CuttingWater

Thursday, July 31, 2014

NBCCT Article about the 'swim'

Good morning,
Here is a link to the story.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/Manchester-Native-Sets-English-Channel-Swim-Record/269283981
...
Thank you Bob Nighan for getting in touch with Kevin Nathan (NBC30) and all for your SUPPORT and Interest.
BTW:I don't really hate the swim, but it's not a comfortable swim at the beach, if you get my drift
Dream, Prepare, Succeed.
See More
Making it across the English Channel has been called the Everest of open water swimming. Manchester native Dr. Marcy MacDonald recently accomplished this feat for the 15th time--a new American record. MacDonald, who is a podiatrist, made the 21 mile swim...
nbcconnecticut.com

Monday, July 28, 2014

20 year Anniversary swim EC15

Sorry this so late, I got home from England and LIFE just got in the way.

I am on a taper, unintentionally, getting prepared for the Water Lillies upcoming relay at Swim across the Sound on Saturday, more about that to come shortly.

Here is a video I put together of my anniversary swim on June 30th, still can't believe I have the American record, just went back to work and all is good.

 
Dream, Prepare, Succeed

Thursday, July 10, 2014

A quick walk through Dover

Yes, we're heading home today, I'm looking forward to life in 'quiet' CT.

We leave on a very blustery day, no one has been out swimming for the past 48 hours, the last 2 days of the Neap tide, so happy I got my swim done early.

Here a quick tour through Dover, lots of walking done here.

I haven't decided what's next, going to get our Relay done for Swim Across the Sound on August 2nd, then some celebration/down time and back to work.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Swim for Gus

"Good Bye Gus", but your memory lives on.

Gus Loura was a true gentleman and nature lover, what a 'green thumb' he had, every seed that meet his fingers, flourished, yielding superior fruit and beautiful flowers.

I dedicate my swim today to your memory.

Thank you PHJFS for helping us send our sincere condolences to the Loura family. I will catch up to you shortly.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

A walk to Shakespeare

We are revisiting some spots from the past. This will probably be final time we climb the hill to the top of Shakespeare Cliff.


Below are the beaches I have set off for a crossing.
Either Shakespeare beach or Samphire Hoe, the man-made extension of England with land fill from the makings of the Chunnel (high-speed railway from London to Paris).

The trails are not traveled as much as in the past, over-growth is occurring, but the view of the channel remain to be spectacular.

The flowers we past remind me of my gardens at home,
I think I will have missed my Day-lilies but the wild Roses along the path and the beautiful English home gardens make me smile.

I look forward to playing in my yard this weekend with Mocha and watching Gerda and Aloysius in their jungle.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Training in the rain, Dover style

The sun is shining now, but the morning was miserable for those poor 3-6 hour swimmers in the harbor.

I do not, have the patience for those numbers,
but I did enjoy my 45 minutes, lots of camera work and chit chat with swimmers in and out of the water. Sprinting and thinking of Hot Spots, warm my heart, body and smile.

Many thanks to our beach support, for caring, feeding, carrying our shoes and gear and mostly for your friendship and caring eyes watching us in this chilled salt water mix.

5 days and counting.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

I'll be home shortly

I'll be home shortly.

Days like this in Dover, make me glad my mission is accomplished and I only have train as much as I want to.

My shoulders are starting to feel normal, not as much fatigue, but that 35 minute snooze I just woke up from was just what I needed.
Not sleeping well here, but I can nap when I want.

It's Saturday and that means the weekend warriors (swimmers) are back for their training sessions.
It's a VERY blustery day, but the sun is peeking through the clouds here and there.

Home is out of sight, BUT surely not of mind. I am longing  more for my routine and friends.

Until tomorrow.
Love and Peace.
me

Friday, July 4, 2014

Independence day

Hope all in the USA are enjoying a safe and happy 4th of July.
I think this is my 4th, Independence day spent in the country we broke from. Ironic at how close I feel to our British friends.
Each country has its 'ups and downs', there never will be a utopia world, I'm just feeling
"Blessed" I was born and raised in the United States of America.

Public Education and Sport was available young boys and girls and my parents instilled in me and my brothers and sisters to,
"Take advantage of the opportunities placed in front of you",

"do your best",
and "appreciate and give back".
I tried my best to satisfy all.

Today, Janet and I will celebrate the 4th of July at one of our favorite sites in Dover, the Castle.

The history is just amazing, starting 2000+ years with a Roman Lighthouse on the cliffs, and Henry's Keep brings out the Tudor age and the Napoleonic Tunnels bring in the modern age, defending against the Germans during WWI and II ... the history within the 20+ acres of land is breath taking.

I am looking forward to coming home and embracing my life in Manchester, CT, my sanctuary.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

1st swim ... Fatigue has set in

Took an early morning swim today, 1st time in the since the Big swim,

feeling a bit fatigued, made it through 15 minutes, 1/2 easy swim: 1/2 easy drill

Really just concentrating on my 'reach and touch' of the water, no hard pulling (right shoulder tendons, kind of feel very stringy today), gradually they'll get full strength. I feel the cold much more swimming easy, the hot shower was glorious.

Getting some early morning work done while enjoying my coffee, but starting to feel out-of-shape, I know it's a mental thing but the walking, all over town, is helping this.
Got to stay away from the carbs now, no excuses for that extra insulation to keep warm any longer.

Tomorrow 30 minutes I hope.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Watching the others

Just relaxing with a 2nd cup of coffee, checking in on the other boats crossing the channel today.

http://cspf.co.uk/tracking

Janet and I met a relay yesterday at the infamous "White Horse', they are out today on 'Anastasia'.
One of the gals, Michele was surprised to meet me, the few times I get some-sort of celebrity status.

I remember my Double relay in 2003, Force6America, that experience renewed my love in open



water swimming and got my look at the water from a boat, I had a BLAST and 24 hours on a boat made life-long friendships with
Marcia Cleveland (Chicago),
Scott Lautman (Seattle),
Henry Eckstein (Manhattan), t
he late Vince Herring (Michigan) and
Cristian Vergana (Brooklyn, NY)....
poor Vince was better in the water than out, sea-sick the entire 5 hours when he was 'resting'.

So many memories, now I remember why I keep coming back.

Starting to miss you all CT, but I hear the heat is on, so I guess I enjoy the comfortable touring temperatures over here in Kent UK for a while more.

See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

The day after

Good Morning Everyone,
 
Thank you for all your support and interest.
 
#15 is in the books and I'm already starting to forget the un-pleasantries during that 11 hours 50 minutes.
 
I told my younger friends on LEHY that it's like swimming the 200 Fly (or any event you are nervous about), whether it's the 1st time or your 15th time, you know it's going to hurt, especially if you're trying to get to your next level of performance. Leave everything you've got in the pool (or the channel in my case). The hurt, is a good hurt; you've just pushed into your next gear. When you get out of the water, you start to forget the discomfort; eventually striving to get to an even Higher level.
Those levels do change, as we get older, but they still there as long as we are breathing.
 
Trust in your Preparation; if you worked hard in your training, relax and let it SHINE through during the test. 
 
For me, on the day after, I have No permanent injuries, I'm just working through the normal body tightness and sore muscles, my throat soreness from the salt water (mild, I think my nose clip helps with that) and I'm admiring my tan line from my cap and the couple of Jelly fish kisses I got yesterday. 
 
I've already started to enjoy the adventure.  
 
I will be working a short video and posting it shortly. 
See you soon, going to enjoy some r&r, visit some new and old favorite British sites.
 
Thank you again for all your lovely messages.
 
:) marcy


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.