I am excited to embark on an open water swimming event this weekend that is the first of its’ kind! It is a bold move to announce my entry in my first ever blog entry.  I mean, now I’ve got witnesses to my intention! And, I watched the odometer in the car today and it turns out 12 mi. is pretty far.  There was time to do multiple radio station scans and break up several backseat squabbles between my kids!   The race director, Kathleen Wilson, is an English Channel alum like myself and is passionate about raising awareness of marathon swimming.  The swim will begin at Remleys Point in Mt. Pleasant, SC, proceed across the Cooper River to the Charleston side, parallel the peninsular city and proceeding north up the Ashley River to the finish point at I-526. Really that means nothing to me as I’ve never been to Charleston, but it sounded official so I thought I should include it.  The longest swim I’ve done since the Channel was a 7.5 mi. Potomac River Swim crossing from Virgina to Maryland earlier this summer.  If I wasn’t yet a believer in the benefits of Total Immersion mindful swimming, I became one that day.  The principles of balance and streamline grounded my stroke and my attention.  I was able to enjoy the swim and finish well despite less than ideal training.  By the fifth mile when my arms were dead (I hadn’t swum more than three consecutive miles in training), focal points like hip drive and arm extension kept me moving gracefully. 

So, to all my TI enthusiast friends I hope to meet one day, wish me well as I put TI efficient swimming to the test once again.  I’ve been assured that the marine life shouldn’t be a concern.  It’s just unfortunate timing I had to watch ‘Soul Surfer’ with my daughter recently.   I look forward to recapping the event and rallying support for it next year!  Traci McNeil