"I heavily relied on my iPods as my main source of motivation. I\'m not sure I could do what I did without them."
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Adventurer Katie Spotz
By: Article by Alison Friedow, Interview by Markin Abras
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Adventurer Katie Spotz >iPod Supports World Record-Breaking Journey
How important is your iPod to you?
Many of us are quite attached to our iPods; we carry them with us wherever we go, using them for entertainment on commutes to work or school, or to help us gain momentum when working out, or perhaps even for relaxation when we get home from a long day.
For Katie Spotz, a record-breaking American adventurer, her iPods have a greater significance.
In fact, according to Spotz, iPods helped preserve her sanity, supporting her in becoming the youngest person ever—and only the second woman—to row solo on the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to South America.
Spotz began the 3,000-mile journey on January 3, 2010, departing from Senegal, and landed safely in Georgetown, Guyana on March 14. Throughout these months, Spotz’s Apple products, including multiple iPods and an iTouch, were her only companions.
According to Spotz, audiobooks, music, movies, and lectures played on her Apple products served as motivation on her long, solo journey and helped her maintain the mental stamina required for such a challenge. The Apple products were charged by solar power throughout the two and a half months at sea, and all made the journey intact.
Spotz is no stranger to daring feats such as this. In 2008 she became the first person ever to swim 325 miles of the Allegheny River between New York state and Pennsylvania. She’s also completed numerous cycling, marathon, and triathlon challenges.
Why does she do it? Spotz’s appetite for athletic adventures comes from her desire to do good in the world. She has raised money for numerous causes and organizations throughout the years, including the American Lung Association, Oxfam, and her charity, the Blue Planet Run Foundation.
The Blue Planet Run Foundation is dedicated to increasing access to safe drinking water for people throughout the world. By 2027, the foundation aims to provide safe drinking water to 200 million people.
In an interview with Markin Abras, founder and publisher of MacDirectory, Spotz discusses her process of training for the Atlantic journey, and the crucial role Apple products played in helping her complete her extraordinary trek.
Markin Abras > What type of training and planning did you execute in order to row an entire ocean?
Katie Spotz > Before setting off on the 3,000-mile row, I trained about an hour a day, working to increase endurance with a mixture of high-intensity cardio workouts, weightlifting focused on strengthening the core and back and weekly-long rows on the erg machine. An essential part of training included trial rows on Lake Erie. For ocean training, I completed a weeklong training row on the Pacific Ocean and took several courses including VHF radio, Sea Survival, First Aid at Sea and Celestial Navigation.
MA > What were the challenges of \"night rowing\" in a vast ocean? And how about sleeping in a small boat for 70 days?
KS > At times, night rowing felt like I was rowing into a black hole without being able to see where the water ended and sky began. These nights it was difficult to predict the behavior of the waves, often leaving me to jab myself with the oars. Other nights, it was as if I had a spotlight shining down on me with the bright moonlight. Most nights I would see glowing plankton stirring with each oar stroke and if I was really lucky, shooting stars.
A 19-foot specialized ocean rowing boat was my home for the duration of the trip. My boat is self-righting and can brave 30-foot waves and hurricanes. A sealed cabin provided enough space to sleep (about seven feet long and three feet wide) and to take cover during storms.
MA > Please elaborate how you were able to \"mentally\" manage being alone for so many days.
KS > Endurance is much more of a mental challenge than physical. A year before the row, I worked with a sports psychologist who helped me break down the challenge into manageable steps or phases. I have also participated in extensive meditation retreats, the last one in which I meditated twelve hours a day for ten days straight without any sort of human interaction similar to the isolation at sea. Lots of patience and persistence was required to ensure a safe and successful crossing.
MA > Your iPod played books on Zen meditation. When did you play them? And what aspects of the meditation helped you the most?
KS > I have quite a few audiobooks by a meditation teacher, Cheri Huber, who gave me over 30 of her audiobooks for my trip. Her teachings have definitely helped me to accept and embrace my endurance challenges. During the journey, there was no question about what I would be doing in a day, a week, a month. I expected to be at sea for several months so it freed my mind from constantly thinking \"what next?\" For a large part of the journey I felt present; there’s no need to think beyond the moment.
MA > Did your iPod helped you in any other way?
KS > Aside from lots of rowing, I spent my time listening to music, audiobooks, comedians, lectures, and more. Being along at sea for two and a half months, I heavily relied on my iPods as my main source of entertainment and motivation. I\'m not sure I could do what I did (at least with any shred of sanity left intact) without them.
MA > How were you able to keep your iPod charged for so long?
KS > Everything was powered by the sun; two solar panels mounted on the bow and stern cabin. Salt water and electronics aren\'t the best of friends and several of my electronics failed during the crossing. Thankfully, all my Apple products made it all the way across without problems.
MA > Do you use any other Apple products? If yes, please briefly
elaborate which ones and why.
KS > I love all my Apple products! I brought four nanos, one shuffle, and an iPod touch on the row. I brought the iPod touch for my weekly movie. I chose to bring the iPods without moving parts (instead of iPod classic), because I hoped they\'d be less likely to suffer in the salt and movement. My Macbook and iPhone 3GS were awaiting my arrival in South America. I even had some emails from my \"One-to-one\" instructors at my local Apple store to see when I\'m coming in next.
MA > What did you miss the most during the 70-day journey?
KS > A boy. Good food and good company were dearly missed.
MA > Any special moments that you would like to share about your journey?
KS > As I was approaching the fourth-way mark of the journey, I wanted to do something special to celebrate. The decision was made for me when fins started to appear. Moments later my boat was surrounded by a pod of ten or fifteen dolphins. They swam so close to my boat, I could nearly touch them. I felt like they were giving me a show mid-Atlantic by doing flips and tricks for twenty minutes.
MA > What is your next challenge?
KS > I love challenges and am already excited for the next one. I\'m letting my mom relax for a few months before worrying her on my next one. Stay tuned!
For more information about Katie and her foundation, visit: blueplanetrun.org and foundation.com
Video courtesy of CBS News Online
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Katie Spotz
Congrats Katie! I'm wondering if Apple is aware of your impressive accomplishment. I also want to know what you actually played in your iPod!! Which meditations songs???
Congrats Katie! I'm wondering if Apple is aware of your impressive accomplishment. I also want to know what you actually played in your iPod!! Which meditations songs???