join me it’s three o’clock in the morning it is dark as dark can be I’m on
morning it is dark as dark can be I’m on
morning it is dark as dark can be I’m on a deserted Beach called Vasant Bay it’s
a deserted Beach called Vasant Bay it’s
a deserted Beach called Vasant Bay it’s in Normandy France I just I ended up on
in Normandy France I just I ended up on
in Normandy France I just I ended up on the beach because I had just finished
the beach because I had just finished
the beach because I had just finished swimming the English Channel there are
swimming the English Channel there are
swimming the English Channel there are 1800 some people in history who have
1800 some people in history who have
1800 some people in history who have done that by comparison 5000 and some
done that by comparison 5000 and some
done that by comparison 5000 and some have summited Mount Everest and 50,000
have summited Mount Everest and 50,000
have summited Mount Everest and 50,000 people have done an Ironman distance
people have done an Ironman distance
people have done an Ironman distance triathlon this year the English Channel
triathlon this year the English Channel
triathlon this year the English Channel is 21 miles straight across but nobody
is 21 miles straight across but nobody
is 21 miles straight across but nobody can swim straight across because of
can swim straight across because of
can swim straight across because of tides and currents our path took us
tides and currents our path took us
tides and currents our path took us almost 30 miles the the the swim took us
almost 30 miles the the the swim took us
almost 30 miles the the the swim took us about 14 and a half hours that was
about 14 and a half hours that was
about 14 and a half hours that was roughly divided equally between this
roughly divided equally between this
roughly divided equally between this infinity of darkness and being
infinity of darkness and being
infinity of darkness and being brutalized by five-foot waves oh and it
brutalized by five-foot waves oh and it
brutalized by five-foot waves oh and it was cold the water had been 62 degrees
was cold the water had been 62 degrees
was cold the water had been 62 degrees the whole way which was good because
the whole way which was good because
the whole way which was good because that’s about as warm as the English
that’s about as warm as the English
that’s about as warm as the English channel gets but the real problem was
channel gets but the real problem was
channel gets but the real problem was the air temperature after midnight it
the air temperature after midnight it
the air temperature after midnight it had cooled way down and while I was
had cooled way down and while I was
had cooled way down and while I was standing on the beach it was 47 degrees
standing on the beach it was 47 degrees
standing on the beach it was 47 degrees I couldn’t see anything but I could sure
I couldn’t see anything but I could sure
I couldn’t see anything but I could sure see my breath in front of me the you
see my breath in front of me the you
see my breath in front of me the you would think that standing there dripping
would think that standing there dripping
would think that standing there dripping wet in a speedo a swim cap and goggles
wet in a speedo a swim cap and goggles
wet in a speedo a swim cap and goggles that I would feel all alone but nothing
that I would feel all alone but nothing
that I would feel all alone but nothing could be further from the truth just 200
could be further from the truth just 200
could be further from the truth just 200 yards off the beach was a boat and the
yards off the beach was a boat and the
yards off the beach was a boat and the boat had been my escort across the
boat had been my escort across the
boat had been my escort across the English Channel obviously the whole way
English Channel obviously the whole way
English Channel obviously the whole way and on that boat was my team and the
and on that boat was my team and the
and on that boat was my team and the team was led by my wife Susan our kids
team was led by my wife Susan our kids
team was led by my wife Susan our kids and a couple of friends who had devoted
and a couple of friends who had devoted
and a couple of friends who had devoted themselves to this crazy idea in the
themselves to this crazy idea in the
themselves to this crazy idea in the first place the I happened to be the
first place the I happened to be the
first place the I happened to be the team mate who staggered up the beach but
team mate who staggered up the beach but
team mate who staggered up the beach but this was really a success that everyone
this was really a success that everyone
this was really a success that everyone shared and and I couldn’t wait to sort
shared and and I couldn’t wait to sort
shared and and I couldn’t wait to sort of share it with them so then I had to
of share it with them so then I had to
of share it with them so then I had to sort of suffer the final indignity
sort of suffer the final indignity
sort of suffer the final indignity that every English Channel swimmer has
that every English Channel swimmer has
that every English Channel swimmer has to and that is you have to get back in
to and that is you have to get back in
to and that is you have to get back in the cold water and swim out to the boat
the cold water and swim out to the boat
the cold water and swim out to the boat so I did and when I got to the boat
so I did and when I got to the boat
so I did and when I got to the boat there were no brass bands or anything
there were no brass bands or anything
there were no brass bands or anything like that there was a there was a warm
like that there was a there was a warm
like that there was a there was a warm towel and some congratulatory hugs there
towel and some congratulatory hugs there
towel and some congratulatory hugs there were a few tears but mostly just a
were a few tears but mostly just a
were a few tears but mostly just a satisfied and relieved sense of everyone
satisfied and relieved sense of everyone
satisfied and relieved sense of everyone on the team because we had accomplished
on the team because we had accomplished
on the team because we had accomplished our goal now the as the boat then took
our goal now the as the boat then took
our goal now the as the boat then took us back to Dover England where we had
us back to Dover England where we had
us back to Dover England where we had started the kids were exhausted had been
started the kids were exhausted had been
started the kids were exhausted had been a long night they found bunks on the
a long night they found bunks on the
a long night they found bunks on the boat and just conked out Susan and I
boat and just conked out Susan and I
boat and just conked out Susan and I after I warmed up a little bit were able
after I warmed up a little bit were able
