Got my salt fix.....

July 2 2013

Alright it's been busy, busy, busy..... My shoulders are awesome! I'm so excited. I swam fly comfortably the last couple of days and raced this weekend without blowing out my shoulders! Wooooot!

                                                

I was fortunate enough to go my full on race pace and snagged 1st over all. 19 mins for a mile, not too bad, I actually might be kinda tapered from swimming backstroke and kicking so much! 

On Sunday I got back into the ocean for another long swim. 3 miles...here's the twist: it was all backstroke. It wasn't THAT bad, my neck was a little stiff, but coach told me to hold off on the insane swims until after states which is 2 weeks away, so I'm letting the taper begin. 

                               

                                                                Not too bad of a view, eh?

                               

                               

One of the times I flipped over I saw a jelly! It was like one of those from the movies and the 3rd one I've seen since I started long distance stuff. Why I'm so excited? I have no idea.....

It was a good weekend. Month and a half until I step off La'au point and finish this journey. Hopefully my shoulders were not too much of a set back. States here we come.....

And another thing... I cannot thank Fairwinds Cruises enough for their extremely generous sponsorship. If any of you ever come to Kona you have to check them out. Just one of the many sponsors that are close to me, close to home, and the community. Can't wait to rep the cap while in the channel.... 

Also can't wait for my next long ocean swim..... 2 weeks and I'm back at it. 14 days... 

Happy swimming, 

Leahi

Spain on the Mind

There is quite a few things that have ran through my mind since I have decided to do Molokai; sharks, swells, deep water, all the worries of marathon swimmers and of course, the Oceans 7; not a worry as much as a dream, a challenge, a chance to test your limits and defy the physical rules of the human body. I don't think I could ever classify any of these swims as 'easier' than the other, each is packed with its own set of trials and tribulations, but truthfully, if I can take down 26 miles I feel like I would be able to take down 8....

the Strait of Gibraltar, an 8 mile stretch between Spain and Morocco. One of the Ocean's 7. Obviously it made the list not because of its cute little jaunt of a swim but instead for its crazy currents and insane winds. I can't help but wonder what it would take to finish all 7, to be able to swim all around the world and be able to be one of the firsts to complete all 7. It may take years but I feel like I have to do it now, not out of force, but out of sheer want to be able to classify myself as a marathon swimmer with all my other super heros; Darren Miller, Beth French, Penny Palfrey, Kimberly Chambers, and Mackenzie Miller. I want to be apart of the elite club, I want to show everyone that they can defy the limits, people say you cant do it, show them that you can and not only survive it but thrive.

Im rambling again, but who knows, maybe after Molokai I wont have to shut this blog down, instead maybe you'll see me in Spain or Japan, wherever swimming takes me, I'm willing to go with the flow.

But first, Hapuna, tomorrow morning, 8 a.m, 1.2 mile race, good luck to everyone out there, special shout out to my support crew, again, and I say it all the time, I cannot thank anyone enough.

Keep dreaming big,

Leahi

Back in Business

Shoulders are nearly better! kinda.... I have been icing them, and heating them, and electonically stimulating them, taking homeopathic medicine, getter pressure point work done...If this doesn't work I dont know what will! Finally got to swim freestyle last practice and it was WAY better than 6000 backstroke or kick, keeping my fingers crossed that in the next few days they will heal all the way up so I can race at Hapuna.

Next long swim is going to be saturday after the race, 4 hours in the water maybe 5 dependent on how I'm feeling. Excited to get back into the ocean, I swam this morning but it was choppy as heck and no dolphins and only 1.2....

Soon enough i'll be back in my element.

By the WONDERFUL Sarah Lee... Check out her blog -->  http://www.vivantvie.com/

"Walk in, Swim across, Walk out" - Darren Miller

June 23, 2013

Well well well, looks who's been slacking on the blog life. Its been crazy busy this weekend with the swim meet and my shoulders and all that jazz. Lets start back at last week friday shall we? Pier swim was a bust, didn't really need to get in just to jack with my shoulders so I swam pretty easy with one of my Tri-club team mates, and not very far. Plus it was freezing!..... for hawaii that is....

Just me casually swimming with one of my buddies....

The frigid ocean waters of hawaii... can't you tell?

Too cute.....

 This weekend however was the Big Island Champs, final meet before I head off to Maui for states. Upon arriving to the pool my coach told me before jumping into warm up that "I dont want you to swim this meet half ass, if you're going to swim I want it to be fast.." and that isn't going to happen with my nervousness about my shoulders giving out. Fortunately they are feeling better, unfortunately not better enough to swim my best this weekend. I spent most of my time as a cheer leader and because backstroke doesn't irritate my shoulders I was able to swim all the back stroke events, I helped coach and cheer stuff that I usually don't get to do at meets but who could say no to these faces??

Our team is a little dysfunctional but hey thats what makes us great. 

A little plot twist came this morning when my coach announced I was to swim the 800 free, backstroke...

Truthfully, I was excited... It switched up my daily distance routine and I couldn't help but giggle when Madison had to hold the counter above me when I flipped so I could see the numbers. Im sure it got a few weird looks but I gotta get my yardage in right?

