Event Wrap-Up

The Event was swimmingly fantastic! The swim was fast and fun, the finish line was full of friends and family and we surpassed our goal!

We arrived at the start point on the tip of Freeman Park a little later than planned - but I still had time to enjoy quick conversations with friends, family and my ZOE team.  We gathered on the beach in a circle to pray alongside Pastor Greg, founder of ZOE Ministry. Then we loaded everyone back on the boats and off we went on our journey towards the finish line - more than five hours away!

From the shore we faced cloudy skies and choppy conditions - nothing like any of our trial swims!  The boats were heaving and our paddleboarders had to sit on their heels to paddle.  Watching the boats rock side to side increased my fear of seasickness and nausea.  However, once I got in the water, it was just like it's always been: warm and comfortable. On top of that, I felt fast that morning.  

Throughout the day, my friends - and even Doug - jumped in and out throughout the route to swim, keeping steady pace with me. Kayakers continued alongside of me and grew around us with every mile. Boaters came (the Coast Guard auxilliary stayed for the entire day!) and went - floating alongside of us. And my trusted paddleboard guides kept me on track. It felt like a floating tailgate party - with each one of us in some vessel of our choosing.  At one stop, I had to resist the sudden urge to scream out how much I loved it!  

The closer we got to Dockside, the choppy water mixed with our anxiety over deteriorating weather conditions and the excitement of our goal. It seemed as if the water and wind (which was out of the south) were in our favor. I felt exhilerated!  

Course coach, Ben Bowie, allowed me to stop every 30 minutes during the first few hours - but the breaks got shorter and shorter. I watched him tapping his watch and yelling out over our giggley conversation, "all right ladies, it's time to keep moving".  I didn't see the storm clouds, only happiness on everyone's faces, but he was afraid that I'd be 30 minutes from finishing and be pulled from the water with lightening and thunder. I had to keep moving!  

The swimmers who were pacing me got out of the water at our last rest stop - only 30 more minutes of swimming to go.  I put my head down into the water, and started imagining what 60-80 AIDS orphans would look like in one space - one whole grade level at Holly Tree Elementary.  I was filled with excitement - imagining the children receiving their first garden hoe, seeds, instructions and education, and the hope in a future that would grow in their young hearts. 

I was following Guy, our paddleboarder, to Dockside's dock and as we turned a corner from the ICW towards the restaurant, I heard the crowd cheering me on.  I couldn't believe I could hear them while I was swimming - with my head underwater! When I peaked with each breath - it was absolutely breathtaking: like a parade of all of my friends.  The tears of joy and happiness at that finish will be with me forever. My father whispered, if only grandma and grandpa could be here to see this. My mom told me how she had worried about me and was glad I made it safely. My sisters were there, and my sons greeted me with hugs and kisses. I felt completely loved.

Even though the children in Africa have lost their immediate family, with ZOE they are placed in a new family - with less of a chance for poverty and sickness. They have a chance to feel completely loved.  Every person who's been a part of this mission - at the start line, when the idea first took root, throughout these past few months of training and fundraising, and those at the finish line - had a part in making that a reality for a small group of children halfway across the world. That is completely wonderful and I loved every minute of our journey together!  Thank you so very much!!  

Capable

Only four days left to prepare for the swim of my life! As I prepare,  I can't help but think about our individual, unique purposes and contributions to those around us and maybe even those we'll never meet.

Recently, endurance swimmer Diana Nyad decided to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys - a 60-hour, 103-mile undertaking! She had tried it once before when she was 28 years old. That first attempt ended 41 hours and 49 minutes into the swim - she was buffeted and bruised by wind, waves, and the shark cage she was confined to. This year, at 61, she wanted to try again. Nyad told journalists she hoped her swim would inspire others her age to live active lives. She is equipped with determination, drive, motivation and the mental and physical training to overcome challenges and inspire others - including me!

I believe that each one of us is equipped by God to serve a purpose and inspire others. We are capable of so much more than we know. We all have a story to tell of how we have overcome challenges. In fact, some of the challenges we face make us capable in the end. You may remember how I FELL INto Swim for ZOE. 

I fell in love with swimming by nearly falling into a swimming pool when I was two years old! I grew up in a small town in New York and at my sister's  first swim lesson, I decided to jump in, too! The lifeguard had to fish me out and sit me on the side of the pool! The very next week, at her lesson I jumped right back in! The lifeguard fished me out again, but this time, he let me join the class.

I spent my childhood as the only girl at the local Boys Club – practicing technique, swimming endless laps and competing -- and sometimes even beating -- the boys at the club!

