This is the second in a series of blog entries by Katrina Murphy, who is going to swim the Straits of Mackinac in August 2010 wearing an XTERRA WETSUITS Vector Pro X2 Fullsuit.

Being a home school mom of three young children, having a passion for swimming and my work toward the cause of suicide prevention and mental health awareness can, at times, be a juggling act. It is so hard to find the time I need to excel at my sport. I am trying to find that happy medium. I got into the water today after having almost two weeks off due to family priorities. As frustrating as that is, when I got in the water is was a breath of fresh air, literally!

This was the first time I got to really get a good idea of how much I truly love my Vector Pro X2. Open water swimming in still somewhat new to me, and so is the need for a wetsuit. I am just so amazed by the buoyancy and comfort of the suit. Since I am swimming for long distances and not for speed, pulling the suit off in a hurry is not a big deal. But, I have to admit, I love how quick it comes off. Thank heavens because it still takes me 15 minutes to get the thing on. If there was ONE thing that in my eyes would make the suit perfect...fish repellent! There is just something about fish swimming directly under me that is just unnerving to me. I am not a fan of water creatures! I thought fish were suppose to be scared of us?

Open water swimming has been such an eye opener to me. No lap lanes, no telling by looking in the water where you are at, trying to figure out exactly how far I have swam and the taste of fresh lake water with the hint of rotting fish. Ahh, I am not sure what I like better, the chlorine or the dead fish taste. But I do love it, it is peaceful, freeing and other than some blue gill swimming under me it is relaxing.

One more thing that I realized this week is how much work I have to do to be ready for the currents of the Straits of Mackinac this August. But the cause of suicide prevention and mental health awareness is always in the front of my mind and it makes the hard work worth it all.

You can check me out on my fund raising page and on Facebook at Long Distance Open Water Swimming .

Thanks again XTERRA WETSUITS for the amazing suit and in turn a better swim!