Swim & Tonic

We’re smack in the middle of the shipping channel. Due to our excellent captains, we’re traveling in a very straight line. Spot tells us we are about 3/4 of the way there!

Courtney just looked up, and said, “Something is tickling me.” Eek! The boat captain said, “See that red blob on the screen? That’s a school of fish, right under her.”

Another swimmer, Courtney’s friend Ron Collins, is also out there making a solo channel attempt. Earlier, two tankers were barreling straight toward him to pass him. As far as we know, he’s still trucking along!

Courtney’s friends affiliated with the American Heart Association love her, and are sending their best wishes from 3,000 miles away in Richmond, VA!! Keep it up, Courtney!

You can see Catalina way off in the distance as she finishes up a feeding.

If I am not mistaken, Courtney is smiling while she swims. Just amazing!! Thank you for all your comments; I’m reading them to her during her feeds. They are REALLY motivating her to keep moving.

Below is Courtney and me (Allison–who lived in Richmond for a long time and knew Courtney from the swim community there; now residing in San Diego) a minute before she jumped in.

The sun has risen (behind the clouds, anyway) and Courtney is in good spirits. She is so happy to be able to see! We are more than halfway to the mainland.

She’s still averaging about 2 miles per hour. The GPS tracker says we’ve got a little over 7 nautical miles to go–which means she’s got just over 8 miles to swim.

Just as Courtney is nearing the halfway mark the light is rising over the City of Angels. She is still swimming strong and entering the shipping channel. Conditions thus far have been great — water temp is 69 with smooth swells. (Fortunately Courtney did not hear the two huge splashes about 50 yards off during her last feed, although with the sun coming up we may soon get to find out what they were 😉 )

The big boat passed in eventfully, and Courtney was back to swimming after her feeding break. She is really appreciating all of your comments and well wishes!

Three and a half hours in, and Courtney is still trucking along. Water conditions are good: 67, and calmer than before. It’s a little chilly for the crew on deck–Courtney must be three times as cold! Stroke count is consistent at 60.

Courtney and Matt shared a kiss before diving in! I think Matt deserves the award for being Most Supportive Husband Ever. He’s right there with her every step of the way, rooting her on, passing along your comments to lift her spirits, and calculating and preparing all her feelings. If that doesn’t scream dedicated, I don’t know what does.

Captain just yelled, “A boat! Big boat.” Aside from increased chop I’m not sure what that means, but Matt and Nate went to tell Courtney…

Courtney gulps down some tea with feeding #3 (Perpetuem and Gatorade, a gel), which goes down smoothly. Courtney’s pace is steady at 2 miles/hour; stroke count is a steady 60. She requests some Enduralyte to help with leg cramping, and new goggles since hers are fogging up.

We’re continuing to hit the swell in patches, but no one on the crew has gotten truly seasick. Sunrise is in five hours!

Nate, Matt and Amy pause between feeding preparations to share energetic smiles–at 1:30 a.m. 🙂

Courtney’s left Catalina in the dust! It’s but a distant glimmer in the background from our boat. The stars above blanket the sky; Courtney and the crew couldn’t be more grateful for this clear night. Matt reports that the current water temperature is 67.3. This will likely drop, and later fluctuate, throughout the channel. Stroke count is 59.

Amy and Matt have prepared and delivered her second feed: peaches, ginger ale, and Gatorade. They’re being careful to ensure she’s getting the right amount of calories. (Too much = bloat that can only be healed by time; too little = hungry and fatigued swimmer.) Judging by the way she’s swimming, she’s well hydrated and nourished.