Some how this got posted in another category...not sure how that happened, so I'm reposting it here.
I am brand new to OW, but I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue. I saw a thread started on the General Swimming board, but I don't know if there is a specific way to deal with this in OW situations. I have my first OW swim coming up in September (3 miles). Although the distance is not the issue, getting over the mental issues are. I have swam twice in the afternoons when the swells are bigger than my usual 6 a.m. jaunts, which would be closer to the race environment, and both times I've come out of the water shaky and tingly. I'm attributing it to sea sickness...? I'm not nauseous, per se, but a bit dizzy to be sure. I'm thinking during a race situation I will be distracted by the other competitors. I will have a paddler with me since this is my first time out, and I have a health issue.
I'm thinking I'm lifting my head up too often since I'm looking for specific buoys. In the race, the 1/2 way point and the ending point are so far apart that I might not feel the need to lift my head as much...?
Anyway, any tips from the experienced OW swimmers?
Parents
Former Member
You were having seizures and swimming!!!!! Swimming is one of the most dangerous activities an epileptic can do. Water movement has the same effect on your brain as a strobe light. Do you sit under a light fixture that has a fan on it also?
The pieces of ginger might have had nothing to do with you not being "seasick." It might have meant that your stomach had less room to gulp down air.
There are many types of seizures. My tonic clonic seizures (grand mals) are controlled with medication. The other "smaller" seizures (simple partials) happen, but have no effect on my cognitive abilities. My husband is always there with me. Strobe lights have no effect, neither do lights with fans.
My neurologist is fine with me swimming.
During my upcoming open water swim, my paddler is an EMT and San Diego lifeguard of 35 years. He is a good friend, knows my condition and has been a paddler for this event many times. I have complete confidence that I will be fine.
And hey, if the ginger was all psychological, I'm taking it.
You were having seizures and swimming!!!!! Swimming is one of the most dangerous activities an epileptic can do. Water movement has the same effect on your brain as a strobe light. Do you sit under a light fixture that has a fan on it also?
The pieces of ginger might have had nothing to do with you not being "seasick." It might have meant that your stomach had less room to gulp down air.
There are many types of seizures. My tonic clonic seizures (grand mals) are controlled with medication. The other "smaller" seizures (simple partials) happen, but have no effect on my cognitive abilities. My husband is always there with me. Strobe lights have no effect, neither do lights with fans.
My neurologist is fine with me swimming.
During my upcoming open water swim, my paddler is an EMT and San Diego lifeguard of 35 years. He is a good friend, knows my condition and has been a paddler for this event many times. I have complete confidence that I will be fine.
And hey, if the ginger was all psychological, I'm taking it.
