Go Grandma. You can do it if you try!

Meet Pat Gallant-Charette, a native of Maine, Westbrook resident, University of Southern Maine graduate, wife, mother, sister, grandmother and full time nurse. In her spare time fifty-eight year old Pat is a long-distance swimmer preparing to take on the English Channel in August 2011. Success was snatched from her grasp in July of 2008 and 2009, Pat is very determined to triumph next time in August of 2011. In July of 2008, after swimming 16 hours in the Channel, with the lights in French homes encouraging her and still feeling strong, Pat had fought impenetrable currents for four hours just 1.7 miles from the finish when her boat crew elected to end the attempt. While Pat had made it across … and that was a dream come true … the ultimate challenge had eluded her. It is still her long-distance swim goal! In 2009, prevaling winds prevented Pat from starting her second attempt of the English Channel. Pat returned to Maine determined to return to England for another attempt. She came late to the Gallant-Charette swimming club. Her son Tom was on the Westbrook High School swim team and her youngest brother, Robbie Gallant twice won the 2.4 mile Peaks Island to Portland swim. Robbie, just 34, was a loving husband and devoted father to three-year old Christopher when he suffered a fatal heart attack eleven years ago. Soon after Robbie’s untimely death, Pat’s son Tom said, “Ma, I’d like to swim the Peaks to Portland as a tribute to Uncle Robbie.” “Tom, that is so sweet. I wish I could do the same,” Pat replied. Looking at her encouragingly, Tom said, “You could, if you tried”. That spark fired Pat’s resolve to swim Peaks … a lap at a time. At the age of forty-six her fitness regime had consisted mainly of walking, but with a regular workout schedule at the local pool, Pat gradually built up her endurance. She met the qualifying requirements for the Peaks to Portland swim the following year. We can only imagine her emotions on finding her young nephew Christopher waiting for her at the end of that swim. Pat continues to enter the Peaks to Portland every year and Christopher, now 14, cheers her on. That success encouraged her to seek other goals, including a double crossing of Big Sebago Lake (12 miles) where stroke by stroke Pat repeated her mantra “You could, if you tried”. Next came the Great Chesapeake Bay swim, a mere 4.4 miler, and the Alcatraz to the mainland swim, which at 1.25 miles was little more than a warm-up for her. Pat now nurtured a belief that she was capable of swimming the English Channel, considered by many to be the greatest test of a long-distance swimmer. While nominally 20.7 miles across, strong tides and currents in the Channel make the real distance covered by swimmers 30 miles or more. Much of that time they are navigating their way through waves and tides in darkness. Fatigue and hypothermia stalk them (the water is around 60 degrees F) and jellyfish stings are an added torture. The CSA is one of two bodies that supervises crossing attempts. Their records show that the first successful swim was in 1875. By 2005 there had been a total of 982 crossings by 665 individuals, including 20 that year, so Pat is intent on joining a very select group of athletes. Swimming the Channel is a solo event, but getting there requires support. In 2011, her boat crew will consist of Robbies' son Christopher, nephew Kyle, brother David and sister-in-law Jeannie. Pat’s husband Jim has been incredibly supportive of her passion for swimming, and family and friends are an integral part of her team. Pat will enter the water to make this historic swim in 2011 with steely determination.

Contact info :
patgallant.charette@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

United Kingdom website

Many thanks to Robert Agar-Hutton who submitted my story to www.your-wellness-matters.com website in the United Kingdom. This is a wonderful website on "wellness". It includes many articles on health, nutrition, and sports. Please visit their website. I know that you will find it very informative.
Posted by Pat at 6:21 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Endurance training