Fast-forward 25 years and I am still swimming! I am part of a triathlon club and at least twice a week, we get together at the pool or at the beach to practice technique, swim endless laps and compete. Sometimes I still beat the boys. 

PIX OF MY FAMILY NOW

Dad on a Walk with Me at Wrightsville Beach

The Aversas: Jacob, Brother-In-Law BJ, my beautiful sister, Amy, and Nathan

I fell for God when I was ten years old. That same sister who I followed into the pool practically raised me when my parents divorced. She was there for me and took care of me as my parents worked multiple jobs, shuffled five children to school and activities. For six years, we had an incredible bond - she wiped my tears away, rocked me to sleep, included me in her life. When I was ten and she was 16, that same sister died in a car accident. The divorce and the loss of my best friend and sister left me hopeless for a while. Right around that time, a friend of my mom's (who later became my stepfather) took our family to church. It was there that I heard about Jesus Christ.  As distraught and despairing as I was, hearing that "Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) were exactly the words my ears needed to hear! I began to build a foundation in Christ and I learned to trust him in my hopeless moments. 

I fell for ZOE Ministries in 2006 when I went to Zimbabwe for a mission trip. Through Zoe, we visited AIDS orphans – children who had lost their parents to AIDS or had AIDS themselves. I am a P.E. teacher at Holly Tree Elementary and I did there what I do here: I taught the children to play. While they were waiting to be seen by doctors, I played parachute games, jumped rope, kicked the soccer ball and painted their faces. I tried to show them how to trust God even in their hopeless moments. In return, I was able to see Christ’s face in the faces of those kids! I was able to work with Pastor Greg first-hand and see his servant hood and sacrifice for the orphans. 

As you know, I’ve decided to combine EVERYTHING I love and do something BIG for God. This Saturday I am going to swim ten miles for ZOE ministries. I am going to swim in the Intracoastal Waterway from the Carolina Beach inlet to Wrightsville Sound inlet in a little under SIX hours to raise money for the families. Our goal is $18,000 and we are almost there!

Earlier today, Diana Nyad had to abort her second attempt at that swim from Cuba to the Keys. Windy conditions, less than ideal currents, asthma attacks and shoulder pain stopped her short of her goal. She was already halfway to Florida when she was pulled out of the water. However, I am floored by her ability to swim 29 hours! And I bet that women and men of all ages are inspired to live active lives.

I believe that I was equipped to pursue my goal through Swim for ZOE. I was equipped by my past, my present circumstances and the people in my life. I believe that I can make the 10.3 miles and I believe that we will reach the goal of $18,000. And like Diana Nyad, even if we don't, I won't be sad. We have used our abilities to inspire others to live out loud!

I know you can live out loud and accomplish great things in your life? What will it be? This video clip may help you notice that you can do way more than you ever thought possible.  Let's go live!

The Heat is On!

The pressure is building as we near event day on August 13.  Our excitement and anticipation has almost reached a boiling point! For starters - there's the weather - the sun is pushing our temperatures into the 90's everyday! We reached a record high on Saturday (101 degrees) - my last trial swim before the big event! My windows are foggy with condensation - due to the hot temps outside and max air-conditioning inside!

Plus, my family is expected in town soon! There are ELEVEN family members traveling here for an unusual family reunion.  In the past, my husband, my boys and I have traveled to New York for our regular July 4th get-together. This year, the family is headed here to reunite and support the swim! In addition to swim practices, I've been frantically finding housing and beds for all the adults.

Finally, we're feeling the heat of a deadline! We have ELEVEN days to raise $9,840 to reach our goal!!!! We're contacting businesses for sponsorships and raffle prizes. We're inviting every person we know to the finish line celebration. We're drumming up media spots and dishing up barbeque to supporters. We're attending fundraising dinner parties and tons more! We're overcoming each obstacle and pressing forward. We've started to receive more yes's than no's. It seems like our fundraising thermometer is matching the temps outside! 

Part of the S4Z Team: Leanne, Beth S., Wendy and Ben B., Alicia U., Jen M., Patty and Guy D.

God has given me an ice-pack to cool down: my ZOE team. We have grown to ELEVEN strong. Each of us has a distinct and different part to play in fundraising and the swim. There are two paddle-boarders, two kayakers, two swim practice partners, two in the support-and-gear director's boat, one public relations guru, one self-proclaimed tech goddess and my BFF who has done a little bit of all of the above!!! We have the best thing going and work amazingly well together -- better than any other groups that I've seen. I feel blessed that God has placed us and positioned us here. It is quite extraordinary to work with such talented individuals! I am thankful for this opportunity to be included in something God wants done.  I am tearfully appreciative of them all. 