Its still up in the air as to when I am to swim a long one again, but I do know it's gonna be a night swim. I can't help but wonder what creatures lurk below, I suppose it's something I am to get used to as there will be plenty out in the channel that night I begin my marathon journey. 

My escort kayaker Steve sent this to me, its my future staring right back at me, taken from a cliff right above Sandys and in the distance is Molokai. Sandys: my landing spot. Wether I swim, roll, or get washed up onto the beach I have a feeling that sand will have never felt so wonderful. I told one of my team mates today, Keoni, that I'm probably going to cry twice during the swim, once when I get so frustrated with everything, and another time when I finally land on the beach and the response he had was "only twice?!", maybe he's right, Its going to be an emotional day, but recently one of my biggest supporters, Mackenzie Miller (who had also crossed back in 09' and was the one who put this dream into my head) sent me an email forwarded from her dad, he read one of my interviews and could tell I had a lot on my mind his final words "walk in, swim across, walk out", mind you her dad is an open water star. To have their support is unbelievable but those last few words are becoming my mantra. 

Everything compiled into that one day, I need to make it as simple as possible, as stress free, and as enjoyable as is allowable. That day everything, the currents, the weather, the suit, cap, goggles, sunscreen, food, gatorade, jelly fish, sharks or no sharks, all of that and more are just variables and I cannot control them but I can however control my reaction to them. I need to remember that I am in control of my swim and no one or nothing can harm me if my mental strength is as tough as nails...

"Walk in, swim across, walk out...."

Breathe Leahi....


Good night all

Looks Who's a Big Kid Now...

June 19th 2013

Remember going to the bank when you were little, watching as the parental units filled out the transaction slips, feeling super mature and adult-ish when they asked you to help? Well that was me today, pops taught me how to balance check books, write checks, use the fancy word processing program so my envelopes dont look like a 3rd grader wrote the adresses, and all that good stuff. He wants me to be able to handle the financial side of this crossing, receiving checks, writing checks, being sure that I actually do have enough funds to make this happen, good life lessons, helps me feel like a big kid.......

Sending out my first check tomorrow to my Captain Matt who is going to be helping me across the channel, his final words on the email

"send me 1,000 and we are locked in..."

Locked in.... Its real now, the boat is set, the kayakers are set, we are ready to go, stamp is on the envelope and check is going out tomorrow. Ka'iwi here I come.  

On a more sunny side, literally,  hit the beach today, again... I am only 17, and even though I spend hours in the ocean as it is apparently I cant get enough.

Hit the cliffs today, im a bit of an adrenaline junkie ;)
Just kidding..... I wish

Unfortunately, I have been really stressed about my shoulders, I dont know whats up with them, I have reverted to kicking a 5000 to 6000 practice, coach says to keep my heart in shape, and he seems a little worried too which stresses me out a little more... Kinda losing my appetite, not sure if its from stressing or because im not burning as many calories as usual but that worries me as well....

Been icing them like crazy and doing a little rehab thanks to Coach Steve-o, hopefully I can shake this soon, and before this weekends swim meet, it doesn't heal over-night, I know, but a girl can dream...

Ocean swim tomorrow, only 1.2, probably gonna technique it all backstroke, that doesn't really hurt my shoulders...

I'll keep y'all's posted

Praying for the guy who got attacked by a shark this past Tuesday, heard it wasn't life threatening, but still life changing. 

Oh! and a good luck to Breezo at her Ironman coming up this weekend, sending my draft all the way to the chilly waters over there, swim strong breezo and bikerun even stronger. Can't wait to see you cross the finish line in Kona...

Happy swimming,

Leahi

"Kona Waters"

Happy Father's Day all! Gonna start this post out super sappy and tell my dad how much I love him and that without him there is no possible way I would be the way I am today. Love ya pops. 

On a good note my 4 hours was a success! With a little race detour. I started my swim and got an hour in when a race was about to start at the pier so I got to do that which is always fun. Who doesn't love a little team rivalry on Sunday mornings? The water was PRISTINE today loved it, unfortunately, no dolphins, hopefully next time. 

Someone snapped a shot of me at the turn, pretty cool huh? 

Aaaaaand finishing shot, not the greatest but hey it was fun. 

Doing this kind of stuff makes me miss Kona even though I have a little over a year left here on this island. The sense of community is so amazing and the people who make this kind of stuff happen are wonderfully giving. I love it. 

Post race, went for the next 3 hours into the big blue, super choppy. Ever heard of the "Kona winds" that every triathlete talks about wether or not they have done Ironman? The mystical winds that suddenly shift for reach and every person to a head wind both directions? Well today I discovered the Kona waters. Current against you both ways. It's wonderful really. 

I mean it wasn't THAT bad and after all the channel is 10 times that difficulty so I better get used to it. 

Today's motivation?: my dad 

I'm feeling a little stronger than I was on Tuesday, shoulders still a little sore, which is to be expected. The training is great, the water is great, the people even better. 

Just gotta keep trucking along. 

Good night y'all. 

Leahi