Colorado woman becomes 1st person to swim across the English Channel 4 times in a row

Wearing just a cap, goggles, and swimsuit, Sarah Thomas got into the water Saturday and emerged more than 54 hours later, a world record holder.

On Tuesday, the 37-year-old from Colorado became the first person to ever swim across the English Channel four times in a row, nonstop. It was a commendable feat, as only four other swimmers have crossed the English Channel three times without stopping. An open water ultra marathon swimmer, Thomas was hooked on the sport after entering her first race in 2007. She swam the English Channel in 2012 and 2016, but after completing breast cancer treatment last year, she wanted to take on this challenge, saying her swim was for "all the survivors out there."

Going into it, Thomas expected to swim about 80 miles, but strong tides tacked on 50 additional miles. The hardest parts included getting stung on the face by a jellyfish and having to deal with the saltwater burning her throat, mouth, and tongue, but Thomas pushed through, buoyed by her supporters and the protein drinks she downed every 30 minutes. Once she was back on land, Thomas told BBC News she was "stunned" and couldn't believe she did it. "I'm really just pretty numb," she added. Catherine Garcia

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