Below, you'll find an inspiring quote and your invitation to the finish line celebration:

"My understanding of God's constancy in His love encourages me to return His love by living a life which would bring honor to Him.  I want to become a woman of excellence not because I have to perform, but because I choose to please God."  Cynthia Heald

 CLICK TO PLAY

Welcome

Welcome KLOVE listeners! We are so excited you are here! 

Today, we were featured on my favorite local radio station - KLOVE! It is a national -- and global -- radio broadcast featuring positive and encouraging music and news. Many thanks to Dan Dillard for his coverage - his time and his attention to this swim and to ZOE is much appreciated. For you newcomers, here's a little background:

On August 13, 2011, Leanne LaFave will swim a ten-mile solo course that’s never been done before -- from Carolina Beach to Wrightsville Beach – as a fundraiser for ZOE Ministry, an organization dedicated to empowering orphans in Africa. The ICW10 Swim for Zoe will start at 8:00a at the Carolina Beach Inlet and finish at Dockside Restaurant on Wrightsville Sound. Our purpose is to raise $18,000 -- enough to support 60-80 children in ZOE's three-year empowerment program!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO FIND US ON FACEBOOK!

Please be sure to check out the video on the home page, my story and love for ZOE on the bio page and even some recent posts on my training in the blog tab! Plus! You're invited to the FINISH LINE CELEBRATION at Dockside Restaurant on August 13, 2011. I hope to cross the finish line in 5.5 hours - so join me between noon and 3:00pm that Saturday to enjoy food, music, raffles and MORE! 

Can't make it to the big event on August 13? CLICK HERE to give a gift instead. 

Swim Workout

I've spent over 220 hours swimming for ZOE! With all this time in the water, I'm often asked about my favorite swim workouts. Sometimes, I'll reply quickly that the ones where I get wet are my favorite ones. That doesn't always change the subject. 

I have to admit, my favorite workout is a crazy one. Before the ocean was warm enough to train in, I did this workout in the pool [over and over again!]: 

Warm up ------------
800yds (32 lengths) :: the last 200 yards alternate- 25 strong, 25 easy.

Main Set --------------
8 X 100's (8 x 4 lengths) :: each 100 on 1min:30sec interval
[I have been swimming this one pretty consistently without much of a rest in between. I will finish the 100yd in 1:25 and have 5 sec left before needing to start the next one, and sometimes I only get 2 seconds to breathe before starting the next on!. It's mostly an "at-pace" 800yd swim, not an all out 1min:10sec 100yd with a 20 second rest in between]


The Broken 1 Mile (66 lengths): Swim Ladder of lengths. 11 lengths, 10 lengths, 9 lengths, etc.,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 with a 10 second Rest Interval between each set.
[This is a timed swim. Begin this mile at an exact time and note the exact time that you finish this mile. At the end, you subtract 1min. 30 seconds from the noted finish time to account for every 10 second rest in between intervals.It's a challenge!]

3 X 300's (3 x 12 lengths) :: each interval on a 3min:30sec interval.

500yd (20 lengths) ::  Drills with Fins
I do 10 X 50's here with drills like: one arm, catch-up, push and glide, fingertip drag, 3 and 3 (three seconds kicking on the side, 3 strokes, three seconds kicking on opposite side) and run through each drill a second time.

10 X 200's (10 x 8 lengths) - each interval on 3min:30sec interval

[I try to finish each 200yd in 2:50 and leave on the 3min:30sec interval giving myself quite a rest in between. I am tired by now, and must use the AIDS orphans and their struggle to survive to keep myself from swimming this part easy. This part of the workout makes me happy because I'm almost done and I am mentally identifying with the plight of our AIDS orphan brothers and sisters, gaining strength and courage from them and praying for them, too! Using God's strong arms here!!]

Cool Down ---------------
500yds Easy
Straight play time in the water. I mess around, going between breast stroke, backstroke, corkscrew, swimming underwater for a whole length, touching the pool floor, watching other swimmers, taking extra breaths at the pool edge, and enjoying the mental closure to this swim. I love these 20 lengths - they make me giddy!

The other thing I think of often in workouts: my family. They have sacrificed so much as I give my time and attention to workouts and Swim for ZOE meetings and fundraising presentations. They are immersed in gallons swim-talk! They have gone above and beyond to allow me this passion and drive that God has given me. I would not be where I am without them! Without their support around this event, I'd be nowhere. God is good in giving me a cup running over - I want to cherish His blessings without them - or Him - for granted. 

