Book Launch & Training
A packed launch, a surprise visitor, and a training block focused on the lake.
What an amazing day Saturday was at the Simcoe branch of the Norfolk County Public Library. I was blown away by the number of people who showed up. It is so nice to see everyone. I loved reading a couple of pages from my book. What a weird yet incredible feeling.
The most unbelievable thing was when Bob Graczyk and his son showed up from the United States. Mr. Graczyk is a supervisor with the US Department of Homeland Security, and he is working closely with my team to make sure things go right on the other side of the border. We met the Graczyks at the Rotary International SlapShot Youth Conference last year, and he offered to help me if I ever did another swim. Here he was, coming all the way to Simcoe to get a signed book. That is overwhelming, to say the least. I will be very safe from Erie to the border on my swim.
Another highlight was having the swimmers I coach at NHAC come and have me sign their books. I was as excited as they were. These kids are getting very good. Thanks to Heather and all her staff for hosting the launch and having me as this year’s ambassador for the Norfolk’s Teens Write For Fun contest. It is such an honour to represent something that allows us to share our dreams and hopes with others. A huge thanks to Duane Rutter for playing for me the entire time Saturday. I hope that warmed you up for the Lake Erie marathon.
This week’s events include an appearance on CHCH Morning Live on Friday at 8:20am, so I hope you can tune in. I will also be at the Norfolk Authors’ Book Fair in Port Dover for the second stop of my Norfolk library signing tour. I will be signing and selling books, as well as some Radical Crossing swag, from 1 to 3pm Saturday afternoon. I hope to see you at the new Port Dover Branch of the NCPL. My book is also available at the Annaleise Carr Aquatic Centre, the Simcoe Branch of the NCPL, and the Waterford Museum.
Training is starting to focus and settle in now. Trent, my coach, has sped me up considerably, and I even feel it when I am running. I had an amazing run tonight after practices before and after school in the pool. I am now putting 13 to 15 hours in the pool each week plus my running and other exercises. I am also trying out for my school’s soccer team, so lots of running there too. I am very happy with where I am, but I cannot wait for the lake to thaw and warm up. I just want to get out there.
There is a school group that swims before me on Tuesday afternoons, and they have learned that I will be showing up after school for training each week. Each week something happens that is very cute and very humbling. This week some of the kids had my book there for me to sign. I love doing this for the kids and hope they are encouraged by it and want to help others. The first half hour of my workout is always funny because I spend much of it waving at the kids as they stay around to watch me swim. If any of you are reading this, thank you for making me feel so good and making me want to try even harder to be prepared to swim across the lake for Camp Trillium and for my home, Norfolk County.