CuttingWater

Saturday, September 21, 2013

EC 3rd Double

 
24 hours condensed to 10 minutes,
wish it had felt like 10 minutes but it did NOT.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me this summer, to reach my 3 swimming goals and fundraising goal, are were accomplished, www.swimacrossthesound.org ....

Janet Galya, for accepting this crazy fish, I love you.

Scott Lautman : so much fun swimming next to at Catalina... super moon rules and thanks for helping me with England, we had blast, in and out of the water.

The Holder Family: Teresa, sister and crew for Catalina and Swim Across the Sound, Charvelle, crew for Catalina, and Kassandra, crew for Swim Across the Sound.

Mike Oram: pilot/navigator for the 13th and 14th time :), big Anniversary next June.

James Willi: youthful piloting eyes in the Channel

Channel Swimming & Pilots Observers: Mike Ball and Lauren Austin


 Liz Fry and Jim Bayles: my Hammonasset swim buddies.

John Lennard, Amanda Rossilimo and Terese Karmel, my January Jam/MCC partners

To everyone in body and spirit, you all are wonderful and special people,
THANK YOU.
Dream, Prepare, Succeed.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Hartford Courant article: Channel-Crosser Marcy MacDonald A Bit Skeptical About Diana Nyad's Feat

Hi everyone,

they asked, I answered.

I thought you'd like this:
http://fw.to/0A78lWH

Channel-Crosser Marcy MacDonald A Bit Skeptical About Diana Nyad's Feat
Marcy MacDonald has nothing against fellow swimmer Diana Nyad.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Short post-swim 3rd double

After days looking at the weather, Mike found a short window to go.

It wasn't pretty conditions, I have left the channel without any permanent damage (I think), a fantastic jelly sting and some super pectoral girdle soreness,
but I am ready for dinner now.

Thank you so much to my crew, my partner Janet Galya and Seattle friend and Channel swimmer, Scott Lautman, who watched and supplied me with nourishment.
The CS&PF observers, Mike Ball and Laura Austin.
... my pilots, Mike Oram and James Willi. Mike knows me too well as a swimmer, enough to help me to make the turn in France, when I really did not want too, I had no injuries, no reasons not to get out, other than to be able to get into the warm bunk on board, but there was no way I heading back to France for a 3 way in those lumpy seas.

Respect your decisions, and be proud of your accomplishments ( I sure am proud of #13 and 14,

24hr, 16 min.).

More to come, but not tonight, almost zzz time

Dream, prepare, succeed
Marcy

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

We SWIM on August 28, come follow us. :)


Hi everyone,


A BIG Thank you for all your support and interest this past summer, all is well and I'm ready for the...

... Final swim of the 2013 summer season...

The English Channel water (harbor) feels great, either I've acclimated for the temperature through my training or the few extra pounds of insulation I've put on is helping to keep me warm, I think it's a bit of both, and we are in the late season when the temps are the highest around 63 degrees F (17C).

I am hoping to make this a multiple crossing but everything is variable, with the weather, just keep watching the tracker.

Friend and crew member, Scott Lautman will periodically post updates (if possible) on my page and his page.

Mid-day tomorrow, Wednesday August 28th we will start our aqua-adventure.
We meet our pilot Mike Oram at 12:00 noon (GMT) and I should be starting my swim around
1 pm (GMT) .

 Important: If you are viewing on Window8, you may have trouble viewing the tracking... SOLUTION: download Google Chrome, copy and paste the address and it should work.

There are 3 ways to follow me through out the day and hopefully the night.
 
http://www.ais-doverstraits.co.uk/
This is Mike's tracker, click on Gallivant when you get to the next page.

http://www.mapswim.com/
shows a variety of boats, updates may take more time.
 
...and I have a SPOT Messenger. I am sharing my location information with you. Click on the link to see where I am.

Just follow this link to see my location updates:


http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0csVR0IGmXyIaXgnS9Uud9Bzp2CGb8uGI

If the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it to your browser's address bar.

... and remember we always swim for a cause.
The simplest way to donate is to visit my page at the Swim Across the Sound website,
 
https://give.stvincents.org/netcommunity/marcella


The SWIM helps individual cancer patients on a case-by-case basis with specific needs, such as the funding of wigs and prostheses, medication assistance, free transportation to treatments and appointments, day-care scholarships and support groups. This assists patients, families and the communities of Connecticut deal with the burdens of battling Cancer.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed
...and Thank you,
Marcella

Monday, August 26, 2013

Sunrise over Dover



The weather looks to improve for a possible Thursday swim, but I

will keep you posted.
In the meantime, Scott Lautman has arrived (including another story), Janet is cooking breakfast.... salty bacon/more like Canadian, eggs and brown toast. The harbor water is lovely, couple hours today.
Over and out :)


Friday, August 2, 2013

Swim Across the Sound... Tomorrow

Hi friends,
... because we all know someone...

