Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

I repeat it to myself in times of great challenge, whether physical or mental. I even have it engraved on the cover of one of my Bibles. It will need to be my mantra over the next 8 months as I attempt a challenge of a lifetime.

Over the last year, I’ve had a persistent itch in the back of my mind. A feeling I know I won’t be able to ignore. God won’t let me ignore it. I know this because it’s a feeling I’ve had in the past that has led me to things I could have never imagined possible. I feel this call to prone paddle. To prone paddle across the channel. 32 miles from Catalina Island to the Manhattan Beach pier. Across the open Pacific.

This will take dedication and sacrifice, discipline and focus, and, above all faith. To paddle out into the open, if possible.

I say if possible because the Catalina Classic isn’t just open to any Joe Shmoe, you have to qualify. Am I even good enough? Could I even last? Those two questions I won’t know until the time comes closer. Why am I doing this? I’m drawn to things that push me and test me. That draws out of me the better characteristics. This paddle is not easy, and it will require a lot of me before I even take part in my first race.

I want to bring you all along on this journey. Maybe you want to take on a challenge and might find my training thoughts useful. I’d also like to record this journey for myself. It’s always when we look back we can see the path we’ve taken. In a year’s time, I’d like to see the path I’ve traveled, especially in this instance.

What is my training plan going to look like and how often will I post? Well, I’ll post every Monday evening. The perfect way to relax after getting back to work on Monday. I have three paddles a week planned and will post about them the following Monday evening. I’ll share with you maps, pace and time information, thoughts on each day’s paddle, and photos. I don’t have a GoPro at the moment so photo content will be from the shore either before or after the paddles.

I’ll also share other information like weight training, runs, and general food logs. I hope that sharing all this information will help you in your own physical and mental training. Speaking of mental training, I’ll also share with you books I listen to or read throughout my training that I feel will help strengthen your mental resilience, another important factor needed to level up your life in any industry or area.