Also this September, little Dahlia started junior kindergarten. She is adjusting to the new routine much easier than I thought. My baby is growing up!
I'm back coaching novice swimming. I struggle to do the arm circles with the kids (but it's coming). Monday and Wednesday are chaos as Bill and Cadence swim and I coach (all at different locations & times), so we are running all over the city, but we've managed to make it work (so far). Of course swimming lessons for Dahlia are offered on Mondays or Saturdays - I prefer the weeknight because lots comes up on weekends, but Monday just isn't doable, so she will start this Saturday!
Even though we are back into a "regular" routine, the crossing is still pretty fresh in my mind. The start of the HAC season (Cadence's swimming and my coaching) has meant many congrats and enquiries about the swim. I particularly like it when the novice kids ask questions about it. They have some great questions and I can see the potential for it to inspire some of them, which is a totally incredible feeling!!
HAC also got a write-up about my swim in SportsXpress magazine - check out the latest issue! http://hamiltonsportsxpress.ca/2011/08/14/hamilton-aquatic-clubs-novice-coach-melanie-price-conquers-lake-ontario/ and in magazine form in this web flipbook: http://hamiltonsportsxpress.ca/Hamilton/wp-content/plugins/page-flip-image-gallery/popup.php?book_id=7
We had the crew party (see previous blog: http://melaniepriceadventures.blogspot.com/2011/09/crew-party.html) A very special evening!
My family doctor also made a big fuss about me, the other day while in the waiting room, completely embarrassing me, but in a good way! Although there for Dahlia's needles, I managed to get my doctor to book an ultrasound for my shoulders (so mid Oct I should have a better idea what the diagnosis is)
Solo Swims of Ontario (SSO) who oversees
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper (LOW ) just posted a little story about my swim: http://www.waterkeeper.ca/2011/09/20/the-lake-ontario-crossing-that-almost-wasnt/ Allie (from LOW) was there at the finish and I love hearing the stories of what it was like witnessing and waiting for me to complete the crossing. LOW has helped me to learn more about some of the environmental challenges that face the Lake and I hope to continue to be able to help them, work with them and learn from them (they are investigating holding a "shorter" swim race/challenge in the Lake, and I would love to take part and help with some of the organization of the event, hopefully it will be possible next summer) In the mean time, donations to LOW are still possible through my giving page at: http://www.canadahelps.org/gp/11261 and much appreciated!
I am including the questions Allie asked me (and the team) to help her write her story above and my responses because I think they get to the heart and express my feelings about the crossing quite well:
