I came across the image above while searching for the number nine, and was struck by how appropriate it is for today's blog. No matter where you start in New York, you have to travel Rt. 9 to get to Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow*. For the past three months, my teammates and I have come from all directions, from Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, to prepare for the morning when we will take the long way to Kingsland Point Park and the finish line of the Hudson River Swim for Life. Now, that morning is only 9 days away!
The drive down Rt. 9 sometimes seems longer than the practices themselves. The anticipation for the challenges the river might offer up builds as the miles fly pass. However, the anxiety dissipates once when we see our teammates. Waking up early on weekend mornings to swim several miles at a time in the Hudson takes a special kind of person. I am always amazed at how committed, compassionate and, let's face it, crazy, our team is. We come from all walks of life, various ages and fitness levels. Some are gregarious, others shy. Some goof around to prepare for practice, others stretch or do yoga, but we all have one goal in mind, to conquer the river and kick cancer's butt.
In nine days this team of people, who months ago were strangers, will enter the water in Nyack together and will head toward Sleepy Hollow where friends and families will gather to cheer each of us, as we cross the finish line. After hugs and kisses and maybe a sandwich we will head home to showers and naps along Rt. 9, knowing we will never be the same.
You can help me make it across my personal finish line by donating at http://pages.teamintraining.org/wch/Hudson12/emilyg.
*Unless you live in Sleepy Hollow, obv. ;)
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