Day 10 - Inspiration and a sewing machine

When I woke up this morning I had no idea how it would go, would it be another slow, soggy day or a fast upbeat day?

Last night was another not great night of sleep, in fact, I'm about 90% sure I was seasick this morning but as the morning went on I felt the day had some pace to it.

So about 10 I started watching a documentary about a Nepal climber who did all 14 8000meter peaks in less than 7 months. For reference, the first person to climb all 8000-meter peaks took 16 years!

The documentary was really inspirational to me. But it caused me to pause and reflect on what I'm doing here. In the movie, he said "you have to feel it in your heart". Most of the challenges I have done in my life have been physical. Climbing, Ironman, even my flying jobs past were physical… this is the first that is 100% mental. I'm not sure I like it ;)

I'll explain more on arrival but while this challenge has opened my eyes to many many things, it is not a challenge I will l have in my heart after this event concludes. In fact, the more I started thinking about it the more I started asking myself what's in my heart…. and I think it has more to do with helping others than myself crossing a finish line….more on that to come.

Just as the video was about to conclude I looked up (Charlie is gonna laugh at this) and noticed my bimini starting to rip in the stitching around the zippers. With higher winds coming tonight and tomorrow I took my. newfound inspiration into action to get the thing fixed.

For those who follow us know, for the last year I have been battling the stitching on our sprayhood, sailbag, and bimini. I have restitched a lot by hand and have had some amazing people restitch segments all over the Atlantic. Apparently, it was this section's time.

So I took the whole thing down, not an easy job… took it downstairs and started hand stitching when I noticed just how big of a job it was going to be I stopped and said… work smarter, not harder Ryan. I busted out our sewing machine and stitched up the entire thing in under 30 min. Is it good, no. Will it hold yes.

My next goal will be to order some new canvas from our Swedish supplier on return to Antigua. Sophie and I have been planning a "comfort" refit for this year. But it's all not cheap… though we have it up and use it every day… so I think it's worth the money.

Anyways…. this afternoon I'm trying to get a few naps in and I have a feeling tonight might be another rocky one. I'm on target to make landfall around midnight on Wednesday unless Charlie feels we can do better. I'm really looking forward to it. At the time of writing this (normally a few hours before it gets posted), I have 700nm to go! Once I'm under 500 I think it will really set in just how close I am.

So I ask everyone, what are your goals and inspirations… what drives you from within your heart?