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Swimmer Starts Bid For World Record Trip Across Lake Michigan

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 51-year-old man from northwest Indiana waded into Lake Michigan on Thursday to set off on an attempt to break a world record.

Scott Weston Wolford will try to swim from Chicago to St. Joseph Michigan, and back – approximately 120 miles. He started his journey at 5 a.m. Thursday at Ohio Street Beach.

"I've always wanted to do a swim, and I figured if I was going to do it, might as well do it big," he said last week.

While he was preparing for his big swim last week, Wolford said he expected his biggest challenge would be the weather, and not long after he set off Thursday morning, a strong if brief thunderstorm blew through.

His trainer, Annabel Lavers, said the storm soaked everyone on the boat following Lavers on his swim, but Wolford was looking good after about three hours in the water.

Scott Weston Wolford
Scott Weston Wolford, (lower left), says the swim will take about 60 hours. (CBS)0

Wolford said he's been training all his life for the swim, but has stepped up his training over the last four years.

"I think it's going to be more mental, because it's going to take 60, 70 hours is what I'm shooting for," he said last week.

You can follow his swim on Facebook. Wolford also has set up a gofundme account to help pay for the fuel for the guide boat following him on his swim, as well as meals for the crew, and other supplies. You can donate here.

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