12.5 mile Swim Around Key West race results
Good news: the race was not cancelled due to the stormy weather. It was very windy, but it was under 30mph by the time we started. Phew. It rained hard during the swim, but what did I care, I was in the water!
Bad news: my kayaker lost control of her boat almost right away due to the waves and wind, and couldn’t get back out past the surf. Thus, I spent the first 4 miles without food or water 
.
Good news: At mile 4, the coast guard stopped me and said I had to be pulled from the race if I didnt have a kayaker escort me through the harbour (I tried to swim as far as I could and pretend I was not seeing their gestures, but then they pulled right in front of me. End of pretending ). This sounds like bad news, but at that moment a boat pulled up and offered to escort me.
Bad news: He had no food on board, except a handful of chips, which I ate. Even the ones that fell in the water, since beggars cannot be choosers. Plus, I figured the extra salt content would be helpful (my salt tabs were with my stranded kayaker). He did have water, yay!
Good news: A mile later, I swam to a nearby relay team boat and asked if they had any food. They gave me 2 gels and a swig of Gatorade. I spent the next 20 minutes thinking about how I am like a street person asking for money, except that I am a swimmer trying desperately not to bonk by panning for calories.
More good news: Was handed off to a safety kayaker, Mark.
Bad news: He had no food, only water. Good news: he was willing to ask other support boats for gels. He scored 3 GUs for me.
Great news: I finished! In 5 hours 55 minutes. I came in 42nd out of 81 solo swimmers.
… on 5 gels, a swig of Gatorade and a handful of chips – not the way my nutritionist Matt and I planned it 
Even though the water was very choppy on one side of the island, I found the conditions on the other 3 sides excellent (when you start off a race with the worst conditions, you are grateful for everything that is better) and the currents were with us all the way. The storm cooled the water to 81 degrees and no hot sun to burn me!
Hi Alexandra
Congrats on surviving the ordeal and in the process doing it in faster time then expected!!!
Guess Debby had her good and bad points helped keep things cooler for you but bad that she knocked out your support from the start of the race!!
Glad to know though that fellow racers and such were supportive. Guess in that sort of race you all have to be just so you all make it back safely to dry land!!!
Dave
Hi Alexandra,
Congratulations on your finishing successfully your swim race despite all the obstacles. The challenges we overcome and how we overcome them are what make us who we are. And you are a trooper!!!
Nick
Thank you both for your support! Yes, in the end it all worked out for the best. I learned that I can make do with the bare minimum just fine.
Hi Alexandra!
Congratulation to yor finishing successfully! You are a superfighter!
Have a great day!
Christer Wegmann
Sweden
Congratulations on doing so well under such difficult circumstances. Great swim, great contest, no script, terrific ending!
i’m in fort myers watching CHRISTINE (your first movie) next time you come to race in florida.. i’ll come support you.. we have a high speed 500 passenger boat from ft myers to key west (key west express).. your ordeal sounds familiar but maybe next time i could be your kayaker or help if you have trouble. my sister lives in LA (santa monica)so i’m out there often.. i’m proud you finished! joel
Hi Alexandra,
you are really a big fighter and you did great.
Never giving up is the hardest and also the biggest success I think.
That makes you my special role-model!
Oh, and I like that writing-style it’s very funny to read.
Ingo
Hi Alexandra
Just saw this and thought you might be inspired even more in future races after seeing this father/son racing duo!!!!
If this isn’t love and unity then unsure what is!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehpkfive2no
Dave
Alexandra,
We certainly had some unforeseen obstacles that day!!
So glad we all made it through!
Athena