after I warmed up a little bit were able to enjoy the the best cup of hot tea
to enjoy the the best cup of hot tea
to enjoy the the best cup of hot tea ever
ever
ever I didn’t swim the English Channel just
I didn’t swim the English Channel just
I didn’t swim the English Channel just to lose a few pounds I swam the English
to lose a few pounds I swam the English
to lose a few pounds I swam the English Channel to raise money and awareness for
Channel to raise money and awareness for
Channel to raise money and awareness for ALS which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s
ALS which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s
ALS which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease we would have no idea of knowing
disease we would have no idea of knowing
disease we would have no idea of knowing this but while we were having our cup of
this but while we were having our cup of
this but while we were having our cup of tea on that boat even bigger news came
tea on that boat even bigger news came
tea on that boat even bigger news came out that was the day that the ALS
out that was the day that the ALS
out that was the day that the ALS researchers at Northwestern University
researchers at Northwestern University
researchers at Northwestern University here in Chicago announced that they had
here in Chicago announced that they had
here in Chicago announced that they had found the common cause of this disease
found the common cause of this disease
found the common cause of this disease not the cure just the cause and they had
not the cure just the cause and they had
not the cure just the cause and they had been looking just for that for years
been looking just for that for years
been looking just for that for years imagine the same day we staggered up the
imagine the same day we staggered up the
imagine the same day we staggered up the beach was the day they made this
beach was the day they made this
beach was the day they made this announcement there were people who said
announcement there were people who said
announcement there were people who said this was the biggest announcement in ALS
this was the biggest announcement in ALS
this was the biggest announcement in ALS since Lou Gehrig himself had died 70
since Lou Gehrig himself had died 70
since Lou Gehrig himself had died 70 years earlier now my family has an
years earlier now my family has an
years earlier now my family has an unfortunate relationship with ALS
unfortunate relationship with ALS
unfortunate relationship with ALS started many years ago shortly after one
started many years ago shortly after one
started many years ago shortly after one of our kids was born my father came to
of our kids was born my father came to
of our kids was born my father came to us and told us that he had been
us and told us that he had been
us and told us that he had been diagnosed with this disease he had had
diagnosed with this disease he had had
diagnosed with this disease he had had some weird neurological symptoms for a
some weird neurological symptoms for a
some weird neurological symptoms for a couple of years he was very candid about
couple of years he was very candid about
couple of years he was very candid about it and he said look actuarially in three
it and he said look actuarially in three
it and he said look actuarially in three to five years
to five years
to five years I either suffocate or starve to death it
I either suffocate or starve to death it
I either suffocate or starve to death it hit us like a ton of bricks we knew
hit us like a ton of bricks we knew
hit us like a ton of bricks we knew nothing about ALS at the time we learned
nothing about ALS at the time we learned
nothing about ALS at the time we learned quickly though which came in handy as
quickly though which came in handy as
quickly though which came in handy as other members of our family have been
other members of our family have been
other members of our family have been diagnosed since then als is a shipwreck
diagnosed since then als is a shipwreck
diagnosed since then als is a shipwreck it’s a it’s a slow-motion ship
it’s a it’s a slow-motion ship
it’s a it’s a slow-motion ship it is a neurodegenerative disease that
it is a neurodegenerative disease that
it is a neurodegenerative disease that slowly robs the patient of their ability
slowly robs the patient of their ability
slowly robs the patient of their ability to use their muscles
to use their muscles
to use their muscles sadly my father’s characterization about
sadly my father’s characterization about
sadly my father’s characterization about suffocating or starving to death was
suffocating or starving to death was
suffocating or starving to death was pretty accurate the perhaps the worst
pretty accurate the perhaps the worst
pretty accurate the perhaps the worst part of it is that there are no ALS
part of it is that there are no ALS
part of it is that there are no ALS survivors so when you hear that news
survivors so when you hear that news
survivors so when you hear that news whether it’s a patient or someone who
whether it’s a patient or someone who
whether it’s a patient or someone who loves them it is there is it there goes
loves them it is there is it there goes
loves them it is there is it there goes with that an overwhelming feeling of
with that an overwhelming feeling of
with that an overwhelming feeling of powerlessness and that feeling of
powerlessness and that feeling of
powerlessness and that feeling of powerlessness made us want to do
powerlessness made us want to do
powerlessness made us want to do something we met with the researchers
something we met with the researchers
something we met with the researchers the ALS researchers and learned very
the ALS researchers and learned very
the ALS researchers and learned very quickly that we couldn’t help with their
quickly that we couldn’t help with their
quickly that we couldn’t help with their science that are brilliant they’re doing
science that are brilliant they’re doing
science that are brilliant they’re doing their for their fabulous job but the
their for their fabulous job but the
their for their fabulous job but the other thing we learned from those
other thing we learned from those
other thing we learned from those researchers was that the kid that the
researchers was that the kid that the
researchers was that the kid that the path to the cure would be paved with
path to the cure would be paved with
path to the cure would be paved with dollar bills and raising money is
dollar bills and raising money is
dollar bills and raising money is something we could do so we set about to
something we could do so we set about to
something we could do so we set about to do that in a creative way and what we
do that in a creative way and what we
do that in a creative way and what we came up with was swimming and what we
came up with was swimming and what we
came up with was swimming and what we what we what we figured was that
