Swimming is good exercise and is a lifetime sport that benefits the body and the whole person.

But what is it that makes swimming good, specifically?

That depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

Swimming the length of Wallowa Lake was the goal of Wallowa County’s own swimming duo of Marcy Strazer and Anne Humphrey – and they completed their task with flying colors.

Strazer and Humphrey’s aquatic journey began on the morning of Aug. 15, when the two suited up in full length, turtle neck, wetsuits, accompanied with booties to keep their feet warm. After ensuring they would be properly insulated throughout their long day in the water, they made sure their safety boats were fully stocked.

Five hours and many strokes later, the two joined a very exclusive club of people who have swam the entire length of Wallowa Lake.

“Even with the wetsuit and booties on, I was chilled the entire time I was swimming,” Humphrey said.

The two swimmers started the race together, but in the end, Strazer completed the length of the lake first in 5:01, Humphrey finished close behind in 5:10.

This wasn’t the first time this pair swam the Wallowa Lake. In 2004, Strazer and Humphrey tested their limits and swam half the length of the lake.

“We had a great time the first time we did this (swam the lake), but we wanted to increase our endurance and really push our limits,” Strazer said.

Strazer said that during the swim, her husband counted the number of strokes she used and, in all, she kept a pace of 60 strokes per minute, which equaled out to 18,000 strokes for the entire swim.

“Even days after we finished, my arms were extremely sore, but it was worth it and the entire experience was rewarding,” Strazer said.

Throughout the swimmer’s five-hour journey in the lake, they were aided by two safety boats, which stopped every 30-45 minutes.

Strazer and Humphrey’s support crew drove nearby the entire time and provided gatorade, energy bars, water, sports gel and fruit.

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But because the two were abiding by the international swimming competition rules, which states that swimmers are unable to touch certain items in the water, they could only get supplies thrown to them. They also were unable to touch any boats or buoys in the water.

“It was scary swimming at the lake with boats, but it was a great opportunity that challenged me physically,” Strazer said.

In order to prepare for the arduous swim, Strazer and Humphrey swam the lake at least three times per week for up to two and a half hours, starting in the beginning of July. The two swimmers worked on endurance drills daily, but on several occasions they mixed up their training regimen to keep things interesting.

“The lake is so fabulous to swim,” Humphrey said. “It has such great views and nice clean water. What more can I ask for.”

Swimming long distances was nothing new for Strazer because she also participates in triathlons, which also requires endurance and stamina. Humphrey swims in her spare time and just enjoys the recreation of the sport.

Many swimmers have tested their fate at swimming the length of the lake, but the first recorded person to attempt the swim was Helen Carson on Aug. 20, 1925. She finished the length in 3:12. Others who have made the swim are Margaret Boyd (1927), Vera Joel Binger, Lyle Baird (1928), Ben Osterling (1932,33), Frank McCully (1933, 83), Dianne Cosby (1977), Daniel Boyd (1983), Reiswig (1984,86, 87), Gail Aschenbrenner (1985) and Dave Cowden (1991).