Saturday, September 19, 2009

A great experience

Well, I made it. It's 5:00 a.m. and we just got back to the hotel. Just a quick update and thanks with more to follow after I sleep.

I actually enjoyed the majority of the swim. Hours 1-5 were good. Sometime between hour 5-6 it transitioned in a not good time that lasted until 9 hours. Hours 9-11.5 were pretty enjoyable actually. Then the last two hours were pretty tough. Official time of 13:31.21.

There were definitely times especially between hours 6-9 when I doubted I would finish, but overall, it was a great experience.

Thank you everyone for many kinds of support! The emails were wonderful!

Peace,
Mike

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS. What is it now, Sunday? You've got that well-earned "day of rest". Savor the moment and we can't wait to hear all the gorey details

Karen said...

Mike, you made that look easy! That was so cool to follow your progress all day. You'll have explain how the route works. I was surprised it's not a straight line. I too can't wait to hear all the gory details. Well done.

Anonymous said...

Way to go, Mike. Much rejoicing and thanks come your way from Angola, fella! I will spread this good news abroad here!
Blessings,
Dudley, sent from Luanda

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS on an amazing feat. We were so concerned about you at the end when it looked like you were having a difficult time getting to shore. We are elated for you!
Janet and Steve

Unknown said...

Mike and Henry:

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! It looks like Eddie did a great job of reading the currents/tides, though it sure would have been nice to hit Cape Gris-Nez... As Maxwell Smart once said, "Missed by *that* much."

So sorry I couldn't be on the boat with you, but I had a great day watching your progress! Congrats to you all -- AND to Janine and Muriel for obviously supporting your efforts.

Graeme (and Karla and Megan and Ian)

Unknown said...

Way to go Mike! I knew that you'd make it. Good work.

Unknown said...

Mike--We are all so thrilled! Congratulations! And good job being patient while you waited for the weather. I almost went nuts, but you were always calm and cool.

Henry--I can't tell you how glad I am that you were there with Dad! Thanks for the updates and all your hard work during the swim.

Graeme--Thanks for your unwavering support from home. Your comments on Facebook, etc, helped me watch the swim without resorting to panic!

Good work everybody!!--Janine

Nancy Yoeckel said...

I'm so proud of you Mike for making it the whole way! Henry did a great job of keeping everyone posted on your progress.

M said...

way to go Mike

brilliant swim...was watching all day as I kept an eye on Lisa on her two way..she is still in the water now after 30 hours!!

congratulations

Mark

Anonymous said...

Mike,that was amazing. The ability to track your progress was helpful -- almost like being there! Like everyone else we will anxiously await the rest of the story and details! Bless you!
The Houghtons

Susan (Inglis) Jero said...

Hey Mike,
Congrats! That was a lot of hard work in training and carrying it all out.

Debbie said...

I am in awe! You are an awesome swimmer, swimming an awesome distance, for an awesome cause!
It was wonderful to follow you with the tracking. I cheered for you with every new message.
Can't wait to hear more.

Debbie said...

How did the salt water effect you?

Pommi said...

Congratulations, great effort !
Are you swimming back ? Just kidding.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing effort! We tracked you nearly all day and it was just so inspiring to follow your progress. Truly incredible!

Congratulations!

Wester and Jen Wuori

Anonymous said...

Mike - Fantastic! We were in Mich visiting friends for the weekend and kept pulling up your site to see your progress. Take some time off to rest - if you can come down from the high. We hope you will tell your story sometime - can't wait to hear it. Congratulations for accomplishing your goal - we know you will make both of them.
Jan & John Bowman

dfdgiakas said...

Way to go Coach! We knew you could do it! You are and have been such an inspriation!

Andreas Giakas & The Giakas Family

Jay said...

Mike, I am so happy for you that you accomplished one of your life-long dreams. Congratulations! Great job!

Jay

Mike Solberg said...

Wow. Thanks everyone! Every single one of these comments means a lot to me. Glad you enjoyed following along and glad I could make that last blip come from the beach off Wissant!

Okay, got to work on that longer narrative now!