New Year's Baptism

Ham finished the jog the fastest while running the furthest.

January 1, 2013

It took a lot longer than usual to write this entry.  It's gone through several drafts and, in an attempt to paint a picture that our first practice of 2013 was rosy, I found myself having to dig very deep to find the positives.  Rather than harp on the negative, here is a recap of the purpose, the practice and the positives from our shore swim. 

January 1, 2013, 7:35AM, Ft. Myers Beach, FL

During the first day of the new year, we find ourselves on the Gulf Coast, watching the sun rise in the hopes that the new year will bring new fortunes.  Seems cheesy enough, right?

After a 10-minute stretch, we jog as a team for about 1.25 miles on the coastline before turning around and returning to our bags.  Once congregated, we grab our goggles and head for the water.  Another simple concept at work: if we can swim in the Gulf of Mexico on January 1, we can do anything.  Not only anything, but anything that others wouldn't dream of doing.

I invite you to read last year's entry about our Gulf Swim.  It's helps me to walk down memory lane to reignite those first days of the new year when we could tell stories of when we felt we could do anything.  Last year's entry also provides links for the 2010 and 2011 Gulf Swim, which were, literally, life-changing events for those involved.

Miriam was kind enough to take a video of part of the swim.  You can draw your own conclusions from what you see and hear. 

Credit is due to Mohamed Bouzaghrane.  He was first in the water and swam ahead of his teammates.  He would have kept swimming to Naples if asked.

Credit is due to E'lan Brewer, Janai Ederaine and Keely Monge.  The three women were the next group out to sea and swam like they knew what they were doing.

Credit is due to Trent Popovich, Ben Skelding, Emeka Brooks and Benta Horton-Gee.  They, too, stuck together and, even though it took them a little longer to get motivated, they swam as far as their teammates leading the charge. 

The afternoon was a treat for many reasons:
1) It was beautiful outside ... upper 70s and sunny.
2) Instead of returning to FGCU at 2PM, we returned at 4PM.
3) Practice was more of an advanced warm-up than a practice (3600 meters total.)
4) We had the opportunity to swim with and against North Dakota.

Our "neighbors" from North Dakota have provided a competition for us each of the last three trips to Ft. Myers.  They are a gracious and friendly group of 42 and were willing to practice with us. 

A beautiful day to make a friend...

The practice last for about 80 minutes before we split into our respective teams and formed relays that would compete against one another.  The first relay, the women's 200 meter medley, was our most impressive showing as a group.  Benta, Briana Dillon, Janai and E'lan took first place in a time of 2:21.59. 


Janai listens attentively while Benta refuses to smile.

Miles and Trent continue to show-off their social skills.

If you are wondering who that person is in the middle of the photo, that is North Dakota junior Camille Merwin.  Janai and E'lan swam with Camille and made it a point to snap this photo at the conclusion of our time with UND.  It was a very impressive gesture from the Lady Bison.

Practice wasn't over for the team.  Upon leaving the facility, we did four rounds of pull-ups, crunches and dips underneath the moonlit sky.  This was a great effort by the team as the encouragement was at a high level and the performances was equally intense.

Certainly a lot of activity for the first day of the new year.  Tomorrow we begin our quest to relocate to Washington, DC.  We hope you have a terrific beginning to your new year.