CuttingWater

Thursday, December 15, 2016

PEACE 4 ALEPPO !

P.E.A.C.E 4 A.L.E.P.P.O !
It's just so sad to see the images of the suffering in Syria and around the world.
At this special time of year, let's try to remember the true message... Peace of Earth
P= 16th letter= 400 yards
E= 5= 125
A= 1= 25
C= 3= 75
E= 5= 125
4= 100 fast
A= 1= 25
L= 12= 300
E= 5= 125
P= 16= 400 strong
P= 16= 400 strong
0= 15= 375 c/d
!= 25 easy backstroke
= 2500 PEACEful yards

Monday, December 5, 2016

Happy Birthday Audrey, Jim and Tom

3 wonderful people in my life had birthdays today. 






We'll start with the eldest, Audrey Hamblin, our Mum away from home. 
James Bayles, even crazier than me swimmer, turned 65 
and youngest today, was the Thomas, Tommy Collins, my nephew turned 25, 
wow can you remember those days.
All on December 5, so 12 x 125 sounds good today.
Throw some breath control and drills to HAVE FUN!





w/u 675 (12.5.1936) add #'s for Audrey
4 x 125 (100 free/ 25 drill)
600 (12.5.1951) add #'s for Jim
4 x 125
700 (12.5.1991) add #'s for Tommy
4 x 125
625 (12.5.2016) today's date
= 4100 Triple Birthday yards

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving and Birthday Beth and me

Turkey Birthday Swim (it's not that confusing)

w/u 675 (add #'s 11/24/1963)

5 x 75 (**breath control, alternate every 5 and 3 strokes) <75 3="" is="" my="">
3 x 25 ^^No breathing wall to line, drill to wall
300 (there will be 5 of these for 5 x 300)
 



5 x 75 ** / 3 x 25 ^^ / 300
5 x 75 ** / 3 x 25 ^^ / 300
5 x 75 ** / 3 x 25 ^^ / 300
5 x 75 ** / 3 x 25 ^^ / 300
5 x 75 ** / 3 x 25 ^^

c/d 425 (add #'s 11/24/2016)
= 5300 Birthday yards
Dream, Prepare, Succeed

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Happy Birthday Helena 17

Happy 17th Birthday Helena, the oldest of the Grand-babies in the MacDonald Family. You are smart, strong and Kind, enjoy everyday and cherish the people in you meet and grow with. We are very proud of you, young lady.
Thanks for the fun #'s today.
w/u 875 (Birth Date: 11/23/1999, add the #'s)
17 x 25 (no breathing wall to line/ drill to wall) 
H = 8th letter= 200
 E = 5 = 125
  L = 12 =300
   E = 5 = 125
    N = 14 = 350
     A = 1 = 25
25 + 175 (breath control) <1 lengths="">
425 pace work
c/d 400 (today's date: 11/23/2016, add #'s)
= 3400 birthday yards
Have a Marvelous day and Year Helena

Monday, November 21, 2016

Happy HELLO day

 πŸ˜ŠToday was International HELLO day, thanks for the motivation... who ever invents these days.
*Whenever I'm doing 25's, I ... No Breath to the line, Drill to the wall
Shorty but fun swim. See if can figure out the pattern.
...
350 w/u (1+1.+2+1.+2+0+1+6=14)
  1 x 25*
   1 x 50 (:45)
    2 x 25
     1 x 50
      2 x 25
       1 x 150 (2:15)