Twelve years ago when I decided to start training for a 2.4 mile ocean swim, I didn't know if I could swim two laps of the pool. I knew how to swim. But after several years of NOT swimming, I was filled with self-doubt about my ability to swim that distance. However, I was determined to train for the Peaks to Portland as a tribute to my brother Robbie. As the months passed, I gradually added ten minutes to my workout then twenty minutes, etc. I remember the first time I swam one hour freestyle without stopping--- I felt like I had won an Olympic Gold Medal. The following year I continued to gradually extend my swim workouts to two hours per day. However, with work and family life, I had to create a training program that would work with my busy schedule. I planned on training 2-3 days a week with 3+ hours each day and on the other days I would have a shorter swim of one hour or I would incorporate cross training. As the years passed, I continued to add extra time to my "long day" workouts. After I swam the 2.4 mile swim, I never imagined that I would be a marathon swimmer several years later. I continued to add "time" to my workouts. Training for a marathon swim is very similar to training for a marathon run. You don't have to run or swim a marathon everyday but you need to have a "long training" day each week. And similar to running, an athlete should gradually build up their endurance. Depending on your level as a swimmer, it make take several years of training before you can swim a marathon distance. In my case, I realized I had the ability to swim a marathon distance after my ninth year of training. Last year I swam 32 miles in sixteen hours at the age of 57. However, everyone is different---a strong, young competitive swimmer may need only a year of endurance training to swim a marathon. You won't know what you are capable of doing, unless you try. So, go for it!
Posted by Pat at 2:15 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A tribute to Debbie

I received tragic news of the death of my friend and co-worker Debbie Willette. She was killed in a car accident on the way home from work today. Debbie was a certified nursing assistant who cared for the elderly. She was a very hard worker who gave compassionate care to the elderly. She enjoyed giving to others....on several occasions Debbie would buy gifts for her residents such as movies, books, candy, and games. She enjoyed making them laugh. At times, she would surprise them with special treats from MacDonalds, Dairy Queen, or Kentucky Fried Chicken. Debbie was so special. She inspired so many of her co-workers with her positive attitude and service to the community. I could give hundreds of examples of her generosity and how she touched the lives of so many people (including mine). Before I left for England she proudly gave me an "Angel" pin to take with me. When I safely returned from England with my treasured pin, she quickly responded, "It will work for you in 2011." I will always cherish this pin. And I plan to wear it on my swim suit to honor Debbie's memory. She was a person who inspired so many to be understanding and compassionate. She will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to her husband and family.
Posted by Pat at 6:06 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

***** New crew for 2011 *****

In the past two trips to England, I have been fortunate to have my son Tom, brothers Bill, Paul, Tom and nephew Joe as my boat crew. I want to thank each of them for their time and effort. They were so positive and uplifting during our stay in Dover. I will always treasure the moments we spent together. As a team, we discussed having a new crew. I am very proud to announce my crew for August 2011...... my brother Robbies' son Christopher (who will be 16 in 2011), nephew Kyle(same age and a wonderful swimmer), brother David and sister-in-law Jeannie.
Training of my new crew has already started as we prepare for 2011.
Posted by Pat at 2:12 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

White Cliffs of Dover (windy conditions)

Please excuse the poor quality of my video. It was very difficult to hold the camera steady due to windy conditions
video
Posted by Pat at 10:06 PM 2 comments

English Channel

video
Posted by Pat at 8:36 PM 0 comments
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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Not This Year-Thanks to all my supporters

July 26, 2009 5:08:20 PM EDT
I will be returning to Maine without an attempt to cross the English Channel. Today the winds continued and my boat pilot said that although the winds would decrease for a short time this afternoon, it was not good for a crossing. I appreciated his honesty. I have trained hard for the past few years for this day but it was not meant to be for THIS year. My boat pilot is already booked for next summer. So, I have booked another attempt for August 2011, #1 slot, second neap tide. This grandma from Maine is very determined and I will not throw in the towel due to inclement weather. My plans for 2010 will be to swim two marathon swims--Catalina Channel (California) and the Strait of Gibraltar in Spain. I want to thank everyone for their many words of encouragement and support. I am so proud to live in the great state of Maine. I have received wonderful words of support from so many people throughout the state.......I can't thank you enough. A special thank you to Geoff and Conde for creating and updating my blog. And a special thank you to my family and friends who were a major support. To my crew---Brothers Tom, Paul, and Bill, son Tom, and nephew Joe----I greatly appreciate everything you have done. And lastly to my husband Jim---thank you for encouraging me to reach for my dream.
Pat
Posted by Pat at 9:59 AM 2 comments
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