Anyone planning on doing the 12.5 mile Swim Around Key West?
Or has anyone done the swim before?
The Race Director Bill Welzien is attempting to swim around Key West once a month for a year. He's posted his race experiences through December 2006 but he's not posted an update since December 2006. I hope he's doing okay.
Still working on getting an escort. . .
Anyway, should be a fun event. I hope to be there even w/ a surgery scheduled for April 30. Doc cleared me and said I could do it - course, we'll see how it goes after the surgery. Now, just need to continue to get in that yardage. Doubles were hard the first couple of weeks, but now they're pretty fun!
Former Member
BTW, this is a bit confusing. Looks like the race director/ sponsorship changed some time back from Bill Welzien sponsoring it to the FKCC (Florida Keys Community College) hosting it. New web site is www.fkccswimaroundkeywest.com. Different start time, entry fee, pre race meeting. Looks like it's now coast guard and USMS sanctioned which is good. Just a heads up to anyone who is thinking of doing this swim.
I came across this change accidentally when searching on google and saw that Randy Nutt posted this info in January. Anyway, it's confusing as the www.swimaroundkeywest.com site is still up.
Kristina -
Good luck on this. It's one of my future goals as well, although am not sure how many robberies I'd need to do to get the money.
Just a thought and not to be alarmist: After my experience with Jellyfish stings last year at Manhattan, I've decided to carry an Epi-pen in my swim kit. So far, I've never had an allergic reaction to any jellyfish stings, but I've heard of people that did and think that $15.00 for an epi-pen would be good insurance. Given the variety of jellyfish in south Florida, it might be a good idea. At the least, some Benedryl would be good to have.
Good Luck,
LBJ
P.S. I intend to start a major world religion based on the worship of your avatar.
Leonard,
As always, thank you very much for the tips and insight.
I've read about the jelly fish (and experienced them first hand in Florida waters). So, you mentioned something that I never would have thought of to give to my kayaker. Do you know where or who I should go to in order to get an epi-pen (my doc?)? I'm afraid benadryl would put me to sleep. Not good!! Trust me, I'm thinking lots about sharks, barracuda, jellies, tides, training, feeding patterns, sunburn, staying on course. . . Frankly, my upcoming surgery seems like a vacation compared to this swim.
First, I've got to get through my surgery on April 30. So, I'm most likely jumping the gun by attempting this swim (I should probably wait until next year). However, I want to give it a good try and even if I finish just half of it, I'll be pleased. Course, I'm going to shoot to complete the entire race. But, if I don't it's okay and I'll have a vacation out of it!
On Benadryl - should I just take it if/ when I get stung? Is that how it works?
What are your thoughts on perpetuem and hammer electrolytes aka endurolytes? I'm debating between that mixture vs. your Jansenade (gu gels and accelerade if I remember correctly) - both of which I will try during a 3+ hour practice swim. My friends who do Ironman tris highly recommend those two hammer products which are supposedly cutting edge.
And on my avatar: only if I can start a cult following on based on your OW methodology! :notworthy:
Oh, V-backed Goddess -
I'm not sure whether or not you need a 'script for an epi-pen. I have ... other ways ... of getting them. I do know they sell them at the local CVS for $15.00. I probably have to go to the CVS a little later today and I will ask the pharamacist whether or not a 'scipt is necessary, at least here in Pennsylvania. The thought behind the epi-pen vs the benadryl is that you would only use it at need and if you need it, your race is probably over anyway. It is much faster acting than Benadryl, so Benadryl was a suggestion of absolute last need. I'd really talk to your doctor about the two. Some years ago I had an allergic reaction to codeine cough syrup and managed to gulp 2 Benadryl before I passed out. The Dr said it kept me alive (I was home alone), but I probably wouldn't have passed out with an epi-pen.
Remember that meat tenderizer can neutralize the stings and the sharks appreciate not having to chew so hard as well.
