Subject: RE: Returning OWS Panic Attacks Yep I am a keen OW swimmer - doing 10ks as well as IM's During the swim of IM Regensburg in 2011, I was pushed under and could not get back to the surface due to the crowds. At the finish I swam down and then up as fas as i could to burst through. By the time I hit the surface I had a major panic on & thought my race was over. I noticed a another swimmer in the same situation and we both moved to one side. I focused on him he focused on me - we let the thong pass (maybe 3 or 4mins) before calming down enough to continue (using yoga breathing exercises etc) When I got back into my swimming I just focused on the beet of my tempo trainer , as if it was a training swim - I ignored all else - it give me focus - and I started picking my way through the field and managed to exit the lake. I actually got an IM PB that day - so from an almost DNF to a PB The episode played on my mind for the my following IM distance race (2012 Outlaw) and I had a bit of a panic attack - but i kept telling myself I had got throu it - focus - focus - Ignore all --- I got through it My next IM (Switzerland) was a not wetsuit event - a bit of focus and meditation before the swim and I was OK What I'm trying to say, is, give it time focus on what is needed, and you will come out the other side |