I don't know why, but when swimming in the lake, I get this somewhat claustic feeling about not getting enough breath. I am a pretty strong swimmer, and have no doubt I can finish the .5 miles in the triathlons I am doing (my second one to happen this Sunday), but I stop stroking and do a slow *** stroke just to calm myself. This would be OK, but I seem to need to do it quite often. I wonder if this is a problem for others? Granted I have not swum in open water very ofen, and with winter on its way I will probably put that off until late Spring.
Another question: At the end of the swim, as I am standing up to exit the water, I most often have a dizzy feeling and that I am going to fall over. Is this just something to live with? Or is something else going on?
I appreciate this forum and all the advice and help I have gotten in the past. Especially the tips for doing my first triathlon in June. I used ALL the tips, and they helped a lot.
Thanks,
Nancy
Parents
Former Member
Hi Nancy,
Just a couple of thoughts from my own experiences with triathlons and open water swim races. I did a triathlon several years ago at altitude (4 to 5,000 feet). After about 200 yards into th 1/2 mile swim I would best describe this as a panic attack (I started self doubting my ability to finish the swim and even the race - being at altitude and the adrenaline fogged my thinking - once I calmed down I was okay and finished the race okay, I ran this race several more times over the 3 years, each time it was easier to clear my thinking). The same thing happened a few years ago at a 3000 meter open water swim at elk lake near bend oregon (once again at altitude) once I calmed down (which was easier to do being able to recognize the onset of this and what I need to do). I think it is a combination of lack of oxygen from being at altitude plus the adrenaline rush of the race, so my advice would be work on keeping yourself calm - its a mental game, you know you can do the yardage just take one stroke at a time.
In regards to the light headiness, I would think it is something similiar to the headrush you can get if you are laying down and try to get up quickly. Since you are swimming in a prone (lying down position and you are suddenly forcing your body vertical it creates changes in your blood pressure/supply to your brain (hence the light headness) I would suggest taking a little more time transitioning out of the water from the swim, maybe try your walking a litttle earlier than you would normally. Hope this helps, good luck.
Jeff
Hi Nancy,
Just a couple of thoughts from my own experiences with triathlons and open water swim races. I did a triathlon several years ago at altitude (4 to 5,000 feet). After about 200 yards into th 1/2 mile swim I would best describe this as a panic attack (I started self doubting my ability to finish the swim and even the race - being at altitude and the adrenaline fogged my thinking - once I calmed down I was okay and finished the race okay, I ran this race several more times over the 3 years, each time it was easier to clear my thinking). The same thing happened a few years ago at a 3000 meter open water swim at elk lake near bend oregon (once again at altitude) once I calmed down (which was easier to do being able to recognize the onset of this and what I need to do). I think it is a combination of lack of oxygen from being at altitude plus the adrenaline rush of the race, so my advice would be work on keeping yourself calm - its a mental game, you know you can do the yardage just take one stroke at a time.
In regards to the light headiness, I would think it is something similiar to the headrush you can get if you are laying down and try to get up quickly. Since you are swimming in a prone (lying down position and you are suddenly forcing your body vertical it creates changes in your blood pressure/supply to your brain (hence the light headness) I would suggest taking a little more time transitioning out of the water from the swim, maybe try your walking a litttle earlier than you would normally. Hope this helps, good luck.
Jeff
