Topic: DNF first triathlon - advice?
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Seema
PA
Member Since:
01/20/2005 Total Posts: 176
2.5 Years Ago
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Apparently, the colder water really triggered my exercise induced asthma. I've always had some asthma, but never was unable to do something before, but this time I had to quit. Albuterol has been recommended. I'm also going to try some more cool water swims (I was wearing a wetsuit). Does anyone know if warming up beforehand (running 15 minutes) makes a difrerence? Any other thoughts? |
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Re: DNF first triathlon - advice?
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Jimbo
FL
Member Since:
01/03/2005 Total Posts: 667
2.5 Years Ago
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How cold was the water? I don't have any suggestions about overcoming the asthma issues but I always warm up before the swim by swimming the course a little. It helps loosen up the shoulders and gets the body ready for whatever the water conditions might be. |
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Re: DNF first triathlon - advice?
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Terry
LA
Member Since:
11/22/2004 Total Posts: 168
2.5 Years Ago
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Seema,
Sorry abot the Tri, but I know you won't quit for good! I also don't know about the asthma, but I can't get myself into cold water unless I am really warm, like from running. The cold water hitting my skin is very painful, unless I have been exercising. In Saudi we had no hot water and the days were colder in winter. Before I could take a shower I had to go for a run. That kind of shock can cause some pretty major reactions in your body.
You may also have been a little apprehensive about it too, as most of us are before competitions. The big question is usually for me not can I win, but will I be able to finish. Sometimes not finishing provides us with a little reassurance for the next race that not finishing is not the end of the world.
Terry |
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Re: DNF first triathlon - advice?
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kelly
FL
Member Since:
05/22/2005 Total Posts: 33
2.5 Years Ago
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Swimming really bothers my exercise induced asthma, running bothers it also-the only event that doesn't is the bike. I will use my inhaler (albuterol) as close to the swim start as possible and carry it with me on the run. My last race of last season I actually swam with it in my tri suit because I was sick and having trouble breathing so if I needed it immediately after the swim I would have it.
The cold water and humid weather triggers my asthma, so I make extra certain to warm up (warming up is vital). The other thing I do is to make sure I concentrate on exhaling as deeply as I can during the run.
Hang in there and chalk this up to experience. |
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Re: DNF first triathlon - advice?
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Seema
PA
Member Since:
01/20/2005 Total Posts: 176
2.5 Years Ago
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Thanks all, especially Kelly who has the same issues. I've entered a couple of splash and dashes and the Philadelphia Women's sprint triathlon to get this worked out before going for the Vineman 1/2. I'll let you know how it goes. Kelly, how do you warm up before the swim? |
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Re: DNF first triathlon - advice?
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kelly
FL
Member Since:
05/22/2005 Total Posts: 33
2.5 Years Ago
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I'll use my inhaler right before I warm-up. I swim for about 10-15 minutes as a warm-up. It's not a fast swim-just enough to loosen up my muscles. It's also not a straight swim-it's broken up-nice and relaxed. One thing I do concentrate on during the warm-up is my breathing. I make sure that I alternate breathe (but do what works best for you) and that I exhale at an even pace. I do self-talk during the swim "long, strong, exhale" and that helps me stay relaxed and focused.
I find that the more triathlons I do, the easier it becomes. I've also found that I have more trouble in a sprint distance tri than an olympic distance tri. In 2 years I'm going to do an Ironman and I'm not concerned at all about the EIA. |
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Re: DNF first triathlon - advice?
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Chris
CA
Member Since:
01/19/2004 Total Posts: 719
2.5 Years Ago
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Cold water can be a real shock to the body on its own. Lets throw in a boat load of kicking, grabbing, goggle wearing triathletes and you have a situation on your hands. The absolute best thing you can do with cold water is take some time, in advance of your swim wave, to get your body conditioned to the water temp. This may mean spending several minutes swimming before your start until the chill wears off. While you can't control the other goggle heads, at least you prepare yourself before your swim.
Unrelated, I remember during scuba diving certification in the early spring in New Hampshire, one of the drills was to sit on the bottom of the lake, remove your mask, and then purge it of water by blowing air out through the nose. Now the ice could not have been off the lake more than a few weeks and I was more than a bit shocked to find that the sudden rush of cold water against my face actually prevented me from breathing. I knew I wanted to breathe, I still had a regulator in my mouth, but I could not. Finally with force, I was able to overcome my body's own reaction and take a few short breaths. But, I digress...
Its not just asthma that makes it hard to breathe. Its totally natural to feel overwhelmed with a swim start. Pretty much everyone has, at some point during some race wanted to panic. If you find that you have reached your limit, stop. Pick your head out of the water. wade for a bit. Do a bit of a reset. Take a few deep breaths. Ignore everyone else around you and just find that happy place. After you can breathe again, start swimming slowly until you can find your natural rhythm. You may need to repeat this step two or three times, but eventually, your body will start to cooperate.
Your upcoming Vineman swim is in a river, a calm flowing, mild temperature river. You will have a chance to get into the water and warm up several minutes before your swim wave. If you panic here, just stand up (really). The best thing you can do is warm up, relax, and enjoy. Remember, you are paying for this ;-) |
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Re: DNF first triathlon - advice?
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Seema
PA
Member Since:
01/20/2005 Total Posts: 176
2.5 Years Ago
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Thanks Kelly and Chris. The interesting thing is that I was prepared for the anxiety, however, I was a whitewater kayaker for quite a long time and did the trapped in a hole in the river upside down thing on numerous occassions. I'm also a fairly advance scuba diver, and like Chris, did my open water in *really* cold water (the Puget Sound in December, it was snowing and the water temp was probably 40 degrees). The wave I started in was only 20 people and there was no crowding and really no one near me. I purposefully started off with breast stroke to avoid going out too fast, so I'm pretty sure it was at least mostly physiological. Glad to know that more exposure helps. I've signed up for a couple of "Splash and Dashes" and a sprint tri before the Vineman, and glad to know that the water on the Vineman is pretty easy to deal with. I've never used albuterol, and assume that will help too. |
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Re: DNF first triathlon - advice?
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Tammie
WI
Member Since:
10/10/2005 Total Posts: 571
2.5 Years Ago
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Just adding my two cents worth... 2 years ago I was about 5 minutes into my swim and I heard a lady yelling out for help. It took all that I had to NOT stop to help her. I kept telling myself that there were people in boats not 20 feet away and it was their job to help her. It was a bit unnerving for me to pass her up, but I just kept my eyes on the prize. I have never had a problem in the water (although I'm not that fast) but I know that a lot of people struggle with it. Keep working on it and you eventually will get to the point where this is no longer a concern.
Good Luck & KEEP MOVING...
Tammie |
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