CuttingWater

Saturday, November 24, 2018

A week of Thanks and lots of yards

Today... 11/24/2018
Happy birthday to my twin Beth and all the 24th Sagittarius' , so blessed to have such a great family and friends for the past 55 proud years … double nickels have been pretty good so far...
enjoy each day

11,000


11/23/2018
Final Day At Fifty Four and Happy Bday Helena
8700



11/21/2018

Day 4... my hometown Manchester CT … I know there have been changes but I'm proud and blessed to have been raised here... Thank you City of Village Charm



11/20/2018
Gotta love the creatures I meet in and out of the water... day3

11/19/2018
Monday... Friendship
11/18/2018
Sunday... Heading into the week of Thanks....starting with my Family....Thank you for all the Love and Support ...workout to follow (10K)



Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Marcy MacDonald is feeling blessed 

https://www.facebook.com/scott.lautman/videos/10212310505545396/
Just to clarify and apologies about my tracker, I have no clue what was going on... we finished at a beach north of Calais France, Phare de Walde, 15h01min.
The quest to Belgium did not go as planned, but sometimes the weather over can not be explained.
Michael Oram had plotted a perfect course (with all the tidal changes). We were flying (so to speak) at times, then as we turned north along the French coast, we were hit with a long-standing wind/against tide...which is the worse water mix for a swimmer.
Rouge waves were hitting me straight on, that previously were shielded by Gallivant.
I had most of my injury-prone areas (shoulder/upper back) under control, but I must have been hit/thrown enough times that my left Latissimus dorsi muscle was pulled/overly strained...needless to say, my left side became useless and extremely painful with every stroke. Then it became a one-arm event.
After swimming, in place(it seemed like eternity), in-front of Calais, I don't know how many ferries passed by (not close...don't worry, we were well out from the traffic).
Unfortunately, we still had to swim for a couple hours to a safe beach, which was an adventure in itself. Scott swam in with me for safety reasons... I was swimming with only my right arm, alternating freestyle and butterfly drill by now. it was a very cool beach, but scary at times. While walking across a large sandbar, I saw a head in the water. Thinking it was a local taking an evening, I thought nothing of it, until it went underwater, and in a split second it was 25 yards closer.
We were swimming with a seal family, and they certainly were checking us out.
I wish I had my camera, but we had more pressing issues, finish and then swim back to the boat.
All IS good, I'm sore, but THANKFUL for ALL YOUR support and caring thoughts.
Thank you to my crew, Janet Galya (always looking at me with her caring eyes, I'm sorry I put you through this) , Scott Lautman for helping in and out the water and Jane Murphy our crew Mom.
Mike Oram, Mike Ball and Tanya Harding for the safe passage and return to port. Jason Kelvin and Kerry (apologies for not remembering your last name) for your official observation duties.
Lastly for friends, Louise Darlington and Hugh for seeing us off at the early hours at St. Margaret's Bay and meeting us at the docks...thank you so much.

Friday, August 31, 2018

All is ...GO

The plan is in place, 

We meet Mike Oram at 3am...and head to St. Margaret's Bay for 4:30-5 a.m. for the plunge...

Saturday, September 1, 2018, around 5 am (GMT)... midnight East coast USA.

We have FindMeSPOT tracker...

Just follow this link to see my location updates:
If the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it to your browser's address bar...
or you can find us on 

the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation website
cspf.co.uk/tracking  look for the green triangle: or toggle our boat...Gallivant

Many of you already know, I try to swim for a charity but with so many sad things happening around the world, I'll give you a few suggestions but if you have a special foundation you are helping, just give a little extra in our honor.

Our favorites: I wish there was a site for 'Peace on Earth' but in the meantime...
- world-wide the Red Cross https://www.icrc.org or your local Red Cross Center
- a local homeless center in your area
- your local YMCA or Town Recreation department -to support swim lessons for all... helping to prevent needless drownings

Thank you for all your interest and support and I'll be reporting soon, hopefully a success story.
Dream, Prepare, Succeed,
Marcy

Weaving Through the Dover Harbor

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Destination Belgium...is a Go


Marcella MacDonald

4:07 PM (9 minutes ago)
Hi everyone,

After my 2017 attempt being blown out, another year of training and waiting (you all have been so patient), and 2 weeks swimming around Dover Harbor, our swim day is here.

