Well hello there everyone! Wow! What a day! A day of thinking I was going to pound the pavement myself looking for more boat support ended up being a day of chatting with one of our boat supporters from 2 Lake Ontraio Crossings...Henk Borsboom! After a few hours of chatting about past Lake Ontario crossings, laughs of our ups and downs of each swim and some general chit chat about everything that's happened in our lives since then... I think we just found our powerboat/sailboat support starting with us in Kingston and staying with us the whole way until we reach home, Burlington's Spence Smith Park! If I am not mistaken and if my memory is still in contact, I think I told Henk I was going to give him a big huge KISS! LOL I can't wait to shout it out loud, but not just yet... waiting for the official "good to go"!
So now, I am just hanging here at home, revealing in happiness and a little less stress (sorta) and now looking forward to tomorrow mornings workout! Yup, that's right I am heading back into the water, trying to get the feel of the water back after a few weeks of being sick and not being able to train.
On Monday, Rebekah, Mona and myself will be heading to the Burlington Beaches to wade in the Lake's waters... remind our bodies what "cold water" feels like..LOL Should be another good day!
Well for now, signing off...
So keep reading, watching for new posts on our face book page Because Girls Can and keep cheering us on!
Until another posting ..
Tootaloo!
:)
Nikki
Saturday 18 May 2013
Friday 17 May 2013
67 Days Left .. OMG!!!!! Exciting!
Good Morning to all! Well it's Friday morning of the May long weekend and here I am again on the computer working away on our swim details! Instead of planning my long weekend getaway... a camping weekend or a weekend of day trips I am choosing to work on our swim. It's a good choice though because we only have 67 days left until we splash into Lake Ontario in Kingston and there is still so much to do and organize! So today my day is booked with letters to corporations (with attachments of our swim and donation requests), phone calls to make to say thank you to all of those wonderful people I have met over the past few weeks of travelling to Kingston and Cobourg and so on... Going to continue to work on our website and get that up and running full steam and oh the dreaded "pay pal /fundrazr" connections to our facebook page and website so that many of you can join in our fundraising goal of $300,000. I have never learned so much in such a short time (well hold that thought... I just took over the school because mommy is home bound and in a wheel chair for now, and the school still needs to run..so OK..I have learned way too much ove a very short time on that note) but the swim stuff is much more fun to figure out! I am mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted but hey isn't that the same feeling as swimming Lake Ontario? Well then I guess I will just have to go with my motto and "Put My Big Girl Panties On, and Suck it Up"! LOL
In the past 3 weeks, I have travelled to Kingston 2 times, Cobourg 3 times and Iroquois 1 time in search of support boats for our swim. In Kingston I met the with Mayor's Assistant (The Mayor was in Toronto..LOL) and had a long chat with her about our swim and what we wanted or wished from Kingston. The response was incredable! So much support and enthusiasm for our swim and all of a sudden I was not feeling defeated, I was feeling once again re-energized! It's amazing what one's words can do to lift a spirit! I also met with someone from Parks and Recreation to find out and organize our departure spot at Kingston's own Confederation Park (right donwtown) and again was given some great advice and contacts. Kingston has rocked so far..Keep it going Kingston!
From Kingston (2nd trip) I ventured to Iroquois to meet up with a gentleman who is thinking and hopefully wants to be part of our first leg of the swim (Kingston to Cobourg) with is sailboat. I did my best to convince him..even wore a cute little dress to try to get my best features noticed... LOL Not sure if it worked but hey I gave it my best shot. I am just awaiting his response! Keep your fingers crossed!