H: 8th letter = 200
E: 5th = 125
L: 12th = 300
L: 12 = 300
O: 13th = 325

1 x 150
  1 x 50
   2 x 50
    1 x 50
     3 x 25
     
350 c/d date reversed
= 2700 HELLO yards

 πŸ˜ŠH😊E😊L😊L😊O😊

Monday, November 14, 2016

We are PROUD of you Hillary

I've been away for awhile, life is pretty busy....
I for one, like to post positive messages, so if you didn't want Hillary Clinton for USA President, just scroll down and go onto something else...
.
..But, for the many friends of mine that share my sadness about the decision last Tuesday, please be positive in the thought that Hillary DID WIN the Popular vote and we should be proud of that. It's not the 1st time that (Old) Electoral College vote has taken away the Presidency from the winner.
Today, Amanda Rossolimo, Terese Karmel and Amy Kalisher honored Hillary with a swim. 
We are very PROUD of you Hillary Clinton.
Warm-up 850 yards
(as of this morning, and it has changed in the past 3 hours: 6+0+9+8+1+1+1+6=34: 60,981,116 votes)
H = 8th letter = 200 (I'm working on breath control)
I = 9 = 225/425
L= 12 = 300/725
L= 12 = 300/1025
A = 1 = 25/1050
R = 18 = 450/1500
Y = 25 = 625/2125
! = 25 Double Arm Backstroke /2250 + the 850 warm-up 
= 3000 yards
Dream, Prepare, Succeed

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Swim Called

Good morning everyone,
and I will say that loudly, It is a good morning to after the "swim" yesterday.

I will keep this relatively short,
we probably should not have even started the swim in the conditions.

Wind is NOT a swimmers friend, and yesterday Notus, the Greek god of the southern wind was particularly upset at the kayaks and boats🌬🌊

After 4 and 1/2 hours of consistent 2 to 3 foot head-on chop and going into complete darkness, I decided it was unsafe.

Oh, I forgot to mention our boat was taking on water, and eventually I was leading the group, including the boats (that's not the 'normal plan).

My sister Teresa jumped from our boat to the Lake Patrol (who actually told our boat was sinking) and instructed Deb/our boat to get to the nearest marina. Thank goodness for the Octoberfest to help settle their spirits. 

Teresa then jumped into the Swim Director boat, who now was supposed to lead me.

I actually had the easiest and safest position in the water, but then in complete darkness with only 2 lights on my head and with no one was really leading me, I called my swim after lightly being hit by the boat. Making my way up onto the Red pod/Swim Director boat: Bob decided it was unsafe for everyone and called the swim.

So, everyone is safe now, 

The mission will be accomplished at another date.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed (someday)

Thank you for your continued support, interest and friendship,

Marcy (Janet, Deb, Teresa, Leslie and Kassie)


Saturday, September 17, 2016

Lake George Tracking TODAY

Here we go,

Lake George MarathonSwim. 

Start Saturday: September 17, that's TODAY in the afternoon.

We will be swimming through the night, send light weather thoughts, everyone will be getting water (crew included), just do not want thunderstorms, but that is a low probability, fingers crossed for just light rain.

Okidoki,
here's the tracking information, and this should be fun,

Hopefully you will see on the screen all the swimmers, color coded by pod:
I am in the ORANGE pod, we should be starting at 3:30 pm.

SPOT Trackers.

Each team will be issued a GPS tracker. 
Each tracker has a unique URL (web address). 

This is supposed to my personal track if you just want see my track.

Tracking Software

This is really cool: hope this works

The LGM has contracted with the Marathon Swimming Federation's Evan Morrison to collect all the individual GPS tracks into one web page:

CLICK on   http://track.rs/lakegeorge.  

All 27 swimmers/teams will have a symbol on a map. 
Users can mouse over the symbols and a name of the swimmer or team will pop up. 
They will be color coded by pod, We are ORANGE with a different symbol for teams and solos.  
Bookmark this web address and share it with anyone. 
For your friends and family who may be meeting you at the finish, our finish tent will be outfitted with a TV that will be displaying the locations. We are excited, and hopeful, that this will work!

Conditions for Today, Sept. 17

Hey, at least there's no wind against the tide to deal with.

The water is cooling off, and with two cold nights coming up we are estimating a water temperature of about 70F by Saturday night. It was gorgeous, but dark out there this morning at 5 AM!

Winds are forecast to be 6-7 mph out of the south. This is not preferred for a north-south transit, but not enough for us to reverse the course. By Saturday night our beautiful full moon will be obscured by clouds. Temperatures at night will be a balmy 60F. Rain showers are likely during the night. Crew must bring rain gear, warm socks, and a change of clothes; between the breeze and the rain, it will feel cold.

