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First tri, swim was horrible...help
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 2004-07-11 10:47 PM |
Extreme Veteran  410  The Great Pacific Northwest |  Subject: First tri, swim was horrible...helpOkay I did my first triathlon today in Lake Chelan, WA. I got out into the water on the swim and immediately had a panic attack. I don't have panic attacks! I have NEVER had one. But today was the day my body decided to go, "Oh hey, rolling brown water, wetsuit is touching your neck, you suck!" I tried to roll over onto my back (I had intentionally gone in towards the back because it was my first tri) to catch my breath and calm myself, but then I couldn't bring myself to put my face back in the water. I tried side stroke (which is a new stroke to me) and it worked for awhile, but I kept having to go back to backstroke. Of course that meant going WAY off course. I ended up with a kayak escort for much of the swim. He kept yelling directions at me, but I was turned around and when he'd say "left" I'd go right, and vice versa, so I ended up swimming way more than the 1/4 mile of the swim. I felt so defeated. I couldn't catch my breath to save my life. I couldn't put my face in the water. I felt like a frightened five year old. It was horrible. I was the last one out of the water. My husband helped peel my cursed wetsuit off (never ever again with the wetsuit). I was the last one in the transition area. Fortunately I'm a reasonably okay biker and runner, and also have the stamina of a bull, so I did fine on the bike and run. (Not amazing like some really good athletes, but for me the times were very admirable and I am the only person I was competing against.) I spent the first mile on the bike talking myself off the ledge, and reminding myself that I was okay now, I didn't need to be the best at everything, that I never had to do another one if I didn't want to, but if I did want to I'd be fine next time. Then I decided to just enjoy the scenery and ride strong and solid. I kept singing the song "Accentuate the Positive" in my head the entire time, and concentrating on thinking about people who were dealing with WAY worse issues than a silly little panic attack in a triathlon. The run went very well. While I was more tired than I had anticipated I would be (as I had done a number of bricks), I think that was due to really tearing up my poor lungs during the swim. I was breathing so shallow and so fast that I ended up with lung congestion. Man what a WEENIE I am! But I enjoyed the run, woo hooed lots of people on the way in and back, managed to give some high fives to some kids who were doing the course. (It is so darn cool to see kids doing this.) Came in feeling strong, a little tired, but proud to be a triathlete. Right now I am very ambivalent about doing another triathlon unless I can do a relay. I love the bike and the run, but the swim scares me...especially after today's performance. Has this ever happened to anyone? How did you deal with it? I have the Danskin in a month and I'm really nervous because not only do I have this to deal with, but I'll be in Europe for the two weeks prior to the race and I'm not sure how much swimming I can get in. I know I can run, and the biking I can deal with, but I NEED to swim before this race if I'm going to make it through the swim segment. HELP! |
| 2004-07-11 10:55 PM in reply to: #36739 |
Extreme Veteran 572  Seattle, WA | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Hey teechur, Don't be discouraged, and don't you dare call yourself a weenie! The fact that you kept on going in the swim says a lot. You are very dedicated to keep on going after a scary swim, and you should be patting yourself on the back...I mean, you DID A TRIATHLON! Congratulations! The swim is the hardest for me as well. I'd say keep going, because the first time is always going to be the worst. Now you know what to expect. Since you're in Washington (as am I), there are tons and tons of lakes to choose from to practice your open water swimming. I have yet to swim in any of them, but when I do, I'm going to make my boyfriend follow along with me in a canoe or inflatable raft or the likes...maybe your husband can do the same for you. I think the key to helping with your swimming phobia is to practice it. Don't worry, you're not the only one! Keep trying!!! It sounds like you were very happy with the rest of your race, so don't let a stupid swim leg set you against tri's altogether. You're an amazing woman already for doing your first! Props to you!!! Edited by jasmine 2004-07-11 10:56 PM |
| 2004-07-11 11:06 PM in reply to: #36739 |
| Central Louisiana | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help 1. What happend to you is not uncommon. 2. You hung in there and finished. Many other would have quit! Congrats on the finish! |
| 2004-07-11 11:09 PM in reply to: #36739 |
Expert 1535 Coeur D'alene, ID | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Ditto to what the others have said Tory. Be PROUD that you finished and that you had the guts to stick it out. And don't let one bad swim bother you too much. Get in the lake somewhere over there and just have a nice, relaxed swim in the open water and you'll be amazed how much better you feel about things. Good luck...TRIATHLETE!!! Good job! |
