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Straits of Mackinac Swim: Murphy Swims On After Facing Some Hurdles
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!
Straits of Mackinac Swimmer Katrina Murphy in her Vector Pro X2 with her three young children. Katrina Murphy to Swim Straits of Mackinac in Vector Pro X2 Triathlon Wetsuit
XTERRA WETSUITS is excited to outfit Katrina Murphy in a Vector Pro X2 triathlon wetsuit during her quest to swim across the Straits of Mackinac in August, and eventually become the first woman to swim across the middle of Lake Michigan (50 miles continuous) in 2011. Katrina, 31, resides in Caledonia, Michigan, is a stay at home wife and mother of three young children whom she home schools. She will be sharing her journey with XTERRA WETSUITS in bi-monthly postings right here on the XTERRA WETSUITS Blog.
Katrina had only been training in a pool until Monday, May 10 when she did her first open water swim in the 42 degree waters of Lake Huron for 30 minutes in her Vector Pro X2. While she’s swimming 12 miles per week right now, her goal is to be swimming 33 miles per week toward the end of summer.
Until just one year ago, Katrina had little swimming background, but had dreamt of swimming across Lake Michigan since she was young. Her dream is now becoming a reality after meeting her swimming hero, and now coach, Jim Dreyer, who has successfully swum across all of the Great Lakes.
Katrina’s Straits of Mackinac swim, a prelude to Lake Michigan, is a four mile point to point swim between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. The Straits are some of the most treacherous waters in the world due to unpredictable and strong currents. She plans to make the swim August 15-19, depending on conditions.
Katrina is doing all of her swims to benefit The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She is a strong supporter of the organization and of bringing awareness to mental health illnesses. Through education, Katrina hopes to eliminate the stigma that often accompanies mental health illnesses. Consequently, she believes that more people will have the courage to come forward and ask for the help they need. Katrina’s mission is close to her heart because she tried to commit suicide in 1997. She now believes that where there is a life, there is always hope.
Get frequent updates by joining Katrina’s Facebook group Long Distance Open Water Swimming, and of course check back here regularly for Katrina’s blog postings!
Katrina Murphy will attempt to swim the Straits of Mackinac in August in her XTERRA WETSUITS Vector Pro X2 triathlon wetsuit.
Straits of Mackinac
The Straits of Mackinac from atop the Mackinac Bridge. Cody McCasland Shines For CAF
Cody McCasland, one of our favorite XTERRA WETSUITS athletes, paid a special visit to the XTERRA WETSUITS headquarters in San Diego today! Cody is a double above the knee amputee and spokesperson/multi-year grant recipient from the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Cody trains and competes in various athletic events and is an inspiration to others, including military who have returned home with amputations. Cody is in town to speak at the Triathlon Club of San Diego monthly meeting this evening with other CAF athletes. Thanks for stopping by, Cody!
Learn more about Cody at www.teamcody.com
Cody went surfing for the first time during his trip to San Diego! He was perfecting his form before catching waves in his XTERRA WETSUITS Vector Pro X2.
Being goofy with the XTERRA WETSUITS team! 
Smiles!
Cody speaking at the Triathlon Club of San Diego meeting.
Cody was just one of five CAF athletes to speak to TCSD. What an amazing group of athletes! 
Signing autographs for all of this fans. TCSD Dives Back In With XTERRA WETSUITS
Triathlon Club of San Diego hosted it's first XTERRA WETSUITS open water swims of the 2010 season on Monday, March 15 at La Jolla Shores and Friday, March 19 at La Jolla Cove in La Jolla, CA. XTERRA WETSUITS is the official sponsor of TCSD's Monday and Friday open water swims throughout the summer.
TCSD looking good at The Shores
Vector Pro X2 and Vendetta...not a bad view! 
Don Lopez - aka Calf Implants. Check out those legs! 
Kevin Koresky of finishline-multisport.com
Tracy loving her Vortex!
Why so serious?Tis The Season For (Team) Love
We love it when we hear from our sponsored clubs anytime of the year, but the holidays bring particular cheer to XTERRA Wetsuits. The University of Alabama Triathlon Team sent us a great holiday card, along with a note, which is below. Good luck during your Virtual Training Camp and happy holidays!
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On behalf of the Alabama Triathlon Team I wanted to take a moment to thank you and XTERRA for your support. I am happy to report that the bags, caps, and shirts you sent are being put to good use! We're about to enter into our "Virtual Training Camp" season, where members earn points for off season training, so we'll all be logging some pool time! I've heard from a few members that they're hoping Santa brings them some cash so they can buy a wetsuit for the 2010 season, so we'll be in touch!
Thanks again for your support.
Happy Holidays,
Dave Aurich
VP of Development & Sponsor Relations
The University of Alabama Triathlon Team
