Anyone doing Key West?

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:35:50 GMT

Wow! That's terrible that it had to be cancelled. My first eye surgery was unsuccessful (both lacrimal ducts officially re-stenosed) and I'm scheduled for a second one, so I was unfortunately unable to attend. The rest of my season is likely lost. Hopefully next year. . . Looks like I missed out on a rough swim anyway. Did anyone on this forum try and attend?

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

beireland — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:21:10 GMT

In answer to the last post, I was there and was swimming with the 31st Annual race, not the FKCC race. Conditions were rough at the beginning but had improved by the time the race was stopped. I'm not sure why the races were stopped by the Coast Guard. I asked around and got different answers that were not entirely consistent. It was disappointing, frustrating and I'm not sure if it was necessary. But after the Waikiki Roughwater in 2003, I can't blame anyone for erring on the side of caution. I don't think it helped to have two races going on the same day but I don't know if that was a factor or not. I understand that both race organizers are planning to go ahead with their races next year--and for what its worth, I would recommend trying the swim. Its a great location and a challenging swim.

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 16:31:40 GMT

I agree with the prior posting. I have done st croix as well and wasn't even warned about the "sea lice" and very surprised as i got numerous little stings, and i understand they are actually baby jellyfish that are churned up with the sea grass. anyway, they are a whole different thing from a true jellyfish significant sting. make sure you ask about what you are going to encounter and be prepared! and i would definitely do st croix this year but it's one week before ironman FL (where there are jellyfish in the gulf swim) so i'll be back next year!

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 15:12:21 GMT

Yikes! Looks like the conditions were so bad they had to cancel the race: www.keysnews.com/334553706551977.bsp.htm

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

sydned — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:01:49 GMT

Hi there, I feel compelled to respond to this, having had a significant jellyfish experience last year. I do the St. Croix 5-mile swim every year. It's a great race, for those who have not done it, in a beautiful spot. Last year, the race began, I felt strong, and about 500 yards in, felt an ungodly pain on my arm. I looked down and saw a set of black tentacles wrapped around my arm. The pain was pretty excrutiating. I ripped the tentacles off, threw the jellyfish away, and debated what to do. (At that moment, two gorgeous sea turtles swam underneath me. Amazing!) The pain was intense. For the first hour, I felt like I could barely lift my arm. I kept going--and all of us were stung by sea lice as well. It was my best time at that race, and we made many jokes about the power of poison as a doping tool. The pain continued and people kept telling me it was just the sea lice. I was pretty sure it wasn't, especially because of the black lines on my arm. By that night, I was sure. It was intense. Benedryl, Vinegar, Aloe, you name it--nothing worked. The itching, pain and burning were a nightmare. By lunchtime, despite the benedryl, I was starting to spasm from the pain. My husband said I looked like a drug addict going through withdrawal and he was getting pretty scared. (Meanwhile, I was trying to stay calm for our 6-year-old who was totally freaked out.) My arm was starting to bubble and was significantly swollen. (I wish I had listened to my gut and gone to the emergency room earlier.) My husband put me in a taxi to the ER. By the time I got there, the ER Doc said that I was starting to go into shock. I had to get two painful shots in my butt, and oral steroids. He also gave me Atarax, which was the reduce the itching but took 24 hours to take effect. The quality of care, by the way, was terrific. They took my insurance, were really great--and i paid less than 20 dollars for the ER, the pharmacy, etc. (Even my taxi driver was so kind. He stayed with me, and I had to force him to take a tip!) I guess the bottom line for me, is that I now feel like it's incredibly important to make sure you have meds or whatever you might need with you when you go. I do not plan on racing open ocean without prednisone or atarax in my dopp kit. Obviously, I am highly allergic and need to be attentive to that. I have a big reminder every time I look at my arm. I have a permanent scar--a series of black trails that cover a portion of my arm. My open water badge of honor! For me, it also really emphasized the importance of good race support. I did feel more confident knowing that if I needed to drop out, I could do so safely. I've done races where the level of swimmer assistance was not as good, and after this experience, I am much more careful in my research about it. After all that, am I going back again this year? HELL YES! I wouldn't miss it for the world. Okay, that's my two cents. Listen to your gut. Sorry for the long post! And now, I'm off for a fresh water pond swim--which frankly, creeps me out much more than anything that might be in the ocean...

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:14:16 GMT

Just wanted to wish good luck to Kristina this Saturday!

