I suppose it was never in doubt, but I needed to listen to my wife and sons and give serious reflection before coming to this decision. Not to try again is just not me. Failure – well I had two failures before I succeeded in 1986, and so one failure now is just that. I know however that the odds remain against a success due principally to age, but that just provides one additional reason for me to succeed.
The weather is warming and so too is the water. Now I must experiment with foods that I can ingest and digest while swimming.
I am certainly rested and motivated. Since the last entry I have flown to Italy, collected my yacht and moved it to Spain near Barcelona via the French Riviera. During the week-long cruise I had plenty of time to make the decision to swim again. This will be my last attempt, thus I shall “take it to the limit one more time.”
This time a few things will be different. It will be low-key. All the publicity that I agreed to for raising the profile of physical therapy and funds for research will be pushed aside. I must focus more and stay centered and not be distracted. Unfortunately I will have no family or friends aboard the escort boat: just the Pilot, his Assistant and two official Observers, since it’s a record I am going for.
So do not expect any further communications of a regular nature. I know you will all wish me well and will have concerns for my health and safety. Know I shall take care.
Training starts tomorrow and I am ready.
Stanley
On Dreadnought V
Tarragona (near Barcelona) Spain
Support Physical Therapy Research!
I am attempting to become the oldest person to swim across the English Channel in order to raise money for physical therapy research. Learn more in the links below.
Please support my effort by making pledges or donations online or by phone at 800-875-1378.
All proceeds benefit physical therapy research!
For more information, see www.apta.org/parisswim.
My Mission & Vision
My Passion
A Plea for Pledges
Thank you for your support!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
To Try Again - September 6
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
Go Stanley!! We are thinking of you. Kiwi Barbara.
Stay focused. I look forward to reading your report of the swim after the race in September. Whatever happens, it will be a great encouragement to me in my own swimming endeavors.
I have been starting to train for a triathlon recently to get back in to shape after the birth of my 5th child 9 weeks ago. My husband half joking said.
"You should go swim the English Channel!"
At first I thought he must be kidding but then I started to look into it. I came across your blog in my search for information.
I as of 5 minutes ago have read this entire blog and have found great inspiration. Thank you! I will be watching your progress.
Allyson Lyon
allynlyon@gmail.com
Allyson Lyon
Keep me in touch with your progress at sparis@usa.edu
Is there some reason why your friends and family cannot accompany you for your attempt? My crew was great, but having my family there was very helpful for me.
Best of luck!
was it ever in doubt that you would try again? after meeting you, i would say not.
"our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising everytime we fall"
Please keep posting on your blog with updates on your training. It is very inspiring. I am about to do my second Ironman and swimming is my weakest link. Not because I am physically incapable, but because I am mentally unable to believe in myself. I just graduated from PT school last week (Univerity of Central Arkansas) and have my board exam scheduled a week after Ironman Louisville. I hope I will be successful with both. Your achievements, academic and athletic, are incredible. I know you will succeed in becoming the oldest man to swim the Channel.
Excellent read about the preparation difficulty of the swim.
One of my colleagues, Charlie Wittmack, is preparing to swim next week!
http://tinyurl.com/5kvz39
Dr. Paris,
I have followed your blog for almost 1 year now and owe you a posting.
You have both inspired and motivated this “paris...ite” :) for over 10 years. I have no doubt that your best was put forth on that day. Sometimes we win, sometimes we don’t, but you have continued to inspire winners for over 5 decades and I thank you for that. It is not the finish line that justifies the race it is the race itself (although, if anyone has been through the rigors of USA-IPT and the MTC exam they most definitely appreciate the finish line).
Thank you for your inspirational efforts.
Clint Borman
Bruce, Barbara, Allyson, Chris Myra and so many others.
After two weeks back in America I return tomorrow to challenge one more time. I feel good, not yet great but I am working towards that peak which I have felt twice before this year.
Thank you for all your thoughts and wishes. It has been and remains a great adventure.
Stanley Paris
Kiwi Barbara,
The only swimming club of which I am a member is the Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club in Dunedin, New Zealand. They have generously granted me a gift membership and I have trained using their bathing cap. I swam for many years for the Kiwi Club and they shall be in my heart again on this next attempt.
Stanley
Post a Comment