| 2004-07-11 11:22 PM in reply to: #36739 |
Extreme Veteran 465 Epworth. Iowa | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, I did most of my first tri with back stroke and side stroke. My second tri was yesterday - and I did worse. The swim was again mostly side stroke and back - during the swim I was thinking maybe I'm a duathlete. "Forget this____!" AND - I've done the TI workshop - lots of time in the pool and have done a fair amount of open water swimming. Then to crash on the race?? Bummer - but, it's just coming slowly - If you look at my new article on the site. "Fear of Flying" - I almost bailed on the first tri 'cause my swim was so horrible. So... welcome to the horrible swimmer triathlete club (Maybe we need shirts?) One guy at yesterday's tri said, "I haven't heard too many traithletes say swimming is their favorite part) Personally - I'm taking the "In your face" approach to swimming - I'm going to beat this sucker... you can too! Your history proves it (I've seen those b/4 and aft pics).... Maybe we won't be "good" swimmers this year or even next year - but htis is a lifestyle right? You did a tri - who cares how the swim went. (Yesterday on my back, I jokingly said to some swimmers, "You guys are going the wrong way!" I was still in my "out and back" tri from June instead of this triangle swim tri - was literally going the wrong way for a few strokes.) You are a triathlete - not a weenie - you did the swim - next time you won't panick - just whistle to the folks in the canoe to head on over and point the way - give yourself permisssion to improve slowly - at your own pace - and get happy you are way ahead of about 98% of the population!! It WILL come together. I believe that so much - I've signed up for an extra tri this summer - plan to swim as horribly as I do - peacefully. Besides - Race Days are the only days I eat pizza at the post party - so another tri means another piece of pizza. Great job! M |
| 2004-07-11 11:45 PM in reply to: #36739 |
Elite 3020 Bay Area, CA | Subject: Some ideas... Just a question, did you get in the water before your wave start? If you did, ignore the rest of this. If you didn't then I'd suggest you: 1) get in the water at least 20 minutes before the start of your wave. There usually is a practice/warmup area. 2) Wade out until you're about waist high and start getting acclimatized to the water. It usually takes me about 10 minutes to get used to the water temperature (it's usually colder than the pool and takes me a minute to catch my breath) 3) start swimming in the practice area. Try breast stroke ( you don't have to put your face in the water) or you can even swim free style with your head out of the water although it takes more energy. Usually, what I like to do is to start swimming slow breast stroke and slowly get my face more and more wet, until I'm swimming with my face fully in the water. This slow intro works well for me. You could even stand and splash some water on your face etc to get used to the temperature. Then when the swim starts, you'll be ready to go. What you're describing sounds more to me like a reaction (short of breath etc) to the coldness of the water, and then you felt panicked cause you couldn't get your breath and freaked out. |
| 2004-07-11 11:50 PM in reply to: #36739 |
| New user 4 Tucson, AZ | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory: I think that a lot of this emotion MIGHT be your fear over having the Panic Attack at all. I mean, as you mentioned - you have NEVER had one before and it was really terrifying. I believe that most athletes experience SO many emotions during their first triathlon. And then to have to deal with a Panic Attack in brown open water could only have intensified the anxiety. I had my one and only PA in a DOCTOR'S OFFICE (pretty safe place) upon hearing some medical news 15 yrs. ago. Yet, later I was terrified that I had the attack at ALL as I'm a pretty together person. That you didn't ask to be picked up by the guides, that you swam extra mileage, that you REGROUPED and did well with the cycling and running.....MY GOD, TORY....I personally think you are a HERO. You were faced with extreme challenges and you COMPLETED the race. How many of us could have even done what you did?? I agree - get some more practice in that brown water (with your husband or friend close by monitoring in a canoe). I think you will do great. |
| 2004-07-11 11:51 PM in reply to: #36739 |
Elite 3235 San Diego | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, Congrats on your finish! Don't beat yourself up over the swim. It has happened to almost all of us at one time or another. In my first tri, I put my face in the water for about 2 seconds then not again until 50 feet from the swim exit. Take it from a non swimmer, it gets easier. In January I started taking masters swim classes. I was the worst swimmer by far in the group. I have a very patient teacher who realizes I'm another one of those "triathletes" that has no idea how to do the breast stroke or doesn't know what an IM is. But after a few months I am getting faster and am no longer anxious in my races, except my first race of this season where I kept seeing something silver off to my left side. I am a bit shark phobic and I really started to panic when I realized it was the bubbles from my left hand. I laughed and swallowed a whole mouth full of water, then put my face back in the water and finished the swim. So hang in there you did great. Don't let one bad experience get you down Take care Tom |