Conditions are not predicted to change much all day Sunday--light southerly winds, a chance of showers, and temperatures above normal in the 70's. There is a "slight chance" of thunderstorms all day on Sunday. There is a higher chance of thunderstorms Sunday night when a cold front pushes out the warm weather. We are watching this but it currently looks like it will be well after our event.

That's it!  

Thank you for continued support and interest.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Lake George : Clean Water



Hi everyone,
After a successful April crossing of the beautiful cobalt blue Hawaiian Molokai Channel (with Elizabeth Fry) and a successful 2-person Swim Across the Sound relay (with my twin sister, Beth);

I’m finishing up my 2016 Open Water Swim Season with the
 
Lake George Marathon.  

This is a long 32 mile lake, so we're planning on another 17 hour-ish swim.
 
Whether you are an open water swimmer or someone who likes to paddle on a raft, or take a shower with clean water ... we all can benefit from keeping our water clean.
 
 
I’m fundraising for the Darrin Freshwater Institute of RPI.            Donation information can be found at:

DFWI is a multidisciplinary environmental research center of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute dedicated to understanding the structure and function of aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric systems. Their primary research focus is on the ecological consequences of environmental perturbations due to human activities in the Northeastern United States.  http://www.rpi.edu/dept/DFWI/

They are doing some pretty interesting studies to keep our water clean.
Come follow us during the swim, all info is on my blog (below): you will be able to track our progress during our night swim into the following day.
Lake George Marathon: September 17, 2016
 

 
Thank you for your time and interest.
Have a sparkling summer and Dream, Prepare, Succeed
 
Love, Peace and Friendship
and THANK YOU, Thank You, thank you.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed
Marcy
 
 
 

Thursday, August 18, 2016

CONGRATULATIONS Reeven : 2016 English Channel Crossing

Nathan Boys solo of mind and body….Swim Stories from the “support crew”
Finished...

Big brother Reeven had a goal to swim.  Little brother Levy agreed to support and swim too.  Reeven is a professional triathlete with open water experience.  Levy is a high school swimmer focused on his long course season championship meet which completed just days before the flight to England.  Levy trained mostly in a 50-meter pool and Reeven competed in open water in the Atlantic.  But both were determined. 

We arrived in England to 5 days of waiting...with phone calls suggesting possible swims followed by aborted trips due to weather.  We met with the chief pilot Michael Oram ... Who took a look at the boys and remarked..."you are way too skinny for a trip...I’ve seen these skinny fast swimmers come and go.  No bloody way you will have success."  We were unprepared and demotivated.

Other professionals around showed before and after photos...most had gained 20 percent of their body
weight.... for fat and warmth.  Reeven gained 6 pounds and levy was a lean, mean long course swimmer.

This psyched everyone out.   We also we learned that our prep in terms of food, food delivery and training was WAY SHORT.  The boat and pilot drive you...the swimmer is responsible for everything else.... nutrition, delivery, motivation, towels, blankets, crew food, etc.  But we had the compassion of Alimpiada Cassidy.  She sorted us out in terms of feeding schedule and delivery.  She gave us critical support, optimism and a new vision for success.

The call came at 8pm…a 3rd time swimmer Anne, an amazing 72-year-old women from Connecticut, was to swim at 4am on Sunday and a slot would open when the boat returned...in the pm.  We started to get ready.  Eventually the slot was to leave at 5pm....which meant swimming mostly in the dark.... but Reeven jumped on it.  What to do for support?  There was a support team of one and we were psyched out...a support team of one would not be successful in supporting the swimmer.  Levy made his first sacrifice:  rather than staying back to train and prepare for his own swim, he chose to stay back and be on the boat to support Reeven.  Family support matters.

Then the phone rang again...Levy could swim at 8pm this same Sunday.  This would likely be Levy’s only window as the tide was ending and weather was changing.  But Levy stood firm...resolved to help Reeven realize a dream.

Fast forward:  16 hours to cross and feeding every 30 minutes had Levy prepping food, boiling water on a ship burner and cheering on his brother.  I got seasick 20 minutes out...and was of limited use.  Thanks to Levy....