Words of Wisdom

I'll admit it:  I got a little discouraged from last week's long distance pool swim.  I felt sluggish, heavy, slow - all the feelings that exit usually the minute I enter the water.  For some reason, I did not have "it".  I slogged through the workout, trying desperately to motivate myself by saying: "You can do this for another five minutes!" I repeated this pep talk at every single five minute mark. I do not like the feeling of heaviness during workouts.  I know for me it means I have not rested enough.  Of course, rested enough is different for everybody and sometimes what I consider enough is different than what my body really needs.  My mind says go, but my body says no!

I got relief from an unlikely source. I took a campus tour at East Carolina University with my son Nick (a rising senior). Part of the three hour tour (sorry, couldn't resist) took us through a cafeteria and we were all given a free fountain drink. Nick and I sat down and right across from us was a wall labeled:  a "napkin noteboard".  There were two napkins on it.  One said Sam's Omlettes are the best! That one reminded me of college days and I wondered: was Sam a guy or a girl, and who would be at his/her house at breakfast time and why?  Oh, those college life days bring a smile!  

The other napkin really hit home with me.  On it said I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13.  That was it - what I needed just in time for my next trial swim in the ICW in just the next two days.  Throughout that swim, I kept that verse in my head, borrowing God's arms of strength to keep me going, reminiscing about the wonderful children who have no home and no one to care for them.  No matter how tired I become, it is nothing compared to the struggles those children face day-to-day.  Christ will strengthen me, as He has done for the vulnerable children around the world in our times of need.  

I started my next swim feeling refreshed and energetic.  I had a renewed motivation that came from heaven above!  Right when you need it, you may find your own words of wisdom in some unlikely place! Who'd've thought they could come on a fashionable napkin? 

The Rub - Mental and Physical

Last week, we did part of a trial run-through of the 10.3 mile route. According to the GPS, the entire course is 10.3 miles from the tip of Freeman Park at Carolina Beach to Dockside Restaurant at Wrightsville Beach.  Alicia Uhl, Jenny Mical and I set off at 5:45am on a beautiful, slightly breezy Wednesday morning -- determined to do most of the route in order to test the currents.  I decided swimming at a slower pace would be beneficial since I'd never swum ten miles before. I wanted to keep myself comfortable in order to hold off physical fatigue as long as possible. 

What I couldn't fend off was the mental fatigue. From the start, the time seemed to crawl by. It felt like a slack tide - right at the turn of the tide - and it felt as though I wasn't making much headway.  In fact, after 30 minutes, I had only swum one mile! Normally, my mile swim is much faster - even in a pool with no current or salt water to help me float!  It was discouraging me, these beginning miles not getting me anywhere!  Maybe we mistimed the tide and I'm headed against the current, I thought. At our next rest stop, I took a deep breath to regroup. In order to keep the drag from my suit to a minimum, I tied up my bikini top tighter and took off again.

As I was tying it, I flinched. The Speedo Recordbreaker LZR swimsuit that I normally wear to protect me from the stinging jellies has recently irritated a small spot under my scapula (posterior shoulder area). The skin in that area has been rubbed raw with all my swimming. This day's bikini top, when tied tighter, began to rub immediately! A half an hour later when I stopped to rehydrate and refuel with Hammer gels for calories, I felt a burn under my arms. I realized my triceps were rubbing against bare skin on my rib cage, creating a sore spot there. A little while later, I realized that my swim top was creating chafing on my collar bones on both sides! All four spots were pink with the skin rubbed off, swollen and burning from the salt water.

With five miles to go, another problem arose. Storm clouds started to pass above us. We started to hear distant thunder, and then all at once: a downpour.  I began imagining what my dad always did in a rainstorm.  He would gather up his fishing gear as quickly as possible and head out to the water, knowing the fish bite best in a downpour.  I began to grow insecure in the water, wondering if the fish beneath were noticing their breakfast thrashing on the surface.  Oh, my upwelling panic threatened to stop this swim if the storm didn't!!  The rain came and went throughout the swim, along with sunshine, too!  At one hydration break I was shivering from the rain.  Yet, at the next break I would be overheating from the intense sunshine!  But throughout the last few miles, pain from the rub outweighed many other thoughts and feelings.

I learned a lot in the five hours and 20 minutes it took to swim most of the route.  For starters, the ICW10 is different every single time it's swum!  Whether we swim a short or long distance trial swim, the current will always be slightly different than every other time. And yet, I love the challenge of open water swimming in the ocean or intra-coastal for this reason - you never know whatcha gonna get!

