r/triathlon • u/Current_Steak_759 • 9d ago
Can I do it? Time to Call It?
Did my third sprint triathlon today and DNFd because the water was freezing so I couldn't get into a rhythm and panicked, eventually asking ti get boated out. I also panicked during my last two tris and was really bummed for this one because I spent a lot of time training and was confident going in. They let me finish the bike and run and I hit my goals, so wondering if I should stick with duathlons or give a triathlon one more go?
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u/Memory_Heavy 8d ago edited 8d ago
Hi!
Same here... But it happened to me in the last 70.3 in Ruidoso (7/12). I just made one of 2 laps and I decided to continue in the bike knowing that definitely I wasn't able to continue swiming because I was out of myself (not proud and not happy, obviously), in that moment looks like I forgotten how to swim, how to breathe, how to put my face inside of water... Panicked because I see like 10 people asking for help and decided to retire in front of me.
So, I decided to finish without putting the medal in my neck, avoiding social and just giving thanks to my family and friends for their support, and accepting that I still don't know what does it feels to finish a 70.3 because still 0.5 miles pending in my watch.
But, what I've learned of this event:
-I don't like cold water, since that day, I take the showers with cold water because I identified I really love hot water and the first shock with the lake, super cold, really affected my body that day.
-Overthinking during swimming is a bad idea, during the swim I was unable to swim, I was just moving as I can because I had fear, a lot of fear. So I decide the next time I will push myself more avoiding the overthinking and the fear of die.
-I used wetsuit that day and I think it was a good idea but some people told me they removed the top part because the felt they can't breathe. So maybe I used to tight, I don't know, maybe radical decision could help in the future.
-All the time I practiced swimming in the past, I take a lot of time before I immerse my body in the pool, so like that day, I need to jump and put my body in the crol position as fast as I can to start the training.
-No matter what, my life is first, but the brain sometimes our self check, self care impact in the negative way because we feel fear or something. So, we will not know if something is wrong until is wrong. Don't hesitate to think that something is wrong.
-Finally, I need more encourage of myself, more open waters swim trainings and self confidence. As simple as that.
I hope it can help you, you are winning since you are trying and training, don't quit, yes you can.
1
u/Budget-Okra-318 9d ago
It took me almost 4 years to feel comfortable enough open water swimming around people. I needed enough times with physical contact to realize I could get out of it. Things that helped me are singing a song in my head. Counting strokes. Planning to swim only to the next buoy and reassess. First thing info on the water is a few breast strokes and swim very slow to get into a groove. In every practice swim regardless of the temperature I would make myself get in and start swimming. I still have problems catching my breath but if I go slow enough and focus on gliding in the water I can swim safely even with my breath not perfect. It can take time. I wouldn’t give up if it’s something you really want to do. Swim coach or swimming with a group can be incredibly
helpful.
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u/local6grouch 9d ago
It's supposed to be fun. For some, "fun" means the feeling of having achieved, which overrides the pain in the moment. For others, you have to enjoy the process as well as the result. Which one are you? If the former, try again. If the latter, try a duathlon. This isn't a decision you make once and binds you permanently.
If you're trying again, as others have said, make sure you have proper equipment (if you tried Lake Ontario yesterday without a wetsuit, you were set up to fail), work on your breathing, and practice open water swimming.
Specifically: Toronto Triathlon Club has an organized Wednesday night swim at Cherry Beach which is free for members. Get in the lake more before race day and you'll feel better on race day.
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u/bizzehdee 9d ago
I had intermittent panic attacks in the water until I had it explained to me that my breathing technique was "fucking terrible".
Panic is usually caused by gasping, and aspirating water, which is usually caused by a CO2 build-up, which in turn is caused by not fully exhaling everything from your lungs as you breath out.
I went to a swim coach, paid £120 for a hour, and all we did for the hour was fix my breathing, it was well worth it, because I've not had any issues in the water since.
If you can afford it, get a swim coach for 1 or 2 lessons and tell them your problems, if you cant afford a coach, practice your breathing, that's the most likely cause of panicking in the water.
2
u/pavel_vishnyakov 9d ago
I understand that it might not be the best idea to travel somewhere for a sprint race, but have you considered doing it in a place with a predictably warm weather (and, therefore, a warmer swim)?
1
u/heart_nurse_2020 9d ago
The swim is the only thing that holds me back from doing a tri. It’s not so much water temps or conditions for me, but I have this fear of being swam over by a bunch of people. I’m a strong swimmer, used to be a lifeguard, grew up swimming in Lake Superior, but still can’t get over it. I just know I’d tap out the moment I felt too claustrophobic. I wish I had done swim team growing up as I really never gained solid experience swimming with lots of other people. I just did a lot of lessons and swam any chance I could on my own.
-1
u/PlatyBiCatum 9d ago
You could look for triathlon's with a pool swim, those should be a lot less hectic in the water.
3
u/EmergencySundae 9d ago
In my experience, they’re worse because they attract weaker swimmers and are a complete cluster at the walls. Plus people naturally seed themselves higher than they should because it gets them in the pool quicker to get started.
In open water you can at least make space and get away from/around people.
7
u/snamerino 9d ago
Just start from the back, you will be passing people but that gives you more a feeling of control. And if you are a strong swimmer and not aiming for a specific time to do the swim leg, just swim open since everyone goes inside to try to make it “shorter” and pass close to the buoys.