what we what we figured was that
what we what we figured was that swimming was the perfect contrast with
swimming was the perfect contrast with
swimming was the perfect contrast with ALS just as the ALS patient gradually
ALS just as the ALS patient gradually
ALS just as the ALS patient gradually loses their ability to use their muscles
loses their ability to use their muscles
loses their ability to use their muscles the swimmer has to use them all all the
the swimmer has to use them all all the
the swimmer has to use them all all the time so we had a good we had a good
time so we had a good we had a good
time so we had a good we had a good contrast with that swimming was also
contrast with that swimming was also
contrast with that swimming was also logical because I’ve been a competitive
logical because I’ve been a competitive
logical because I’ve been a competitive swimmer most of my life actually more
swimmer most of my life actually more
swimmer most of my life actually more than 50 years I started as a seven year
than 50 years I started as a seven year
than 50 years I started as a seven year old in a in a Park District summer
old in a in a Park District summer
old in a in a Park District summer league team at a time not because I was
league team at a time not because I was
league team at a time not because I was a good swimmer I couldn’t even swim the
a good swimmer I couldn’t even swim the
a good swimmer I couldn’t even swim the length of a pool but because I have two
length of a pool but because I have two
length of a pool but because I have two older sisters who were gifted swimmers
older sisters who were gifted swimmers
older sisters who were gifted swimmers and really having a lot of fun so I
and really having a lot of fun so I
and really having a lot of fun so I tagged along and I very quickly realized
tagged along and I very quickly realized
tagged along and I very quickly realized that I love the competition and I loved
that I love the competition and I loved
that I love the competition and I loved the team culture our town didn’t have an
the team culture our town didn’t have an
the team culture our town didn’t have an indoor pool so the only way to swim
indoor pool so the only way to swim
indoor pool so the only way to swim year-round was to go to a YMCA that was
year-round was to go to a YMCA that was
year-round was to go to a YMCA that was several miles away by the time I got
several miles away by the time I got
several miles away by the time I got through high school I was attractive to
through high school I was attractive to
through high school I was attractive to exactly zero college recruiters and but
exactly zero college recruiters and but
exactly zero college recruiters and but I still wanted to I still wanted to
I still wanted to I still wanted to
I still wanted to I still wanted to compete I still wanted to be involved in
compete I still wanted to be involved in
compete I still wanted to be involved in a team and so I was a walk-on
a team and so I was a walk-on
a team and so I was a walk-on at for the men’s swimming team at the
at for the men’s swimming team at the
at for the men’s swimming team at the University of Illinois in the mid-1970s
University of Illinois in the mid-1970s
University of Illinois in the mid-1970s I had one goal and that was to make the
I had one goal and that was to make the
I had one goal and that was to make the team not to be cut and after I achieved
team not to be cut and after I achieved
team not to be cut and after I achieved that I was very fortunate I swam for
that I was very fortunate I swam for
that I was very fortunate I swam for Illinois for four years and was honored
Illinois for four years and was honored
Illinois for four years and was honored two of those years to be named most
two of those years to be named most
two of those years to be named most valuable swimmer and my senior year I
valuable swimmer and my senior year I
valuable swimmer and my senior year I was the team captain I had one other
was the team captain I had one other
was the team captain I had one other goal while I swam at Illinois and that
goal while I swam at Illinois and that
goal while I swam at Illinois and that was to be an all-american now in
was to be an all-american now in
was to be an all-american now in swimming to be an all-american you have
swimming to be an all-american you have
swimming to be an all-american you have to place in the top 16 places at the
to place in the top 16 places at the
to place in the top 16 places at the NCAA meet at the end of the season I
NCAA meet at the end of the season I
NCAA meet at the end of the season I fell short on that goal
fell short on that goal
fell short on that goal I was 18th in the country as a senior in
I was 18th in the country as a senior in
I was 18th in the country as a senior in college and the margin between 18th
college and the margin between 18th
college and the margin between 18th place and all-american status was seven
place and all-american status was seven
place and all-american status was seven one hundredths of a second
one hundredths of a second
one hundredths of a second it’s hardly more than a blink of an eye
it’s hardly more than a blink of an eye
it’s hardly more than a blink of an eye I carried that 7/100 of a second like
I carried that 7/100 of a second like
I carried that 7/100 of a second like luggage for 33 years the good news is I
luggage for 33 years the good news is I
luggage for 33 years the good news is I left that luggage on that same cold
left that luggage on that same cold
left that luggage on that same cold beach in V Sante when I realized that
beach in V Sante when I realized that
beach in V Sante when I realized that all 17 of those guys who beat me weren’t
all 17 of those guys who beat me weren’t
all 17 of those guys who beat me weren’t there anymore but that was all pool
there anymore but that was all pool
there anymore but that was all pool swimming and open water swimming is very
swimming and open water swimming is very
swimming and open water swimming is very different so in open water swimming you
different so in open water swimming you
different so in open water swimming you really don’t know where you’re going
really don’t know where you’re going
really don’t know where you’re going yeah and it reintroduces all of the
yeah and it reintroduces all of the
yeah and it reintroduces all of the variables that the pool takes away so
variables that the pool takes away so
variables that the pool takes away so you’ve already heard about the cold in
you’ve already heard about the cold in
you’ve already heard about the cold in the dark but there’s wind and there’s
the dark but there’s wind and there’s
the dark but there’s wind and there’s waves and there’s wildlife now wildlife
waves and there’s wildlife now wildlife
waves and there’s wildlife now wildlife imagine swimming through the living room
