Yesterday I accomplished one of the most difficult physical challenges of my life.

The Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim was initiated to remember the 29 Mariners who lost their lives in November 1975. I was honoured to be a part of that. Additionally it was an incredible and unique open water swimming challenge. And a challenge it was!

I was part of the team of 4 who swam the Stage 15 relay from Lexington to Port Huron, Michigan. A 19 mile (30km) swim. From the beginning we were battling strong winds and swimming against the current. We struggled to move forward and to stay far enough away from the boat. As the swims became increasingly more difficult the mantra became “We can do hard things”. I will tell you that doing hard things become a little bit easier when you’re doing it as a team. Jane, Karen and Noah were my teammates and I truly could not have asked for better people to complete this challenge with. 

Reflecting today I have so many thoughts and emotions. 

Grateful – so much gratitude. I am grateful for my teammates for encouraging me, they are rockstars and I loved spending the day with them. Jim for creating this event and putting so much work into making it happen. Hugh for captaining the boat and getting us safely down Lake Huron and through the storm. Greg for checking our pulses when we got out of the water to make sure we are all ok. And Dave for making it all run smoothly on land, or making it look that way!

Appreciative – we were 1 mile from the finish when an epic Lake Huron storm broke out – we had heavy rain, hail, thunder and lightning. We sheltered in place for 2 hours. On shore our parents, friends and supporters, didn’t leave. They waited out the storm too and stood on the beach at 11:30pm cheering us in. Thanks Mom & Dad for being there.

Thankful – I shared the progress of the swim on Facebook through videos and posts. The encouragement from so many people was amazing. Thanks to everyone who commented or liked the videos it was like having you there, cheering us on.

Sad – I am sad that it is over. I registered for this over a year ago and it has been the focus of my training for the past 12 months. It was such an incredible day and I am sad that it’s over. I will miss the people who I only just met but feel like I’ve known forever.

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened ~ Dr. Seuss

Happy – I am happy that it happened. I am happy that I registered. I am happy that I trained for it. I am happy that we completed Stage 15. I am happy that I met so many wonderful people. It was an incredible experience. It is a memory that I will never forget. 

Motivated – Instead of focusing on being sad that it’s over I am using this as motivation to find the next epic adventure. What will it be??

Humbled – I am a strong swimmer but swimming the Great Lakes can be humbling. The term “lake” underestimates the power of these bodies of water. From day to day, hour to hour you never know what you are going to get. Lake Huron tested us yesterday.

Accomplished – I am proud of myself. It was hard. I swam 7 times yesterday. I didn’t quit. I was as strong on the 7th swim as I was on the 1st and I feel really good about that. 

Excited – If I can accomplish this feat what else am I able to do? When you do hard things it teaches your mind and body that you are capable of more than you think. 

I’m tired today but one day soon I will figure out “what’s next” for today I will just feel all the feelings!