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Today we chatted with a marathon swimmer who first circumnavigated Manhattan in 1991. In 1994, she crossed the English Channel, documenting her preparation in her book Dover Solo. Upon completing the Catalina Channel in 2005 Marcia Cleveland set the record for the fastest Triple Crown, a record that still stands today. And she's still swimming marathons, having completed the Tsugaru Straight just last year.

I can relate to so much to what Marcia says about the pieces all coming together and everything working out just right so that you can complete a long swim! Once you're a mom, there's a whole new meaning to "shore support" - and actually getting to the start of a swim can feel like half the battle. After that, all you have to do is swim…

While also a marathon swimming mom of two kids, I feel like I'm quite the opposite of Marcia, who has kept logs of every single training swim since she was 15 years old! In comparison, I feel like I barely prioritize swimming, but know that I revel in each opportunity that I make.

The pure fact that Marcia started marathon swimming nearly 30 years ago is amazing enough, but the fact that she pushed on with toddlers, young kids, teenagers, and now continues with kids on their way to college is completely awe inspiring to me, I hope you're also inspired!

In her own words: Marcia Cleveland has been a swimmer all her life.  After her successful age group and collegiate careers, she began swimming Masters (USMS) in her early twenties.  Shortly thereafter, she discovered Open Water Swimming, and all the tranquility and challenge it offers.  Besides competing in swims and races all over the world, Marcia holds the fastest cumulative time for the Triple Crown and is second in the Grand Slam rankings.  She is a 2020 Honoree into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.  Her book, Dover Solo, which depicts the training and preparation she did for her English Channel swim, has become a “must read” for all serious open water swimmers. Her website, DoverSolo.com, contains comprehensive information and logs for all her marathon swims.
 
Besides her personal aquatic accomplishments, Marcia instructs, advises, coaches, and certifies water enthusiasts.  She has coached open water swimmers since 1995, helping a multitude successfully achieve major long distance marathon swims. The USMS team she coaches has over 30 members. In 2018, Marcia became an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor and has certified over 50 individuals to be lifeguards in the past year. Between 1999 and 2009, Marcia served on several local and national USMS swimming committees and was the Chair of the USMS Open Water Long Distance Committee for 4 years.  She currently offers personal training, clinics, and coaching for swimmers at all levels, as well as ARC Lifeguard Certification, including CPR, AED, & First Aid Training. She is lives in the Chicago, Illinois, USA area with her husband, Mark Green and their two children.


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Music credit:

Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer T

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