14c. Mid September: The Final Countdown.
September 18th, 2008So here it is. The challenge has been moved back and I’m due to start early Friday morning (12:00am UK time).
It’s a strange, yet wonderfully exciting time. Of late, the enormity of the task has hit me and of course this has lead to nerves, but I also have a very strong visualisation of landing in France and that makes me feel confident of making it. It’s also knowing how hard I’ve worked over the last 18 months culminating to this goal.
I’d also like to take the time to express my appreciation to those who have sent messages during the lead up, to those that have supported in more tangible ways, especially Dorothy Weatherley and my training partner Steve. Without you all, this journey would have been a lot tougher!
Back to the big day.
There will be a couple of mobile phones on board the pilot boat and I’d appreciate any support you can give. The preferential way of contact would be through the mapping program that Gowyn has designed. It can be watched at www.als-swimming.org/map. He’s also arranged for messages to appear on the map as we travel across. All you need to do is text the following:
gowyn.jones@gmail.com [then your message]
and send to this number +44 776 640 4142
Alternatively, if you don’t want your message to appear, it can be sent to:
Mine: +44 781 399 0374 (careful it’s not used to receiving texts)
Gowyn’s: +44 7913 661172
_________________________________
Even without knowing the result, this has been an absolutely amazing journey! Notwithstanding the training, it’s the other aspects that have been a revelation, such as writing this blog (and thank you for your comments!), organising logistics for the numerous swims, organising donations, meeting and speaking to people about it and challenging myself by pushing through barriers I perceived as unbreakable. It is an experience that I would thoroughly recommend to anyone. A challenge, a big challenge and I think you’ll be surprised with what you can accomplish.