Although Strel had the support of his team and his fans, his biggest challenge was a mental one.
He had to calm his mind as he spent ten hours a day alone in the water, swimming from port to port.
All he heard was his steady breath and the sound of his arms in the water.
He filled the hours with dreams of his family.
When he pulled into a port he would swim steadily, not hesitating in his pace.
He could hear the noise of the cheering crowd, but he wouldn’t look at his fans until he had reached the bank.
Then he would raise his arms and smile.