Tomorrow, Saturday August 3rd, is the 2nd of my 2013 summer swims. This year plans to have super crossing weather, with a great field of swimmers, pilots, crew, safety boats and volunteers to... make for SAFE a adventure. The swim starts at 8:30am ET for the 17 mile swim. I am sharing my location information with you as we cross Long Island Sound, from Port Jefferson, NY to Captain's Cove, Bridgeport, CT. Go to www.SwimAcrosstheSound.org and see all the great things St. Vincent's Medical Center does for patients and families battling cancer.

Two English channel swimming friends are joining the field this year; from Mexico, Nora Toledano Cadena, and Texan, David Blanke ... look out for the jellies:)

There are 2 ways to follow me and the other swimmers.

1) The SwimAcrossTheSound has link to, Web Address: www.myathletelive.com/events/

Please select "Swim Across the Sound" from the event list, then click on solo swimmer or team name.

2) I also will have my SPOT Messenger working.

Click on the link to see where I am.

Just follow this link to see my location updates:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0EI2lh6McR3lvLon8OXLVfEyFyWN5Vt0c

If the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it to your browser's address bar.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed and Thank you,
Marcella
www.cuttingwater.blogspot.com

So, come on down to the Cove on Saturday
Soak up the sunshine and sea air
Enjoy the music
Eat, drink, and socialize
And just be part of the excitement
First swimmers are expected to finish around 2:00 pm)

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Happy Birthday K & K the big 21

Yesterday (June 29) and today (June 30),
my dear niece, Kassandra Holder (29th) and nephew, Kurtis MacDonald (30th) turned the big 21, Wow, where did the time go, I remember celebrating lots of paired birthday parties as they grew older, fun family times.
Yesterday, we enjoyed some time with Kassandra at the Casino, and a nice workout in the morning.

I felt better than I thought, especially after the big Catalina swim last Tuesday.

Warm up: 500 (alternate Drill/ Back/easy free)
S: 4 x 100 (1:35)
Fulcrum: 400 (alternate drill/swim)
S: 4 x 100
F: 300
S: 5 x 100
F: 200
S: 4 x 100
F: 100
S: 4 x 100
C/D: 500
= 4,100 yards (21 x 100)


Today,
 
I tried to celebrate my nephew, Kurtis MacDonald's 21st birthday with a swim at Hammonasset, but no lifeguard, no buddy, no swim at the beach. It just wasn't in the cards,
so the plans changed and I went shopping and ended at Mansfield Community Center for a nice 2100 yard swim.

I just another day of rest ...is good.

So, 2100 yards,
every 21st length was backstroke (with pull ups at the ends)

Felt good.
Let's see who has a birthday tomorrow,
scratch that,
1st outdoor practice with LEHY in East Hartford...YESSSS!!!.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Tracking for Catalina, Preparation is DONE



Hi friends,

The 1st Adventure of the summer begins tonight. Scott Lautman and I will be attempting our swim crossing of the San Pedro Channel, from Catalina Island to the point off of Palos Verde, California.

We have a SPOT Messenger. We are sharing our location information with you during our swimming adventure tonight.

Click on the link to see where we are.

WE are starting at approximately 12 midnight tonight, swimming into the sunrise of Tuesday, June 25th.

Just follow this link to see our location updates:





http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0xokPf7vz2GDHXEOhLjOhCJmHPHUqZknh

If the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it to your browser's address bar.


Thanks and see talk to you soon,
Marcy and Scott


... and remember we always for a cause.
The simplest way to donate is to visit my page at the Swim Across the Sound website,
 
https://give.stvincents.org/netcommunity/marcella



P.S. To learn more about the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, visit
http://www.findmespot.com
--
--

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Readying for Catalina



All the paperwork and prep is done, now getting down to business.
 
… Because EVERYONE knows someone.

I don’t think there is one person that Cancer has NOT affected. We all know someone who may be or have battled the disease that scares us all. Some of our family and friends have not survived and have joined the legion of angels; we miss you and smile when we remember you often.
We’ve already had a serious year of concern and worry; Sandy, Newtown, a blizzard, the tragedy at the Boston Marathon and then an E-F5 tornado in Oklahoma.  So many to help, but then the concern for those battling cancer reappears into our minds, it will continue to be there. My summer again offers me time and goals to help my friends at St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation. The summer weather of 2012 was not very friendly to me to complete my swimming goals, so I have doubled up the work load. Here are my goals for this summer.

