On September 17, 2025, I became the first to complete a 17-mile open-water swim around Lake Wawasee. Nine hours and 20 minutes of endurance, hypothermia, and pure grit — cheered on by over 300 people from docks and boats. This Lap the Lake journey is more than a swim — it’s the beginning of my book, Beyond the Buoy, a mile-by-mile story of pushing past limits and making history.

Choppy water, hard miles, and homemade pizza. From a sunrise swim in 10-knot winds to a 20-mile ride fueled by Red Bull and Starbursts, today’s training mixed grit, family, and fun. Every stroke, every mile, and every laugh is bringing Lap the Lake 2025 closer.

Training for Lap the Lake: 14 miles of open water swimming. Discover Jace’s journey of pain, purpose, and discipline through pool laps, mindset, and grit.

Today’s training was full of highs, lows, and everything in between — from heavy legs after a tough Murph workout to a wild speed session on a warm Indiana day. Rikki and I pushed through the struggle, celebrated small victories, and found community at our local run club. Join us as we share the real, raw moments behind the training, and why showing up—even on the hard days—makes all the difference.

Looking to start running but don’t know where to begin? The free Couch to 5K program by Jace Morgan is designed for beginners who want to build endurance safely and steadily. With an easy-to-follow 8-week plan, walk/jog intervals, training tips, and a supportive app, this program makes running accessible to everyone. Whether you’re overcoming challenges or just starting your fitness journey, this program will help you run your first 5K with confidence.

There’s something electrifying about standing on the start line of a race that gets my adrenaline pumping, and this Half Marathon was no...