I can't believe I haven't made a post since the day following my attempt at the English Channel. It was a disappointing result, to say the least, but I enjoyed the training journey and every minute of the trip.
I've moved on. And that's OK. I took a break from swimming when I returned to Lincoln and decided to jog instead, hoping that would help me shed the 10 extra pounds of channel fat I've been stuffing into my clothes for the past half year. It didn't. But I did complete a half marathon in Nebraska City in November, with hills the size of mini Mount Everests. Let's just say I'm glad to have completed a goal I set for myself and rediscovered how much I prefer the water!
I also left my position at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital to take on a similar role as Director of Communications for the Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska. Changing jobs is a major life change, but that's a good thing! I was ready for a new adventure and this position will enable me to learn a new sector and help advance food production around the world. I'm very excited about it.
I have a couple of swimming events on the 2015 calendar that will keep me rolling out of bed at 4:30 in the morning. I'm doing the 24-hour relay in San Francisco with my friend Suzie Dods and her family and friends in February and the SCAR 4-day swim in Arizona in early May. I bought a wetsuit for the relay (and maybe, possibly SCAR). Let the OW purists howl and shake their heads. I just want to swim and if a wetsuit keeps me in the cold water to the finish, I'll wear a wetsuit.
Many friends and supporters have asked if I'm going to try the EC again. Not next year. I'll see how things go with SCAR and see if that desire rekindles. It was a long, hard 18-months of training -- although that's the very best part! If I do it again, I'd need more time swimming in cold water. I really don't think that sitting in a cold tub made much difference - and certainly didnt help me deal with nausea. I'll see how it goes. I really enjoy swimming in the ocean with friends so whatever leads me to that scenario, I'll pursue.