We also learned that no matter what, the circumstances are going to be a challenge at one end or the other. My swim event coordinator, Ben Bowie, noted the current flow from the inlets and my effort level at each one. He has told me that I either need to start the swim against the current for about two miles, or end it against the current for about one mile.  As they say: Ay, there's the rub! Difficult decision!

I realized swimming ten miles in the ICW is definitely not an easy task. It requires focus, timing, concentration, motivation and desire.  When I hoisted myself out of the water that day, I was not a happy woman. But, I felt a great sense of relief. I know now that it is possible and it can be done. I know what challenges await me and I know that I can make it physically and mentally!

Now if I could just get rid of the chafing!!!!

Gratitude and Appreciation

I have been thinking about all of you since the first donation we ever received, which was also the easiest donation from a business. During a running practice with our YWCA Triathlon Club, I pitched the idea of this beach to beach swim and using it as a fundraiser for ZOE Ministry.  Wouldn't you know one of the runners turned out to be the president of Sweeney PR right here in town?  Immediately, she had ideas that she strung out in several run-on sentences throughout the entire run!  One of the others running with us is a small-business web designer, is writing a book and enthusiastically offered to help with our blog!  The other triathlete with us at practice became our Swim for ZOE director. He determined the best currents and tides for the swim by floating empty bottles in the ICW to find out which direction they'd take. Plus, he took on the responsibility of keeping me safe and alive during the actual swim. My friend (I call her BFF) Beth Sheppard wanted to be a part of our team, and now we're five strong. The YDUBTRICLUB certainly has a few gems! Our Swim for ZOE team was born!  

As it turns out, JenManocchio is our PR Diva and has already gotten me into many media venues: the area newspaper, my hometown newspaper, a local magazine, on our local morning newscast. She continues to seek getting the word out to other media that haven't covered our cause.  Beth Andrew's computer and technology skills have surpassed and surprised all of us - she created a Swim for ZOE dvd, stickers for the donation jars, created Swim for ZOE postcards, parking passes for our beach brunch celebration, she painstakingly updates the blog site weekly, and many other things that have taken up her time for months.  BFF's ideas and business visits have secured a team who will paddleboard with me during the swim.  Ben Bowie continues to check tides and finds dates to have me swim from this particular point to that in order for him to see exactly what that water will do to me. We didn't expect this event to take up so much of our time on a day-to-day basis, nor did we expect to feel God's strength within to keep it up. This has been such a joy-ride!  It is truly remarkable how much work we've all put in to this event in hopes of helping our AIDS brothers and sisters have a chance at a real life.

Part of Our Zoe Team [from left to right]: Jen Manocchio, Leanne and Doug LaFave, Gaston Warner, Beth Andrew and Ben Bowie

Since the birth of this endeavor, it is you, our donors and sponsors that we are the most thankful for.  We cannot reach the goal of $18,000 with our own money - that would not be what we feel God would want.  We feel blessed to share this opportunity.  My joy is multiplied by including you in the whole course of this experience.

I have had so many wonderful contacts through this: Aunt Ida from California whom I've never met; cousin Jae from Oregon whom I had the pleasure to share many Thanksgiving dinners with when we lived in Washington State, business donor friends who have given not once, but twice already; a charming man named Evan (Butch) who I met and see often at our UNC-W Women's Basketball games, and the many friends and family who give out of the goodness of their hearts, that's YOU!  Thank you so much for giving to this cause.  I feel grateful to God who has given me everything I have, and also the choice to participate in things worthwhile.  This is definitely a calling He has given me to help some of the most vulnerable children on earth and I am pleased to say YES! alongside all of you!!

And you think I love the water?  Check out this water-monkey!:

Swimming Has Gone to My Head....and Heart

I have said before that I fell in love with swimming by literally falling into a swimming pool when I was only two years old. This year I've fallen in love with the endurance aspect of it. I believe I have found a new endurance sport that I love. 

A few months after the birth of my second child,  I strapped on a new pair of

running shoes and took off from our home in Port Orchard, WA - desiring some time alone.  I had been an active runner, but the farthest I had ever run up to that point was 6.2 miles. It was in a 10K running event in Bemus Point, NY that left me frustrated: a 70-year-old man ran up to me, encouraged me with a "keep on going" and then passed me! He wasn't even gasping for breath like I was!

I knew I could run that distance again, but vowed to go the farthest distance I could think of - so I signed up for the Seattle Marathon! I was armed with a training plan and determination.  That year of training took me through the many ups and downs - through the streets of Port Orchard and through the challenges of being a new mom.