imagine swimming through the living room
imagine swimming through the living room of the shark family or the jellyfish
of the shark family or the jellyfish
of the shark family or the jellyfish family it you realize pretty quickly in
family it you realize pretty quickly in
family it you realize pretty quickly in this sport you are not at the top of the
this sport you are not at the top of the
this sport you are not at the top of the food chain so as we as we started to
food chain so as we as we started to
food chain so as we as we started to talk about supporting ALS and trying to
talk about supporting ALS and trying to
talk about supporting ALS and trying to use swimming and so forth I started to
use swimming and so forth I started to
use swimming and so forth I started to do some some short open water swims the
do some some short open water swims the
do some some short open water swims the lakes around here and and so forth and
lakes around here and and so forth and
lakes around here and and so forth and had a lot of fun it was a good excuse to
had a lot of fun it was a good excuse to
had a lot of fun it was a good excuse to stay training and I always loved that
stay training and I always loved that
stay training and I always loved that part one thing led to another that did
part one thing led to another that did
part one thing led to another that did the swims got a little longer they were
the swims got a little longer they were
the swims got a little longer they were a little farther from home and we were
a little farther from home and we were
a little farther from home and we were having a lot of fun one night Susan and
having a lot of fun one night Susan and
having a lot of fun one night Susan and a couple of other couples and we were
a couple of other couples and we were
a couple of other couples and we were together drinking wine and the subject
together drinking wine and the subject
together drinking wine and the subject of the English Channel came up and the
of the English Channel came up and the
of the English Channel came up and the more wine we drank the better it’s out
more wine we drank the better it’s out
more wine we drank the better it’s out by the end of the evening we were
by the end of the evening we were
by the end of the evening we were convinced that we were headed to we were
convinced that we were headed to we were
convinced that we were headed to we were headed to England
headed to England
headed to England well a day later a more important
well a day later a more important
well a day later a more important conversation took place and that was
conversation took place and that was
conversation took place and that was with Susan where I said look this the
with Susan where I said look this the
with Susan where I said look this the English Channel stuff this is crazy
English Channel stuff this is crazy
English Channel stuff this is crazy there this is huge undertaking I have no
there this is huge undertaking I have no
there this is huge undertaking I have no idea how much how much training time is
idea how much how much training time is
idea how much how much training time is going to take this could be a big
going to take this could be a big
going to take this could be a big sacrifice to our family it’s not that
sacrifice to our family it’s not that
sacrifice to our family it’s not that big of a deal to me if you think we
big of a deal to me if you think we
big of a deal to me if you think we should pass then we’ll do something else
should pass then we’ll do something else
should pass then we’ll do something else now Susan who is not a swimmer she does
now Susan who is not a swimmer she does
now Susan who is not a swimmer she does have a unique ability though to make
have a unique ability though to make
have a unique ability though to make crazy ideas come true said no if you
crazy ideas come true said no if you
crazy ideas come true said no if you want to swim this and you think you can
want to swim this and you think you can
want to swim this and you think you can you probably ought to go do it as for
you probably ought to go do it as for
you probably ought to go do it as for the sacrifice to our family let’s turn
the sacrifice to our family let’s turn
the sacrifice to our family let’s turn it around you’re gonna need a team we
it around you’re gonna need a team we
it around you’re gonna need a team we have all these kids and we’ve got two
have all these kids and we’ve got two
have all these kids and we’ve got two years to prepare we can figure this out
years to prepare we can figure this out
years to prepare we can figure this out so without being a swimmer in one
so without being a swimmer in one
so without being a swimmer in one thought she capsulated if she
thought she capsulated if she
thought she capsulated if she encapsulated all of marathon swimming
encapsulated all of marathon swimming
encapsulated all of marathon swimming it’s a team sport we had the team and we
it’s a team sport we had the team and we
it’s a team sport we had the team and we could figure it out so that’s really
could figure it out so that’s really
could figure it out so that’s really what this is about it’s this is all
what this is about it’s this is all
what this is about it’s this is all about teamwork and it doesn’t matter if
about teamwork and it doesn’t matter if
about teamwork and it doesn’t matter if you’re trying to swim the English
you’re trying to swim the English
you’re trying to swim the English Channel or you’re trying to finish an
Channel or you’re trying to finish an
Channel or you’re trying to finish an investment banking transaction or you’re
investment banking transaction or you’re
investment banking transaction or you’re trying to find the the the cure for ALS
trying to find the the the cure for ALS
trying to find the the the cure for ALS it’s a team sport and there are ways to
it’s a team sport and there are ways to
it’s a team sport and there are ways to put together a team and lessons to be
put together a team and lessons to be
put together a team and lessons to be learned from all of them that are
learned from all of them that are
learned from all of them that are applicable to the other so we started to
applicable to the other so we started to
applicable to the other so we started to we started to do our training and
we started to do our training and
we started to do our training and building our team we called our little
building our team we called our little
building our team we called our little team a long swim we borrowed the acronym
team a long swim we borrowed the acronym
team a long swim we borrowed the acronym from ALS and and we were off to the
from ALS and and we were off to the
from ALS and and we were off to the races now we’ve already talked a little
races now we’ve already talked a little
races now we’ve already talked a little bit about the the English Channel swim