(I just want to mention that my second trip to Kingston and Iroquois, I was extremely ill with Bronchial Pneumonia (?) and couldn't breath, really talk or even stand up..but again big panties were on for the good cause of our swim!) LOL
On my way home I stopped in at Cobourg for one last try at drumming up boat support! Once there, I was in my element and just chatted away with these two wonderful people at the Cobourg Marina. I guess my passion and excitement was infectious and all of a sudden I found myself being interviewed by one of Cobourg's finest newspaper journalists and in front of a camera! OMG.... Not today..not while being sick and feeling like poop! But it turned out to be one of the best pics I have taken in a long time...LOL I have attached the article he wrote about our swim..please take a look at it! It's a good one!
From that day I was invited back to Cobourg Tuesday May 14th for a meeting with the Cobourg Yacht Club to present our swim and requests! It was a room full of boaters, sailors and they were extremely proud of what we were doing and admired our commitment to success! I received a business card from a gentleman at that meeting who then put me in contact with a gentleman from Toronto, the Chair of Lake Ontario Cruising Association and who represents 22,000 boaters/sailors..He will be putting our boat request in their newsletter next week. My God..if we can't get support from a few of those boaters, we are in big trouble! LOL Keeping fingers crossed! Please cross your fingers too!
So that has been my last 3 weeks... busy, whirlwind travelling adventures! Tomorrow, Saturday May 18th I will be heading down to Toronto's Piers and Ontario Place to see if I can't get more boat support from those who will have their boats parked and enjoying this lovely long weekend! Not sure what I am going to wear..LOL but will try to make a good impression. I think that Mona and Rebekah (2 of the other swimmers on our team of 5) will hopefully be joining me..maybe if they see young ladies instead of my 47 year old body they may think twice! LOL
On Sunday I will be in the pool, trying to finally get my mojo back in the water from a long stint of being sick and not being able to train. Ihope I survive the workout! I know Coach Dean's workouts..they are brutal but that's what I need right now!
On Monday May 20th, Rebekah, Mona and myself are going to take a nice cold dip into Lake Ontario...it may only be a "wading" dip but we will see, I will have my suit on just in case we can get a chance to get our heads wet! LOL
I hope everyone has a great long weekend and while you are all enjoying this weather and drinks and just chilling, remember us... pounding the pavement for a great cause and an amazing swim coming this summer, July 2013!
Singing out for now...
Nikki
Marathon Swim Article!
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2013/05/08/marathon-swim-to-support-because-i-am-a-girl?utm_source=addThis&utm_medium=addthis_button_email&utm_campaign=Relay+will+go+from+Kingston+to+Burlington+%7C+Sports+%7C+Northumberland+Today#.UYrRpN_lg10.email
In the past 3 weeks, I have travelled to Kingston 2 times, Cobourg 3 times and Iroquois 1 time in search of support boats for our swim. In Kingston I met the with Mayor's Assistant (The Mayor was in Toronto..LOL) and had a long chat with her about our swim and what we wanted or wished from Kingston. The response was incredable! So much support and enthusiasm for our swim and all of a sudden I was not feeling defeated, I was feeling once again re-energized! It's amazing what one's words can do to lift a spirit! I also met with someone from Parks and Recreation to find out and organize our departure spot at Kingston's own Confederation Park (right donwtown) and again was given some great advice and contacts. Kingston has rocked so far..Keep it going Kingston!
From Kingston (2nd trip) I ventured to Iroquois to meet up with a gentleman who is thinking and hopefully wants to be part of our first leg of the swim (Kingston to Cobourg) with is sailboat. I did my best to convince him..even wore a cute little dress to try to get my best features noticed... LOL Not sure if it worked but hey I gave it my best shot. I am just awaiting his response! Keep your fingers crossed!
(I just want to mention that my second trip to Kingston and Iroquois, I was extremely ill with Bronchial Pneumonia (?) and couldn't breath, really talk or even stand up..but again big panties were on for the good cause of our swim!) LOL
On my way home I stopped in at Cobourg for one last try at drumming up boat support! Once there, I was in my element and just chatted away with these two wonderful people at the Cobourg Marina. I guess my passion and excitement was infectious and all of a sudden I found myself being interviewed by one of Cobourg's finest newspaper journalists and in front of a camera! OMG.... Not today..not while being sick and feeling like poop! But it turned out to be one of the best pics I have taken in a long time...LOL I have attached the article he wrote about our swim..please take a look at it! It's a good one!
