At 7 a.m., standing on the shore with fellow swimmers, the sky just waking up, I felt an electric mix of excitement and nerves. This was it—8.2 miles (or 8.3 in my case, because hey, overachiever, right?) around Mackinac Island. It was a swim I dreamed of, and suddenly, it was happening.
I was thrilled to see familiar faces among the crowd—especially other Quacker Packers. We joked about names and connections, and then I met an incredible woman who had done this swim three years in a row. And then there was Fred Yang, my Long Island buddy and an absolute rock in the open water swim world. Fred and I have shared some challenging swims before—like Swim to the Moon and the Maggie Fischer swim—and his presence instantly calmed me. Except, of course, he realized he hadn’t dropped off his bag back at the school, and off he went to handle that.
Into the Water: Challenges from the Start
When we finally hit the water, Fred was right by my side, guiding me as I navigated the rocks during entry (thank you, Fred!). But no sooner had we started than—I kid you not—I had a full-blown panic attack. It came out of nowhere, and I hadn’t battled one in years. The water was impossibly choppy, waves knocking me off balance, and every stroke felt like a struggle. I couldn’t find my rhythm. I kept stopping, trying to catch my breath, to calm myself. But the water wasn’t giving me any breaks.
I saw Fred briefly before we got separated, and I tried to snap into focus. For a while, I just followed the pack, unsure if I was even on the right course. I thought I might be shortening the distance, but it turns out I didn’t just complete the course—I went a little extra for good measure.
The Beauty of Mackinac’s Waters
The water was absolutely stunning—fresh, crystal-clear aqua blue. I live in the Northeast, where saltwater dominates, so this was a rare treat. You could see straight to the rocks below. My duckie, Star, and I stuck with others most of the time, though there were moments of solitude. Honestly, I didn’t mind those. Swimmers get it—being alone in the water feels natural, even surrounded by people.
Reflections on Training and Support
Training for this swim was no small feat, and my heart was full thinking about everyone who helped me along the way. My swimming buddy, Ray, was a constant source of support, even though he’s miles faster than I am. He’d log those long-distance sessions at Tobay to help me prep, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Then there’s Bryan Krut, my first swim coach, who got me to believe in myself way back when. And I thought about everyone else who shaped my path—Maggie, Roy, Shawn, Brian Fallon—they’ve all been part of this incredible swim family.
The Final Stretch: Mind Over Matter
Pushing toward the last stretch, I knew I was close when my watch hit around 11,000 yards. My body had finally sunk into the rhythm. It felt effortless, each stroke smooth and steady. I could’ve kept going forever. My mind wandered to my son and his smile during my very first Maggie Fischer swim. Then, to my grandson, Ollie—I want him to know that anything is possible. My grandfather used to tell me the same thing, but I wasn’t sure I believed it back then. Now, I know. You can defy expectations, escape your circumstances, and rise above.
I’m living proof. Ten years ago, I didn’t know how to swim. And now, here I was finishing an 8.3-mile swim around Mackinac Island. There were so many moments during this swim when I wanted to stop. But I didn’t. I kept moving forward. That’s who I am—it’s what I do, no matter how tough it gets.
Finishing the Swim: Relief and Pride
When I finally reached the finish, I was a mix of dizziness, pride, and sheer relief. Jon Voss, the race director of the Mackinac Island Swim, gave me a hug—it meant so much to me. Angie quickly brought me water, which I desperately needed because I was woozy at best. After a little recovery, I headed over to the Mackinaw Women’s Group tent and, naturally, celebrated with some retail therapy—a T-shirt, hoodie, cap, and bumper sticker. Yes, I’m wearing my achievement loud and proud!
The Celebration: Tea, Medals, and Gratitude
The celebration didn’t end there. Back at the Grand Hotel, I treated myself to afternoon tea instead of dinner. Picture this—elegant tea service, a glass of champagne, my medal around my neck, and a joyful exhaustion in my bones. That moment was perfect.
To Jon Voss, the Mackinac Island Swim group, the Mackinaw Women’s Group, and every single person who made this swim possible—thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve created a magical, challenging, and deeply meaningful experience that I’ll carry with me forever.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
What’s next? Who knows. But one thing’s certain—I’ll keep moving forward. Always.
P.S. I swam in a little over 6 hours, covering 8.3 miles with an average pace of around 2:30 per 100 yards.