bit about the the English Channel swim
bit about the the English Channel swim and we’ll talk some more but our little
and we’ll talk some more but our little
and we’ll talk some more but our little team that started out being clueless and
team that started out being clueless and
team that started out being clueless and newbies and so on is now among the most
newbies and so on is now among the most
newbies and so on is now among the most experienced marathons
experienced marathons
experienced marathons when teams in the world in addition to
when teams in the world in addition to
when teams in the world in addition to the English Channel we’ve been 21 miles
the English Channel we’ve been 21 miles
the English Channel we’ve been 21 miles across the Catalina channel in
across the Catalina channel in
across the Catalina channel in California 24 miles the length of Tampa
California 24 miles the length of Tampa
California 24 miles the length of Tampa Bay in Florida 29 miles the loop around
Bay in Florida 29 miles the loop around
Bay in Florida 29 miles the loop around Manhattan Island in New York and last
Manhattan Island in New York and last
Manhattan Island in New York and last summer we were a half a mile short of a
summer we were a half a mile short of a
summer we were a half a mile short of a 32-mile channel called the KETV channel
32-mile channel called the KETV channel
32-mile channel called the KETV channel between molokai and oahu I’m telling you
between molokai and oahu I’m telling you
between molokai and oahu I’m telling you this is one of the best teams in the
this is one of the best teams in the
this is one of the best teams in the world in the process of doing all of
world in the process of doing all of
world in the process of doing all of that we still had our goal of raising
that we still had our goal of raising
that we still had our goal of raising money for ALS research and I will say
money for ALS research and I will say
money for ALS research and I will say immodestly that we have been
immodestly that we have been
immodestly that we have been extraordinarily successful at that to to
extraordinarily successful at that to to
extraordinarily successful at that to to date we’ve raised more than four hundred
date we’ve raised more than four hundred
date we’ve raised more than four hundred thousand dollars for this disease and
thousand dollars for this disease and
thousand dollars for this disease and the pace of discovery is accelerating
the pace of discovery is accelerating
the pace of discovery is accelerating all the time
all the time
all the time it’s been very rewarding as we formed
it’s been very rewarding as we formed
it’s been very rewarding as we formed our team we realized that there were
our team we realized that there were
our team we realized that there were rules that we had to adhere to just like
rules that we had to adhere to just like
rules that we had to adhere to just like you would in business or in in medical
you would in business or in in medical
you would in business or in in medical research or anything else and in
research or anything else and in
research or anything else and in marathon swimming the others pages and
marathon swimming the others pages and
marathon swimming the others pages and pages of rules but they can all be sort
pages of rules but they can all be sort
pages of rules but they can all be sort of distilled down to three big ones rule
of distilled down to three big ones rule
of distilled down to three big ones rule number one is what you can wear as the
number one is what you can wear as the
number one is what you can wear as the Brits call it your costume
Brits call it your costume
Brits call it your costume it is a speedo a swim cap and goggles
it is a speedo a swim cap and goggles
it is a speedo a swim cap and goggles anything that would make you warm fast
anything that would make you warm fast
anything that would make you warm fast or buoyant is off-limits
or buoyant is off-limits
or buoyant is off-limits so no wetsuits allowed rule number two
so no wetsuits allowed rule number two
so no wetsuits allowed rule number two all swims begin and end on dry land so
all swims begin and end on dry land so
all swims begin and end on dry land so this is an obscure sport admittedly but
this is an obscure sport admittedly but
this is an obscure sport admittedly but if you can walk in swim across and walk
if you can walk in swim across and walk
if you can walk in swim across and walk out that makes a good day in marathon
out that makes a good day in marathon
out that makes a good day in marathon swimming rule number three every swim
swimming rule number three every swim
swimming rule number three every swim needs to be escorted by a boat for
needs to be escorted by a boat for
needs to be escorted by a boat for safety reasons obviously however the
safety reasons obviously however the
safety reasons obviously however the swimmer may not touch the boat or
swimmer may not touch the boat or
swimmer may not touch the boat or anybody on the boat and/or it’s an
anybody on the boat and/or it’s an
anybody on the boat and/or it’s an immediate disqualification so when they
immediate disqualification so when they
immediate disqualification so when they say unassisted they mean unassisted so
say unassisted they mean unassisted so
say unassisted they mean unassisted so in light of those rules we started to
in light of those rules we started to
in light of those rules we started to practice and train together learn from
practice and train together learn from
practice and train together learn from each other and and so on and a couple of
each other and and so on and a couple of
each other and and so on and a couple of illustrations about how that worked one
illustrations about how that worked one
illustrations about how that worked one was
was
was one evening at a team meeting we also
one evening at a team meeting we also
one evening at a team meeting we also call it family dinner at our house my
call it family dinner at our house my
call it family dinner at our house my son Billy was concerned about our
son Billy was concerned about our
son Billy was concerned about our training process and it really had to do
training process and it really had to do
training process and it really had to do with with how we were going through our
with with how we were going through our
with with how we were going through our training at the time you know this was
training at the time you know this was
training at the time you know this was at a point where I was logging a lot of
at a point where I was logging a lot of
at a point where I was logging a lot of miles and the lakes around here and the
miles and the lakes around here and the
miles and the lakes around here and the boys were escorting me in an old canoe
boys were escorting me in an old canoe
boys were escorting me in an old canoe leftover from my folks in the 1960s and