My challenge was to fit in the time on the road. With no family within a thousand miles, I relied on friends and even hired a teenager to save the day! She'd come over at 4:00am, twice a week to sleep on my couch while I took off into the hills and onto dirt roads. I'd squeeze in ten miles or more before she needed to get to school and before the brothers woke up.  

My reward: I fell in love with my running routine. I'd get so into it that at certain distances, I felt like I could go on running forever, forgetting that I WAS running. I would just float along feeling at peace and unity with all things created.  I know it sounds really weird but endurance sports have an effect on my brain chemistry.  Being in motion -- and alone -- for an unspecified amount of time causes me to forget about myself.  It hits me that it's no longer work, I don't feel my legs moving underneath, or the road or any pain.  It's euphoric - that's the best way I can describe it.  Running gets into my head! Ok, back to earth here!!

I began this blog by stating that I found a new endurance sport that I love - you know I'm going to say that it's swimming long distances!  I have swum for so many years now - always noting the distances from here to there, always seeing the destination point.  My training for Swim for ZOE is totally different.  My focus is no longer on the destination point. Instead, I patiently wait for that goal. Instead I keep my head down moving forward for miles - watching the sea life beneath. With each breath, I catch glimpses of the homes I swim past, of pelicans flying above in formation. I feel the gentle rocking of the water's wake or focus on the flotation that comes from swimming in salt water.

Like running, swimming has become euphoric. At a certain point, it's no longer work. I am so happy for hours at a time while swimming that I can hardly contain it's beauty and wonder that mounts within me!  Now I can say swimming has gone right to my head - and from my head to my heart.

Open Water Swimming with Sea Creatures

It's been a welcome transition to go from four pool swims per week to two pool swims and two open water swims per week.  I love swimming in the open water. The unpredictability of the ocean day to day -- and even hour to hour -- is part of the lure to me!  The tide table makes it easy to figure out which direction to swim (north or south); the unpredictability lies in wind direction, the swell flow, debris and sea critters! 

I've learned that these variables make a BIG difference when you're swimming for a duration versus a distance. In the ocean, it's impossible to tell where you might end up in a certain period of time. The swiftness of the current, the amount of chop in the waves and the number of creatures you battle can make your swim short or long. You may end up on the other end of the island or only a mile away!  I had been in the habit of dropping off a pair of running shoes at my swim destination to use to run back to my vehicle.  I don't drop off shoes anymore since I've no idea where my swim will end up!  I love this aspect of open water swimming, too. 

About a month ago, my plan required an hour and a half swim.  John Pellizari (my coach) and I decided to take off at the Wynn Plaza public docks on Banks Channel at Wrightsville beach. The plan was to swim south to the Coast Guard station, around the tip of the island to the ocean side and then head north to Crystal pier and on to Johnny Mercer's pier.  Somewhere along the way, we knew we'd hit the hour and a half needed in swim time. The problem was, John had never swum past the Coast Guard Station.  I could see the trepidation on his face, but he bravely jumped in for a journey into a new kind of wild blue yonder.

We made great progress through Banks Channel, past the Coast Guard station around to the jetty. We only had to stop to get our bearing a couple of times in that first few miles. We noticed a couple of cabbage head jellyfish go swimming by, but weren't alarmed because they don't sting!

We got out at the jetty, walked around it and headed out once again into the water to swim toward Crystal Pier. I was looking forward to the ocean side of the island. It is usually clear enough to see the ripples in the sand on the ocean floor about ten feet down. On this day, we headed out past the breakers and past the surfers and found ourselves in a swarm of cabbage heads!

The water was crystal clear -- only we could see every detail of these jellies instead of focusing on the wild blue sea!  Each time we'd turn to breathe, we'd get slapped in the head by yet another cannonball jellyfish. We swam zig-zags, thinking we were we were on the verge of swimming out of the bloom.  We shouted expletives at the jellies. We laughed at ourselves and encouraged each other to just make it past the pier before retreating to the shore.  It was about a half-mile swim, and we literally saw thousands of jellyfish. 

When we finally returned to the beach at an hour and twenty five minutes, all we could do was shake our heads in amazement that we had actually stayed with it as long as we did.  John hasn't jumped in the open ocean with me since!  I keep with me the thoughts of swimming champion and one-time English Channel record-holder, Trudy Ederle, "the sea creatures are my friends.  I talk to them!" 

Difficult times call for immediate exercise rescue - and an outrageous pair of shoes!  I am completely sold on and live by the philosophy that exercise reduces stress.  Does it also hold true that the more you exercise, the more your body requires exercise in order to reduce the same amount of stress?