| 2004-07-12 12:03 AM in reply to: #36739 |
| Regular 87 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Teechur, Hang in there! I know how disheartening it can be to work so hard and face and unexpected obstacle. I think your being way too hard on yourself. Yeah, you panicked but you didn't give into your fears and give up. You actually have a great success story from today. And now your much wiser than before, so the Danskin is really in trouble because you already know what's coming! Best of luck on your training for the Danskin. Skeedawg |
| 2004-07-12 12:33 AM in reply to: #36739 |
| Veteran 134 Seattle, WA | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory I have not done my first tri yet, but had a similar experience in Lake Washington on Thursday. It was truly terrible and I still feel bad about it. However, I did learn some things from the mistakes I made and will be out on the lake next Thursday too. I too am freaking out about the 1/2 mile course of the Danskin, so I am with you in nail biting land here  I think I read in some other threads that you have done some open water swims with a guide in the lake. There are still some happening on Thursday nights through a trainer here if you want to "jump right back in". Information is at www.bodyelectricfitness.com. Congrats on completing your first tri.....you could have stopped and you didn't. You should hold your head up high and try to learn as much as you can. My schedule is super tight as I suspect yours is as well, but if you want to try and go "jump in a lake" together and we can coodinate schedules I'd love to do it. Feel free to e mail me privately at [email protected] be aware--I am super slow |
| 2004-07-12 12:45 AM in reply to: #36739 |
Expert 704 Durham, CA | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, I have done two tri's by myself, and both swims were horrible - I had the same issue, swam my %&*^% off the first two lenghts of the pool, and then all of a sudden could not breath - ended up doing the side stroke almost the entire length. Do not give up!!!! - while I haven't done another tri yet, I know that the swimming thing has just this last week "clicked" with me, and I am confident that I can take on a much longer swim, with only the front crawl. It is all about breathing, and getting your body used to being underwater. Congrats on your first tri - be darned proud of the fact that you completed a challange that 99% of the population could not even contemplate attempting. Dennis |
| 2004-07-12 12:46 AM in reply to: #36739 |
Extreme Veteran 448 Edmonton, Alberta | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Great job keeping your head, and having a good finish. As far as panic attacks in the water I think every body weather they admit it or not feels a little scared in an open water swim. All I can tell you is do not give in to that little voice that says you don't need this crap, I know it is hard but you need to get back into the water what you went threw is totally normal. Way to finish you did great!! Roy |
| 2004-07-12 11:00 AM in reply to: #36739 |
Extreme Veteran 410 The Great Pacific Northwest | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Okay you guys, you have no idea how much each and every one of your posts meant to me. I'm doing it. I'm going to do the Danskin. There are swim angels, right? And I don't have to finish well, I just have to finish. My worst fear going in was being the last out of the water. Well, I was the last out of the water and I didn't die and today I am wearing a triathlete's medal. (Yeah, I am too. I'm such a dork.) Keep the suggestions coming! Karri I'm emailing you in like two minutes. I'm SUPER slow, but what counts is not speed but that we're doing it, right? Thanks again everyone. Any other input is much MUCH appreciated. Thank you all! |
| 2004-07-12 11:53 AM in reply to: #36739 |
Master 1275 Sonoma County, CA | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, I've read your blog, your posts and some of what you've gone thru the last couple of years....hon, with what you've gone thru you can so get thru this swim thang....as well, you're in grrrreat company cuz I know lots of people who have panicked in the swim. I have completely panicked!. My first organized event I was *this* close (that's really close) to saying "F it!" and getting out of the water. Complete panic, complete breakdown, complete..."what the HELL am I doing?"...ack, it was a horrible, horrible feeling. Swimming has become very meditative to me, a very mental thing. I literally shut everything else out of my mind and just talk to myself...stroke, breathe, stroke breathe, you're in a wetsuit, you will not drown, slow down, take your time, slow down...i mean, whatever works...just keep on going back, try something til it works. Can't wait to read the Danskin race report. |
| 2004-07-12 12:08 PM in reply to: #36846 |
