General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Next tri-related purchase.... Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2014-12-16 10:37 AM


701
500100100
Subject: Next tri-related purchase....
Ear plugs.

I suppose starting with 'cheapies' from Walgreens should be OK? I've spent enough lately.

I think I've already got a touch of swimmer's ear now that I have year-round access to a pool.
Funny that, it's my left ear that gets all the water every time I breathe out of that side, but it's my right ear that's complaining. It doesn't seem to fill with water...every breath. Of course, it's still getting wet, so I'm not attributing anything to that.

I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong/different with my stroke when I'm breathing out of that left side. I'd say 90% of the time it feels like it fills right up. I'm clearly not very strong or balanced in the water as I seem to shift direction some when breathing. I've changed up what I've been doing since y'all so helpfully responded to a previous post. I'm not turning my hips nearly as much as I was. I can "feel" a lot of the things you guys mentioned and I'm clearly faster....but that comes with a drawback too. I need to slow down a little for the longer haul. Working on some of the balance 'drills' I've seen in videos.


2014-12-16 11:35 AM
in reply to: jhaack39

User image

Veteran
427
10010010010025
Subject: RE: Next tri-related purchase....
Well, every ear is different, I suppose. Maybe the anatomy is such that a bit of water won't drain out as well. Do you use ear drops after your workouts?
2014-12-16 12:30 PM
in reply to: melanfi


701
500100100
Subject: RE: Next tri-related purchase....
I'm going to start with the ear plugs and see if that helps.
As a kid I used to get swimmers ear, but we 'lived' at the pool in the summer.
I still go quite a bit with my wife and kids, but I never seem to have the problem. Then again, my heads not in the water 'the whole time'.
2014-12-16 5:00 PM
in reply to: jhaack39

User image

Champion
14571
50005000200020005002525
the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: Next tri-related purchase....

your ear is probably different shaped that it doesn't drain right.  

if you really want to be cheap, the drops are just witch hazel.  you can get a bottle that will last FOREVER for $1 and never have to worry about losing one or one falling out.

2014-12-17 1:07 PM
in reply to: jhaack39

User image

Official BT Coach
18500
50005000500020001000500
Indianapolis, Indiana
Gold member
Subject: RE: Next tri-related purchase....

First, go to the drug store and get one of the ear wax removal kits.  The one with the drops and the little bulb to wash things out.  There may be a build-up there that you are not aware of that is holding water in.

Next, place one drop of baby oil into each ear before you swim.  That will help prevent swimmers ear and often eliminate a current issue.  That is based upon personal experience swimming upwards of 50 some million meters over 45+ years.

Finally, I suggest you learn to breath bi-laterally - breath to both sides.  Learning to breath bi-laterally has a number of benefits - one of which is it will help to balance your stroke.  You mention that you "shift direction" when you breath, a clear sign of unbalanced position in the water.  By breathing every third stroke (or 5, 7, 9, whatever works for you), you force your stroke to be symmetrical.  That will be of GREAT benefit when you are swimming in open water and you don't have lane lines to follow.

Just my humble two cents.

2014-12-17 2:04 PM
in reply to: k9car363

User image

Regular
234
10010025
Virginia
Subject: RE: Next tri-related purchase....

I wear earplugs, and after trying all kinds, I prefer the Macks plunger-style plugs (not the wax).  I think they are like $7.50 at swimoutlet.com.



2014-12-17 2:06 PM
in reply to: MCA

User image

Regular
234
10010025
Virginia
Subject: RE: Next tri-related purchase....

I should add that I started getting a lot of water in my ear like 10 years ago, and I am a lifelong competitive swimmer.  So my swimming technique is not to blame, and it didn't change over time...I think maybe the shape of my ear and ear canals may have changed as I aged.  Sucks getting old.

 

 

2014-12-17 3:09 PM
in reply to: jhaack39

New user
44
25
Subject: RE: Next tri-related purchase....
Are you using a swim cap? I use one specifically to prevent swimmer's ear
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Next tri-related purchase.... Rss Feed  
RELATED POSTS

Next big purchase?

Started by Lisavg
Views: 1289 Posts: 11

2011-07-01 3:39 PM morey000

My most expenisve tri related purchase to date...

Started by Mike_D
Views: 751 Posts: 2

2010-08-30 12:28 PM morey000

My First Tri/My Next Tri

Started by Total Health Events
Views: 969 Posts: 10

2008-03-11 5:28 PM BAMBAM66

Not Tri related, but the United Texas Tour is coming

Started by GamblerZ
Views: 791 Posts: 1

2004-03-12 10:54 AM GamblerZ

Non Tri related topic

Started by neokrotmo
Views: 1582 Posts: 14

2004-02-14 7:47 AM TriMom217
RELATED ARTICLES
date : June 22, 2010
author : Tri Swim Coach
comments : 1
Will you will finish your next triathlon swim strong, or will you run out of steam before you even start the majority of your race?
 
date : January 10, 2005
author : malvey
comments : 0
Incentives for making and keeping resolutions for your next year.
date : September 10, 2004
author : steve
comments : 1
Well I said that I was not going to do it this season, but I cracked. I broke down and bought a new bike. I went out and bought a shiny new Cannondale road bike.