#1 Goal: Fundraising for St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, I hope you can help me reach my goal.
The SWIM Across the Sound is a charitable, grass roots organization run by the St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation. The SWIM helps provide cancer education, screening and prevention programs at low or no cost for the elderly and under-served. The SWIM helps individual cancer patients on a case-by-case basis with specific needs, such as the funding of wigs and prostheses, medication assistance, free transportation to treatments and appointments, day-care scholarships and support groups. This assists patients, families and the communities of Connecticut deal with the burdens of battling Cancer.

My Swimming Goals for the 2013 summer are:
1. Catalina Island to the California Coast:
My friend, Scott Lautman (a cancer survivor), and I plan on crossing the 20.1 mile San Pedro Channel. We will start at midnight, Tuesday, June 25, 2013 and hope to finish in the mid-morning hours, depending on weather conditions. We both look forward to this new experience and challenge to start off the summer of 2013.


It’s always a wet and busy summer and I hope you can assist me to reach my #1 goal for the season, reaching my fundraising goal for St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation. Any amount is appreciated and it amazes me how quickly the totals click upward.

The simplest way to donate is to visit my page at the Swim Across the Sound website, 

 https://give.stvincents.org/netcommunity/marcella
 

While you are visiting my page, check out some photos and you can view the fine work the Foundation does for the community....or if you prefer to mail your donation directly through the post to:

Please make checks payable to: Swim Across the Sound
And write my name in the memo area on your check:  Marcella MacDonald
Send to: St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport CT 06606


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Sunday, June 16... Another Birthday set and remembering Dad




Happy Father's day,
remembering my Pop, John MacDonald,
a super supportive Dad,
who valued Family, Education and pursuing your Dreams,
Thanks Dad, miss you lots.








Today also marks a FUN numbered birthday, just in time to start the taper for the Catalina channel. Which happens to start Midnight, Tuesday June 25th.

Happy birthday Mike Orlowski, you have helped so many professionally and on the field.

I enjoyed this swim,
another 100 day but it was peaceful and easy.

66 x 100

1-3 (warm up)

4-63 swim 6 on (1:30), 7th (1:35)
 
64-66 (cool down)
= 6, 600 yards

... onto the taper week.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed
 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Happy Birthday John... 82

Our friend and the most dedicated swimmer at Mansfield Community Center had a birthday today,
82 amazing years, John Lenard,
his stories about the war and his immigration to the USA is so inspirational.

So very happy we met John and you help me stay focused.

Easy to remember:

82 x 100 various intervals

1-4 were warm-up
78-82 were cool down.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Opening Day at Hammonasset 2013

Saturday, May 25, 2013... cool day to start the open water season, but thanks to the company of Marty McMahon (1st CT person to swim the English Channel, back in 1985)... we got it done.
Took today off, last night worried about some ear aches, don't need any sickness before the season opener in June.

Next week is supposed to be absolutely fabulous.
 
 
Dream Prepare, Succeed

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Lady Di, Lady Challenge

Today was going to be just another practice, but it ended with many good vibes.

Today is dedicated our Lady Di (MansfieldCC) because she never gave up when Greg and I were doing 10's on the 1:35, Amanda and John would modify 100/50 and Dia...nna would do her 1st 10 x 75 on the 1:35, she was soooo red in the face but never gave. She couldn't understand me when I wanted her to take 2 at a 50, so she kept going. Super Girl!!!!!!! Greg Rossilimo helped me stay focused and always happy to Amanda touch my toes (on 50's) and John just keeps plugging along at 82, soon to be 83.

Here's the work out (wearing drag this week)

550 w/u
Swim 2 x 500
Paddles: 10 x 50
S: 800
Pad: 10 x 100 (1:35)Greg joined at #6... thank you
S: 2 x 300 (4:30)
Pad: 10 x 100 (1:35) Lady Di's super swim
S: 400
Pad: 10 x 50 (2-:45, 3-:50)
S: 2 x 100
C/d 550
=7,100 yards

Dream, Prepare, Succeed always FUN to have Company.. Thank you

3 year old April 30

Who says 3 is an easy #...
Happy Birthday young Marcella
Dream, Prepare, Succeed
w/u 300
Pull 3 x 300 (:05 rest)
...
Swim 3 x 100

Paddles 3 x 300
Swim 3 x100

Back 4 x 50 (:55)
Big Paddles 3 x 300
Swim 3 x 100
Back 4 x 50

Swim 3 x 100
Paddles 3 x 300

Swim 3 x 100
Tube 3 x 300

c/d 300

= 7,000

Wish you a life of adventure and happiness.
We love sweetie.
Aunt Marcella

Saturday, April 27, 2013

26.2 Nautical miles for Boston


A week dedicated to the people of Boston.