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Wed, 02 May 2007 15:15:59 GMT

Does anyone know if swimmers can rent kayakERS!? I've asked around a little bit and haven't found anyone who can commit to running the support kayak for me if I do the swim. Jen, Contact Monica of Paradise Paddlers at monica@kayakfloridakeys.com or at 305-451-3018 for an escort for this race.

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

beireland — Wed, 02 May 2007 06:18:15 GMT

What is the story behind having two races on the same day and the same course and presumably the same direction?

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:38:06 GMT

I have a feeling I'll be VERY DARK post the swim. Man o wars are my biggest fear at this point. Fortunately, I know what nurse sharks look like compared to great whites. Here's what I have to say about nurse sharks :thhbbb: In Florida, we don't have any (S)he "Man Eaters", but the same thought applies to sharks and Jelly fish..."Don't be first; don't be last". Whoever is up front will clear the way for Jellyfish and scare off the sharks. Nurse or Sand sharks are the most common (a possible Hammerhead) but they will flee when they hear you coming. In the water you are a 5+ foot fish. Most sharks don't want to fight something that big! So relax, have fun, and enjoy the post-race party. Key West is a blast!!:drink:

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:26:58 GMT

Does anyone know if swimmers can rent kayakERS!? I've asked around a little bit and haven't found anyone who can commit to running the support kayak for me if I do the swim.

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:15:02 GMT

I'm sweating here as I'm typing. Told hubby that in order to acclimate to the hot weather down there in June, no A/C until after the race! Ha! No no no...you need to clematis to the water temperature. You need to hit the Hot Tub. You may need one of Chucks margarita's to practice dehydration and get used to the taste of salt!!

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:00:39 GMT

In Florida, we don't have any (S)he "Man Eaters", but the same thought applies to sharks and Jelly fish..."Don't be first; don't be last". Whoever is up front will clear the way for Jellyfish and scare off the sharks. Nurse or Sand sharks are the most common (a possible Hammerhead) but they will flee when they hear you coming. In the water you are a 5+ foot fish. Most sharks don't want to fight something that big! So relax, have fun, and enjoy the post-race party. Key West is a blast!!:drink: Sweet! I KNOW I won't be first. And I'm pretty sure I won't be last. Really, I was thinking all the swimmers would get so spread out along the course that it would be hard to tell who was first or last, etc. I was cool until you said hammerhead - they freak me out. Strange beasts. Honestly though, that's part of the thrill about ocean swimming. You never know what the environment will throw to you. I'm sweating here as I'm typing. Told hubby that in order to acclimate to the hot weather down there in June, no A/C until after the race! Ha!

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:37:07 GMT

Yes, those that were able to see Gail Rice swim butterfly around Key West, without breaking stroke were looking at one of the finest open water swimmers ever! There were actually 4 solo swimmers that each swam a different stroke around Key West - Christena did backstroke which resulted in what she referred to as the raccoon tan -sunburn all but in the goggles area! (it only added to her beauty!) There has been some confusion as it appears two swim events are taking place directed by two different organizations. Lori Bosco directs the swim that is sanctioned by USMS and can be found here: www.fkccswimaroundkeywest.com Gail Rice is my new hero. Thanks for the clarification on the two swims (held the same day and within 30 minutes of eachother)? I feel my only option is to go with the USMS sanctioned and Coast Guard Approved race. What kind of politics are going on with those two races???

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:58:39 GMT

Kristina, I won't be doing it this year, although I'm thinking about next year. I'll have to pick up the training a bit. It really was a lot of fun. And it's been a while since I've been to the Keys. (Don't get to go that often now that I live in NJ.)

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:01:58 GMT

Oh, and as for sharks... we were told before the race that any sharks we saw were probably nurse sharks, which likely weren't going to do anything. (Not that this comforted us much at the time.) I didn't see any during the race (although I have seen some while snorkeling in the lower Keys), but we did see some dolphins while we were on the boat, and one of the swimmers saw a large sting ray. And lots of fish, of course. The most common type of jellyfish I've seen in the Keys (not during the race, but during numerous snorkeling trips) are those pink ones that don't seem to pack much of a sting. I'd be more worried about encountering a man o' war -- a run-in with one of those can be really painful.

