long swims

So much to say, and such little time to write it on paper.  

If there was a way to transfer thoughts to paper while I was swimming, my problem would be solved.

Needless to say, I’ve been busy.  I am back to working, finally! And it’s been such a great balance and distraction from thinking about swimming all the time.  To see my clients after 3 months of lockdown has been wonderful.  

After so many months of the focus being on my own needs for this swim, it brings me joy to help others feel better, having them in my chair, creating and cutting hair again. Seeing them leave with a new smile and shedding their covid-19 look has never been more rewarding.

Where to start! I want to share thoughts from my 16km trial swim at the beginning of the month, to the amazing weekend Zach, Dan and I spent in the Bruce Peninsula at the Madden’s, and to the longest swim of my life, this past Sunday.  

The foundation has also hit a very exciting milestone - 50k in donations and 15k in sponsorships on top of that! Woo! We are on the way to reaching our goal.

July 2nd, I travelled to Niagara-on-the-lake, where the swim across Lake Ontario will begin.

I had some time to look out over the lake, and have a closer look at the plaque that is there.  The plaque has names, dates and times of all the people who have successfully swam across Lake Ontario, starting with 16 year old Marilyn Bell in 1954.  There are only 66 (I could be off by one or two) people who have successfully crossed the lake in 67 years!  It is possible, that I could be the first transplant recipient to have ever swam across the lake.

The plaque in Queens Royal Park with names of successful swims across the Lake.

I stayed in a hotel over night, and began my trial swim the next day.  

With me on the trial swim was John Scott- my swim master, Tony Chisholm -captain and owner of the boat “pursuit of happiness”, Lynne Sinclaire- my dietician and amazing cheerleader, Grey Brett- my support swimmer (pacer), and last but absolutely not least, Benoit Raymond - my coach!

We made such a great team.  We were all in good spirits the whole day, and honestly couldn’t have asked for a better day on the lake.  The water was 72F, fairly calm, some chop and swells but nothing too serious.

Our pep talk before the trial swim began.

I hopped in the water from shore of Queens Royal Park, just to emulate the starting of my swim across the lake.  From there, I swam out to meet the boat.  Got on the boat and we went out a ways before I jumped back in the water to officially start the swim. 

I could see the Toronto skyline that day.  It looked far, hazy in the distance.

We went towards the Welland Canal for 3 hours, before we turned around and I swam 2 hours in the other direction.  I felt so supported with my team nearby on the boat.  When I’d stop for 30 seconds to eat, Lynne would toss my bottle in front of me, and I could hear their cheering, “You’re looking so strong! Amazing!”  It’s so helpful to have positive energy and smiles heading my way!  I can’t tell you the feeling.  All through training I am often alone in my thoughts, and to have people watching and sending good vibes my way, was a game changer.  

Part way through the trial swim. Photo taken by my friend and coach, Benoit Raymond.

I finished the 16km swim in 5 hours and 9 minutes - a great swim, but too fast. I learned that I likely won’t be able to hold that pace for 52km. My goal for the rest of the month, was to start off my long swims at a very slow and comfortable pace, stretching my strokes long and slow, also to reduce my number of strokes per minute.  I believe I have made good progress with that over the last few weeks. A huge thanks to my team that day, and to Tony for providing his skills and the boat to do the trial swim!

Swimming to the dock in front of the Maddens beautiful space on the lake.

Last weekend, Zach, Dan and I went back up to Jackie and Paul’s cottage in the Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron.  What an amazing place, with amazing people.

It’s what I imagine a little slice of heaven to be like.  Beautiful water, all the toys to play on the water, a dock to jump off, and a generous family willing to share it with us.

On the Friday, I swam beside Zach on the kayak.  This is always really special. To have my guy beside me, and making funny faces at times makes for a fun experience.

Zach and I. Assume all photos taken are from Dan Stenning :)

On Saturday, we went out on the lake for a 2 hour training swim.  Zach and Paul were on the seadoos leading the way, and Dan had his GoPro out to get some underwater footage of my swimming.  The lake was wavy, 60 Fahrenheit, a bit on the cold side, but it’s beauty and clarity was too enticing not to stay in.  After the swim, we hopped in the hot tub to warm up and soon after, the company arrived.

Relaxing after a chilly swim.

Paul and Jackie invited their neighbours to support me in my swim to fundraise for the foundation.  When I swim around the bay up there and pass by their docks, they often are outside waving at me to show their support.

I had the pleasure to chat with everyone who came.  They showed keen interest in the actual swim and my training, and also wanted to know more about the mission of the foundation - to shorten the waitlist, and to see that everyone in need of an organ transplant can receive one.