From that day I was invited back to Cobourg Tuesday May 14th for a meeting with the Cobourg Yacht Club to present our swim and requests! It was a room full of boaters, sailors and they were extremely proud of what we were doing and admired our commitment to success! I received a business card from a gentleman at that meeting who then put me in contact with a gentleman from Toronto, the Chair of Lake Ontario Cruising Association and who represents 22,000 boaters/sailors..He will be putting our boat request in their newsletter next week. My God..if we can't get support from a few of those boaters, we are in big trouble! LOL Keeping fingers crossed! Please cross your fingers too!
So that has been my last 3 weeks... busy, whirlwind travelling adventures! Tomorrow, Saturday May 18th I will be heading down to Toronto's Piers and Ontario Place to see if I can't get more boat support from those who will have their boats parked and enjoying this lovely long weekend! Not sure what I am going to wear..LOL but will try to make a good impression. I think that Mona and Rebekah (2 of the other swimmers on our team of 5) will hopefully be joining me..maybe if they see young ladies instead of my 47 year old body they may think twice! LOL
On Sunday I will be in the pool, trying to finally get my mojo back in the water from a long stint of being sick and not being able to train. Ihope I survive the workout! I know Coach Dean's workouts..they are brutal but that's what I need right now!
On Monday May 20th, Rebekah, Mona and myself are going to take a nice cold dip into Lake Ontario...it may only be a "wading" dip but we will see, I will have my suit on just in case we can get a chance to get our heads wet! LOL
I hope everyone has a great long weekend and while you are all enjoying this weather and drinks and just chilling, remember us... pounding the pavement for a great cause and an amazing swim coming this summer, July 2013!
Singing out for now...
Nikki
Marathon Swim Article!
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2013/05/08/marathon-swim-to-support-because-i-am-a-girl?utm_source=addThis&utm_medium=addthis_button_email&utm_campaign=Relay+will+go+from+Kingston+to+Burlington+%7C+Sports+%7C+Northumberland+Today#.UYrRpN_lg10.email
Sunday 28 April 2013
Sunday Morning!
Good Morning everyone.... just got home from early morning training... 6:00 am to 7:00 am..Long Course Training! When my alarm went off at 4:30 am this morning, it came to no surprise that I wanted to just roll over and tuck back into my blankets and continue to sleep... but instead I fought the urge to stay in bed and sleep and jumped out of bed. Cats were wondering what the heck was going on? Mommy up so early but as soon as they saw me packing my swim bag, they knew where I was going and cheered me on!
The drive in this morning was fast and furious! I didn't want to be late... I hate being late.... but of course I arrived on deck a few minutes late and all my team mates were already well into the warm up.
I got myself together (still sleepy) and dove into the water. A nice refreshing dip into the pool, a few strokes to get my barings and off I was right into the first set!
For someone who wanted to stay in bed, I made the right decision because work out was great! Felt good in the water, strong and easy strokes... like I never left! I've been off training for a week or so, due to lots of work responsibilities, so wasn't sure how I was going to swim. For those of you that know that feeling, it felt like I was "tapered" and ready to go! LOL
The main set was a great one and I felt comfortable and energized! Must have been the coffee I drank while driving to workout! Thank You Organo Gold! Love your coffee!
Workout was short today because of a Long Course Meet being held this morning..so no time to linger...get in..swim..get out and then Breakfast! I love these workouts like this! No time to think...just do!
Breakfast was fun, everyone chatting about Nationals coming up, about events happening in our swim club and as well just the general chit chat we all do on Sunday mornings over breakfast.
