WOW (or, I can’t believe I just swam the English Channel!)
It’s been nearly 8 hours since I crawled onto the rocks of Cap Gris-Nez, and I can still barely believe I swam from England to France. Only the pain wracking every fiber of my body makes it real – the good kind of pain, the sort of pain that makes you realize you took your body as far as it was able to go, and then kept going until getting the job done. I tried to stand up on the rocks, and after a split second of attaining vertical, ended up toppling over, slicing my both knees and scraping both palms…at which point I ended up clinging to a large rock like a drugged Little Mermaid until Neal and Karri, who swam the last 200m to France with me, pried me off for the limp back to the boat.
It was truly an absolutely mind-blowing day. I barely know where to begin.
I think it would be fun to give a voice to some of the other people involved – after all, I never could have done this without them. Over the next couple of days, I’ll give a more detailed account. For the moment, however, I apologize: I will have to leave you with a summary as my mind and body are on the way to total shut-down mode.
Sleep last night: 3 hours total. My mom and Karri were the same – we were all way too wound up! We were out of bed at 4am sharp, at the marina at 5 to 5, and I jumped in to swim to Shakespeare Beach for the start at 5 to 6.
Heroes of the day: Karri and Mom. After one in-service last night, during which Karri took detailed notes, they single-handedly performed all the duties of my support crew with seamless precision. It was as though the two of them had crewed millions of Channel crossings, even though it was their first one! No way in the universe I would have been successful without them.
Best pilot EVER: Paul Foreman. Wow. What a guy. He REALLY cares. Apart from plotting an amazing course for me, actually landing me on Cap Gris-Nez, he cheered me on, clapped, made me laugh, and intervened right at the moment when a panic attack loomed immediately in front of me. The guy saved my swim. If you plan to swim the Channel in the future, book this dude. He rocks. (So does his boat, the Pace Arrow).
Best official EVER: Michelle (last name unfortunately unknown). She gets a wow of her own! She was so perky, motiviating, reassuring, and helpful – she did her job as an official but made me feel like she was on my side. And she carried a lot of our crap to and from the boat – totally above and beyond.
Most motivating moment: The arrival of Daddy, Old Grand Dad, Neal, and Brian, a friend of ours. Just when I was thinking I couldn’t go on, the boat ferrying them out to us arrived! I was like, dude, they just got here, you can’t quit now! Not after the crazy/hectic/stressful time they went through to catch the end of your swim! Suck it up! They were stopped from getting on board our boat, but stayed right beside us to the very end.
Final time: 8 hours and 33 minutes.
Pilot critique: My feeding schedule is all wrong, and I probably cost myself over 30 minutes purely due to feeds (he thinks I’d have been under 8 hours had my feedings been faster).
So that’s the short version…more in the coming days (if you want to know more, no pressure if you don’t). Also pictures and a slide show.
THANK YOU all so much for your support! I will be echoing this sentiment, but really, you guys played a huge part in my swim today. I kept thinking about all the notes, emails, comments, facebook posts, passing good luck wishes, and calls of support whenever I started to doubt myself. I literally went through the names of every single person who has even once said something supportive to me – and it amazed me. I thought, if all of these people believe in you, why would you ever doubt yourself? They know you can do it – don’t let them down! I am so, so very grateful to all of you.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Laurin, you are amazing! Congratulations, it’s an incredible achievement
September 26th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Congratulations, Laurin! Great job!
September 26th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Laurin, this is an AMAZING feat!!! You have achieved something EXTRAORDINARY that only few have done before you. COONGRATULATIONS and sweet dreams!
September 26th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Wow is right. Great job on an incredible accomplishment.
September 27th, 2009 at 1:00 am
AWESOME, LAURIN!
September 27th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Fantastic swim Laurin, really amazing. Look forward to more info and pics.
September 27th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Amazing! Well done! Congratulations!
September 27th, 2009 at 5:55 am
Congratulations on a great swim! We are all proud to know you. Feeding while in the ocean is really difficult, what with swallowing salt water which makes you nauseated… Yuk! You did so well! Love, Laura
September 27th, 2009 at 9:32 am
CONGRATULATIONS! There was never any doubt by me and surely no doubts anymore by anyone else. Another ‘bucket list’ item to ’scratch off’. My best to everyone who was there for this epic milestone. I can hardly wait to give you my ‘biggest and most deserving hugs of all time’! Bigger and Better than the 40in3. Get that signature on the White Horse Inn wall and enjoy ‘the moment’. Again and many more, CONGRATULATIONS! ! ! !
September 27th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Laurin you are amazing! Congratulations on an incredible feat. So glad the guys made it in time to cheer you on. I am sure there have been many tears flowing over there. I was in tears reading your words! What an inspiration to us all. Love you.
September 27th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Congrats Laurin! I swim at Burlingame Masters and I’ve been following your journey.
September 27th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Great swim, great time! Congratulations!! Way to go (fast)!!!!
September 28th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Simply, simply amazing! what a feat.. CONGRATULATIONS!
September 28th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Congratulations! So glad to hear you made it in good time and that the only error was nutrition…amazing!
September 28th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
CONGRATULATIONS A MILLION TIMES OVER!!! Hopefully I’ll be as prepared as you were someday! Bask in all the glory of the White Horse because you own the moment! Fantastic Job!
September 28th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/weisenthal-swim-time-2584412-swimmers-family
WOOHOO
September 28th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Laurin – I am Patt Montgomery’s mother. I am truly amazed at the accomplishment of this fete – hardly know what to say. Just Congratulations 100 times. Mary Henry
September 29th, 2009 at 12:27 am
FANTASTIC JOB!!! Very proud of your accomplishment!
September 29th, 2009 at 10:42 am
WOW! right back to ya! An amazing accomplishment! Your story brought tears to my eyes – for all your work/preserverance; for your family’s rousing support! And I remember your 1st few times in a swim class –
Congratulations!!!!
September 29th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Wow! Congrats Lauren, I can’t even imagine trying to do that. It’s such an amazing achievement. Glad to see that you’ve been doing so well since the Los Cab days.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Congratulations Laurin, I just read your story in the Register. I’m going to read it to my 10 year old daughter. She’s a good swimmer and just started swimming for the Golden West Swim Club. I want her to know what it takes mentally to become a World Class swimmer. I can just imagine how proud your father is of you.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Like Mother, like daughter, I cried at work too after reading your story. Congrats on this huge accomplishment. I’m so very proud of you and I always knew you would do something great like this as you have always had so much talent growing up.