Our bodies become quickly adjusted to our fitness levels. If a 10-15 min walk worked to relieve your stress before, does this amount of exercise not work anymore if done daily for this purpose?  I agree that any amount of exercise is good for body and soul.  But, does it work this way: Just as lifting the same amount of weight daily won't make you stronger, neither will doing the same amount of exercise daily reduce the same amount of stress?  One needs to increase in small increments the weight or exercise intensity in order to reap a benefit.  What happens to those of us who have been exercising all our lives - does it require hours upon hours of exercise to reduce the same level of stress as walking 10-15 min used to?  This scenario makes me laugh to ponder!  How absurd to take it to extremes - or is it? 

Last month, Doug and I spent a whole week making a huge adjustment to our schedules.  We have three vehicles and two ended up at the dealership at the same time.  The amount of money needed to make the repairs is enormous and I was at the end of a pay period, so we decided to hold off on the maintenance.

Now, taxiing our children has become a way of life, but things needed to change immediately that week with a lack of vehicles. Plus, we had to coordinate work commutes, grocery visits, Doug's gym workouts and my training swims! 

Our stress was mounting. My boys pitched in by having their friends over (instead of leaving the house themselves). I combated the stress levels by changing my swims: my workouts were more determined, longer and intense.  A huge plus for my attitude.

Doug and I also dealt with our stress by going downtown on a date.  While there, we walked into a funky store where they sell a wild-looking shoe style called Lita.  These shoes look as though you will instantly walk outside to cat-calls and inappropriate offers coupled with a fistful of money.  Doug dared me to try them on.  I didn't care - I had been living with so much stress that I could be talked into anything.  

The surprise is, I loved them!  I really did! The truth is they cost more money than any outfit I've ever purchased (even if you add jewelry, makeup and a haircut!). But, I was willing to save up to buy a pair.  

Do yourself a favor today if you are feeling an enormous amount of stress:  exercise a little longer and harder, have friends over (or your kid's friends : ) and do something you normally would never do - I can laugh stress directly in the face now and feel so much better!  All thanks to my wonderful family and a fun pair of shoes!!

The Prone Perspective

I have been swimming so much that I realized something: between my swim training and sleeping combined, I am prone for as long as a full-time job per week plus overtime!  Plus, I've realized that swimming is not a quiet sport.

As tranquil and relaxing as it may look from the pool deck or beach front, swimming is actually a very noisy activity.  I scope the water and notice the glassy, inviting surface of the water before realizing that with the first stroke and pull through the water, my exhaling breath releases lots of noisy bubbles.  Not what you would expect when watching a graceful, peaceful swimmer.  

My expectations sometimes are to stroke long, even strokes, making no splash when my hand enters the water, keeping my head down and pulling with my hand directly under my elbow.  Keeping good form is usually a swimmer's goal since it requires less energy at a faster speed.  With the first length in a pool, I usually notice how loud my underwater exhales are.  You must exhale forcefully enough to get all air out of your lungs while your face is in the water in order to inhale deeply when turning the head to the side.  There is no other way to swim - you must breathe!  If you exhale slowly and quietly, the arms end up stroking four or five times between breaths, an interval much too long for most swimmers to hold when swimming miles.  If exhaling is done correctly - quietly - then it slows the swimming speed remarkably.  I don't have time to allow myself to swim at a slower speed! My ultimate goal is to train at the same pace I need to sustain during the 10 miles.  

Of course, there are quiet moments. After a long day teaching PE outside in the heat and high humidity we've had, I have been looking forward to lying prone swimming the stress of the day away.  After my swimming workout, homework, chores and dinner is done, the feeling of accomplishment and renewal are wonderful and I end up looking forward to lying prone many hours!  The noise of the day is then replaced with quiet solitude, both requiring the same body position, but oh how different the feeling.  Here is a song I've singing while swimming called "The Water" by Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling- love the title and love the song, too.  Hope you enjoy it!

Falling In

This week, I thought I'd share how I fell for swimming, how I fell for God and how I fell for Zoe Ministries.

I fell in love with swimming by nearly falling into a swimming pool when I was two years old! I grew up in a small town in New York and at my sister's  first swim lesson, I decided to jump in, too! The lifeguard had to fish me out and sit me on the side of the pool! The very next week, at her lesson I jumped right back in! The lifeguard fished me out again, but this time, he let me join the class.

I spent my childhood as the only girl at the local Boys Club – practicing technique, swimming endless laps and competing -- and sometimes even beating -- the boys at the club!