Elite 2915 New City, New York | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, Congrats and I'm happy that you decided not to be deterred. My first was the worst but they do get better. After a 3 year lay-off, I did another tri in June and I had a simliar reaction to my previous one's. Not quite panic, but couldn't catch my breath. I can swim all day in the pool breathing only on my right side every other arm rotation - by no means an expert. Here is how I survive the start: 1) start in the back of your wave 2) at waist high water get your face in 3) at first panic, stand , regroup - ("I can, I can"....) 4) start over 5) repeat ( it took me 3 trys) until the water is over your head (and you have no choice), then and here is the important part 6) GO SLOWLY and "find" your stroke. I was NEVER able to get to my every other stroke. I felt like my face was in the water for an eternity and felt like I was out of breath. So every time my right arm came up i turned for a breath. That is not the way I train and it feels much slower. But I was able to calm myself, and complete the 1/2 mi. swim in 14 minutes with just those few anious minutes at the start. And that is my main point to you, it is just the start. I constantly have to remind myself that it's only the first minute of 15 and I usually spend much more than that in the pool. You just have to get going then you'll be fine. Hope this helps. good Luck, Mark Edited by rollinbones 2004-07-12 12:10 PM |
| 2004-07-12 12:28 PM in reply to: #36739 |
Veteran 140 Milwaukee | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, Did you do any open water swims before your tri? You may want to go out and just practice in the water. I did my first open water tri yesterday and the week before I grabbed my wetsuits and my parents and their little inflatable boat and had them come with me to a lake while I swan. It really helped with my confidence for the race. The result was that the swim portion of my race went OK yesterday. I ended up doing a little side stroke and breast stroke to catch my breath but made it. I have decided that a lot more open water swimming is in my future. |
| 2004-07-12 1:09 PM in reply to: #36882 |
Extreme Veteran 410 The Great Pacific Northwest | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help CJWonder - 2004-07-12 9:28 AM Tory, Did you do any open water swims before your tri? You may want to go out and just practice in the water. I did my first open water tri yesterday and the week before I grabbed my wetsuits and my parents and their little inflatable boat and had them come with me to a lake while I swan. It really helped with my confidence for the race. The result was that the swim portion of my race went OK yesterday. I ended up doing a little side stroke and breast stroke to catch my breath but made it. I have decided that a lot more open water swimming is in my future. Yes, I did two last week both in the wetsuit. I even did the entire length, but the difference was I was alone (well with husband on shore) and I needed to do more. I'm going to get in today because I know how important it is to just get back on the horse. My plan is for the next 16 days (I leave for Europe after that) to get into the lake water as often as possible, and continue my Tuesday/Thursday pool swims. |
| 2004-07-12 1:15 PM in reply to: #36739 |
| 9 | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Congratulations on finishing the race! You are now a triathlete!! You will enjoy the Danskin event--a lot of support and comraderie. My daughter and I did it last year (our first tri), and it was FUN!! Not to mention that great feeling of "I did it". |
| 2004-07-12 1:40 PM in reply to: #36739 |
Expert 751 Texarkana, TX | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, Here is the thread from my first open water swim: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=3492. Short story is that I freaked out in my first open water swim. The cold water, the people, the brown water, not knowing how far to go, etc. It all killed me. Well, going into my next race, I knew what to expect, and I was able to swim the entire distance freestyle. The message is that now you know what you're in for, prepare yourself, and you will triumph. Oh yeah, here's a few weeks later: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4016 |
| 2004-07-12 1:45 PM in reply to: #36894 |
| Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, You have a medal! Yeah! I was a dork and wore mine for the following two days, on the third day I carried it in my backpack and took it out all the time to show it to near total strangers (I guess I was a super dork). I totally love swimming, and even so, the first time that I went into the open water this season (before my first tri) I freaked. In the pool I could see my arms in the water, but in Beaver Lake I could see nothing but foggy tea water. I inhaled with my face in the water, and exhaled when I turned my head out of the water, not once but three times in row. Finally, I stopped myself, rolled onto my back, and had a good laugh. Next, I mentally regrouped, and did what Crpadiem said, I meditated on swimming. In my first tri, I did a bit of everything, and I was super slow, but I did not inhale in the water and exhale out of the water! Each time the freestyle portion gets longer and hopefully soon I will freestyle the whole thing! Swimming is a mental exercise, and triathlon swimming is even more so. You did everything right in response to the panic feeling, and you know it, because you have the MEDAL and you are a triathlete! I'll be grinding it out with you at the Seattle Danskin, have fun! |
