Things were hard for me following my return from France. My chances to qualify for the World Championships had just been lost, and I found myself in the middle of a season when I had crossed only one starting line and not one finish line. I had to heal the injury that had caused the situation and find my motivation again.

So I went to meet with my swimming partner Nick for a session in the lake. He was training for the Traversée du lac Tremblant: a 12-km swimming event in open water in which I had agreed to participate. I started to really enjoy our swimming sessions without pressure where, from the beach, we established a circuit based on the distance. We would head for a rock, then a dock or perhaps a sailboat mast and in doing this, we created fun-filled circuits. Gradually, I allowed myself to be carried away by these challenges in the lake. In the end, one day I completed a five-kilometre loop and arrived at the beach with a big smile on my face. Finally, I wanted to begin another adventure! It was a first victory.

La grande traversée: the big crossing

The atmosphere on that sunny morning was terrific. Soon, our small group of about swimmers launched into the water. I was very relaxed and felt good as I passed the first island, better as I passed the second and still full of energy when my buddy in his kayak called to me that we were at the 5-, then the 7-, and then the 8-kilometre mark. That was the point at which I allowed myself to be surprised by the magic word “if”.

And what “if” I managed to get to the beach first? My approach to this event was not at all competitive, but with the “if”, I was suddenly in a race. The trigger was pulled and I became the happy competitor I like to be. The one who looks ahead rather than behind and who sees a possibility rather than an obstacle. I finished the last 500 metres accelerating, in a very aggressive battle with another swimmer. I went all out and I felt myself come back to life. When I reached the beach, another surprise awaited me. I learned that I had taken the honours in the women’s category. Great bonus, right?!