Fast-forward 25 years and I am still swimming! I am part of a triathlon club and at least twice a week, we get together at the pool or at the beach to practice technique, swim endless laps and compete. Sometimes I still beat the boys. 

I fell for God when I was ten years old. That same sister who I followed into the pool practically raised me when my parents divorced. She was there for me and took care of me as my parents worked multiple jobs, shuffled five children to school and activities. When I was ten, that same sister died in a car accident. The divorce and the loss of my best friend and sister left me hopeless for a while. But, I had a foundation in Christ and I learned to trust him in my hopeless moments. 

I fell for ZOE Ministries in 2006 when I went to Zimbabwe for a mission trip. Through Zoe, we visited AIDS orphans – children who had lost their parents to AIDS or had AIDS themselves. I am a P.E. teacher at Holly Tree Elementary and I did there what I do here: I taught the children to play. While they were waiting to be seen by doctors, I played parachute games, jumped rope, kicked the soccer ball and painted their faces. I tried to show them how to trust God even in their hopeless moments. In return, I was able to see Christ’s face in the faces of those kids! I was able to work with Pastor Greg first-hand and see his servant hood and sacrifice for the orphans. 

In the past few months, I’ve decided to combine EVERYTHING I love and do something BIG for God. This summer I am going to swim ten miles for ZOE ministries. I am going to swim in the Intracoastal Waterway from the Carolina Beach inlet to Wrighstsville Beach inlet in a little under SIX hours to raise money for the families. My goal is $18,000. That money will directly help feed 20 families for three years. 

Swim for Zoe Life Update

There's a crazy amount of life going on right now.  I love that life gets to be lived by those choosing to participate in its events.  In addition to swimming four days per week since March, I'm trying to fit in riding my bike, running (we'll call it jogging now since I haven't been doing much at all of this), and being there for my husband and sons!

After my grandma's death in February, I didn't know if I had the heart to go through with this mission of swimming the intracoastal.  Her loss left me with two contradicting emotions - great sadness along and the inability to focus paired against knowing my time here on earth is limited and the need to dive into everything life has to offer.  

Each day I faced, each swim workout that approached I had to ask which emotion to choose. I choose to live! I choose to dive in!   Having experienced several deaths now of close family members (my sister, my grandfather last year, and now my grandma this year) I have chosen not to take for granted the gift, such a precious thing, that life has been given to me.  Not only do I do these swims with as much enthusiasm and gusto as I can muster, I am keeping a close connection with my boys (this is the latest picture of my oldest son Nick with his date for the Hoggard High School prom a couple weeks ago), and striving to make my marriage the best it can be!  I am still pushing myself to be a great PE teacher and instructor to my students at Holly Tree Elementary.  I am still planting flowers, appreciating their fragrance and keeping the house organized and clean enough to live in.   What's important to me is relationships with my friends as well.  There's a lot of living to do - let's put forth the effort to live it to the fullest!

Nick & Natalie - Prom 2011

In the News

Last week, we were featured in the news!

Carolina in the Morning featured my suit, my swim and my logistics captain, Ben Bowie, on the morning news! Claire Hosmann and her camera crew arrived at the YWCA before most of the other swimmers in the Tri Club.

Here's part of what she wrote on the WECT website:

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Leanne LaFave will be the first person to swim a 10-mile solo course from Carolina Beach to Wrightsville Beach.

LaFave is challenging herself physically to raise funds for ZOE Ministry, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of African children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, war, disease, famine and other causes.

Tuesday morning WECT caught up with LaFave during her training session at the YWCA.

She says she created the ICW10 Swim for Zoe to combine her love for swimming with her passion for ZOE Ministry.

CLICK HERE to read the entire story. Plus, there's more to the story! Here I am with Ben:

Swim for Zoe Rotary Presentation

A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful opportunity to talk to local rotary club! On Thursday, April 21st, we were treated by a friendly group of rotarians to lunch and their meeting.   I am sold to the Rotary Club!  What a great group of business individuals who come together to help out their community.  

Speaking to the club came with a little nervousness, but not enough to mask my excitement story the Swim for Zoe event!  Once I started to speak about this mission of God's in my life, the nervousness dissipated and I was able to convey this calling in an understandable way. I really enjoyed this presentation, and I'm hoping they did as well.  Ben Bowie had lots of time to talk about the logisitcs of the channel swim, and had to manage the many questions that followed his talk.  It was an exciting and wonderful time for us to share our thoughts and this mission.  I am so grateful to Alicia and Greg Uhl for allowing us the time during their Rotary Club meeting to present this cause and hope there will be more to follow.  Lots to praise God for - He is and has been -- so good to me!