I did not know until I saw this headline this morning that Diana Nyad was trying this again, and my first thought was, "How old must she be?"
Yeah. Sixty-four. The first time she tried was in 1978. She's always wanted to complete this swim but for a variety of reasons - jellyfish, weather, sharks - she's never made it. But she refused to give up. So when she said this would be her last attempt, she obviously did not have in mind to jump in the water and make some obligatory effort before declaring, hey, she was just too old and it wasn't meant to be.
She intended to make it! And it looks like she's going to do just that, as she's within a mile-and-half of the Florida shore as of this writing.
Nyad does not swim in a protective cage, so she has no real defense against aggressive sharks or, the more likely threat, jellyfish - which have stopped her in the past by inflicting so many stings that she simply couldn't continue. Surely Nyad had to realize that she would face the same danger this time, but she didn't let that stop her. A special silicone mask is designed to ward off jellyfish stings. I don't imagine that would help her if a hungry shark came along.
Nyad has been swimming for 50 hours, and she says she's ready for a big party when she hits the beach, as well she should be.
I have no idea how she works out the politics with Cuba, and it hardly seems to matter. But what a great example she sets for anyone who wants to achieve something difficult in life. Danger doesn't stop her. Age doesn't stop her. Fatigue doesn't stop her. Sure, she failed in the past, but it sure looks like she's going to make it this time.
Awesome. Congratulations, Diana.
And as for you . . . don't tell me you can't find a job, can't lose the weight, can't do whatever. I don't see any jellyfish stinging you or sharks eyeing you. Whatever it is you've decided is really important to you, God has given you the ability to do.
UPDATE: She arrived on the beach in Key West at just about 2 p.m. Eastern. Amazing. Congratulations, Diana!