4 young people lost their lives all too soon, so many people miss you. Their smiles are so very special, Thank you for helping me get through these tough miles.

8 year old Matthew Richard
23 year... old, Lingzi Lu
29 year old, Krystal Campbell
27 year old, Officer Sean Collier
All taken from their families and friends, too soon to experience the riches this world have to offer.

Peace and strength to those injured at the Boston Marathon, physically and emotionally, may you heal completely and remember there are so many people around the world thinking and praying for you.

Here we go with the work outs,

Today, totaled the week at 52,400 yards = 26.2 Nautical miles
Saturday warm up 1400 rotating drill and back into the total

26 x 200 (3:10) I rotate some backstroke into the 5200

cool down 1400 (same as warm up)
=8000 yards

Friday 4/26/13
w/u 400
Pull 600
s 2 x 200 (3:10)
Pull 600
s 14 x 200 ( w/ some back)
Pull 600
s 6 x 200
Pull 600
c/d 400
= 8400 yards

Thursday 4/25/13
w/u 400
3 x 200
Pull 2000
20 x 200
Pull 2000
3 x 200
c/d 400
= 10K

Wednesday 4/24/13
w/u 400
s 10 x 200 (3:05)
Paddles 4 x 100/ 2 x 50/ 3 x100/ 4 x 50/ 2 x 100
6 x 50/ 1 x 100/ 8 x 50
s 6 x 200
Paddles 8 x 50/ 1 x 100/ 6 x 50/ 2 x 100/ 4 x 50
3 x 100/ 2 x 50/ 4 x 100
s 10 x 200
c/d 400
= 10 K

Tuesday 4/23/13
w/u 300
Paddles 10 x 100
s 8 x 200
Paddles 800
s 7 x 200
Paddles 2 x 300
s 6 x 200
Paddles 800
s 5 x 200
Paddles 10 x 100
c/d 300
= 10K

Monday 4/22/13
w/u 250
s 13 x 200
6 50 (drill)
s 13 x 200
c/d 250
= 6000
Total: 52,400 yards

Peace to all.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Boston Marathon Honor week

Dear friends,

This week I'm planning on dedicating my swims to the people of Boston. I have so many super friends and memories playing in that super city during my college years.

So here's the plan, and everyone, even non-swimmers can join in, no matter what level of athleticism you are in.

I'm planning on a total of 26.2 nautical miles (I use nautical miles because the math is easier :)), that's 26.2 x 2000 yards for you marathon swimmers, and if you have a big swim this summer you probably should be hitting this number by this time of year.

That's 52,400 yards for the week (split it up through a 5-7 swim week). Marathon swimmers... get to work.

I'm also planning on doing 26 x 200 yards in each workout, that's a good start (5200 yards right there).

Now, if you're a swimmer but not at that level, shoot for 26,200 yards for the week or split up 26 x 200 for the week.
The possibilities are endless.

Not a swimmer, but a walker or runner, get out on the road and total up your miles for a marathon for a week, most of you should be able to do this in 5 days... but the main thing is to do something in memory of those killed last week and honor those who suffered physically and mentally through the ordeals of the Boston tragic bombing.

I'll keep you posted with my workout.

Peace to all in the Boston area.
 
Day 1
250 warm up
 
13 x 200 (3:10) Rotated some backstroke into the program)
6 x 50   :50... drill/full
13 x 200 Fun with Amanda and John, a little bit of wine in the this glass today, but we got through it.
 
250 cool down
=6,000 yards

Big Brother Birthday week April 18


Celebrated my eldest brother, Steve's, 59th birthday... these birthday weeks are getting me into some pretty good swimming shape.
Happy Brother Bro, today and this week is for you.

50 warm up (drill/back)

30 x 100 (pick as interval)
...
5 x 900 (10 sec rest, I put some Modified catch up drill in these)

29 x 100

50 cool down
=10,500 yards

This is a picture of my brother Steve and Lori MacDonald

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Happy Birthday Lady Di


Happy Birthday Dianna Hyland, thank goodness Amanda and you came to pool when you did,,, got to start checking those friend birthdays.
Di with Gumby&Pokey

43, a very nice number.
43 x 50's for Lady Di.
Here's the workout:
...
400 warm-up
Tube: 1 x 750 alternate breathing every 50
Swim: 4 x 100 (1:40) #4 IM
Red paddles: 3 x 250 (4:05) drill put in
Swim: 4 x 100 (1:45) #3&4 IM
Tube: 15 x 50 (:50) this is when Amanda told me today was Diana's birthday.