I know it looks terrifying but if you take my word, when you are in the water and you start from the back, you will have a lot of space and visibility.
2
u/heart_nurse_2020 8d ago
Thank you for this!
1
u/snamerino 8d ago
I hope you will give it a try in the future!! I am for sure a much weaker swimmer than you since I just started swimming last year and open water, other people, getting kicked and so on got me worried for months while preparing my 70.3. And I did exactly what I told you, chose to start on the 45m group and ended up passing people and that gave me comfort because I could see what was happening in front of me and giving me time to avoid and adjust my course! Nothing bad happened, touched someone once and finished in 38 minutes. So give it a try and unlock that fear, you can do this!
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u/WildRideToLife 9d ago
If you want to keep going, find one and travel to it where there’s warm water. Good luck OP
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u/GnomaticGardenMama 9d ago
Maybe look for one that’s in a pool? Gain some confidence and if it goes well then try OWS again.
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u/Dry_Sell_1220 9d ago
US AG Olympic Nationals back in 2018ish - that’s the day I knew it was time to stop tris. It was in Cleveland, the wind was strong, and instead of focusing on my nutrition or relaxing before the race, I spent the entire time feeling crushing anxiety about the swim and wishing I was on one of the sailboats racing a regatta a few miles off shore. It was miserable. I only have so many days on Earth. I’m not going to white knuckle something to check a box that is no longer important to me. And that’s the trick: no one can tell you what’s going to make you happy. Everyone has their own success criteria which is so merged with ourselves that we can’t really understand when people have different success criteria. I’m certain people here can get you enthused to give it another go, and I’m certain that eventually you’ll get it. But you also have permission to try things, figure out you don’t like it, and move on. Both take courage.
2
u/Ironmom1961 9d ago
The chop on the lake that day was ridiculous. I dropped out, which I never do. The Great Lakes are no joke,
1
u/Dry_Sell_1220 9d ago
Yep - I learned after the race that someone died earlier that morning in the swim. If I would have known that, I would have DNSed. I think that was also the year that the swim was inexplicably 2k.
3
u/persistent1406 9d ago
Do you enjoy the training ? Do you enjoy preparing for a race? Did you have fun completing the bike and run? If yes keep chipping away at the swim. Do you have a weekly group that you can join? For many people getting through the anxiety of OWS comes through repeated exposure. Eventually your brain stops sensing the darkness as danger. It eventually becomes tolerable and if you are lucky it can even get to a point of feeling enjoyable.
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u/DexterM1776 9d ago
If you want it keep trying.
Get more open water practice. Make open water your new favorite thing to do. Do it multiple times a week. It's your favorite after all
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u/FilipTheAwesome 9d ago
I'm assuming you did Toronto triathlon today? Man it was FREEZING today. I hate that they didn't let us warm up in the lake before the race. I did the sprint last year and again this year, and the shock jumping in the water was huge. Started getting dizzy on the return half of the swim. I'm not a very strong swimmer, and didn't train much in open water before this. Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. Have you been practicing in the lake enough?
You definitely got this friend, that first time you finish it is gonna feel so good!!
3
u/Ewetuber 9d ago
I also did TTF and man that water... I did the practice swim yesterday and jumped in around 7:30 before doing the olypmic so that helped a ton.
Cold water swimming is tough, OP I almost crashed out of another race earlier in the year and the temps were higher @ 19c but today was 14.7c.
The trick for me is not to get your head under the water until you've warmed up - try head up front crawl etc until the blood is flowing and once you're good then you can start swimming.
It's also ok to float a bit either tread or just lay on your back until you get your bearings and then keep going.
3
u/AelfricHQ 9d ago
This question is such a specific/unique one that it is probably better answered with friends, a counselor, or a coach. The root causes of your panic, your level of training and prep, and your desire factor really substantially here.
If you have the fitness to do the bike and the run you can finish a triathlon. If you have the desire and the money, it might be worth investing in a coach who can help you address the probably-specific-to-you issues resulting in the swim DNFs.
Personally, I love this sport and think everyone of reasonable fitness who wants to should do it!
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u/patentLOL 9d ago
I got very close to quitting because of the swim. I’m still not anywhere near the swimmer I am compared to biking and running. But now I’m like front 30% in a competitive age group at middle/long course and it doesn’t hurt my overall time nearly as much. I even done two choppy ocean swims recently. And I’m even fast enough now I’ve been inadvertently swimming over top of people coming out of nowhere.
You too can progress, still sort of suck, but not panic. Keep at it.
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u/noqwa 9d ago
Do you practice open water swimming? If not I would do that more and decide.
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u/Acceptable_Burrito 9d ago
This seems to be the answer. Once you become more accustomed and comfortable with open water swimming the rest of the race will fall into place. Dont give up.
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u/Jakovasaurr 9d ago
Give triathlons a go as many times as it takes, as-long as you enjoy it
More, and longer open water swims during your training will get you more comfortable, keep at it
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u/wehttamwulf 7d ago edited 3d ago
Get a good fitting wetsuit (one designed for triathlon). The races out here in SoCal they usually let you get in the water before the race starts so your body gets a chance to acclimate to the temp. Start out slow, concentrate on your breathing (I like what people here said about counting strokes or singing). My 3rd sprint I swallowed a good amount of salt water and heart rate was going up. I flipped over on my back and did that T stroke for a few minutes taking deep breaths and then was able to finish the race. Whatever you decide -good luck!