leftover from my folks in the 1960s and
leftover from my folks in the 1960s and Billy was worried about the canoe and he
Billy was worried about the canoe and he
Billy was worried about the canoe and he said what we really need is a kayak
said what we really need is a kayak
said what we really need is a kayak because it only takes one guy to paddle
because it only takes one guy to paddle
because it only takes one guy to paddle it you’ll still be safe and at the end
it you’ll still be safe and at the end
it you’ll still be safe and at the end of the swim it’ll be a lot easier to get
of the swim it’ll be a lot easier to get
of the swim it’ll be a lot easier to get up on top of the car so I said all right
up on top of the car so I said all right
up on top of the car so I said all right well you know where do we where should
well you know where do we where should
well you know where do we where should we get a kayak he said we shouldn’t get
we get a kayak he said we shouldn’t get
we get a kayak he said we shouldn’t get a kayak we should make a kayak he said
a kayak we should make a kayak he said
a kayak we should make a kayak he said I’ve been doing the research he said in
I’ve been doing the research he said in
I’ve been doing the research he said in the Internet you can see plans and kits
the Internet you can see plans and kits
the Internet you can see plans and kits blueprints the whole show he said this
blueprints the whole show he said this
blueprints the whole show he said this is totally something we can do right in
is totally something we can do right in
is totally something we can do right in our own garage we’ll get everybody
our own garage we’ll get everybody
our own garage we’ll get everybody involved he said it’ll be a lot of fun
involved he said it’ll be a lot of fun
involved he said it’ll be a lot of fun we’ll spend the winter making a kayak so
we’ll spend the winter making a kayak so
we’ll spend the winter making a kayak so for Christmas that year Billy got
for Christmas that year Billy got
for Christmas that year Billy got blueprints and mahogany plywood and and
blueprints and mahogany plywood and and
blueprints and mahogany plywood and and son of a gun if he didn’t do exactly
son of a gun if he didn’t do exactly
son of a gun if he didn’t do exactly that he quarterback the whole process
that he quarterback the whole process
that he quarterback the whole process this is our dirty garage and he
this is our dirty garage and he
this is our dirty garage and he quarterback the whole process he roped
quarterback the whole process he roped
quarterback the whole process he roped everybody into it his brothers and
everybody into it his brothers and
everybody into it his brothers and sisters and I will cherish until I no
sisters and I will cherish until I no
sisters and I will cherish until I no longer can cherish the hours that we
longer can cherish the hours that we
longer can cherish the hours that we spent in the garage together now think
spent in the garage together now think
spent in the garage together now think about it from a teamwork standpoint
about it from a teamwork standpoint
about it from a teamwork standpoint though here was a teammate who had
though here was a teammate who had
though here was a teammate who had identified a potential problem nothing
identified a potential problem nothing
identified a potential problem nothing that had happened yet but a potential
that had happened yet but a potential
that had happened yet but a potential problem and he had come up with a
problem and he had come up with a
problem and he had come up with a solution he researched the solution and
solution he researched the solution and
solution he researched the solution and then he pitched the solution to the rest
then he pitched the solution to the rest
then he pitched the solution to the rest of the group and lo and behold this was
of the group and lo and behold this was
of the group and lo and behold this was exactly the right answer and and and the
exactly the right answer and and and the
exactly the right answer and and and the best part of it is that every time we
best part of it is that every time we
best part of it is that every time we put this kayak in the water now it gets
put this kayak in the water now it gets
put this kayak in the water now it gets oohs and ahhs every time we do because
oohs and ahhs every time we do because
oohs and ahhs every time we do because it’s simply a beautiful boat another
it’s simply a beautiful boat another
it’s simply a beautiful boat another attribute that a lot of teams look for
attribute that a lot of teams look for
attribute that a lot of teams look for is endurance lately that’s been popular
is endurance lately that’s been popular
is endurance lately that’s been popular to call it grit now
to call it grit now
to call it grit now we loosely defined it is the willingness
we loosely defined it is the willingness
we loosely defined it is the willingness of the team and the teammates to stay
of the team and the teammates to stay
of the team and the teammates to stay enthusiastic as something goes haywire
enthusiastic as something goes haywire
enthusiastic as something goes haywire everybody’s been part of a deal that
everybody’s been part of a deal that
everybody’s been part of a deal that should be six weeks and goes to six
should be six weeks and goes to six
should be six weeks and goes to six months
months
months I won’t even start with you on the
I won’t even start with you on the
I won’t even start with you on the number of years that the and that the
number of years that the and that the
number of years that the and that the ALS researchers have to endure to make
ALS researchers have to endure to make
ALS researchers have to endure to make it to their finish line but but
it to their finish line but but
it to their finish line but but endurance and grit is critically
endurance and grit is critically
endurance and grit is critically important
important
important my son Gordie has grit he knows every
my son Gordie has grit he knows every
my son Gordie has grit he knows every job on the boat he’s cross trained to do
job on the boat he’s cross trained to do
job on the boat he’s cross trained to do everything his brothers call him the
everything his brothers call him the
everything his brothers call him the Swiss Army knife of the crew but the
Swiss Army knife of the crew but the
Swiss Army knife of the crew but the best best attribute about Gordie is he
best best attribute about Gordie is he
best best attribute about Gordie is he does not get sick at sea
does not get sick at sea
does not get sick at sea now we imagine being on this escort boat
now we imagine being on this escort boat
now we imagine being on this escort boat it is dreadful it only moves as fast as
it is dreadful it only moves as fast as
it is dreadful it only moves as fast as the swimmer and I can only swim two and