2 miles from France, Reeven was literally asleep.... he has awake a full day and swam a full night.  What did Levy do?  He jumped in to support his brother on the last 2 miles into France.  Rules for a certified swim are strict:  support cannot be in the water for longer than 1 hour and cannot lead the
competing swimmer from the front.  Levy (un) dressed and jumped.

Reeven was completely out of it...swimming in different directions away from the boat.  He stopped at one point and stared at a shipping vessel...he thought IT was France.  He stopped and marveled a buoy.... thinking it France.  All the way..."swim Reeven...you are doing great.  I will get you there."

Levy emotionally pushed Reeven to the beach in France....victory.  Reeven was dreaming...he was literally asleep...and now had to return to the boat...again Levy was able to negotiate with Reeven....he was not to climb the beach to "go home."  He could not enter the home above the bluffs.... he had to return to the boat.  Levy was the support....

Reeven succeeded in his goal to swim the Channel.  And Levy was a critical part of this mission.  The return boat ride to England was ruff.  The seas turned choppy and our return ride took twice as long as usual.  And this weather will continue through the tide...meaning Levy will not have an opportunity to swim.  Cancelled or delayed swims are quite common...but people sacrificing spots so others can swim....and going to support them...are not common at all.  Reeven and Levy Nathan are the heroes of this story.


Pudding and Porridge may fuel the body and sustained Reeven on his swim to France.  But there is no substitute for the helping mind and body of a younger brother.  Levy swam to France too...he crossed the Channel...albeit not in the traditional fashion of a solo swim.

And along the way...they raised nearly 15k for Keshet…..a school for disabled children.



I am in awe of Reeven's physical and mental toughness....and equally so with Levy's kind heart and selfless love.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

P.R.I.N.C.E. sadness

Back into the water after the big Kahuna swim, I think the fin is healed.
Unfortunately a memorial swim in honor of 'Prince', another 'so young' death.
I remember being in college and Roger Trujillo, our local computer/music/media guru of the college, introducing us to this new album and artist, still remember the movie "Purple Rain"
900 w/u 6/7/1958: Prince's DOB
P= 16= 400
R= 18= 450
I= 9= 225
N= 14= 350
C= 3= 75
E= 5= 125
400 c/d 4/21/2016: Prince's DOD
... 75 kick
= 3000 Sad yards

P.R.I.N.C.E. sadness

Back into the water after the big Kahuna swim, I think the fin is healed.
Unfortunately a memorial swim in honor of 'Prince', another 'so young' death.
I remember being in college and Roger Trujillo, our local computer/music/media guru of the college, introducing us to this new album and artist, still remember the movie "Purple Rain"
900 w/u 6/7/1958: Prince's DOB
P= 16= 400
R= 18= 450
I= 9= 225
N= 14= 350
C= 3= 75
E= 5= 125
400 c/d 4/21/2016: Prince's DOD
... 75 kick
= 3000 Sad yards

Remember DDay

Remembering D-day. June 6, 1944
We have not forgotten your sacrifice.
750 w/o (6.6.1944) add up
3 x 600 (10:00)
1 x 150 (that's 6 lengths) 4 x 50 (:45)
2 x 600. 4 x 50
2 x 150 (2:15) 4 x 50
1 x 600. 4 x 50
3 x 150
C/d 550
= 6600
Thank you to all the WWII. Veterans

49 for Orlando R.I.P.

We are with those in Orlando and have not forgotten Columbine, Aurora, San Bernardino, Brussels, Paris and our own Sandy Hook, these acts of violence affect us all, Good will prevail, violence is weak.
Amanda and I will continue to swim and send our love and prayers to those hurting. You are not alone.
Marcy and Janet, Amanda and Greg. ...
450 w/o (add date: 6.12.2016)
O. 15th letter. 375
4 x 50 (:45)
R. 18. 450
10 x 50 (2- :45, 3- :50)
L. 12. 300
10 x 50
A. 1. 25
10 x 50
N. 14. 350
10 x 50
D. 4. 100
5 x 50
O. 15. 375
25 double arm backstroke
4900
R.I.P.

