General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Nausea after Swim leg Rss Feed  
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2015-09-08 10:02 AM


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Subject: Nausea after Swim leg
Hi guys,

I relatively new to triathlon and have been running into issues with nausea after the swim leg in the past two sprint triathlon's I've done. In both races, I had to stop on the bike portion and throw up on the side before continuing. So I go for the swim and during the swim I'm feeling pretty good and nausea isn't an issue but from the moment my feet hit the ground to go into T1, I feel so disoriented. I can't seem to get my balance right and when I get to my bag and bike to get my shoes on and what not, I have to really take my time to keep myself from falling over. When I get on the bike, the nausea gets really bad especially being in that position and in both races, I had to stop and puke. I would rather this not be a constant thing in races. Any ideas? I hear earplugs can be helpful and so I will try that but any other suggestions or ideas of what's causing this are very welcome.

Thanks so much guys!
Robby


2015-09-08 11:19 AM
in reply to: yayitsrobby

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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg
Definitely try ear plugs. One other thing that might be adding to the issue is if you breathe to only one side.

I did not breathe bilaterally in a race without ear plugs and I came very close to falling over when I stood to get out of the water. All that water flowing into one ear screwed up my equilibrium. It took me a second to straighten everything out, but since then I wear ear plugs and have not had an issue.

I never had issues with nausea, but water in one ear could be a major factor in what you are going through.
2015-09-08 11:58 AM
in reply to: roserc

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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg
The earplugs worked for me.
2015-09-08 12:02 PM
in reply to: yayitsrobby

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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg
How is your breathing when you are in open water? I have found that if I panic and start to breath rapidly, I a) swallow water b) start to hiccup and sort of feel like I am going to vomit in the water (this happened in my first couple of OWS training sessions). Now, I make sure to give myself ample warm up time in the water on race day and I've altered my breathing pattern- bilateral, with breaths every 2 strokes. This has really helped me feel more in control in the water which, for me anyway, has translated into a smoother T1.
2015-09-08 12:22 PM
in reply to: yayitsrobby

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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg

Swallowing dirty lake or ocean water can cause that, but because you say you feel "disoriented" once your feet hit land, I suspect the others are right about it being motion sickness.  Earplugs can help.  Another part of the solution can be ginger pills in the hours leading up to the swim.  They can be an excellent cure for motion sickness, and help settle a nauseous belly.  You may even find that a multi-faceted approach using earplugs and eating ginger is the most effective.

 

2015-09-08 2:31 PM
in reply to: roserc


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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg
This DEFINITELY makes sense! I tend to breathe on one side because I'm not 100% confident in bilateral breathing. I'll definitely try the earplugs and continue to work on my bilateral breathing. Thanks so much guys!



2015-09-09 9:34 AM
in reply to: yayitsrobby

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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg
Earplugs.

Before you go changing everything, just try earplugs.

2015-09-09 10:32 AM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg
How often are you practicing getting straight up to transition into a bike or run immediately after a swim in practice as well, or at least getting as close to it as you can at the pool :p

Edited by dfquigley 2015-09-09 10:33 AM
2015-09-09 5:40 PM
in reply to: TriMyBest

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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg
Originally posted by TriMyBest

Swallowing dirty lake or ocean water can cause that, but because you say you feel "disoriented" once your feet hit land, I suspect the others are right about it being motion sickness.  Earplugs can help.  Another part of the solution can be ginger pills in the hours leading up to the swim.  They can be an excellent cure for motion sickness, and help settle a nauseous belly.  You may even find that a multi-faceted approach using earplugs and eating ginger is the most effective.

 




I'll add peppermint to this as well. The ear plugs for me have always been a NECESSITY. So, if it's the issue, as others have said, they will help.
I do 90% ocean swims in training for much of spring summer and if I am out there long in waves I get a little of that feeling, but gulping AIR is a major factor, and much of that is mind control, staying calm and avoiding that as much as possible. Mass tri starts STILL make me do this even though the dang training I do in those waves is WAAAY tougher. Practice not swallowing air
2015-09-09 6:12 PM
in reply to: yayitsrobby

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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg
You have some good answers here. I would guess the puking is probably just from taking in water and air while you're swimming. Then you double over on the bike and it's uncomfortable and it needs to come out. No fun for sure. Obvious statement - try not to swallow too much water during the swim. If I turn to breathe and get a mouthful of water I spit it out under water and turn to take a breath on the other side.

fwiw - A lot of people are disoriented coming out of the swim. It's apparently the transition from a prone position to a standing position that does it. In my experience it's something you get acclimated to. Looking where you want to go and not down on the ground while you run helps.
2015-09-11 11:02 AM
in reply to: miamiamy

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Subject: RE: Nausea after Swim leg

Originally posted by miamiamy You have some good answers here. I would guess the puking is probably just from taking in water and air while you're swimming. Then you double over on the bike and it's uncomfortable and it needs to come out. No fun for sure. Obvious statement - try not to swallow too much water during the swim. If I turn to breathe and get a mouthful of water I spit it out under water and turn to take a breath on the other side. fwiw - A lot of people are disoriented coming out of the swim. It's apparently the transition from a prone position to a standing position that does it. In my experience it's something you get acclimated to. Looking where you want to go and not down on the ground while you run helps.

 

 

Hopefully not sending the thread too far off in the weeds, but having had my heart rate skyrocket in T1 and into the the beginning of the bike leg in a couple of races, I thought I'd chime in. If my internet based self diagnosis is correct, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome seems to be what I experienced. Starting during the run into the transition area and about 5 minutes into the bike leg, my heart rate shot way up and then gradually settled back down to normal for my level of exertion. 

Not necessarily what the OP experienced from the sound of things, but something to consider if ear plugs, etc. don't help.

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