I always go back to my gratitude for being alive, because of organ donation.  But really, that is what has sparked almost everything that I do anymore. 

The wonderful group that came to support the swim and Move for Life Foundation. Behind the camera is Dan Stenning.

I am so grateful to Jackie and Paul for arranging that gathering.  I also met a woman who’s on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.  I could write a whole blog about this experience on Saturday, meeting Kim, and the conversations we had. 

To sum up my thoughts; every person you meet has a story to tell, and that story is probably incredibly different than what you make up in your mind.  The impact we have on each other can be so great.  It was such a pleasure to speak with someone as vibrant as Kim, with the enthusiasm to want to live peacefully and provide value to others at the same time, all the while fighting their battle.

I’ll forever be so thankful to the Maddens, for having us at their cottage, sharing their space and introducing us to such lovely people.

Dan the man Stenning. He’s been such a gift to have along with Zach and I as well. At this point, he really does feel a bit like our adult son. LOL. His ability to capture these moments in such beautiful photos is something I don’t want to take for granted.  Along with the photos comes a hilarious, enthusiastic personality that’s so easy to be around.  Dan, I know you’re reading…thanks for all you do.  Your presence has added so much fun, from the handstand fun back when we met, cold dips in the winter, all the way to the summertime now, the outdoor adventures, taking beautiful and hilarious photos.

Dan with his GoPro and Zach ready to snorkel.

This past Sunday, I set out for my last long training swim before my taper begins.  Planning a long swim like this is not been easy.  As I’ve mentioned before, I can’t do these big swims alone.  

I need someone beside me to feed me, and 9 hours is too much to ask of one person.  So, Jim Sandusky, my Mom Bonnie, my husband Zach, and our friend Sarah Blackler rallied together to paddle beside me in shifts for the whole day.

Sighting is also nearly impossible for 9 hours, so I rely on the paddler beside me to guide the way. Sighting is the looking up from your stroke to identify your surroundings and guide the direction you are swimming in.  This is a killer on the neck after a few hours.  The job of my support is demanding, and I again am so grateful to the people who take on this task.  Swimming 9 hours isn’t easy, but watching someone swim for 9, or even 2 hours isn’t easy either!

The morning of the 9 hour swim at Little Beach, Port Stanley.

We started at Little Beach in Port Stanley at 7:10am as the gold sky was lighting up from the pink sun.  The water was fairly flat and calm, and a reasonable 69F.

My aim was to stay calm, loose, relaxed.  Before I started the swim, I tried not to think about the duration of the swim.  I aimed to forget any pace or distance I was aiming for.  In my mind I broke it down into 3 hour chunks.  ‘I only have to swim 3 hours, then only 2 more segments like that.’ I know 3+3+3=9 but somehow to break it down makes it less daunting.

On this swim, I ate a range of things, from maple syrup gels, to Oreo cookies, to Carbopro (carb water basically), to baby food!  It comes in these handy little squeeze pouches, packing real fruit and surprisingly good energy to keep me going. I stop to eat every 40 minutes, for no more than 30 seconds at a time. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.  Thanks to Sarah for bringing your smile and energy for the last 3.5 hours of the swim.  You were such a great addition to the team that day. 

As the day went on, the wind picked up and the trip back to the shore for the exchange of paddlers became more gruelling.  The wind was blowing from the north, which meant we were pushed out from the shore, and fighting the current on the way back.  Not to mention, it was Sunday and the boaters were out.  People from their boats were waving, and making waves.  If you’ve ever swam in the open water before, or attempted to Stand up paddle board, the waves aren’t usually welcome.  Anyways, it’s good training, right?! I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t in some pain at the end of the 9 hours.  My arms were tired, hip flexors aching.  Actually, everything was aching a little bit, but that was to be expected.  

Sarah, Zach and I after the 9 hours of swimming.

I scraped bottom at 4:22pm as I reached the shallow water at Little Beach.  As I stood up, I was greeted with smiles and excitement.  Wow, I did it!  I swam for a whole day and covered just over 25km.  Now, I just have to double that to cross Lake Ontario.

Earlier in the week, I had done a few long swims including an 8k and 7k swim.  Going into the swim across the lake, I will be fresh and rested for about 2 weeks.  I believe after my taper, lots of rest and stretching, I will be prepared to tackle the 52km swim! 

This red line indicates the 52km route across the lake. Travelling South to North.

I plan to share a link to our website, and our social media platforms so you can watch the progress of the swim across the lake from the GPS tracker we will have along with us.  

On board will also be my friend and videographer Kyle, and if we have signal for parts of the swim, he’ll share some video, too.

I’ve got so much more to say, but that’s all for now! Thanks for reading and supporting this incredible journey!