July 4th 2016 with LEHY

Happy 240th Birthday America
I always enjoy starting the 4th of July with my LEHY family,
Every year is a different set of young swimmers to join me, as they get really fast, it's time to move over to the other side of the pool and work more speed, but our our side has its perks, more FUN.
Warm up ( we are in a 50 meter pool, so 1=50m / we were doing 50 free/50 drill...: freestyle)
1.7.7.6. : so 50 (:20 sec. rest)/ 350/ 350/ 300
2.0.1.6. : so 100/ 50/ 300 (total w/u 1500)
7 x 200 free (started at 4:00, then took off 5 seconds rest; and build speed: #7 should be the strongest)
2 x 400 (# 1: Pull Tube for me: IM for the kids: swim 1/2, drill 1/2)
11 x 100 (Meghan's birthday: alternating paddles and swimming)
Then they got to have fun,
Practice was pretty much over, low attention span  ... why fight it, it's a birthday.
Blessed to have been born in America.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Post swim affects on body

My latest Aqua-adventure/challenge: Ka’iwi Channel

Hawaiian Channel: Molokai’ to O’ahu
Success: April 9-10, 2016 17 hours, 27 minutes, 20 seconds (but who’s counting seconds) Tandem/partner swim with Elizabeth A. Fry

This is one of the most un-predictable swims I have ever done; the shortest distance between the 2 Hawaiian Islands is 26 miles but because of the open water of the Pacific Ocean, creating such intense surf, the beaches are mostly un-sheltered on both sides; the starting and finishing points are not predictable until the day of the swim (safe entry and exit is a key component). Our swim, started at Kapuhi Beach, Molokai’ (9 pm) and we finished at Sandy Beach O’ahu, approximately a 34-mile course. This explains why, there is such a variety of crossing times, and really time matters naught, the goal is to get across.  

My true description of the swim "FUN, HORRIBLE, BEAUTIFUL, SCARY, LONG- so glad it's over "

Day 4

Left hip is improving, but the back of both knees are blistering now. Don'y gross out, it's only fluid from one blister. Good thing we are on slow Molokai time, relaxing not doing much about anything. The

Hawaiian waters at a quiet beach felt so good on my legs. Can't walk very fast and the feet and legs are still holding fluid, my dermatologist is not going to be pleased with me. I still can't bend my knees past 45 degrees, so stairs are real slow, up and down. Sleeping is improving, my back doesn't feel so hot any more.

72 hours and less.

I usually don't harbor on my post-swim "injuries or affects" to ,y body, but this past swim has been interesting, maybe it's because I am getting older, 52 and feeling some different effects...
or maybe it is 180 degree turn in the conditions that is affecting me.

Truly I think it's a little of both,      



Everyone was wondering how I would react to the warm water, well 75 degrees is a very comfortable temperature. So during the swim, especially at night I could float on my back and look at the beautiful sky of more stars than I have even seen and not rush a feed, or waiting to continue didn't even bother me because I was comfy.

Then a past injury popped up, Left side shoulder area, NOT the rotator cuff. I was able to readjust my stroke with switching back to my youthful one-side, left side breathing pattern and with some Ibuprofen (my favorite NSAID) I was able keep both sides/arms going. I really didn't want to get out because Liz and I had made pact, if that would happen, the other swimmer would continue, and I really did not want sit on a boat for at least another 6 hours, let alone 9 which it ended up being,
So, when the sun shone its smiling face, I started to swim on the right side of the kayak and it was pretty good, painful but I could continue at a decent pace..

Next came the heat lamp, the SUN... we had some clouds but as most people know, those ultra-violet rays coming through the clouds are the damaging rays. Now it is impossible to put on any sunscreen when you are in the water, and I LOVE my sunscreen, but if we had put it on at 8 pm the previous night, it wouldn't have any affect, so here we are, swimming along in the beautiful cobalt blue water. Every time I took a breath and turned my face back into the water, that color was mesmerizing, I can understand why stranded sailors would see things in the water, it's hypnotizing,

As we closed into O'ahu, I tried not to look at the island too much, I knew we had much more swimming to do than the GPS was telling us, and with every 45 minute interval (feeding time interval), I knew we were getting closer but I gradually started to feeling the sun biting at my skin.

