For Carol

Spring is my favorite season of the year. It’s a time of awakening. It’s a time of wonder. And it’s a time of new beginnings…

from: ctrcarter@comcast.net
to: srhernan@gmail.com
date: Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 4:10 PM
subject: Joining you for a swim

Hi Steve:

I wanted to introduce myself, I’m Carol Carter, because hopefully I can join you for a swim at L1. I have been following your site since the new year. I have been pool swimming for quite some time now and want to venture into the lake. I plan on swimming in July for Swim Across America and hopeful in SF in October for a swim. Big dreams for someone you has never open water swam before. I could use your advice, I’m getting a wetsuit a Blue Seventy is what they carried at the swim shop by me, also, a cap and socks. Is there anything else that I may need for the cold. I was hopeing it would be warmer but I’m getting itchy to see if I can manage the lake. I’m getting tired of the the pool and want a new challenge. I missed your session on swimming for a triathlon, and how to use the cold to your advantage or something like that. I live in the far southwestern suburbs and want to be able to join you on the first week in April. I’m going to stay with a few who lives by the zoo so I can join you early. I’m glad you are a lifeguard, so hopefully I won’t need your services. But I’m afraid of the cold since I’m use to a pool and need to get over that fear. Also, I’m training for a Triathlon in June in Naperville if I can learn how to run by then, I may be walking it if need be. Any advice you can offer would be much appreciate.

Thanks,

Carol

Of course I can help! We all can. And we’d be delighted to have you join us out in the lake – just come on out!

And she did…

  • Carol, on March 31st, 2009 at 4:24 pm Said: Edit Comment
  • Hi Steve:
    I ‘m sorry to admit it, but I will not be joining you on Saturday for my first swim. I’m to chicken, its just to cold and after seeing those waves from last week, it has really scared me, but I will be there in 3 weeks. I ordered the thermal shirt and need to get all my other items. Thanks for all your tips.

  • srhernan, on April 1st, 2009 at 10:02 am Said: Edit Comment

    Hi Carol! Thanks for the reminder – I need to get a new thermal shirt as well. Just come on out whenever you can!

  • diver dave, on April 1st, 2009 at 12:02 pm Said: Edit Comment

    !!! that is not a sea gull in the photo… it was me surfing the waves off ladder one and catching some air off a killer wave ! ! !
    Caorl
    in 3 weeks the water will be 70-75 degrees and there will be no need for wetsuits or thermal shirts. so you might as well cancel your order.

  • Carol, on April 17th, 2009 at 12:50 pm Said: Edit Comment

    Oh Dave, to late, I brought all my gear and will see you tomorrow bright and early. You guys are going to have to swim a little slower, so I can keep up!

  • diver dave, on April 17th, 2009 at 4:26 pm Said: Edit Comment

    Hi Carol
    it is easy to tell Chris and me apart because Chris loves to wear his lime green bikini and thigh high red leather 6 inch heeled boots. Chris says they not only keep him warm but the also make his legs look long and sexy….. he refuse to buy water proof make up so he looks like a racoon when the water hits his mascara and eye shadow.
    i just wear basis black because it is slimming and with all of this brown fat i am carrying i need all the help i can get….. ha ha ha….
    i hope to see you there diver dave

  • Carol, on April 17th, 2009 at 5:02 pm Said: Edit Comment

    I will be there, don’t leave without me since I have never done this before and I need alot of help!

  • srhernan, on April 17th, 2009 at 6:04 pm Said: Edit Comment

    I’m out of town tomorrow (bummer!) so take lots of pics. I might make it out Sunday morning. though. Have a blast!

  • Carol, on April 19th, 2009 at 10:38 am Said: Edit Comment
  • It was fantastic! I can’t wait to do it again. I think I’m going to be hooked. I have a ton of pictures, my girlfriend took amazing shots!!!

  • srhernan, on April 20th, 2009 at 8:32 am Said: Edit Comment

    Send us those shots, and keep coming out – it’s only going to get better as summer sets in!

And it did…

And it was wonderful…

7 Replies to “For Carol

  1. Carol was an amazing woman with unlimited goals and ambitions She is truly an inspiration to all of us especially on this chilly April morning. This was a beautiful message from Carol and thanks for sharing.

  2. Carol was very determined to get the hang of open water swimming . she mastered swimming a straight line ( at times she beat the hell out of chris by swimming into and over him on the way to the beach and back untill she got good at it) at first she was praying for flat water but learned to swim and enjoy the monster choppy waves and current. and last but not least she overcame her fear of swimming in the COLD water.
    post the photos of her trying out the scuba gear…

  3. Steve and all,

    This email exchange is precious.

    I was blessed to watch her first and last swim with all of you. Every time I see Ladder 1 – I think of Carol’s huge smile and the joy she found swimming in that open water.

    God Bless,

    Mary Rose

  4. I had heard so much about Carol’s Open Water Chicago experiences, but these email exchanges and the photos of her “taking flight” are precious. Thank you to Steve, Laura, and Carol’s entire Open Water Chicago family for being opening the path to her swansong. I hope to see you all this July in SAA as Team Carol!!

  5. Beautiful–thanks, Steve. At the burial mass this morning, the priest spoke about the symbolism of swimming and water in life and how much swimming meant to Carol. I hope she knew how much she meant to us.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *