If you have ever not been able to do something, or threatened by that possibility, because your body doesn’t work – it can make you want to do it all that much more. This is my life with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a life of possibilities. It is one where I believe the possibility that I can’t is as great as the possibility that I can. Therefore, I chose to try.
In 2014 I will put possibilities to the test through three challenges. Each challenge will test both my mental determination and physical abilities in different ways. All of the challenges will test my ability to deal with the unique challenges MS presents along the way.
Challenge 1 – English Channel Relay
Some time between Sunday, July 20 and Saturday, July 26, 2014 I will attempt to swim across the English Channel with 3 friends (Bill, Jim and Karen). The swim will start at Shakespeare Beach, Dover and end at Cap Gris Nez, France. The distance is 32 kilometers as the crow flies however it is likely we will be affected by tides and currents hand have to swim further. The water will be anywhere from 15 to 18 C and the conditions can be rough. We will each swim one hour and then rest for 3 and then repeat until done. The swim is expected to take anywhere from 10 to 16 hours.
My biggest challenge will be managing the cold water – my body’s ability to re-warm and re-cold – and fatigue. In the past I have found cold water swimming exhausting.
Challenge 2 – Na Pali Challenge – Kauai
Outrigger paddling is one of my life’s passions. Because of my extreme heat intolerance it is something I thought would not be possible. I started paddling about 4 years ago and have since found ways to minimize MS flare-ups in the boat.
On Sunday, August 3, 2014 I will join 5 other wahine and 6 kane for a 61 kilometers outrigger canoe race along the Na Pali coast with crew changes of men and women from the water every hour.
My biggest challenges will be making the team and surviving the heat.
Challenge 3 – 70 Kilometer Swim
After this summer’s 34 kilometer swim across Lake Cowichan I wondered if I could do more. I have decided to find out what is possible. From Friday, August 22 to Saturday, August 23, 2014 you will find me, along with my fantastic swim partner Alex Cape, swimming the lake – from end to end – and then back again. The swim is expected to take approximately 24 hours.
Lake Cowichan can be as calm as it can be cruel. On our way down, we hope the winds have subsided limiting our challenge to the dark and cold. On the way back, after 18 hours of swimming, it is likely the wind will kick up and we will battle 3 to 4 foot waves.
My biggest challenge will be the sheer distance and lack of sleep.
I am truly blessed that I am able to explore my possibilities and am looking forward to what lay ahead. I know through circumstance that what’s not possible is as possible as what is possible. The question now: what’s my possible? and what’s yours?
Wow, very inspiring challenges. My 2014 challenges will include my first half Ironman and full Ironman. But those sound miniscule compared to your exciting challenges! I also have to deal with heat intolerance issues, so that becomes a big obstacle along with training with MS. I’d love to hear what you have done to minimize your heat induced flare-ups. I wish you all the best!
Fantastic. Please contact me as I would love to feature your Ironman story on this blog. You are in inspiration to others with MS! Here’s a few posts on heat training: http://msathlete.org/?p=23 and http://msathlete.org/?p=5
Stay in touch!
I was wondering if you could share your ideas for staying cool while paddling. I have just begun paddling with a group called Team River Runner. TRR works with injured service members/veterans and their families. I love kayaking but my heat tolerance is awful and I get autonomic overload which is dangerous. I can’t just jump in the water to cool down because I am a para due to spinal cord involvement. I wear a cooling vest and hat. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Wow, that’s fantastic! good for you. The cooling vest and hat are excellent ideas. Here’s a few other things you may want to try:
1) Wear a hat that I can use to easily scoop up water. You can poor it on your legs (or head!). You can also simply wet the hat and wear it.
2) I carry plenty of water with me as staying hydrated helps me stay cool.
3) Sometimes I dip my arms in the water if things heat up as this seems to cool me down too.
4) When kayaking, I usually don’t wear a skirt unless it is absolutely required. The heat build up in the boat can be a bit much.
5) Paddle early morning or early evening on the really hot days.
6) Try routes that have shaded areas along the way.
Have fun paddling and hope to see you on the water one day!
Thanks for the help! Paddle on!
Hello i have ms and reading all of this is just inspiring. I try to play a good few hours of basketball a day and seems to help. I live in South Texas where it can get very hot. I am lucky in the fact that heat does not affect me nearly as much as the cold, or more the stalled cold fronts that just hover over for a few days. But again, this is great what you do and ive been following on twitter. Glad i found the site.