Forget about the No-see'em jellies and the strands of the Portuguese Man of War Jellies, the burning sun was cooking us, and I and still feeling the effects 72 hours later.

If there is a sunscreen pill out there, then maybe I will consider another tropical/near equator LONG swim, but if there isn't and I can't protect this back and legs, no more 10+ hour in the unprotected sunshine for me.

The 2nd issue I'm dealing with: I have a different perspective today, and insight into my patients, family and friends who have had or are battling lower extremity edema. After the swim, my legs were fine, but as the hours progressed, and I'm positive it was a combination of taking in small amounts of salt water with every breath (every swimmer does, the English Channel is the worse because it's cold water), being in a prone position for over 17 hours (no scientists have even studied these effects), complete exhaust from swimming approximately 34 miles, and being in the unprotected sun for about 8 hours.

I will tell you, I was hydrated, taking in over 800 ml of liquid, 1/2 usually being water every 45 minutes.

So this is what I am battling, severe sunburn, actually sun poisoning. 72 hours later I have many tender areas, especially on my left side, seemed to had gotten the worse beating. Blistering and nerve pain, which I know will gradually decrease,

The lower extremity edema was the most surprising 'condition'. at 48 hours post swim, I couldn't see the dorsal veins and tendons on my feet, I've never seem my ankles and knees swollen this much and with the combo of the burn I was a miserable, uncomfortable mess. I now know how my legs will look, especially the scar on my right leg, will look if I ever have Congestive Heart Failure.

Elevation, rest, lots of water is helping, gradually the burn is deceasing, but sometimes an acute nerve flare-up will occur and a cool shower is the prescription.

More tomorrow...

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Ka'iwi Channel... 34 miles

Sorry for the delay, but here it is. Put on some Hawaiian or swimming music.
'a'ohe pu'u ki'eki'e ke ho'a'o 'ia e pi'i
No cliff is so high it cannot be climbed
This one was full of surprises, happy it is over and in the book.
Thank you Elizabeth Fry for the invitation and company.
Dream, Prepare, Succeed



Saturday, April 9, 2016

26... Molokai Channel

Aeolus has calmed and it seems he will allow Liz and I to enter the Hawaiian waters and attempt our crossing of the Molokai Channel. The last few days there has... been a treacherous surf and high seas that would prevent any safe adventures in the water. Tonight we begin.
 

Thanks go out to Janet, Deb and Peg who will be crewing for us (a MOST important piece to these puzzles: support), Ivan, our pilot and guide and our 2 kayakers who I will meet tonight. May we all be safe and comfortable.

Liz Fry and I have a SPOT device.
If you interesting in following our swim across the Molokai (Hawaiian proper: the Kaiwi Channel: 26 miles), click on the below link. I hope this works, keep your fingers crossed.

We plan to start 8pm (Hawaiian time), Saturday, April 9 into Sunday.

Click the link to locate our SPOT.
Just follow this link to see my location updates:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0YLE7sppTGU7Gt4u3llYrJ3oKr2yHYWch

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

SPOT devices use satellite technology to allow people to share communicate and share GPS coordinates from virtually anywhere in the world.

Thanks for your interest, love and support through the years,
Dream Prepare, Succeed

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

In Memory of Pakistan 3.27.2016

Today Amanda Rossilimo and I swam for Pakistan, thinking of everyone there in this most recent senseless tragedy and dreaming of the day that we only do birthday swims. ‪#‎make‬ it stop

Main set:
700 (for the 70+ killed)
P: 400...
A: easy 25
K: 275
I: 225
S: 475
T: 500
A: easy 25
N: 350
(+25= 3000)


In memory of Belgium 3.22.2016

Honor swims for our brothers and sisters in Belgium and all over the world. 2 days, too much sadness.
Today: 7000 yards "UNITY MAKES STRENGTH"
w/u 775 (31 lengths for the 31 lives killed in Brussels)
...
U= 21st letter= 525
N= 14= 350
I= 9= 225
T= 20= 500
Y= 25= 625

