 |
Feisty Fox FireAuthor: Shangrila Rendon Language: en Genres: Fitness, Health & Fitness, Sports Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
How to Become Fearless in Open Water & Build Endurance in Your 50s
Episode 105
Friday, 6 February, 2026
What if you could thrive in open water even when it gets rough? What if it wasn’t something to avoid, but your greatest teacher? And what if your biggest breakthroughs didn’t happen in your 20s… but in your 50s? Pamela wasn’t trying to prove anything. She just wanted to see what she was capable of. At 55, she works full-time and doesn't have access to the ocean. Most days, she trained in a brown lake or a community pool when it was open. There were weeks of nonstop rain and pool closures because of lightning. Days when she’d drive to one pool, find it closed, then drive 45 minutes to another, just to get her swim in. Days when the heat index hit 100°F and the only open lake felt like a hot tub. And still, she showed up. Sometimes she was tired or doubting. And at times, she swam even when it was raining. Pamela just wanted to see how far she could go without hurting herself. To challenge her body and mind, while staying strong, healthy, and injury-free... in her 50s. 🔥 In July alone, she swam 101,500 yards (almost 58 miles), her biggest month ever. 🔥 Then in September, she took on her boldest challenge yet: a 33.3 km (20.7-mile) open-water marathon swim across the Aegean Sea in Greece: four days of changing water conditions, unpredictable winds, and sometimes rough water with relentless waves. Day 2 nearly broke her. The wind picked up, the waves slammed against her head, and salt burned her eyes. There was no kayaker nearby. But she reminded herself: “You swam through thunderstorms in Florida. You can do this.” So she kept going, stroke after stroke. And by the finish, she felt so proud of herself. Here's day-by-day breakdown (actual distance often more than official due to ocean conditions + GPS drift) ✅ Day 1: 9 km swim ✅ Day 2: 7.5 km swim “a bit rough out there, but I kept swimming!” ✅ Day 3: 10.5 km swim “terrible start, but I worked better with the water today.” ✅ Day 4: 6.3 km swim. DONE!! "I don’t really feel sore. just like I had a good workout. Most days I felt like I could have kept swimming." - Pamela Most athletes train to hit the distance. But distance alone doesn’t guarantee a strong finish. And many worry about not having open water access… Or burn out trying to train for something this big while juggling full-time work and family. Pamela didn’t. So how did she do it at 55? With her “I’ll do whatever it takes” mindset, she relied on strategy, the same principles we’ll share in this episode: 1. Train smart even with limited time or access 2. Stay injury-free through body maintenance and proper recovery 3. Build calm under pressure when conditions get rough 4. Adapt training when traveling or working full-time Pamela proved that your best years don’t have to be behind you. They can be the ones where you finally stop chasing perfection and start mastering consistency. This isn’t just about Pamela. It's about what’s still possible for you. Besides, rough water will always be there. But what if your next breakthrough is waiting right where it gets tough?