I am home now and full of energy... guess that means house work is going to get done today! It's early enough to do the housework and still enjoy this great sunny day we are to have!
Well until next time, keep watching, and reading.... definately more to come...Open Water Training is coming soon!
Ciao for now!
Nikki /Nicole
The drive in this morning was fast and furious! I didn't want to be late... I hate being late.... but of course I arrived on deck a few minutes late and all my team mates were already well into the warm up.
I got myself together (still sleepy) and dove into the water. A nice refreshing dip into the pool, a few strokes to get my barings and off I was right into the first set!
For someone who wanted to stay in bed, I made the right decision because work out was great! Felt good in the water, strong and easy strokes... like I never left! I've been off training for a week or so, due to lots of work responsibilities, so wasn't sure how I was going to swim. For those of you that know that feeling, it felt like I was "tapered" and ready to go! LOL
The main set was a great one and I felt comfortable and energized! Must have been the coffee I drank while driving to workout! Thank You Organo Gold! Love your coffee!
Workout was short today because of a Long Course Meet being held this morning..so no time to linger...get in..swim..get out and then Breakfast! I love these workouts like this! No time to think...just do!
Breakfast was fun, everyone chatting about Nationals coming up, about events happening in our swim club and as well just the general chit chat we all do on Sunday mornings over breakfast.
I am home now and full of energy... guess that means house work is going to get done today! It's early enough to do the housework and still enjoy this great sunny day we are to have!
Well until next time, keep watching, and reading.... definately more to come...Open Water Training is coming soon!
Ciao for now!
Nikki /Nicole
Sunday 7 April 2013
Feeling Good
Good Morning All... well it's been a week since I've been in the water and well I was thinking this morning while heading to training this morning, this is going to be a tough workout..and it was but I enjoyed it..really! Felt good in the water and felt re-energised! Maybe it has something to do with the weather today. How can you not feel good with the weather turning and the sun shining... Body is aching but it's a good ache. :-)
So yesterday Colleen and I headed down to Kingston to start our search for our boat crews for our swim.. out goal was to see as many boat owners as possible to hand out flyers and chat with them...get them excited for us and see if we could add a boat or two to our team. I left my house at 6:30 am to meet up with Colleen for 7:00'ish am.. and then we headed out at and chatted the whole way down about our swim.
Unfortunately we hit the wrong weekend.. nobody was around.. it was cold and windy... LOL I guess not knowing much about sailing and boating was a draw back for us but we still had a good day and made some half decent contacts. We found our spot to take off on our swim... Kingston's Confederation Park! It's right downtown and right in the thick of things...what a great place to have Kingston send us off on our adventure July 23rd, 2013. So I guess that the day trip was not a total loss. Shammy, Colleen's little dog came with us and slept the entire way...oh to be a dog and be pampered with tons of rest, and great driving..LOL With Marinas dead, isolate...we ended up finishing with all we set out to do by 3 pm..so back into the car we got and back home we headed.... a long day was had by all but a fun day.
So here I am now... typing away to you... telling you our adventure and every time I start typing away, I get more excited.... only 97+ days left... omg! Yipes... it's coming close! Hope you are all getting excited... I know we are....
Say tuned and keep watching... like our face book and comment where you can...let us know you are with us!
Signing off....
Nikki
The "Because Girls Can" Relay Team
So yesterday Colleen and I headed down to Kingston to start our search for our boat crews for our swim.. out goal was to see as many boat owners as possible to hand out flyers and chat with them...get them excited for us and see if we could add a boat or two to our team. I left my house at 6:30 am to meet up with Colleen for 7:00'ish am.. and then we headed out at and chatted the whole way down about our swim.
