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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories we chat with Colleen Blair about being practically born swimming to a family of swimmers, facing your demons, swimming a mile and a half in 5 hours, and so much more!

In her own modest words: I have been swimming outdoors for 35 years, swims include the North Channel, North Minch, SCAR (x2), Loch Ness


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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 Todd Lantry.

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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories we talked to long time marathon swimmer Kris Rutford about the process, being committing to your commitment, how the same swim can always be different, and much more!

In his own words: I have been swimming my entire life.  It is really the only sport I have ever participated in.   I swam for the University of Nebraska 1977-1981 as a sprinter.   After college I continued to swim just to stay in shape and then suggested to a friend that “anybody can swim the English Channel”.  Needless to say, he took that as a challenge and successfully completed the Channel in 1986 with me as his trainer.  We reversed roles and I completed the English Channel in 1988.  That was my first “marathon swim”.   Having met another swimmer in Dover who suggested I try the swim around Manhattan, I became curious and as luck would have it made my first trip to NY and swam around the island 3 weeks later.  So that is proof that there was some sort of marathon swimming community back in the 80s, it just happened by word of mouth – no internet, Facebook, Zoom or cell phones.  Now 32 years later I have completed the Manhattan swim 23 times, every one of them different.  In 1995 I was the first person to complete the Manhattan Island swim clockwise.  In 2016 I finally got to the west coast and did the Catalina Island swim to complete the Triple Crown some 28 years after the first 2 legs.   

In my day job I am a CPA employed as a tax accountant for a local public accounting firm.


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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 Todd Lantry.

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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories, we hear from Kellie Latimer. We talk about swamped kayaks, embracing the process, the realities of living in a COVID-19 hot spot and so much more!

In her own words: Kellie learned how to swim in the chilly waters of Casco Bay, Maine. After 15 years competing in the pool and a brief detour into the world of triathlon, she discovered marathon swimming. Her most recent marathon swimming accomplishment was completing a Boston Light Swim Double in June of 2019.


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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 Todd Lantry.

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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories, I chat with Cindy Werhane about finding yourself in your swims, falling apart after pushing through hard times, tough responsibilities during trying times, and so much more!

In her own words: Cindy identifies as an Oregon swimmer despite growing up in the Midwest. She swims to explore, both the physical world and her internal selves. She enjoys leading and mentoring, with the goal that the next generation of swimmers far surpasses anything she's accomplished.


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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, Todd Lantry.

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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories with Janine Serell we talk about finding joy, fighting the current, social swimming, and so much more!

In her own words: Janine is an adult onset swimmer, who started at age 47 with 1 mile in the Hudson River and hasn't stopped jumping in with a smile on her face since.  She has completed many swims in the NYC area including Ederle, Stages 1, 3, 4, and 6 of 8 Bridges, and circumnavigation of Manhattan.  She loves to crew and observe if she's not swimming and has been fortunate enough to do this for many of her friends in waters here and abroad.  Currently she's a retired snowbird living outside Charleston SC October thru May and spends the summers living with family in NY and traveling to swims.


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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, Todd Lantry.

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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories, we chat with marathon, ice swimmer, journalist, writer, and editor, Elaine Howley! We talk about swimming for your life, peer pressure, trusting your training, and so much more!

In her own words: Elaine K. Howley is a life-long swimmer who began marathon swimming in 2006 with the 8-mile Boston Light Swim. She has since completed the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming and the Triple Crown of Monster Swims. In 2014, she became the first person to complete a 32.3-mile solo crossing of Lake Pend Oreille in Northern Idaho. She was also the first woman to complete the 24-mile 3X Boston Light Swim. When she's not swimming, Elaine is a freelance journalist, writer, and editor.


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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 Todd Lantry.

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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories we chat with Suzie Dods, about not being able to sleep after a long swim, the importance of your crew, training tips, and so much more!

In her own words, Suzie is a 60 year old swimmer, Triple Crown Swimmer, and founder of the 24 Hour Relay in San Francisco.


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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, Todd Lantry.

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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories Molly tells us about training for channel swims in the pool, wanting to quit, staying in the moment, open water swimming as a metaphor for life, and so much more!

In her own words, Molly Nance is a marathon open water swimmer from Lincoln, Nebraska. Her major swims include the 36-mile END_WET swim in North Dakota, SCAR in Arizona, the Alligator Lighthouse swim in Florida, Swim Around Charleston, the Rose Pitonoff swim in New York and she was the first woman to swim the 22-mile St. Lucia Channel. Molly is race director for the Cornhusker State Games Open Water Swimming event with races from 1 mile to 10K. She and her kayaker husband Paul have a daughter Audrey, and a Boston terrier, Trudy (named for Gertrude Ederle). Molly also has a day job, working as Director of Communications for the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska.


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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, Todd Lantry.

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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories with Mark Spratt, we talk about Mark's huge resume of swims, racing instead of training, when you swear that you'll never do another marathon swim and then you realize that you've done 43! Handling that point that you want to quit, and so much more!

In his own word: Swimming has been a part of Mark Spratt’s life ever since he taught himself to swim at age four. For most of his swimming career Mark was a pool swimmer focusing on sprints and middle-distance stroke events. Mark has been competing in open water swims since 1991, initially focused on shorter races such as the La Jolla Rough Water Swim. Over the last 8 years Mark has added longer races to his calendar. In 2013 Mark swam his first channel, the 17.5 mile Ederle Swim, between New York City and New Jersey. When Mark landed on the Sandy Hook Beach, he figured the Ederle would be his last marathon swim but that was not to be. 43 marathon swims later he keeps signing up for the insane swims. Mark have completed two legs of the Marathon Swimming Triple Crown (Manhattan Island and the Catalina Channel) and scheduled to attempt the English Channel in 2020.

Away from the water, this 64-year-old works as the Controller for Indiana Correction Industries, a division of the Indiana Department of Correction. Mark also loves reading, buying shoes, and eating hamburgers.


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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, Todd Lantry.

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In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories, I talked with Christopher Graefe about returning to swimming after a 20 year hiatus, swimming success, why it's a good idea to stop sometimes, and our love of the open water community.

In his own words: Christopher Graefe is an open water swimmer residing in Boston, Massachusetts. A childhood age group and collegiate varsity swimmer, Christopher had been swimming most of his life before taking a sizable hiatus up until the age of 40, when he discovered open water. Building off a few shorter Caribbean events, Christopher quickly fell in love with the sport and has participated in events and solos all around the US since 2015. As with many swimmers in the open water community, Christopher loves the friends he’s made through the sport, and the support so many of us give one another through our unique goals and pursuits. He looks forward to brighter days ahead when we’re all back in the water and chasing down those dreams… or just LOVING being able to swim…. once again.


If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:[email protected]

Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com

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, Todd Lantry.

Support the show