I don’t know who created this video and it really explains some of the craziness of channel swimmers.  I laughed so hard I was crying watching this video.  I hope some of the humor translates for some of you. 

Another video from the EPIC 5 event that Team Nike participated in May 5th.  If you forgot it was 5 Ironmen (2.4 miles swim, 112 miles biking, 26.2 miles running) everday for 5 days on 5 different Hawaiian islands.  This again was produced to feature Redbull athlete Josef Ajram, so Team Nike may not be featured much, but we were there and represented!

http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/triatlon/triatlon-red-bull-epic-5-challenge-2011/1251275/

The video is around 30 minutes long, so maybe a good one to watch as you stretch after a workout.  Or maybe it is the inspiration to get out there and get moving.

Yes my Molokai (Kaiwe) Channel swim was quiet and most only found out after the swim when I was met on the beach by the Hawaii News Now crew.  That is exactly the way I wanted it.  Well I may rethink the news crew, but it was a nice surprise. 

Last year I attempted the Molokai Channel and things seemed to be off from the start.  After last year, I felt like there was some unfinished business.  However, I knew that I couldn’t approach the swim the same way.  It just wasn’t right last year and the outcome spoke for itself.  I pushed too hard, forced too much and added too much pressure.  Something was bound to break and it was me.  Continue Reading »

Not to long ago, the Ocean’s 7 marathon swimming challenge was created.  Much like the 7 Summits for climbers, this challenge pushes marathon swimmers to their limits.  However these swims are not the 7 toughest swims on the 7 continents like 7 Summits.   The creator of Ocean’s 7, Steven Munatones, “chose them for their geographic and climatic diversity, extreme hardships and the intricate planning needed to succeed.”  Crazy, yes.  Sick, yes.  A big challenge, absolutely.  

As I was hanging in Tarifa Spain with other swimming friends, it was stated “We should create the Still Water 8.”   Continue Reading »

This weekend I was just hanging out after my long training sessions making a plan of attack on how much of Mama Vera’s homemade spaghetti sauce when I received a few strange emails.  First was one that went like this “This looks so cool!  You must be so excited.”  I found this odd as I wasn’t exactly sure what it was referencing.  I hadn’t done anything particularly noteworthy to date except ordering that 9am post training burger.

SIDE NOTE: I spend most of the week working on the computer, so I try to spend my weekends away from technology.  I know I shouldn’t as this would be the prime time to update my blog, photos, etc.  But if I did that when would I get to Mama Vera’s sauce? or loads of training? 

Ok back to the email.  Then I noticed another email with the subject line “I will be very complimentary.” from one of my swimming mentors.  Now things seemed really odd.  I thought further investigation should be conducted.  I set aside the tomatoes and garlic and booted up my computer.  It suddenly became clear what all the fuss was about.  Open Water Source is doing a webinar regarding Women in the Water and low and behold my name was listed!  Weird, exciting, odd, humbling, etc all at the same time.  After reading about what looks to be an amazing webinar, I was up to speed.

Tune in Saturday 17th – 2pm PST/4pm CST/5pm EST/10pm London time. Here are the details: http://www.dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/2011/09/women-in-water-why-they-are-wonderful.html

Honestly based on the women that are listed from Penny Palfrey and Diana Nyad – LONG distance pioneers to 5k and 10k Olympians,  I think the hour will go very fast.   Also based on the listed company, I’m sure that any mention of me will be quick.  Don’t get me wrong any mention at all is pretty fricking amazing, so I’m very excited and honored to be included. 

I know that I’ll be tuning in to see what they say.  Heck it may even require another weekend boot of the computer to share my post webinar thoughts.  OH GEEZ, the pressure

By the way, Mama Vera’s sauce turned out very well and should help aid in my carbo loading obsessions.

I know I haven’t posted for a while, which may make some of you think that I’m somewhere in Siberia.  Not so…and I’ll explain that story later.  I’ve been doing some local events in Portland and then my annual trek to Ketchikan Alaska for the Pennock Island Challenge.  In the meantime, here is the trailer for the Outside TV documentary on EPIC 5.

I've never claimed to be remotely talented at land sports.  In fact, I pretty much shun all land sports and only do them as they are a necessary evil for cross training.  Oh sure growing up, I played volleyball, softball, basketball and dabbled in track for 2 weeks until I understood that all you did was run.  Mostly I spent my time trying to find the most comfortable position on metal folding chairs or hard wooden/metal bleachers.  (Note:  my extensive research has lead me to believe that there is no such position and we should bow down to our parents, siblings, etc that endure these things all in the name of support)  All these memories came flooding back as I met the wheelchair rugby coaches.  Continue Reading »

And the last installment of Josef Ajram's Redbull EPIC 5 webisodes.  I'm totally in this one.  Ok it is only as I give Josef a hug, but still.

Amazing accomplishments by all athletes that participated.

This was a rough day for Josef and he just did what he needed to do to get through.  Amazing athlete!

EPIC 5 Challenge news keeps being discovered or maybe I'm finding time to read up on the event…finally.    Leah Garcia did a good job of getting the sound bites off regarding the effort that all athletes were putting in.   At least I think they are called sound bites, eh what do I know about news reporting. 

Anyways, take some time to enjoy!

http://www.outsidetelevision.com/blog/epic-5-challenge