Unfortunately we hit the wrong weekend.. nobody was around.. it was cold and windy... LOL I guess not knowing much about sailing and boating was a draw back for us but we still had a good day and made some half decent contacts. We found our spot to take off on our swim... Kingston's Confederation Park! It's right downtown and right in the thick of things...what a great place to have Kingston send us off on our adventure July 23rd, 2013. So I guess that the day trip was not a total loss. Shammy, Colleen's little dog came with us and slept the entire way...oh to be a dog and be pampered with tons of rest, and great driving..LOL With Marinas dead, isolate...we ended up finishing with all we set out to do by 3 pm..so back into the car we got and back home we headed.... a long day was had by all but a fun day.
So here I am now... typing away to you... telling you our adventure and every time I start typing away, I get more excited.... only 97+ days left... omg! Yipes... it's coming close! Hope you are all getting excited... I know we are....
Say tuned and keep watching... like our face book and comment where you can...let us know you are with us!
Signing off....
Nikki
The "Because Girls Can" Relay Team
Wednesday 27 March 2013
No Wet Suits Allowed!
No Wetsuits allowed!
I'd like to welcome you to my training blog site. For some time now I have been saving my thoughts of what I wanted to say on here until the time was right.... and now the time has come.... to spill the beans!
Well it's been a long time coming, but spring has finally shown it's face and god willing..the nice weather is coming. And what does nice weather mean to 5 ladies this coming summer? Cold water training! Think of your coldest shower you have ever taken and double that coldness..and there you have it..our first training dip in Lake Ontario..... :-) You know that Brain Freeze feeling? Yup..thats' it..that feeling! LOL
My name is Nicole Mallette and I am one of the 5 ladies that will be setting a record this summer for the longest open water relay swim...Kingston to Burlington (305.2 km)... Crazy? You got it! Crazy for what we love to do and crazy in passion for the charity we are supporting!
Plan International's "Because I am a Girl" iniative is an amazing organization that is helping girls in our community, our cities, our province, our country and our World! Don't we all deserve to be given the chance to succeed? We think so and so here we are challenging our own passions and goals and sharing in the fundraising activities for a great cause!
In the coming months, you will have the opportunity to join us in our excitment as the date comes closer, the excitment builds and our team builds it's strength and passion for the challenge that lies ahead for us.
I will do my best to keep you updated with my training blog, my thoughts and "yes"...my fears. As will all of the other ladies, they will keep you posted on their progress of training, events being held in their area for fundraising and their excitment.
Until then, keep watching us... keep cheering us on and we hope to see you at the end of our successful Lake Ontario Crossing.... a summer to remember!
Nicole
I'd like to welcome you to my training blog site. For some time now I have been saving my thoughts of what I wanted to say on here until the time was right.... and now the time has come.... to spill the beans!
Well it's been a long time coming, but spring has finally shown it's face and god willing..the nice weather is coming. And what does nice weather mean to 5 ladies this coming summer? Cold water training! Think of your coldest shower you have ever taken and double that coldness..and there you have it..our first training dip in Lake Ontario..... :-) You know that Brain Freeze feeling? Yup..thats' it..that feeling! LOL
My name is Nicole Mallette and I am one of the 5 ladies that will be setting a record this summer for the longest open water relay swim...Kingston to Burlington (305.2 km)... Crazy? You got it! Crazy for what we love to do and crazy in passion for the charity we are supporting!
Plan International's "Because I am a Girl" iniative is an amazing organization that is helping girls in our community, our cities, our province, our country and our World! Don't we all deserve to be given the chance to succeed? We think so and so here we are challenging our own passions and goals and sharing in the fundraising activities for a great cause!
In the coming months, you will have the opportunity to join us in our excitment as the date comes closer, the excitment builds and our team builds it's strength and passion for the challenge that lies ahead for us.
I will do my best to keep you updated with my training blog, my thoughts and "yes"...my fears. As will all of the other ladies, they will keep you posted on their progress of training, events being held in their area for fundraising and their excitment.
Until then, keep watching us... keep cheering us on and we hope to see you at the end of our successful Lake Ontario Crossing.... a summer to remember!
Nicole
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