the swimmer and I can only swim two and
the swimmer and I can only swim two and a half miles an hour so as the boat is
a half miles an hour so as the boat is
a half miles an hour so as the boat is inching along its pitching back and
inching along its pitching back and
inching along its pitching back and forth in big waves and then you mix in
forth in big waves and then you mix in
forth in big waves and then you mix in something like diesel exhaust just for
something like diesel exhaust just for
something like diesel exhaust just for sweetener in fact on our English Channel
sweetener in fact on our English Channel
sweetener in fact on our English Channel swim during the first seven hours the
swim during the first seven hours the
swim during the first seven hours the water was so rough that the crew
water was so rough that the crew
water was so rough that the crew couldn’t even walk across the deck of
couldn’t even walk across the deck of
couldn’t even walk across the deck of the of the of the boat because of the
the of the of the boat because of the
the of the of the boat because of the water was so rough they had to crawl so
water was so rough they had to crawl so
water was so rough they had to crawl so one by one all the crew members fell
one by one all the crew members fell
one by one all the crew members fell away as they as they became more and
away as they as they became more and
away as they as they became more and more sick which meant that Gordie picked
more sick which meant that Gordie picked
more sick which meant that Gordie picked up more of the slack he just picked up
up more of the slack he just picked up
up more of the slack he just picked up more of those jobs and as the as the day
more of those jobs and as the as the day
more of those jobs and as the as the day turned into the darkest night ever the I
turned into the darkest night ever the I
turned into the darkest night ever the I was a little wigged out swimming in
was a little wigged out swimming in
was a little wigged out swimming in pitch black is a new experience and and
pitch black is a new experience and and
pitch black is a new experience and and I could see that I could see the escort
I could see that I could see the escort
I could see that I could see the escort boat but I couldn’t see anybody on the
boat but I couldn’t see anybody on the
boat but I couldn’t see anybody on the escort boat just shapes and in people
escort boat just shapes and in people
escort boat just shapes and in people moving around the one silhouette though
moving around the one silhouette though
moving around the one silhouette though that I remember was Gordie as he stood
that I remember was Gordie as he stood
that I remember was Gordie as he stood on that rail with his arms locked
on that rail with his arms locked
on that rail with his arms locked watching me the entire time seven hours
watching me the entire time seven hours
watching me the entire time seven hours in the pitch black and I don’t think
in the pitch black and I don’t think
in the pitch black and I don’t think Gordie moved a muscle now your mind
Gordie moved a muscle now your mind
Gordie moved a muscle now your mind begins to play tricks on you in the dark
begins to play tricks on you in the dark
begins to play tricks on you in the dark like that and mine certainly did and I
like that and mine certainly did and I
like that and mine certainly did and I would have these elaborate Congress
would have these elaborate Congress
would have these elaborate Congress in my own head with Gordy while I was
in my own head with Gordy while I was
in my own head with Gordy while I was swimming and each of those each of those
swimming and each of those each of those
swimming and each of those each of those conversations ended the same way where
conversations ended the same way where
conversations ended the same way where he would reassure me that he was going
he would reassure me that he was going
he would reassure me that he was going to do everything that he could to make
to do everything that he could to make
to do everything that he could to make sure that we made it to France and
sure that we made it to France and
sure that we made it to France and whatever got in it got in our way he was
whatever got in it got in our way he was
whatever got in it got in our way he was gonna take care of it
gonna take care of it
gonna take care of it to make sure that he did his job and we
to make sure that he did his job and we
to make sure that he did his job and we could achieve our goal well as you know
could achieve our goal well as you know
could achieve our goal well as you know we made it to France we achieved our
we made it to France we achieved our
we made it to France we achieved our goal and Gordy was the lock selection
goal and Gordy was the lock selection
goal and Gordy was the lock selection for most valuable player on the a long
for most valuable player on the a long
for most valuable player on the a long swim team for the English Channel swim
swim team for the English Channel swim
swim team for the English Channel swim now every team needs to celebrate you
now every team needs to celebrate you
now every team needs to celebrate you have a win you close a deal you have a
have a win you close a deal you have a
have a win you close a deal you have a dinner even if it’s a beer party what
dinner even if it’s a beer party what
dinner even if it’s a beer party what you really want to do is acknowledge and
you really want to do is acknowledge and
you really want to do is acknowledge and recognize the people who maybe don’t get
recognize the people who maybe don’t get
recognize the people who maybe don’t get their name in the paper or make the big
their name in the paper or make the big
their name in the paper or make the big bonus but have had such a big impact and
bonus but have had such a big impact and
bonus but have had such a big impact and such an important impact on the on the
such an important impact on the on the
such an important impact on the on the success of the team for English Channel
success of the team for English Channel
success of the team for English Channel swimmers there’s a perfect perfect
swimmers there’s a perfect perfect
swimmers there’s a perfect perfect opportunity to celebrate and it’s at a
opportunity to celebrate and it’s at a
opportunity to celebrate and it’s at a place called the white horse now the
place called the white horse now the
place called the white horse now the white horse is a 700 year old pub in
white horse is a 700 year old pub in
white horse is a 700 year old pub in Dover England and it is covered if it
Dover England and it is covered if it
Dover England and it is covered if it invites channel swimmers to come and
invites channel swimmers to come and
invites channel swimmers to come and write their names on the walls and the
write their names on the walls and the
