly, when I was getting my lunch today I was reminded how I wouldn't be able to enjoy the ever yearning need for my coca-cola that I would have liked, but chocolate milk and banana had to suffice. I'm managing, I have been bringing water to class the past two days to compensate, so if I was drinking something it took my mind off of other options I could be munching on if it wasn't taper. Now I'm back in my room, it's quiet and I'm enjoying it. I have a lot to do for class this weekend, but only have to go into work once to teach a private swimming lesson so I'll have plenty of time. Though tonight an early bed time and mindless television sound like an awesome idea before an early morning for practice tomorrow, I have to keep telling myself taper will get better and I will feel awesome, just not yet!

Taper Day 1 {6500 yards}/ 4th day of front loading

It's Thursday, but it feels like a Friday, and my brain is at a stand still.

Today was a long day, but then again so was Wednesday, Tuesday, and Monday. I really dislike trying to combine "front-loading week" with the beginning of taper, and getting back into school without ever having a weekend off of everything. Front-loading week is Class M/W/F from 8am - 5pm with a lunch break, and classes Tuesday/ Thursday afternoons, taper beginning today consisted of a test set yesterday circle swimming, and 6,500 yards today for a nearly 3 hour practice. After tomorrow ends I will be making sure that I will get "play" time for me, a time to clear my head, and have a break. This week I don't have enough energy to "play" instead I enjoy the moments of silent in my room between it all.

Thanks for everyone who is putting up with me this week, I can't imagine I have been that much of a pleasure to be around. And maybe you have more time than me on your hands, so remember, don't forget to play!

We've Gotten old ladies....

Sophomore Year 2009 - 2010

Senior Recognition Night ~ Wildcat Swimmers 2008 - 2012

Friday, January 27th, 2012

6:00pm

Vs. Augsburg & Macalester

Senior Year 2011 - 2012

...But we still have it! Come watch us :)

Reflection from the past weekend in competition: Grinnell College, Iowa

 

Going into finals at Grinnell this past weekend, I was expecting my head coach to give us inspirational words of optimism and reassurance. Though instead she said, almost a direct quote, "races tonight are going to hurt, but I KNOW you can do it, and it will be WORTH it." All of us kinda looked at each other, and I think would have rather gone into our races with ignorance, but you know what, I think it's what we needed, and almost all of us came out that night with a season best in at least one event. That felt good, even if it did hurt a little. 

Grinnell Invitational has been my favorite swim meet for the past two years, my freshman and sophomore year we didn't take a team there. Maybe it's something about the atmosphere, or the competition from all over the midwest, or maybe it's the urgency to drop time once more before you get seated for conference, but it's just the feeling you get after swimming two days straight prelims in the morning and finals at night where get a sense of accomplishment. I accomplished a few things this weekend, that I can add to my "firsts" in my swimming career. 

• It was the first time I swam faster in finals then I did in a preliminary race
• First time that every time I swam 100 freestyle I did not go above a minute flat
• First time that over the course of the meet my 50 free stayed sub-27 seconds
• First & last swim meet that my brother Ryley and I will compete at together in our college career, and I was happy I got to see him swim his bestest :)

Now I know these things may not be the same as qualifying for nationals, receiving a first-place finish, or swimming the fastest split on a relay, but for me it assured me going into taper that I think I have a lot more to accomplish in the last 3 meets of my career that I gave myself the option of. So my goal for my final meet of my competitive swimming career is to have some more "firsts" and own and push through the pain of every race that I have the opportunity to swim, with no excuses at the end of the day.

I took a few photos over the course of the weekend, none with me in it, or something special. Maybe I'll post them later.

Happy Kickset Monday Wildcats, and for everyone else, I hope you survived your Minnesota icy commute this morning to wherever you had to go!

Today started the beginning of a tough three weeks of training leading into taper, wish me luck!

Training Trip 2012 {Final Home Stretch!}

My final training trip of my collegiate career has now come and gone, here's a few highlights from the trip! Thankfully since I am terrible at taking photos of myself, I have many teammates that have photos I can share with you!

 

Team Shot on the last day in the Bahamas, following our last practice :)

 The first day that we arrived it was highs in the mid 60s, so unfortunately that made for a cold first 3-days, including a broken heater in the long-course pool, and a lot of grumpy faces...luckily mother nature warmed up and we were able to find a short-course meter pool (my favorite being a sprinter!) AND the heater was functioning!

