One Arm in Front of the Other
HAITI — “Do you have any last-minute advice?” I asked Diego Lopez, the globally ranked ultra distance swimmer who was here to crush this event.
“One arm in front of the other,” he said.
“And follow the guy in the canoe?”
“That, too.”
A total of 23 swimmers who signed up for the 10K Swim for Haiti 2018 hopped on the boat this a.m. Another 75 local and international swimmers participated in the 1.5k along the shore. There were two categories - assisted and unassisted - so that those who needed props in the form of fins or snorkels could use them if it helped them finish.
The 10k group consisted of first-time distance swimmers like me to men and women who did the Ironman to an Olympic sprinter (in a distance race) to a global swimmer who is planning on doing (crazy) long courses this year on seven continents. And one of the local’s favorites was Naomy Grand’Pierre, a University of Chicago student and sprinter. While this event distance wise is not her strong suit, she’s here to promote swimming to Haitians kids, and hopes to represent Haiti in the next Olympics.
Naomy and the event coordinators documented our incredible event by taking a ton of photos from check-in to the finish line and after-party. While on the boat ride out to our 10K starting point, Naomy and I both paused from chatting, looked out in the massive bay, then back at each other with wide eyes.
“I think we both just shared a baby-panic moment.”
She was correct.
I didn’t realize that I wouldn’t be able to see land. It would be just me, the water and my Creole-speaking canoe escort as well as some jellyfish and hopefully nothing more.
When we reached the island, we were paired with our canoe leads. Vincent took my hand and led me to his canoe. Naomy translated to him, “Sunscreen,” and she pointed to it. “She needs a lot of it.”
We heard the whistle blow and set off as a group. We had to communicate with our drivers via a limited number of hand signals. I had no idea how to stay on course, so Vincent whistled at me a few times, and eventually we got it right. I spent half the time on the right of him, but the sun in my eyes was killing me, so after one of three short water breaks, I hopped on his left. That’s when I started to pick up the mark on the mountain that we were told to look for. I felt relieved and started picking up my pace.
But the mark didn’t get any bigger anytime soon. I must have said, “You are almost there,” almost 100 times. Sea lice introduced themselves a few times with little pricks in my forehead. I avoided jellyfish, but hit some plastic garbage and some seaweed and coconuts. When I spotted the red balloon buoy, I knew I was much closer, but still it felt like so much work to get the balloon to grow.
Whether or not he knew it, Vincent pushed me. I didn’t want to stop for the final water break, but I also did not know what would happen in the third hour if I didn’t stop for a break. Did I need more water? More sunscreen? Fuel?
Three hours and some change later, I hit the red buoy and it was a straight line to the beach. I started to wonder what would happen when I stood up, wondering if I would fall over or pass out. I’d remembered that I’d given my phone to a new friend named Margaret, who was about to video me so it was best if I found a way to stay on my feet. Bill, a swimmer friend who had given me some tips, was waiting with his wife Ellen. I couldn’t see any of these folks as I swam in around a bunch of kids who were splashing around in the shallow water. “Maureen...Maureen...this way!” It was Ellen’s voice. Even though I still couldn’t see her between the sun and sunscreen in my eyes, I went toward her voice, raised my googles and made it to her. Ellen draped the medal around my neck. Bill told me that I did a nice job.
Diego Lopez, aka Global Swimmer, finished his 10K in 2 hours and 28 minutes without stopping once. He hopped out of the water with a smile. Jim Chu, the founder of Swim for Haiti, said that he worked his butt off as his kayaker just to keep Diego on pace out front. Within minutes of accepting his medal, Diego showered and hopped into a car that was waiting to take him back to the Port-au-Prince airport. After arriving 24 hours ago, he caught the next flight back to NYC so that he could get back to work on time for Monday a.m. My new friend and inspiration, Devon Peavoy, a lawyer from Halifax, Nova Scotia, finished in 2:53 (fastest female). Bill Ireland, my helper this week from SoCal finished exactly as he hoped, coming in at three hours. Naomy, who also rushed off to the airport since she has to be in class at the University of Chicago tomorrow at 1 pm, finished in 3:08.
I am proud to say I finished in 3:21.
It’s been an incredible “first 10K swim” experience for me. Making it all the more memorable was having completed it in Haiti, a country that has been ravaged, abandoned and written-off by too many. People from around the world paid to make the trip and support the cause and local economy. Both local and foreign medics in particular were the greatest source of inspiration for me because almost all of them volunteered to make sure we were safe.
I do hope I can convince those who have followed to join Swim for Haiti 2018 next year or to do something similar in a country that needs tourism and support as much as disaster relief.
After chugging two ginger ale once I got out of the water, I showered and slept for a short time. Maybe 20 minutes. I was excited to go out and celebrate at the bar with my friends. I ordered two more ginger ale and chugged them both. I asked around about where Diego was and somebody said, “He’s on a plane back to New York.” I messaged him on Facebook. “Where in the world are you, Diego?”
He messaged me: “Back in NYC. Just landed.”
Before I settle in for dinner with my new swim friends, I just wanted to post a few photos and thank you all for the love and encouragement. We did it.
