Why do I feel like gagging when I swim?

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2008-01-29 11:46 AM

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Master
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Subject: Why do I feel like gagging when I swim?
Seems to happen every time I swim. Feel great initially, then after a few minutes, I start to gag. Feels constricting to me, having that water around my throat. (I hate wearing turtlenecks too.) Then after a brief episode, I'm good and can continue on. I don't know if this is a mental block or what. Certainly, if I start to think about it, it inevitably happens. But, even if it's out of my mind, it seems to happen. Doesn't matter if it's open water, or a pool. With a wetsuit, without.

I'm wondering if it's my breathing. I think I take shallow breaths - I can breathe bi-laterally, but I usually get in a rhythm where I breathe on one side on every stroke, then switch over to the other side and breathe there for a while.


2008-01-29 12:38 PM
in reply to: #1181698

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Why do I feel like gagging when I swim?
Seems mental since it comes and goes. You may not be as comfortable in the water as you think. I am sure it will go away the more you swim.
2008-02-02 2:47 AM
in reply to: #1181698

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Subject: RE: Why do I feel like gagging when I swim?


Edited by RDub in Kona 2008-02-02 2:56 AM
2008-02-02 2:55 AM
in reply to: #1181698

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Kailua-Kona now in Oregon,
Subject: RE: Why do I feel like gagging when I swim?
I just read an article about swimming that said some people may be hyperventilating and not really know it. Gagging could be a reflex from caron dioxide build up. Make sure you are exhaling good and staying relaxed. Especially if you are breathing on every stroke. Also, claustrophobia can trigger hyperventilation. Since you said you feel constricted.

I have a similar problem and once I get my rythm down and concentrate on exhaling, I'm good to go.

Good luck.
2008-02-02 4:14 AM
in reply to: #1181698

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western iowa, almost nebraska.
Subject: RE: Why do I feel like gagging when I swim?
I had a similar situation, I breathe like you, and as I started to progress in swimming and my turn over started to increase. I began to breathe too much. basically I would not fully exhale before it was time to breathe again. So I have to make sure I keep my stroke long and flowing, and when I start to feel this feeling, I have to make sure I am fully exhausting my air, before my next breathing stroke. After a few strokes of fully pushing all my air out and intaking full breathes I relax and all is cool with the world again? works for me. I also have trouble with turtle necks, what is up with those???
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Why do I feel like gagging when I swim? Rss Feed