The best roommates I could ask for!

After a few days in Florida we got to do something that has been on my "bucket" list for as long as I started creating one! You may know what it is if you've seen past my blog post {here} & {here}, drum roll please....I swam with Dolphins! It was a super fun experience, and I'd say once and a lifetime, I don't think I'll spend the nearly $200 again to swim with creatures that should be left to themselves in the wild, but it was definitely worth every penny! {I even got to do the incredible foot lift; see below!}

   

·         Swim with dolphins (check!)

 Below are some random final shots of the week, other highlights were jet skiing in the ocean (even though it isn't on my bucket list, I have always wanted to jet ski; so that was exciting!), soaking in the sun, break from reality, time with some pretty awesome people. Though, I'll have to admit, I was very happy to see the Minneapolis skyline from the plane upon our arrival home!

   

   

Hopefully you enjoyed the photos and stories from my trip! If you're interested our first swim meet back in the States is tonight! St. Kate's vs. St. Thomas dual meet @ St. Thomas, this evening at 6pm. Should be short & sweet, and good to get back in the pool and compete :)

Fall Back {Extra Hour of Sleep!}

I don't know about you, but the extra hour of sleep this morning and today came at a perfect time! This weekend was full of swimming and activity without much break between. I hope everyone enjoyed the extra hour as much as I did, and didn't forget to turn back your clocks!

Let me break down my weekend of lots and lots of swimming!

    

Friday, November 4th, 2011 

St. Kate's swim team participated in the Northfield Quad swim meet hosted by Carleton College. You can read a summary of the meets happenings {here} the official results/ splits are listed {here}. At this point in the season I can't complain I have gone slightly faster but over all we're tired and are just trying to maintain a good base. It was fun to see friends that I know from other schools at the meet as well, brings back good memories of club swimming in high school! The biggest excitement from this meet was that our one and only diver got a qualifying score on 3-meter diving which is always a good way to start off the season considering it was only her 2nd time competing this season.

Saturday, November 5th - 12 Hour Swim-A-Thon Fundraiser for St. Kate's Swim Team & Training Trip 2012!

Mary & I were in our own group, which was fantastic! We're lane buddies during practice :)

Now this was the fun part, if you haven't read my past posts regarding the 12-hour swim you should look back {here}. I can still take financial donations for those interested contact me via email ashley_kramka@yahoo.com. I also want to say how grateful I am for everyone who has taken time and helped me out and supported me this season/ fundraiser as well as for the past 18+ years of my swimming career. No words can express how blessed I am to have the people in my life that I do. 

It was a whole team affair, we all did it though :) Thanks to our Coach keeping track of the computers.

How the 12-hour swim worked is that our team broke up into 6 groups each group swimming every 2 hours for 20 minutes chunks, and we measured out how many miles we swam individually as well as a team. I believe as a team we managed swimming 80+ miles, which is always good. It was a long day, especially with the quick turnaround from the night before but we did it! I can say this, that my team is awesome and there's not too many people I could stand being with for that long in a pool, but we survived alright :)

That's all for now, I'm off to a study session for Patho tonight, and then a busy week with nursing and a solid week of practices with no meets! So I'll be tuckered out I'm sure. 

I wish you all a wonderful start to your weeks :)

Well it's Friday...BUT...

I'm mentally preparing myself for water-logged weekend oh fun!

Today, I am counting my blessings and I don't have to worry about class again until Monday but St. Kate's is heading out to Northfield to compete at Carleton College in the Northfield Quad meet, which should be short and sweet considering it's only short events and it's only girls! It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to only have to worry about girls events, meaning the meet cuts in half because of this. The meet starts at 6pm, and we're hoping to be done no later than 8pm. So this should be fun! I get to swim my favorite events too, 100 fly, 50 fly individually, and then the 4 X 50 yrd Freestyle relay at the end. 

Then prepare yourself, TOMORROW is the big day! My final swim-a-thon of my life starts and ends tomorrow and it goes from 9:30am - 9:30pm. I've mentioned it in past blog posts, and it's not too late to contact me on how to support me financially through this endeavor more details are laid our {here}. If you are interested in stopping by you are more than welcome to cheer us on and see my team swim! {Butler Pool on St. Kate's St. Paul Campus}

So the weekend is packed full of swimming, an online exam for NURS 3100, and trying to get some sleep. 

I hope your weekend is starting out well!