Archives for The Big Swim – A Give to Live Project

“One of our friends asked me how I manage to incorporate endurance sporting events within a busy lifestyle.  I had to think for a moment, before offering the only reasonable response that came to me – that I am willing to go beyond what others would do.”

Stephen J. Boyd MBA(FS) Class of 2018

Stephen Boyd is taking on the challenge of the Big Swim to be held August 18, 2019.  Over the past months, Stephen has focused on training for this “epic” swim.  CEGE Connection has been following Stephen on his journey.  This is the second in the series of The Big Swim – A Give to Live Project.

Stephen J. Boyd MBA(FS) Class of 2018: Update July 2019

My wife, Sarah and I met up with friends a few weeks ago to celebrate the recent purchase of our new house. Over an animated dinner conversation, the topic of swimming came up.  Our friends were interested in Sarah’s upcoming national synchronized swimming competition in Quebec City, including hearing about the sacrifices that had to be made to participate in this physical activity (her team did very well- proud husband). The discussion soon shifted to my participation in the BIG SWIM charity event,  held in August each year.  The event combines an epic feat of endurance, swimming from New Brunswick to PEI, with the opportunity to raise funds for an awesome charity.  The BIG SWIM is not a race and supports swimmers of all abilities to get out into the Northumberland Strait and achieve the unimaginable.  For normal people who cross the Northumberland Strait by bridge or ferry, the distance is roughly 13 kilometers. Due to currents, and other unknowns, I am told that the average swimmer will cover 15+ kilometers.  It is a truly an epic undertaking.

One of our friends asked me how I manage to incorporate endurance sporting events within a busy lifestyle.  I had to think for a moment, before offering the only reasonable response that came to me – that I am willing to go beyond what others would do.

Since that dinner, I have reflected on my response regarding my willingness to commit to a physical challenge that demands a lot of dedication. Taking on the BIG SWIM will test my courage and resolve. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I do not have extraordinary athletic abilities, but I am prepared to make sacrifices such as getting up at 3:15 AM to train for an Ironman triathlon. This past Saturday, I swam approximately 8 KMs at the Dalplex. Although it does not appear to be a daunting task, Sarah, my greatest supporter,  reminded me that distance equated to 160 + laps of an Olympic long-course pool.

Overall,  training is going as planned.  On those 5:30a.m. drives to the pool, I stay motivated by thinking about the exhilaration of participating in an endurance event. The charity swim is scheduled for August 18^th, and I still have a lot of hard training ahead. I remind myself that I have taken on an epic feat of endurance. If it were easy, everyone would do it.  Going beyond takes a person to the next level of personal fulfillment.  It builds resilience to seek out the next challenge. I am certain that I will do other marathon swimming events.

While driving to our new home this weekend, a local school had a billboard that read: “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” I am uncertain who originally came up with this thought, but I think it is brilliant.

Steve
July 2019

Have you ever considered swimming across the Northumberland Strait?  Most haven’t.  But for those who have there is the BIG SWIM, your chance to do something truly epic.  The BIG SWIM is a supported event held in August each year that combines an epic feat of endurance with the opportunity to raise funds for an awesome charity.  The BIG SWIM is not a race and supports swimmers of all abilities to get out into the Northumberland Strait and achieve the unimaginable.” The Big Swim

Stephen Boyd is taking on the challenge of the Big Swim to be held August 18, 2019.  In the coming months, Stephen will be focused on training for this “epic” swim.  CEGE Connection is pleased to advise that we will be covering this event over the months, following Stephen on his journey.  This is the first in the series of The Big Swim – A Give to Live Project.

Stephen J. Boyd (Class of 2018):

Life has so many wonderful opportunities to offer

As mentioned in a previous post, I am recovering from an injury that will prevent me from competing this summer in my first 100-mile ultramarathon. During my period of self-pity, Sarah (my best support and spouse), suggested I consider the BIG SWIM event, where athletes of all abilities swim from New Brunswick to Prince-Edward-Island. For normal people who cross the Northumberland Strait by bridge or ferry, the distance is roughly 13 Kms. Due to currents, and other unknowns, I am told that the average swimmer will cover 15+ Kms.

The Big Swim – Give to Live gives participants the opportunity to accomplish a feat that few have, while raising funds for a charity that supports children.  It is a great opportunity to give back to my community. Without any hesitation, or putting any thought into logistics, I registered the moment the portal opened.

For the last month or so, I have been swimming at Dalhousie’s recreation and athletic center, where I log miles in the pool. Since there are not too many of us who show up for 5:45 am (other than the varsity teams), I have had the opportunity to speak with one of the “regulars”.  One on occasion, he asked me if I was training for anything in particular; I went on to explain that I was intending on swimming across the Northumberland Strait. As is the case with most people, his question to me was: “why?”

My immediate response was: “why not?” I further elaborated on the importance of my two kids embracing that life is about going beyond the ordinary, and welcoming the unknown.

Recently, during an exchange of correspondence, Rebecca Budd (CEGE Editor) reminded me that on occasion we have re-evaluate our priorities, and that success in life goes further beyond our careers. Don’t misunderstand me; I appreciate my professional career, but it is only a small part of who I am. Later in the spring, Sarah will be competing with her synchronized swimming team in Quebec City. Despite working full-time and being an exemplary mother of two, she has the tenacity to train hard during the week; that is success I admire.

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to speak with someone that had reached the summit of the world’s highest mountains. His advice to me was to never forget that we really only compete against ourselves, and to keep winning; perhaps, that was some of the best advice I’ve ever received. Besides, ordinary is exactly as it sounds.  As Mark Twain once wrote:

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”

 I look forward to sharing my thoughts as I embark on the exciting journey.