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61 Year Old Attempts To Swim 103 Miles – Diana Nyad

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61 year old Diana Nyad set out to swim from Cuba to Florida.  This 103 mile swim would prove to be too treacherous at this moment in time.

While Diana didn’t complete all 103 miles she did claim that this time around

it’s easier than last year. I think the base is so strong. … I have that year-and-a-half behind me so I’ve just gotten stronger and bigger. I feel that I just touch the water and I’m flying through it.

   While Nyad had been an Olympic hopeful in her teens, a virus which affected her heart washed that dream away.  Soon after, she found her love of long distance swimming and became the first person to swim across Lake Onterio.
    Diana quickly became number 1 on marathon swimming.  Next she crushed the 50 year record for swimming around manhattan.   She held that record for another 20 years.
    Among her many achievements lurked failures too.  The English Channel proved to be a huge challenge.  Her 3 attempts failed.
    At 29 she set out to concour Cuba to Florida.  While it wasn’t the ending she hoped for, her next (and last swim) was.  Bimini to Florida was a success.  With that she ended her career and retired.
    For the next 30 years she didn’t swim a stroke.  Not in the lake, not in the pool, not even for fun.  Her failed attempt at Cuba remained in the depths of her past.
    At 60, she looked in the mirror and knew she had it in her to try again.  This time the rough, changing seas wouldn’t have her swimming in circles.  The rules and the dangers were clear .

What Nyad cannot do for the swim to be officially recorded is to use a wetsuit or fins or any type of flotation device. She can’t hold onto the boat, and her handlers cannot prop her up in the water.

Observers will represent the International Swimming Hall of Fame, the World Open Water Swimming Association and FINA, the international governing body for aquatic sports.

If successful, Nyad’s swim will be the longest unassisted ocean swim.

Stoll will coordinate the escort boat and keep time to ensure Nyad is taking breaks about every 90 minutes, though the swimmer would opt to go longer.

Sharks are a concern, as are jellyfish, and particularly the Portuguese Man ‘o War, but it’s dehydration that is top of mind and reason for the scheduled breaks (source).

     While the swim had to be ended due to extreme exhaustion, hallucinations, and other life threatening conditions.  Diana is still a hero.  While she never reached the U.S. soil her courageous attempt still made history regardless of the outcome.  To women and men of the world, this should be a reminder that you are never too old to conquer your fears and break your own physical and mental challenges.
Adria Ali
DISCLAIMER: The purpose of FitTipDaily.com is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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