| 2004-07-12 2:41 PM in reply to: #36739 |
Regular 135 Romeoville, IL | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, I too had a near panic attack my first time in open water (lake MI), which was very cold and choppy and I had no wetsuit. I freaked out for about 100 yds and then sort of got into a groove. I'm a good swimmer in the pool, and I just made myself concentrate on form and stroke length... it helped. That was last friday, I'm getting back in for another swim/bike brick on Wed., hopefully this one will go better! You will do great in the Danskin! I totally envy your running abilities! |
| 2004-07-12 5:14 PM in reply to: #36739 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help hey, you finished the tri and that is the most important thing. The last tri I did, I just about screamed like a little girl every time my arm would hit seaweeds...and there were lots of those! We all get squeamish about certain things but as long as we get past it and keep going, nobody can fault us. Congrats on finishing your tri...you are now a triathlete. |
| 2004-07-12 8:16 PM in reply to: #36739 |
| 10 | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help Tory, What you experienced was totaly normal. I did the same thing on my first open water swim which was a swim run race as part of a tri training camp. Out of 11 of us, only 3 could finish the 2 laps in the water and they were experienced triathletes. Open water swimming is very different from pool swimming. You can't see the bottom, you're using a wetsuit that you're not used to swimming in and then there is all of these other people around you which adds more preassure. I've swam in the Carabian many times without a giving it a second thought. Of course the water is warm and clear down there. I did my first tri yesterday and had the same problem after about 100 meters. The wetsuit felt too constricting and I actually thought of ripping it off to continue the race. The only thing that saved me was that I was mentaly prepared for it to happen and was able to convince myself that everything was okay and I can do this. I finaly got my breathing under control and was able to complete the 1500 meters felling pretty good. For a while I wasn't sure if I was going to tuff it out, but nothing can compare with the feeling of getting out of the water knowing I had done it. The anticipation of the swim was so bad that for a couple of weeks before the race, I was having trouble getting my breath when I was going to sleep thinking about the upcoming race. I've read and heard about so many triathletes who have had the same feelings during their first races. The challenge is getting yourself somewhere that you can practice in open water with a wetsuit. It's no different than learning to push yourself in a run when you're tired or making it up that last rise of a hill on your bike. Feel good that you did something that only few will try and even fewer will acomplish! Congratulations and here's to your next race. Never give up, never give up, NEVER GIVE UP! Ken |
| 2004-07-12 11:52 PM in reply to: #36739 |
| Extreme Veteran 463 | Subject: RE: First tri, swim was horrible...help I had a long post which was eaten.  My original point was that hyperventilating on your first tri swim is normal! The lack of a side of a pool to catch your breath must have been pretty scary. I'm glad you are going to keep at it because your next event will be better. You can take that to the bank because I can't imagine it being worse. And if my theory about a first tri swim is wrong, please let me know. Every single person I know who tris has said their first swim was horrible. Pool, OW, doesn't matter. Experienced swimmer, novice, doesn't matter. The first tri swim is just plain nerve-wracking! And lastly, you know you can do it; you've done it in practice so you'll do it again. You've lived your worst nightmare so no race will be any scarier. Concentrate on your fun-meter and forget your placement; we're all amateurs just trying to stay fit and have fun. And this will be funny to you someday when you medal in your age group. |
| 2004-07-13 8:33 PM in reply to: #36739 |
| Member 41 Spokane Washington | Subject: --- Hey, be soo proud! YOu did it! You could have done the Did Not Finish (DNF) but instead you hung in there. And didn't they give you a medallion!?? That's so much more than most tri's give!! I live in Spokane and was going to do the My First Tri in Chelan also but instead I'm doing one here - it's Sunday! I'm not a great swimmer so the open water part was stressing me out so much, I almost bailed out completely. So now I'm doing my first tri in a pool. There are several in this area that are in pools. I took private swimming lessons and tried to swim at least 2-3 times a week. My original plan was to do 3 open water practice swims to get the comfort level. I intend to do an open water tri next summer. Now that you've got one tri under your belt, just concentrate on the swimming part, take lesson, do practice open water swims and you'll do just terrific the next time. |
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