As if the whole running thing wasn't enough:
Study: Triathlons can pose deadly heart risks
March 28th, 2009 By MARILYNN MARCHIONE , AP Medical Writer (AP) -- Warning to weekend warriors: Swim-bike-run triathlons pose at least twice the risk of sudden death as marathons do, the first study of these competitions has found.
www.physorg.com/news157482153.html
It doesn't appear to be triathlons per se, but rather open water swimming and the number of people involved. If the same number of people were drawn to open water swims, the same problem would exist. I've seen experienced swimmers suffer irregular heart rhythms in meets and practices. If these same swimmers had been in open water, the consequences would have been severe.
Those drawn to just open water swims tend to be experienced swimmers and those that are acclimated to cold water. Inexperienced swimmers and those not acclimated to cold water tend NOT to show up for open water swims. They do, unfortunately, tend to show up for triathlons, thinking that they can "just get through the swim."
Perhaps the problem is that those focused mainly on running or biking underestimate how strenous swimming actually is. I've seen too many runners and bikers say they are using a swim to "recover" from a hard bike or run (I'll admit I've been guilty of claiming I'm using a swim to recover from a hard run.). There is a mentality among runners and bikers that swimming is easy. This is a dangerous mindset and perhaps leads to the number of deaths we are seeing in triathlons. Personally, I have found it less draining on my body to put in 12 hours a week of triathlon training than 12 hours a week of swimming.
Anybody who for a minute doubts their ability to get through the swim should ask for a special colored cap. Most triathlon events have these available. Also, anybody with a problem that affects his/her heart should request a special colored cap. Open water swimming is dangerous and needs to be undertaken with that understanding. I hope any swimmer out there that has any condition that affects his/her heart will not let pride get in the way of wearing a special colored cap.
Another problem is that triathletes tend to think it is weak, not smart, to DNF. I'm proud of the fact I DNFed at a triathlon in Tennessee in 2005. When I was taken to the hospital, I was told it was a good thing I stopped when I did. Stop if you feel bad - better to DNF and be alive.
It doesn't appear to be triathlons per se, but rather open water swimming and the number of people involved. If the same number of people were drawn to open water swims, the same problem would exist. I've seen experienced swimmers suffer irregular heart rhythms in meets and practices. If these same swimmers had been in open water, the consequences would have been severe.
Those drawn to just open water swims tend to be experienced swimmers and those that are acclimated to cold water. Inexperienced swimmers and those not acclimated to cold water tend NOT to show up for open water swims. They do, unfortunately, tend to show up for triathlons, thinking that they can "just get through the swim."
Perhaps the problem is that those focused mainly on running or biking underestimate how strenous swimming actually is. I've seen too many runners and bikers say they are using a swim to "recover" from a hard bike or run (I'll admit I've been guilty of claiming I'm using a swim to recover from a hard run.). There is a mentality among runners and bikers that swimming is easy. This is a dangerous mindset and perhaps leads to the number of deaths we are seeing in triathlons. Personally, I have found it less draining on my body to put in 12 hours a week of triathlon training than 12 hours a week of swimming.
Anybody who for a minute doubts their ability to get through the swim should ask for a special colored cap. Most triathlon events have these available. Also, anybody with a problem that affects his/her heart should request a special colored cap. Open water swimming is dangerous and needs to be undertaken with that understanding. I hope any swimmer out there that has any condition that affects his/her heart will not let pride get in the way of wearing a special colored cap.
Another problem is that triathletes tend to think it is weak, not smart, to DNF. I'm proud of the fact I DNFed at a triathlon in Tennessee in 2005. When I was taken to the hospital, I was told it was a good thing I stopped when I did. Stop if you feel bad - better to DNF and be alive.
