Some of my favorite motivational quotes:

• Pain is temporary, quiting is forever (Lance Armstrong)
• Nothing worth doing is easy.
• Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way. (Dr. Seuss)
• The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary
• Falling down is part of LIFE...Getting back up is LIVING...
• There is no such thing as failure, only new learning experiences
• courage is in the effort, not the result
• Goals are delicious – they feed our spirit, but there’s something even more that we discover as we reach for them: that journey is more incredible then the destination.
• ” The purpose of life is a life of purpose” – Robert Byrne
• You don't have to win to be a champion; you just have to race knowing you've done everything possible to achieve your dream (Dick Jochums)
• It's 1000 times better to die fighting than to live in fear (Dick Jochums)
• Those who strive, those who leave nothing on the table, those who will take the risk, will all be winners....Life is truly sweeter for those who truly live it (Dick Jochums)
• You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.(Christopher Columbus)
• Winners have simply formed the habit of doing things losers don’t like to do.
• Pain is weakness leaving the body. 
• Live the life you have imagined
• Commitment leads to action. Action brings your dream closer.
• To unpathed waters, undreamed shores. (William Shakepeare)
• Life is an occasion, rise to it (Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium)
• Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement.
• The virtue lies in the struggle, not in the prize.
• Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference (Winston Churchill)
• Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential (Winston Churchill)
• Dream as if you'll live forever.  Live as if you'll die today. (James Dean)
• Reach for the moon and at the very least you'll end up amongst the stars

It's in the press!

It's in the press (Hamilton Spectator): http://www.thespec.com/feature/article/476120--busy-mom-trains-for-52-km-swim-across-lake

So exciting!  Thanks BMSC for setting up the article!

So I was hoping to blog once a week, but I have fallen behind already... I will try to get back on pace!

The article has already had some positive results:
-the photographer is interested in joining BMSC, and
-I got a call from an interested person/user of Melaleuca products which are used by other marathon swimmers, which she suggested I check out for my nutrition for the swim...
-plus various other encouraging/supportive messages, Thanks!

Yeah!  I'm feeling good in the water and enjoying training...
xo Melanie

Lake Ontario swim crossing

So what to do next???  Planning the upcoming year's events is always fun.  And 2011 is going to be big! Extreme!  I'm planning on a Lake Ontario swim crossing this summer.  It's 52km from Niagara On The Lake to Toronto.  I will be without a wetsuit.  I am not allowed to touch the boat or another pacer, and can not draft off a pacer.  I will be swimming probably for 18 to 24 hours.  So part of the swim will be at night, an extra challenge.  I will need to practice and figure out my nutrition plan, eating and swimming will be tricky!   Completion is far from guaranteed, there are lots of elements in open water swimming which are out of my control!

Why?  Because I want to push the limits; because I love Lake Ontario and could probably just shout it from a mountain top, but this seems more appropriate.  I started training in Lake Ontario with the Lake Ontario Swim Team (LOST) when I was training for Ironman Louisville and in doing so, I discovered a "Great" Lake right in my own back-yard.  I want to help other people discover it and help keep it "Great"!

A couple "Great" things are in motion for the swim now:

ü      I've got my Burlington Masters Swim Club (BMSC) coach, Dave Judd, to agree to coach me on the swim.  I've been swimming with Dave for approx 7 years now.  He has a great eye for technique and has already started working on my freestyle specifically for open water and the distance.  He also knows me pretty well, what gets me going and knows when I need to rest.  Having him on a boat will definitely be an advantage.

ü      I recently have been in contact with Lake Ontario Waterkeeper & Swim, Drink, Fish Music and they agree that we should be able to collaborate to help support each other.  This is quite exciting! And I look forward to being able to support Lake Ontario conservation on this adventure.

ü      I also have had a couple BMSC members approach me about the boat requirements as they may have some leads on boats.  The organization of the swim is another big challenge.  Solo Swims Ontario (SSO) will sanction the swim and sets the rules and regulations including boat requirements as well as providing an official who oversees the swim.

ü      And finally, BMSC has organized an interview with the Spectator, which will start getting the word out about the swim, Lake Ontario and BMSC as well.

So it’s in writing now!  WOW!
To steal & slightly alter a quote from Gold in the Water by P.H. Mullen:
To make this is going to be so sweet, to fail will be disappointing. Either way, it is going to be painful, but the experience of a lifetime, and life will go on. But those who strive, those who leave nothing on the table, those who will take the risk, will all be winners.  Life is truly sweeter for those who truly live it. The world belongs, and will always belong, to the people who participate. Don't stand on the outside, take a risk, you might fail, but you will understand the beauty of each breath of life. So don’t feel sorry for those who fail, feel sorry for the majority that never participate. They’ll just never understand, let alone feel, all that life can and should be.

Polar Bear Dip

On New Year's Day, I took part in the polar bear dip in Lake Ontario (Oakville).  It was a very good day for my 1st polar bear dip with air temperatures of approx 10C and water temperatures of 2C.  It was cold, but not deadly.  Lots of friends out from BMSC and LOST.  I'll do this again I'm sure.