Swim: 28 (=43) x 50 <1 3="" 4="" a.="" amp="" ba="" br="" fly="" free="" nbsp="" r=""> Cool down: 250
= I think that ='s 5,000 fun birthday yards

Have fun in EVERYTHING you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Dream, Prepare, Succeed

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Happy Birthday janet

Happy Birthday my dear Janet... 54 was quite a challenging #.

54 x 200 lots of free but some backstroke tucked in.


#1,2: warm up
Next 50, thought as 5 sets of 10
Set 1: #1: free (3:00), #2-9 one 25 back rotated through the 200 (3:05), #10 free
Set 2: #1,3,5,6,8,10: free, #2, 4, 7, 9: rotate a 50 back through the 200
Set 3: same as 1
Set 4: same as 2
Set 5: same as 1
#53 & 54: cool down = 10,800 challenging yards.
Now for a fun day.


7000... a super Saturday, 3-16-13

What a super Saturday, same time at the pool, but really enjoying the water, no rushing around.... just had to be at the house call for 8:30ish. Ken Bockus joined for the finish of the 7K and finishing 36K for the week.

700 warm-up alternating 25 Modified Catch up/25 Back/ 150 free.
 
BigPaddles: 14 x 50 (:50)
 
Swim: 2 x 350 ***no time... take 10 sec rest
(25 free/25 Back/50 Fr/25 Bk/75 Fr/25 Bk/100 Fr/25 Bk)
enjoying it all
 
BP: 7 x 100 (1:35)
 
Swim: 7 x 200 (3:15) rotate 50 back through the 200
 
BP: 7 x 100 (1:35)
 
Swim: 2 x 350 ***
 
BP: 14 x 50 (:50)
 
700 Cool down pull ups at the deep end (49 total)
= 7,000 yards

Tomorrow, start of Janet's birthday week, ... I'll be back.
Dream, Prepare, Succeed


Amanda remember your training during the January Jam, you are ready tomorrow, in beautiful Cabo, I hope you have a super day and week.
 

2015 ... Swimming for Homes for the Brave

After spending the past 20 years paddling from Dover to France, it is time to venture into new waters, while helping some special people.
Soon, I will be traveling with my A-team to Scotland to swim the length of the famous Loch Ness.
As always, I try to help a Foundation raise funds and awareness and I thank you for interest and support.
I am deeply troubled with the thought of homeless individuals, especially in our US Veteran population.

That is why I am teaming up with our Connecticut-based “Homes for the Brave”. Can you imagine not having a place to call home?

Here is more information about Homes for the Brave! -Facebook pages – https://www.facebook.com/pages/ABRIHomes-for-the-Brave/199613606735630?ref=hl

- Annual Appeal with more information about our financials and programs- http://www.homesforthebrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/HFTB-2014-Annual-Report-FINAL.pdf

-Check donations can be mailed to the following address:
Homes for the Brave
655 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604

- Donations can be made online as well: https://homesforthebrave.isecuresites.com/products/index.php?type=1110

Please write “Loch Ness Swim/Marcy” to track your donation.


I will always be dedicating my swimming to all those battling cancer and in the memory of 4 special people in my life. Cancer first hit my family when I was young. My grand-aunt Eleanor Kersavage, passed away with uterine cancer and my Auntie Bea Halchak battled with brain cancer.

On January 1, 2002, our LEHY family lost Nikki Giampolo to bone cancer, just turning 16 years old. Her spirit still lives on in our East Hartford swim team.

In July of 2009, my brother-in-law, Gregory Allen Urban, who passed away, after a valient battle with lung cancer. I can see him now, talking about cars and projects around the house, music and his family.

I know Aunties, Eleanor and Bea, Nikki, Greg and all the angels will help me CUT through all this water this summer.

The St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, based in Bridgeport, CT provides financial support for the needs that Health insurance companies don't cover, in addition to providing affordable cancer screening, wigs, medication and other things to make life easier for those suffering with cancer and their families.

Please make a donation, and thank you.

Online donations can be made at: http://give.stvincents.org

or you can send a check through the post to:

Swim Across the Sound
St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation
2800 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203)576-5451

Thank you so very much, peace and good health to all.