I signed up for the Epic Races Swim to the Moon 10K, an official marathon swim sanctioned by US Master Swimming. Having never attempted a marathon swim, my goal was to finish strong.
Thursday Evening
We had tickets to see the Stray Cats in Manhattan, so I booked a room at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport despite the high cost. It seemed more convenient than returning to Long Island only to return to the airport by 5:30 a.m.
Friday Morning
Arriving at the Delta terminal with some time to spare, I visited the Delta Lounge for breakfast before boarding my flight. The journey was uneventful, but a pleasant upgrade to first class meant I enjoyed my own seat with no neighbors.
Upon landing, I quickly made my way to the rental car shuttles and picked up a small SUV from Enterprise. The drive from Detroit to Ann Arbor took about 30 minutes. I checked into the Marriot Residence Inn, where they provided me with a lovely one-bedroom apartment complete with a full kitchen.
However, my room wasn’t ready until 2 p.m., and the staff’s lack of hospitality left me feeling tired and defeated.
Packet Pickup
Unable to access my room, I headed to Northstar Reach, a camp for children with serious medical conditions. The camp offers activities like swimming, climbing, and canoeing, providing kids with unforgettable summer memories. The Swim to the Moon event benefitted the camp.
Arriving 30 minutes early for packet pickup, I parked. As I stepped out, a volunteer approached, asking if I was there to volunteer. When I said no, she informed me I couldn’t come in, which nearly brought me to tears.
“Can I at least sit in the car while I wait?” I asked, to which she agreed.
A few moments later, the same volunteer returned, knocking on my window and startling me. She kindly allowed me to collect my packet early and escorted me inside. Instead of passing me off to someone else, she personally found my number and swag bag, including a “special needs” bag. My race number was 1948.
I headed back to the hotel, relieved to finally check in at 2:30 p.m. Once in my room, I meticulously prepared my special needs bag to be placed at the 3.1-mile mark, along with my drop-off bag. I decided to stay in, ordered dinner via DoorDash, and retired for the night early, hoping to feel refreshed for the big day.
Saturday Morning – RACE DAY!
Even though I set my alarm for 4:00 a.m., I woke up naturally a few minutes earlier. I swiftly got ready, wearing my swimsuit and sweatsuit, and headed out to retrieve my car from the parking lot. The drive to the race site from Ann Arbor was a bit challenging, as it was located in a state park. Navigating the steep hills in complete darkness, I relied on my high beams, turning them off whenever a car approached.
As I neared the race site, a convoy of cars followed behind me. After paying the daily park fee, I parked and stepped out into the pitch-black surroundings at 5:30 a.m. Grateful for my phone, I made my way to the race site. Though the race director had marked the trail with lights, it was still difficult to see without a flashlight.
Once there, I got body marked and placed my belongings on a bench to prepare. The darkness persisted, making even simple tasks like using the porta-potties a challenge, but my phone light was a lifesaver.
No Wetsuit, No Headphones, No Fins
Anticipation mixed with nerves as I questioned my ability to complete the distance. My coach, Jackie Miller of QT2, had prepared me for 5 miles, but I wasn’t entirely confident. I chose not to wear a wetsuit, aiming to qualify as an official marathon swimmer. This meant no wetsuit, no headphones to distract with music, and no fins.
Could I rely solely on my strength, a swimsuit, and a buoy for hydration and fuel to cover the distance?
Eager to test the water, I waited for dawn, which broke around 6:30 a.m. I dipped my toes in as Eva Solomon, the race director, made announcements and we united in singing the national anthem. The race followed a time trial start, with two swimmers entering the water every three seconds. Nervous but ready, I positioned myself at the very back.
The swim was as breathtaking as I remembered. I had tackled the 5K a few years back and absolutely loved it, despite barely making it to the end. This time, however, I felt remarkably strong. Even when a fellow swimmer accidentally kicked me, triggering a painful cramp in my leg, I managed to pause momentarily, overcome the pain, and keep going.
Spotting a friend
During the swim, I spotted my friend Adina, easily identifiable with her buoy shaped like a rubber ducky. It brought a smile to my face, and I assumed she had started with the faster group. Later, she told me she had circled back to check on another athlete, which was so like her.
Reaching the halfway mark at 3.1 miles in 2 hours and 10 minutes was a mini-victory. I climbed onto the beach, grabbed my special needs bag, sprayed some Biofreeze, downed a bottle of Pure Protein, and took a Tylenol. Despite a few aches, I felt okay. After about eight minutes—longer than I’d like—I plunged back into the water. (I’ll tell you, the Biofreeze may have been a mistake because I was cold in the water and it made it worse.)
On the course
Epic Races provided nutrition and hydration stops at miles 1 and 2, offering GU energy gels and Gatorade. I used my own fuel from InfinitNutrition and GU to keep me energized.
I loved swimming through a tunnel and under a bridge.
Also, I noticed the autumn leaves starting to change, a vivid touch of beauty along the route. The homes lining the course were magnificent, each one more impressive than the last.
As I swam back, surrounded by kayakers, I briefly worried I might be the last swimmer. At mile 4.5, I saw a buoy marker and stayed focused, pushing forward despite the illusion of no clear path. Nearing the bridge, the water was shallow, so I took the opportunity to have a gel, even if it meant adding a bit of time.
Determined not to lose momentum, I pressed on, taking only two gels the entire even and sipping my hydration sparingly.
And then the rain came…
With a mile left, the rain began, and the current picked up. I pushed harder, swimming past a buoy shaped like a rubber ducky with sunglasses and another like a unicorn. The finish line appeared deceptively close, yet I knew better than to trust my eyes.
Volunteers cheered, “You got this,” as I swam onward, visualizing the finish. Finally, the beach came into view. As I approached, it seemed further than I thought, but I kept going until I couldn’t swim any longer. Rising out of the water, careful not to run due to a knee injury, I walked toward the finish line.
At the finish
Elation washed over me as I struck the signature pose exiting the water. My friend Adina was there, ready with a congratulatory hug and high five, and I reunited with Fred from Long Island. Fred and I shared memories of previous swims, and seeing familiar faces at the finish line made the achievement even sweeter. Adina and Fred captured the moment with photos for my blog.
It was an unforgettable day. Completing the race marked my transformation into a marathon swimmer. I felt immense gratitude for my training partner, Ray, and my coach, Jackie, whose support and inspiration fueled my journey. I am so thankful I took on this challenge and look forward to future swims with renewed confidence.
Things I thought about on the Marathon Swim
As I glided through the water, I contemplated dedicating each mile to someone significant in my life, filling the swim with emotional connections and gratitude. My thoughts first turned to my new grandson, Ollie, whose cuteness never fails to bring a smile to my face. I thought about my daughter’s adorable Australian cattle dog and how much joy she adds to our family. Reflecting on my beautiful daughter and son-in-law, I felt immense happiness for their contentment together.
My son, who recently embarked on a new chapter with a job and apartment in the city, also came to mind. His happiness fueled my strokes, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. As I continued, I thought of my husband, who lovingly supports all my adventurous pursuits, no matter how wild they may seem.
I also cherished thoughts of my triathlon, running, and swimming group, whose camaraderie and encouragement mean the world to me. Lastly, my training partner crossed my mind, a constant source of inspiration pushing me to strive for better.
Each stroke was filled with feelings of gratitude and inspiration drawn from these invaluable relationships, motivating me to push through the challenges and cherish every moment of this incredible marathon swim.
Special thanks to Epic Races