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:52:48 GMT

Oh Key West! Should be fun! That was my first experience with open water, way back in 1997 (or was it 1998? I know it was the year that Gail Rice decided to swim it all butterfly), when I did the race with five friends in a six-person relay. We actually sold candy at school and had a garage sale and car wash to raise money for the entry fee, hotels, etc. and managed to pay for almost everything. It was a lot of fun -- mostly lounging on the boat, with a refreshing two-mile swim thrown in there. Zinc oxide is a really good idea. It's going to be hot, and that sun just bears down on you. All of us on the team had olive complexions and we trained in an outdoor pool year-round (Miami), so we already were tanned when we started the race, but afterwards, boy were we brown. And we'd been applying SPF30 regularly. I know I have the photos somewhere -- if I find them, I'll try to post them. We even had cute matching monogrammed swimsuits! Are you going to have a kayak support? That's really key in this race, I think, because so much of it is too shallow for larger boats. When we swam it, the parents of one of the relay members escorted us in their boat, but for much of the race, the boat had to stay pretty far away from the swimmer, because the water was too shallow. For most of my leg of the race, I had to shorten my stroke because the water was only about three or four feet deep and there were grasses on the ocean floor that tickled my stomach. My friends were yelling at me from the boat about swimming breaststroke, but at certain points, it was all I could do. Good luck and have fun!

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 05:43:30 GMT

Thanks lanehog - lov your name by the way! Great, great tips. We are thinking the same on the escort! I did decide (and have it lined up) on an experienced kayaker who has done the course before. I've been forewarned about the shallow waters and the toughest part of the swim (which appears to be at the beginning). Plus, I really did not want to have to worry about fumes from the boat. I know I'm capable of swimming in 3 feet of water as I had summer league meets in that depth. 2 feet will be a challenge but I really think I could do it. Are you planning on doing it this year!? Sounds like your group had an awesome time. Would love to see pics if you can post them!! I have a feeling I'll be VERY DARK post the swim. Man o wars are my biggest fear at this point. Fortunately, I know what nurse sharks look like compared to great whites. Here's what I have to say about nurse sharks :thhbbb:

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

info@randynutt.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:20:54 GMT

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:12:45 GMT

Hi Runner Girl, I'm glad your surgery went well. That's great that detached retina can be fixed so easily now! Gald you're okay. Fortunately, I don't have detached retina! I have blocked lacrimal ducts and they will be going in endoscopically through my nose. Very pleasant. Will be taking a week off from swimming. Arg!! Great tips! I did not think of caffeine b/c I never drink any - but what a great idea for a long swim. Maybe starting at hour 4 or 5 b/c I know they can/ do act as diuretics. Super advice. Thanks!!

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:13:17 GMT

First off - sorry to hear you are having eye surgery. I had a retinal detachment a couple years ago. The surgery wasn't painful, but hanging around the house for several days not doing anything was horrible. The small hole that they fixed in the other retina was done with a laser in the office, and there was no recovery time required for that. Prepare accordingly. As for the drinks issue, I don't have any experience with open water swims over 3 miles, but I have done lots of long, long runs so take this advice accordingly. In general I like the hammer products and I use Perpetuem for runs over 2 hours. The flavored product didn't agree with me because of the stevia sweetener, so I use the unflavored and mix in some gel or some Cytomax powder. One thing that you might consider is having 2 flavors of stuff available. Sometimes in long events you get tired of the same thing and want to stop drinking, so having something else to turn to is a good idea. Another thing to think about is when and if to have caffeinated products. Some folks use them the whole way, and others only use them near the end (maybe the last hour or so).

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 08:08:57 GMT

Paul, Very sound advice. I think I either may try and reapply my bullfrog OR it may just end up being that goopy-concoction that Leonard so kindly suggested. Fortunately, I realized that I also have my year derm exam 1 month prior to the race. So, I'll be sure to ask my dermatologists thoughts on what to use. Sigh. Too bad I'm not fast enough to finish the darn thing in 4 hours!! That would be sweet.

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:02:34 GMT

Sun Screen The more the better. Even though your skin is olive you still can get skin cancers and pre aging of the skin do to over exposure. When you are in the Keys you have moved much closer to the equator and the suns effects are more pronounced at that latitude. Take this into consideration because you will burn much easier even if you are "use" to the sun. If you have a way to reapply your sunscreen that will be in your best long term interst. Every time you burn your skin you increase your risk for adverse outcomes. A triathelete at our pool that is about 55 or so did Key West last year and is doing it again. He is not fast but he will wear you down. He can hold his pace all day and said the event was a lot of fun last year. Good luck and remember that sunscreen. Your skin will thank you.

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:02:55 GMT

Am I being stupid by just letting my skin roast for the last 2 hrs? One of our medical types could answer that better than I, but it is my understanding that the less sun, the better. My skin type (yucky ) is the most likely to get skin cancer, so I am absolutely nutty about using sunscreens. Any dermatologists reading this and want to offer an opinion? -LBJ

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:09:15 GMT

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

RE: Anyone doing Key West?

Former Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:02:24 GMT

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: