Just Believe!

Dreams do come true

Well she did it! My soul sister Danielle Maham swam her race! AND some! It was the most spectacular thing I've ever seen. I am elated to let you know she finished the entire course on her own! No fins, no snorkel, no relay team. Just her shear determination to just do it.

What did this get her? 

My Hero!

For we regular folks, 3rd place Individual Female Overall at the 1st Annual Swim For Alligator Lighthouse.

For her, I cannot even begin to imagine what she experienced spiritually, physically, or psychologically.  

What I can tell you, however, is that she is "powerful beyond belief!" And that, my friends, is something in and off itself.

Alligator Lighthouse

For me, Alligator Lighthouse will always be near and dear to my heart. Forever it will symbolize the beacon of hope and inspiration that is within each and everyone one of us. 

On this the first day of fall I have a greater sense of appreciation for life.  What a privilege to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, and to love! 

For  God's love shines in each one of us. 

All we have to do is JUST BELIEVE!

Team Maham in the House!

Fear has no place in our hearts

The Volvo is ready!

As many of you know, my sister Danielle Maham will attempt her first 8 mile swim this coming Saturday. Needless to say, Team Maham is both excited and scared. (Want to read my first blog about this adventure, click here)

Why? Because it's just CRAZY! Really, let's be serious. Who in their right mind would even think of such a stupid ass thing! 

Well, my sister Danielle is just that crazy! And, I didn't even flinch to jump at the opportunity to support her craziness! No I didn't! 

What did I do?

• I bought a kayak for two. 
• I bought a car rack. 
• I broke Lesley's mirror trying to unload the stupid kayak. 
• I bought a roof rack for my car so as not to destroy Lesley's car again. 
• I bought a hitch and had it installed on my car.
• I bought a Kayak Loader so I could load the beast onto my car alone. 
• I bought PFD's for two adults so I could throw one to D when she gets eaten alive by too those jellyfishes. 
• I bought numerous straps to tie down the kayak onto the roof. (Took about four sets to finally find the "right" one!)

But that's not the point. The point is we are just two days away from this crazy ass event and I can't stop dreaming about it! 

What if:

•  The rain doesn't stop. (It's been raining since last Saturday. Come on Mother Nature, play nice!)
• The waves are too big? Really...I've never kayaked big waves before. I kayaked two weeks ago and the waves were a foot and my little tank wobbled all over the place.SCARY!
• There are sharks circling the field. Soups on!
• The jellyfishes just won't go away. (Danielle gave the course a try two weeks ago and got eaten alive by those little bastards.)
• I can't kayak 8 miles. 
• I can't kayak open waters.
• I can't save my sister in her time of need. 

But that's not the point either! 

To quote Marianne Williams: 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

The point is...there is no room for fear in our hearts because God's light shines deep within each and every one of us. 

Team Maham is in the house! 

Watch out "What if's" cause we are doing to give you some serious ass whipping!

Team Maham - 1st Open Water Kayak Training

Snowden's Dam

First Open Water Kayak Trip

Today marked the second kayak training session for Team Maham. What a spectacular adventure! 

For those who aren't familiar with my new training plan, my sister Danielle Maham is attempting an 8 mile swim from Islamorada to Alligator Reef Lighthouse. Below is a map of the course. The race will allow swimmers to complete the course within 6 hours. 

For Team Maham, it means being prepared to kayak without stopping for up to 6 hours. For me, as a newbie, it means time to build paddling endurance. And what better way to cross train for Dopey than to Kayak like a fean.

Course Map

But let me back track a bit...

Last week was my first kayak trip. And to tell you the truth, I wasn't really prepared.  I knew I needed to wear a swim suit and flip flops. Bring a bottle of water, a hat, my sunglasses, and a towel. Other than that, I had NO IDEA what was in store for me. If you like to read about this adventure click here.

But I'm a quick learner and after the inaugural session I knew I had some work to do.

As soon as I got home I began my education. I researched till I found Old Yeller. She's a Crescent Splash II.  She sits three; came with two seats, and two paddles! She's perfect! 

