10 questions for…

1. Congratulations, Lexa! Was winning the overall 2024 ranking something you set your sights on from the start of the season?

Absolutely! Two big reasons.

The first was to be among the coolest adventure endurance athletes on the planet!

The second was turning 50 in March 2025 and wanting an epic way to celebrate this milestone. I want to give a big shout-out to my favorite SwimRun ambassadors, Team Adorkable – Trista Mennen and Amy Bush – because it was their 2022 social media posts that first introduced me to this amazing race and inspired me to take it on one day too! I’m very thankful for all the races in North America that helped me rack up those merit points more easily.

2. You competed in four ÖTILLÖ World Series races across North America in 2024 – which one was your favorite and why?

This one is not easy to answer, as they all have their special place in my heart and challenged me in different ways. I can’t choose between Casco Bay and Orcas Island.

Casco Bay was my first time island hopping, partnered with Mari from France after we matched on Facebook as we were both looking for partners. We met for the first time at the hotel, practiced at the pre-race shakeout for the first time, and then took 3rd place in the Female team!

Orcas Island was with my partner Sarah, in perfect weather and spectacular terrain, where we worked hard and took 3rd place.

3. Which of the races challenged you the most – physically or mentally?

Whistler was tough both physically and mentally! It was the inaugural year and I registered just 2 weeks before to race it solo. There was tons of technical terrain with elevation I had not trained for and the swims were very cold. Lots of lonely stretches and I learned I am a much better racer when partnered. Definitely loved the course though. 

4. What did you learn about yourself or your team throughout this packed race season?

That I truly love endurance challenges, and that it’s not about being the best at either swimming or running, but about doing the training and believing that I can do it! I also don’t want to race alone again and think I make a good partner.

5. Looking ahead: What does your Swimrun calendar for 2025 look like?

The focus is on the WC with a new partner, Viv, who is energetic and experienced. We live in different states and are still working out where to meet up to train or race together. I’ll definitely be back at Pace Bend in November, as that’s not far from home. I may also be able to race the new course in Colorado.

6. You’ll be racing at the ÖTILLÖ World Championship for the first time this year – how are you preparing for that experience?

I joined Team Envol last year and attended the Austin, TX training camp earlier in February, where I learned lots of new skills and met so many wonderful SwimRun athletes. Many had already raced WC and shared their experiences and training tips. I am now ramping up training, putting in 8–10 hours a week, including prioritizing fueling and recovery. I also listen to all the Low Tide Boyz podcasts and follow ÖTILLÖ on social media to learn all I can!

7. How is your training different now compared to earlier races – especially with Sweden’s archipelago in mind?

With less than three months to go, I am focusing on longer open-water swims in cold water (16 °C), wearing my wetsuit and gear to ensure functionality and comfort. I also get vertigo when cold water gets in my ears, which makes it difficult to stand up and climb out onto slippery rocks. I wear earplugs, but they still allow some water to get in, so I’m just learning to get used to the sensation and making myself move as quickly and safely as possible out of the water. I’m also focusing on rocky trail running courses with elevation to become a better rock scrambler, like Marcus Barton.

8. How did you first discover Swimrun, and what was your first race?

My awesome friend Julia Beverly, who is ranked #2 female, was looking for a partner for Odyssey Pace Bend in Austin, TX, back in November 2021. I was longing to race, as this was not long after the Covid-19 shutdowns, and she’s such a strong athlete that I felt honored she thought I was a worthy partner. I immediately fell in love with racing with a partner and the supportive athlete community! The best part of this race was the pre-race breakfast and post-race lunch provided by Lars Finanger’s mom, creating the perfect environment for athletes, friends, and family to connect.

9. What is it about Swimrun that keeps you coming back – what’s the magic for you?

The community! I have met the most wonderful people, and I am so happy to be a part of this wonderfully fun athletic community. We have group chats, we follow each other on social media, and whenever there’s a race, we genuinely enjoy each other’s presence. Plus, we get to race in beautiful locations!

10. If you could give one piece of advice to someone curious about trying their first Swimrun, what would it be?

You won’t regret it, and you will probably fall in love with this sport! It’s full of adventure and beauty, and it’s even better when you race with a partner. Everyone is so welcoming, and the courses are phenomenal. It’s changed my life for the better, and I think it has the same effect on all of us who do this sport.