I have kept things relatively quiet, because many situations had to fall into place but we think the day is here to Test my LIMITS of endurance.

My pilot and friend, Mike Oram (Ajort)
P1030783 - Copy.jpg   
has worked hours plotting our course and if all goes well we will finish on the shores of Belgium, approximately 10 miles north of Dunkirk, France.

My supportive crew of Janet Galya (Amir), Scott Lautman (Aquaman) and Jane Murphy (Mamarita)
DSCF1587.JPG
will feed, entertain and watch over me for the possible 30+ hours (in the water).
The plan is in place, 
Saturday, September 1, 2018, around 5 am (GMT)... midnight East coast USA.

We have FindMeSPOT tracker...

Just follow this link to see my location updates:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0HkrRFDcBhxK1X2MCquKDiKx5FBCOmEC1
If the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it to your browser's address bar.
or you can find us on the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation website
cspf.co.uk/tracking  look for the green triangle: or toggle our boat...Gallivant

Many of you already know, I try to swim for a charity but with so many sad things happening around the world, I'll give you a few suggestions but if you have a special foundation you are helping, just give a little extra in our honor.

Our favorites: I wish there was a site for 'Peace on Earth' but in the meantime...
- world-wide the Red Cross https://www.icrc.org or your local Red Cross Center
- a local homeless center in your area
- your local YMCA or Town Recreation department -to support swim lessons for all... helping to prevent needless drownings

Thank you for all your interest and support and I'll be reporting soon, hopefully a success story.
Dream, Prepare, Succeed,
Marcy

Loving the rain

Friday, August 24, 2018

Loopy Friday

The weather has changed, blowing out the Humid air with some refreshing dryness but...

with wind...

no swim... actually enjoying the acclimation of the harbor and waiting for the Scot (Aquaman) to join us early next week...

but we will be going next week sometime... I will keeping you all up to date.

enjoy your weekend.


Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Relax, we're not going yet...

Good Morning from Dover, a quick update, the wind is expected to pick up tomorrow, so our swim will not taking off for awhile.
We're meeting a few new swimfriends (Bob from Jersey, Ellen and Kevin , and I'm looking for Melanie Kaplan) and we're collecting supplies and enjoying the sounds of Dover (natural alarm clock at 5am).
The water is quite comfy warm this year, almost no shock upon entry.
Heading for the cliff walk today after a dip.
Enjoy your day, test your limits, but always be safe.

If you'd like to see the boats heading across the channel today...
click on this link 


http://cspf.co.uk/tracking

Friday, August 3, 2018

Aquaman and Mera


Dear friends,
 Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH for your generosity.

Unfortunately, the weather gods did not cooperate Saturday for the Swim Across the Sound.
Safety, especially on and in the water, is our 1st concern. By the time the severe weather had passed through the start point of Port Jefferson, NY, the tides were unfavorable and the swim had to be canceled.
The Angels and Warriors battling cancer are always in our hearts as we continue our future Aqua Adventures.
We will keep you posted with future developments on Marcy's swim blog
We'll be back in 2019.
Dream, Prepare, Succeed.
AquaMan (a.k.a.Scott) and Mera(a.k.a.Marcy)

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Remembering Greece

Wednesday...
GREECE FIRES 76 (6000 LCM)
Peace to you all,
our hearts go out to you.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Sad Remembrance swims

Monday...prayers to the evacuation of the volunteer White Helmets (3750 SCY)
Tuesday...remembering the victims of the Table Rock Lake (5900 LCM) boat tragedy
Peace to all the families and friends affected.
Peace to our world.

Sunday, June 24, 2018

It's Summer, time for SAS, Hammonassett and Qualifiers


Geoff's SAS qualifier went GREAT, Awesome and looking forward to next Sunday with the gang.. CT open Championships next Saturday a Quassy... lots of kids and lots of waiting...
Super Success for Geoffrey Michaud (Manchester SwimKid)
John Waanders and Scott Lautman... it's going to be quite a SAS race... he's fast.

Friday, June 8, 2018

Mercer Island Seattle Tracking

Hi everyone,
8am Friday, Pacific time (11am East Coast)
Tracking info below...
Starting off the 2018 OW season with a trip to Seattle in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Tomorrow, On Friday, 6/8/18, NOWSA https://northwestopenwater.org/mims/is hosting the new MIMS (Mercer Island Marathon Swim)
13ish fresh water cool (64 degrees) miles, depending on your course... I'm planning on cutting off the coves as much as possible....
still a good 6+ hour swim.
Have a marvelous day and find a challenge to keep it interesting.
Dream, Prepare, Succeed.