As you can see, Grant jumped right in and began to row. 

A big thank you goes out to Manny for helping me with my new love! Grant thinks you're the bomb! And Lesley, says thank you for helping me buy yet another toy (wink).


Now back to today's event...

Today was my first open water trip. This time I was better prepared. I had Old Yeller. I had a cooler filled with healthy treats, several bottles of water, coconut water, and endurolytes. I had my brand new PFD. I had a brand new paddle leash so I won't loose it in case I fall out of the boat. I had my car keys and cell phone in my brand new air tight containers. I had cargo straps to tie the kayak down. And best of all I had Lesley's car, which has a roof rack, to transport the kayak. I was all set! Or so I thought...

Seeing how I was the first to arrive at the launching site, I thought I'd get myself started and bring down the kayak on my own. Might as well right... 

I quickly untied the straps, moved the kayak into position then BANG! Down it came! Smashing onto the side mirror, and breaking off the antenna. Ops! 

Sorry Lesley...I promise I will fix it as soon as the body shop opens on Monday! 

SORRY!!!!

I guess I have to start working on building some more upper body strength to move this beast on my own. 


But the day must go on...

Shortly after my embarrassing moment, Manny and Alba arrived barring gifts! EMPANADAS de Carne! YUMMY! Thanks guys! I'll eat this later. 

Beef Empanada...YUMMY!

Within minutes they had their boats offloaded with no incidence. Amazing how efficient things go when there is more than one, eh.

Kayaks in the water! Off we went...What a beautiful day for open water rowing; calm waters, low breeze, sunny skies, low tide. It was PERFECT! 

Manny pointed to this spec off to the distance and said that was our first goal. Let's get started! And so we did...

Our first target..Chicken Key (1.5 miles from start)

Manny makes it to Chicken Key first

We made it to Chicken Key too!

Once at Chicken Key we took a few minutes to stretch our legs, drink some water, and enjoy the view. 

Next stop, further north to a special little hide away called Hidden Lake. 

Ok Team Captain...point the way!

Where oh where can this little lake be..

So one of the things about this kayak is that it's supposed to be a stand up paddle board.  Let's just find out shall we! 

WOOHOO!!! Look at me! I'm paddling boarding!

Bucket List #2 - Done...sort of

Hidden Lake...

We arrived at our second goal. But secret entrance through mangrove canal was nowhere to be found. I guess we'll have to search for it another time.

This is 3.5 miles into our trip.

Hidden Lake is hiding from us..where are you?

Time to head back...boohoo!

Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right..keep on going!

Notice the sky? It's dark. Notice the water?  It's rough.  Notice my posture?  I'm tense. Why? Because there is this BIG ASS STORM right behind us! 

We can no longer see the shoreline. 

We hear BOOM! BANG! ROLL!  What's that you say...it's THUNDER! LIGHTNING!

Manny calmly says...storm's coming! Time to go!

I look at my Garmin and see we have 3 miles to go. Oh SHIT! I can't outrun a storm. 

New mantra...Keep Calm and Keep Paddling! Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right...

OH SHIT...I'm getting pulled to the right...Right, Right, Right, Right. 

OH SHIT...I'm getting pulled to the left...Left, Left, Left, Left.

Then, all of a sudden the skies open and I'm getting pounded by rain! 

But wait...That feels AWESOME! 

It's just like running in the rain!  I love this sport!

Notice I'm still smiling!

Well, the adventure ends with lots of great memories, big smiles, and wonderful new realizations. I am so blessed!

Thank you Alba and Manny for being you! I am truly lucky to know you both! 

Thank you Danielle for being crazy enough to try this epic swim! 

Thank you Lesley for being so loving and not wigging out when I came home with a broken car.  Yes you were right...it was bound to happen.

Thank you Mother Nature for teaching me how to stay calm and row in the now! The weather will always change and all we can do is be with it.  

Want to see the map of today's adventure? Just click on the picture below and it will take you to my Garmin Connect. 

epic kayaking