Diana Nyad is at it again.
The famed 62-year-old marathon swimmer is attempting to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage for the second time in two months.
During her first attempt in August, Nyad was struck with an asthma attack that forced her out of the water.
Nyad has developed a huge following; though many believe what she is doing is crazy. Her support team is updating her status on social networks and her blog as she continues to chase her dream of a word record.
After her failed attempt in August, Nyad suggested there wouldn’t be another attempt after her journey ended 29 hours into the swim.
But with the weather on her side, and her supporters cheering her on, Nyad decided to hit the water again.
“I knew I was in the best condition of my life,” she said before the swim. “What happened in August was a 29-hour training swim. The water now is still warm. The conditions make this swim possible.”
At about 6 p.m. Friday, the Los Angeles woman left the Hemingway Marina in Havana, with her sights set on Florida.
The night got off to a rough start after she was stung by several Portuguese Man O’ War, her supporters reported. A safety diver and EMT had to jump into the water to treat Nyad who was reportedly stung on both arms, the side of her body, and face. She changed her swimsuit, rehydrated and started to swim again.
The EMT was also stung while treating Nyad. Her supporters reported that he was recovering.
After a “challenging night and morning,” Nyad appeared to be struggling after her strokes were recorded at 48 per minute—a drop from her usual 52 to 55 strokes.
The latest update said Nyad was “gaining strength” and had a hydration and full feeding.