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Happy Anniversary ForEver Love


Swim Workout Name: Happy Anniversary ForEver Love
Author: Marcella MacDonald
Date Created: May 06, 2018
Distance/Pool Type: 5500 scy
Swim Workout Category: marathon
Swim Workout Time: 1:27:00
RepsDistanceIntervalStrokeTypeCommentTotals
1105017:00freestylewarm-up/down6/1994=29=725

M 325 (Met)
1050 / 17:00
1810001:35freestyleswim2 (1:35) 4 (1:30)

18 years
1800 / 28:30
195015:00freestylewarm-up/down5/5/2012=15=375

W 575 Wed
950 / 15:00
610001:30freestyleswim2 (1:35) 4 (1:30)

6 year Wedding Anniversary
600 / 09:00
1110017:30freestylewarm-up/down5/5/2018= 21 = 575

F 150 For
E 125 Ever
L 300 Love
1100 / 17:30

Hope And Peace Are Stronger Than Fear

Swim Workout Name: Hope And Peace Are Stronger Than Fear
Author: Marcella MacDonald
Date Created: May 06, 2018
Distance/Pool Type: 7650 scy
Swim Workout Category: marathon
Swim Workout Time: 1:58:30
RepsDistanceIntervalStrokeTypeCommentTotals
1110017:00freestylewarm-up/downH 200
O 375
P 400
E 125
1100 / 17:00
147507:30freestyleswimA 25
N 350
D 100
475 / 07:30
175011:30freestyleswimP 400
E 125
A 25
C 75
E 125
750 / 11:30
160009:30freestyleswimA 25
R 450
E 125
600 / 09:30
1290045:00freestyleswimS 475
T 500
R 450
O 375
N 350
G 175
E 125
R 450
2900 / 45:00
1107517:00freestyleswimT 500
H 200
A 25
N 350
1075 / 17:00
175011:00freestyleswimF 150
E 125
A 25
R 450
750 / 11:00

Monday, April 30, 2018

Marcia and Marcella ... 6200



Marcia, Marcia, Marcia Cleveland   Happy Birthday,
So Blessed we are friends and Mersisters,

You share your Birthday with my young grand-niece Marcella, crazy 8's...
between the 2 of you (you are the umbrella), a very challenging workout....Thank You
450 w/u (4/30/2018=18=450)
54 x 100 (5 on 1:30/ 4 on 1:35 <25 drill="" loosen="" p="" to="" up="">
8 x 25 (:30 no breathing wall to line/drill to wall)
3 x 50 easy backstroke, because you are/were a backstroker moons ago
= 6200 Happy Birthday yards.
Enjoy your day and 55th year....

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

🌠Dedication🌠 To🌠 The🌠 Task🌠

Swim Workout Name: ðŸŒ Dedication🌠 To🌠 The🌠 Task🌠
Author: Marcella MacDonald
Date Created: April 25, 2018
Distance/Pool Type: 5200 scy
Swim Workout Category: marathon
Swim Workout Time: 1:22:30
RepsDistanceIntervalStrokeTypeCommentTotals
1🌠25🌠00:30freestyledrillNo breathing:wall>line/Drill:line>wall25 / 00:30
1210033:00freestyleswimOdd #: drill 1st and last 25
Even #: no drill

D 100
E 125
D 100
I 225
C 75
A 25
T 500
I 225
O 375
N 350
2100 / 33:00
1🌠25🌠00:30freestyledrillNo breathing:wall>line/Drill:line>wall25 / 00:30
187514:00freestyleswimT 500
O 375
875 / 14:00
1🌠25🌠00:30freestyledrillNo breathing:wall>line/Drill:line>wall25 / 00:30
182513:00freestyleswimT 500
H 200
E 125
825 / 13:00
1🌠25🌠00:30freestyledrillNo breathing:wall>line/Drill:line>wall25 / 00:30
1127520:00freestyleswimT 500
A 25
S 475
K 275
1275 / 20:00
1🌠25🌠00:30freestyledrillNo breathing:wall>line/Drill:line>wall25 / 00:30

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.