This swim was an epic swim to say the least. I got to Deer
Creek at about 6:30 and got my race packet. I went over to the restroom to get
changed and to start to get ready. Lang showed up and we got the boat ready to
go. I gave him some instructions on what I wanted for my feedings and that I
wanted to keep them to about a minute or less and about every 45 minutes. I had
a chance to talk to Goody for a bit as well as Greg and a few other swimmers
that I know. We made our way into the water and had to wait for another paddler
to show up then the timers were sorting out a problem. So we had more time to
talk to the 10 mile swimmers. Everything and everybody was ready and the horn
sounded to start. I started off at a slow pace trying to get into a good rhythm
and before I knew it I was at the 5k turn around marker I was feeling really
good at this point and my first feeding went off fast. As I swam past the 10k
turn around marker I looked up to sight and saw a boat come speeding by really
close to us and the wake capsized the gal that was in a canoe. Lang got to
shore to help her get going again and I just kept swimming along. I made it to
the marker that said Keep Going on it and took another feeding, by this time my
left shoulder had started to get really sore I just kept saying over and over
in my head Keep Calm Swim Strong I made the turn at the 10 mile turn around
point and at that time I had done something I have never done before. I had swum
farther in open water than I have ever swum before. The 2 miles back to the 10k
turnaround marker were the hardest 2 miles I have ever swam the chop was
getting bad and the current was coming straight on to me. I made it to the
marker and just kept pushing myself. Before I knew it I was back to the 5k turn
around marker and other than my shoulder hurting I was feeling great. At the
last turn marker I took my last feeding this one took a little longer because I
tried to stretch out my back and shoulder, I had about a mile to go and I was
going to finish this thing in under 6 hours (that was my goal) I passed Goody
as he was coming into the marker and he told Lang I’m coming for you Ricky
Bobby. Lang told me what he had said and then I poured it on I left everything
I had in the water, as I rounded the last corner I saw my wife and Kids cheering
me on. I started to smile from ear to ear and I hit the finish marker. I had done
it I swam 10 miles in less than 6 hours my time was 5 hours 18 minutes. I took
my sweet time getting out of the water I got out and got my finisher medal and
waited for Goody to finish. I had a great swim I got to swim with a world
record holder for a crossing of Bear Lake as well as two of the only 3 to cross
the English Channel from Utah, my friend Goody Tyler that amazed the open water
community with his Catalina channel swim and I got to see all but 2 of my open
water buddy’s and just marked off another one of my goals. This week it’s the Width
Crossing of Bear Lake.
Way to go Chad! I could NEVER do that!
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