Regarding what to drink: I have heard good things about Hammer products but, since nowhere local stocks them and I am too much of a flake to remember to order them by mail, I've gone with my own concoction. (3 scoops Accelerade Orange flavor with 1 packet of GU tri-berry in 48 fluid oz of water makes 4 servings or 2 hours worth of mix.) By all means experiment, but just be sure to get something decided well in advance of the race.
Just a thought...
Sunscreen: The sun will be intense down there and I am paranoid about skin cancer. I've never found anything that held for more than about 4 hours (Bullfrog 45 Superblock), but an aquaintence swears that the following recipe is better than anything commercial, athough it is MESSY (I've not tried it yet, but intend to):
1 pound of vaseline
1 pound of zinc oxide cream with an ANHYDROUS LANOLIN base
1 Bottle of Bullfrog 45 superblock
Mix the vaseline and zinc oxide cream and GENTLY warm it with a pan of warm water until it just melts, stirring it all the while. Take off the heat and add the Bullfrog, mixing it rapidly and well. Let cool.
Apply very liberally - you will look like Casper the Ghost and be a greasy mess, but...
Good luck with the surgery.
-LBJ
Maybe you'll do the swim next year!?
Congrats on getting through a big line up at Zones this past weekend.
Looks like you swam a lot.
Yep - thrilled to be swimming. Gotta get through a meet on April 28 and 29; my eye surgery; 1 week of recovery and no swimming; and then focus on Key West. Arg. Big line up. Lots of things need to fall in place here. I love the dark side. :joker:
Wonder what the Key West turnout will be. . .
I was going to say that I thought I did Key West, in reality; Key West did me.
I can see doing this in the future. I prefer Open Water.
Good luck and enjoy the warm waters...as opposed to what we've been going through.
I can't wait to hear how well you did!
What are your thoughts on perpetuem and hammer electrolytes aka endurolytes? I'm debating between that mixture vs. your Jansenade (gu gels and accelerade if I remember correctly) - both of which I will try during a 3+ hour practice swim. My friends who do Ironman tris highly recommend those two hammer products which are supposedly cutting edge.
one added benefit of the perpetuem mix is the neutral flavoring is rather pleasant when your mouth is being exposed to all that salt. sweet flavors are magnified in such an environment.
1 pound of vaseline
1 pound of zinc oxide cream with an ANHYDROUS LANOLIN base
1 Bottle of Bullfrog 45 superblock
-LBJ
Ugh! I'm with you on everything but this mess! I really and truly appreciate the inside tip on the sun block. I'll be honest, I was wondering what to do the last 2 hours of the swim when my Bullfrog (I like and have used before) wears off. I'd be concerned about making my goggles and eyes all goopy. . . Being olive-toned helps some. . . But yeah, that Florida sun has *gotten* me in the past. Wish the race started earlier, but I'm guessing that there are many reasons (tides and such) as to why it starts at 8 ish. Am I being stupid by just letting my skin roast for the last 2 hrs?
Dave - thanks for the tip on the neutral perpetuem. I'll give it a try. I remember how salty the ocean tastes, but I never had to feed/ drink in it during my previous (shorter races).
Slowswim, Key West will most likely eat me alive - whether it's the sharks or the distance. :joker: But, it's okay. I'm so happy to be able to just enter and try the event. Eye doc said yesterday that I don't have detached retina (just vitreal detatchment - not serious) and that I'm good to go for surgery - which should not be difficult to recover from. So, that is very good news indeed. Thanks for your kind wishes and fab tips. :woot:
just a couple of thoughts here.
i like endurolytes and perpetuem and prefer the flavored perpetuem.
it replaces one endudrolyte per serving.
one thing with a swim in salt water is be careful of doing too many endurolytes bec/ you might end up with too much sodium and nauseated.
i have only used hammergel on my long swims but they were only 5 miles.
i use perpetuem on the bike on long rides all the time.
for sunscreen, the old ironman sunscreen is wonderful. is it now marketed under ULTRA 44 or you can go to SOLRX and get the "Bait and tackle" and that's the same formulation as the old IM stuff. i love it and it works great.
in general i love hammer products. they are great on customer service if you have questions.
good luck
