She's almost there! Less than 500 meters to the finish (or for us older people less than one third of a mile). Finishing is now not in doubt and I can faintly hear the band warming up with the Canadian National Anthem. Many people have been dropping by the trailer for updates and they are all excited to here the news of her success. As we sit by the phone waiting for the text advising us that she has touched French soil it gives me time to reflect on what a great accomplishment this is and what an amazing inspiration Marilyn has been to all of us, not the least of which has been my wife who has re-kindled her love of swimming in recent years, due in part to Marilyn's influence. Although there have been many times I have felt like a swimming widower I realize that the time she spends in the water will benefit both of us in the long run as it will extend her life providing me companionship (and maybe someone to change my diaper if required).
Thanks Marilyn for including us in this wonderful event and for continuing to support Deb and others with their dreams and goals. It has been an amazing experience and I look forward to being at the finish line for your next big swim.
And that's it folks! Marilyn is on French soil (or beach or maybe even rock we are not certain yet). Official time is 16 hours and 28 minutes. An incredible accomplishment! Marilyn Korzekwa is now the oldest Canadian Woman to swim the English Channel.
Congratulations Marilyn and thank you. Now her son and I are off to attend the official flag raising ceremony at the park in Marilyn's honour and I think I hear the engravers putting her name on the plaque as we speak.
Thanks everyone for tuning in. It has been a pleasure bringing you the events as they unfolded today. The next posting will be from Marilyn tomorrow morning. For now this is Steve Bang signing off. Good bye!
Marilyn's swim across the English Channel 2011
"For me, marathon swimming is the ultimate mental, physical and emotional challenge".
Diana Nyad, Other Shores, 1978
I've always loved swimming. I've been swimming since age 2, competitively since age 13. I'm now 54 and hoping to become the oldest Canadian female to swim the English channel; 33.2 kilometres from Samphire Hoe Beach, Dover, England to Cap Griz Nez, France. I swam Lake Ontario from Niagara on the Lake to Toronto in 1983 and from Toronto to Port Dalhousie (north to south against the powerful Niagara River current) in 1984. I was only the second person to swim Lake Ontario north to south, Diana Nyad being the first. The above quote is one of my favourites, especially since Diana at 61 was also recently trying to prove that older athletes can still achieve big goals.
Why the English Channel? I was quoted in the Toronto Star in 1984 saying my next big swim would be the English Channel. But then life happened, I got married, had 3 boys, but always kept swimming at least twice a week. Last summer, Debbie Bang challenged me to swim 26 kilometres in Muskoka. When I finished it, I felt I could have swum further. When Colleen Shields at 58 breezed across Lake Ontario last August (but was foiled by weather at the very end), I realized I could still do another big swim at my age. Swimmers in Dover say the Channel is the Everest of swims. I'm not so sure, people have accomplished longer and colder swims in other parts of the world. For me, there is something about ocean swimming that is the ultimate. The English Channel is part of world history and swimming tradition. My grandmother lived in England and took me to the beach on the channel, so it is also nostalgia and familiar. What really cemented the idea in my mind is pacing Kim Middleton across the channel in 1989. I just "woke up" last September and realized time was running out.
So I have been inspired and supported by a great many people. (Thank you!) In doing this swim I would like to inspire others to dream big and go out and achieve their goals. But, in this journey I have learned that reaching smaller training goals along the way has also inspired others. Swimming Lake Simcoe from Barrie to Orillia, 35 kilometres in 18 hours and 44 minutes is the biggest example of this, especially since the water was 13 degrees Celsius for the first 3 hours. Even if the channel weather foils me on August 21, 22, or 23, it was worth doing.
I am also pleased to be able to use this opportunity to raise money for the Good Shepherd Centres in Hamilton. They run a network of shelters and services for troubled youth, abused women and children, the dying, the mentally and physically challenged, the hungry and the homeless. They strive to support people through crisis and help them re-establish healthy and productive lives. They have been very good to my patients over the years and for this I am grateful. Please support my swim by donating to the Good Shepherd centres. Thank you. http://www.goodshepherdcentres.ca/News/events.htm
Congratulations on your amazing achievement!! It takes great courage and tenacity of purpose to accomplish such a world class goal. We've been very excited to be able to follow along on your blog (thanks for the commentary Steve). We've already said it once, but it deserves saying again - what an amazing achievement!! Love, Basia and Emil
ReplyDeleteMarylko,
ReplyDeleteGratulujemy Tobie kolejnego wielkiego sukcesu.
Do zobaczenia w Polsce.
Andrzej i rodzina.