M= 13= 325
A= 1= 25
K= 11= 275
E= 5= 125
S= 19=475

S= 19=475
T= 20= 500
R= 18= 450
E= 5= 125
N= 14= 350
G= 7= 175
T= 20= 500
H= 8= 200 c/d

Yesterday: shorter "PEACE ON EARTH"
4900 yards
w/u 450 (3.24.2016, add #'s= 18)

P= 16= 400
E= 5= 125
A= 1 = 25
C= 3= 75
E= 5= 125
3 x 50 (:50) / 2 x 100 (1:35) / 4 x 50

O= 15= 375
N= 14= 350
2 x 25 / 1 x 150 / 6 x 75

E= 5= 125
A= 1= 25
R= 18= 450
T= 20= 500
H= 8= 200
c/d 450 ( date #'s again)



By SodacanThis vector image was created with Inkscape. - Own work, elements by Ssolbergj and Katepanomegas; Based on :File:Greater Coat of Arms of Belgium.png, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28462803

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Working with the date

A question was posed to me by my niece Franci, "I need a swimming workout because I'm getting bored with swimming a 1/2 hour continuous." I am delighted to hear she has gotten back into the water, she has a little swimming background from her youth.

This is an easy way (may be confusing to you at 1st glance) to make up a workout by using the numbers in the date of today.

example: today is March 22, 2016 or looking at all the numbers 3.22.2016

w/u 400
Swim 3 x 50 (:45)
Paddles 550 (work in drill)
Swim 2 x 50
Pull       550
Swim 2 x 50
Paddles 550
Kick 2 x 25
Pull       550
Swim 150
Paddles 550
Swim 6 x 75 (5 sec. rest)
c/d 400
= 4550 yards

So today, I took all the #'s, added them up, which = 16, so that's 400 yards (I used that for my warm up and cool down distance).
With in that continuous warm up,
1st I did 25 drill/ 50 easy free for the 3... get it 3 lengths = 75 yards    3-22-2016
then       25 drill/ 25 easy free for the 1st 2      3-22-2016
then       25 drill/ 25 easy free for the 2nd 2     3-22-2016
then       25 drill/ 25 free for the 3rd 2              3-22-2016
then       25 kick on back for the 1                    3-22-2016
finish with 25 drill/ 125 free for the 6              3-22-2016
= 400 yards

Now the work out: remember 1 length= a 25, 2 lengths= a 50, 3 lengths = a 75 and so on.

3.22.2016

Take the 1st two numbers 3 and 2, this would be 3 x 50 (pick an interval that you get 3-5 seconds rest), so there is 2x2, 2x2, 2x1, 1x6(that's a 150), and 6 (last # of the date) x 3 (1st # of the date) confused yet; easier than you think.

Paddles and Pulling 550 ( 22 lengths is a 550, so that's where the 550 came from)

So that's how I use a date in my workouts, keeps me interested.

Dream, prepare, succeed.



Sunday, March 20, 2016

Happy 57 Janet



Another interesting Birthday swim in honor of Janet. We have been through so many adventures and she has accepted everything (well mostly everything) that goes with a crazy open water swimmer... thank you and Happy birthday and year, my dear partner of over 20+ years, time flies when you're having Fun.

 
 
725 w/u (3.20.1959... add the #'s)
3 x 50 (:45)
2 x 25 (***no breathing wall to line then kick on back to wall)...
H= 8th letter= 200
A= 1st= 25 ***above
P= 16= 400
P= 16= 400
Y= 25= 625 (!!!last 25 backstroke: keep below :45 pace)
1 x 225 !!!
9 x 125 !!!
B= 2= 50
D= 4= 100
A= 1= 25 ***
Y= 25= 625 !!!
5 x 225 !!!
J= 10= 250
A= 1= 25 ***
N= 14= 350
E= 5= 125 !!!
T= 20= 500
125 !!!
175 !!!
350 c/d (3.20.2016)
= 7750 Happy Birthday yards

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.