write their names on the walls and the ceilings and places to the point where
ceilings and places to the point where
ceilings and places to the point where it’s just it’s covered with all these
it’s just it’s covered with all these
it’s just it’s covered with all these signature and so we went to the white
signature and so we went to the white
signature and so we went to the white horse we were on our way to the white
horse we were on our way to the white
horse we were on our way to the white horse and I told the kids that you know
horse and I told the kids that you know
horse and I told the kids that you know typically you really don’t want to have
typically you really don’t want to have
typically you really don’t want to have your name written on the wall of a
your name written on the wall of a
your name written on the wall of a tavern someplace but but in this case we
tavern someplace but but in this case we
tavern someplace but but in this case we were gonna make an exception we got to
were gonna make an exception we got to
were gonna make an exception we got to the white horse and and we’re really
the white horse and and we’re really
the white horse and and we’re really overwhelmed here I think it was that’s
overwhelmed here I think it was that’s
overwhelmed here I think it was that’s when the enormity of what we had done
when the enormity of what we had done
when the enormity of what we had done started to sink in
started to sink in
started to sink in you see these names of people you
you see these names of people you
you see these names of people you respect so much icons in marathon
respect so much icons in marathon
respect so much icons in marathon swimming and to imagine that we could
swimming and to imagine that we could
swimming and to imagine that we could put our names up there with them so we
put our names up there with them so we
put our names up there with them so we found an empty corner I was able to put
found an empty corner I was able to put
found an empty corner I was able to put up all the names of our teammates and
up all the names of our teammates and
up all the names of our teammates and our team and the day we swam and how
our team and the day we swam and how
our team and the day we swam and how long it took us and I was able to put a
long it took us and I was able to put a
long it took us and I was able to put a little star by Gordy’s name
little star by Gordy’s name
little star by Gordy’s name as the most valuable player there it is
as the most valuable player there it is
as the most valuable player there it is now after all that we had been through
now after all that we had been through
now after all that we had been through and witnessing the shipwreck of ALS
and witnessing the shipwreck of ALS
and witnessing the shipwreck of ALS building our team training some setbacks
building our team training some setbacks
building our team training some setbacks a lot of good luck it was really
a lot of good luck it was really
a lot of good luck it was really rewarding to be able to put that star up
rewarding to be able to put that star up
rewarding to be able to put that star up there I also remember thinking about how
there I also remember thinking about how
there I also remember thinking about how my father would have you dad where he
my father would have you dad where he
my father would have you dad where he would have gotten a big kick out of it
would have gotten a big kick out of it
would have gotten a big kick out of it first he would have had a big tall beer
first he would have had a big tall beer
first he would have had a big tall beer in front of him if he had been at the
in front of him if he had been at the
in front of him if he had been at the White Horse but I think he would have
White Horse but I think he would have
White Horse but I think he would have had a big grin when he knew his grandson
had a big grin when he knew his grandson
had a big grin when he knew his grandson had that that that star by his name now
had that that that star by his name now
had that that that star by his name now I told you when my father had come to us
I told you when my father had come to us
I told you when my father had come to us and had had told us that he’d been
and had had told us that he’d been
and had had told us that he’d been diagnosed with ALS one of our one of our
diagnosed with ALS one of our one of our
diagnosed with ALS one of our one of our kids had just been born well that was
kids had just been born well that was
kids had just been born well that was Gordon so to come fast forward full
Gordon so to come fast forward full
Gordon so to come fast forward full circle with that and now have that star
circle with that and now have that star
circle with that and now have that star by Gordy’s name
by Gordy’s name
by Gordy’s name I hope it’s there for another seven
I hope it’s there for another seven
I hope it’s there for another seven hundred years I plan to swim for the
hundred years I plan to swim for the
hundred years I plan to swim for the rest of my life I’ve been really lucky I
rest of my life I’ve been really lucky I
rest of my life I’ve been really lucky I haven’t been injured we’re never gonna
haven’t been injured we’re never gonna
haven’t been injured we’re never gonna run out of channels to swim but moreover
run out of channels to swim but moreover
run out of channels to swim but moreover our team is going to keep swimming
our team is going to keep swimming
our team is going to keep swimming our little a long swim team which is our
our little a long swim team which is our
our little a long swim team which is our family our friends it’s our ALS
family our friends it’s our ALS
family our friends it’s our ALS researchers that we support it’s 2,000
researchers that we support it’s 2,000
researchers that we support it’s 2,000 donors who have sent money in for this
donors who have sent money in for this
donors who have sent money in for this disease we’re going to keep swimming –
disease we’re going to keep swimming –
disease we’re going to keep swimming – and in that case it’s just going to be
and in that case it’s just going to be
and in that case it’s just going to be one hand in front of the other until we
one hand in front of the other until we
one hand in front of the other until we get to some far shore I don’t know where
get to some far shore I don’t know where
get to some far shore I don’t know where that Shore is I don’t know when we’ll
that Shore is I don’t know when we’ll
that Shore is I don’t know when we’ll get there but I know we’re not going to
get there but I know we’re not going to
get there but I know we’re not going to stop until the person who greets us is
stop until the person who greets us is
stop until the person who greets us is an als survivor thanks for joining
an als survivor thanks for joining
”
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