Triathalon swim deaths 2008 rising. What is going on?
Former Member
What is going on and why are autopsys coming back "cause of death unknown." The numbers are concerning, but the lack of explanation is really bothering me. It makes me feel as if something is being hidden. We have come a long way with CT scans, PET scans, x-rays, serum chemical analysis. I don't buy "cause of death unknown" with modern day capabilities.
On our team we have had numerous triathletes swim with us with only one who I would suggest has improved as a swimmer. Typically, they come in at off times, put on all the toys, knock out a 500 and then bike home. The perplexing part is that we also have an open water subgroup and I can't recall ever having a triathlete swim with us since 2005. Perhaps since the swimming only accounts for 15% of the time of the entire race it's a little "underrepresented" in the training. Nevertheless, it's a shame about the fatalities.
Too many triathletes have almost no OW swim experience. They practice in a pool, usually well within their comfort zone, never really getting very tired.
Then in a race, they expend more energy, sometimes get a little off-course, the water can be choppy and turbid, sometimes with a strong current, and they panic. I see it all the time, even with experienced triathletes.
On our team we have had numerous triathletes swim with us with only one who I would suggest has improved as a swimmer. Typically, they come in at off times, put on all the toys, knock out a 500 and then bike home. The perplexing part is that we also have an open water subgroup and I can't recall ever having a triathlete swim with us since 2005. Perhaps since the swimming only accounts for 15% of the time of the entire race it's a little "underrepresented" in the training. Nevertheless, it's a shame about the fatalities.
Too many triathletes have almost no OW swim experience. They practice in a pool, usually well within their comfort zone, never really getting very tired.
Then in a race, they expend more energy, sometimes get a little off-course, the water can be choppy and turbid, sometimes with a strong current, and they panic. I see it all the time, even with experienced triathletes.
