bad open water practice swim

[silver]

my team had a practice tri on Monday and I didn't do well in the swim. I haven't been in open water since my tri last August. I had practiced in open water and had done "ok." but I didn't do well in the actual tri.

i kind of freak out in the open water. I hyperventilate, and feel like I can't catch my breath. I think it's just a nerves thing. I don't really feel in fear of drowning, just really short of breath. in the pool I feel this a little but I push through and things smooth out for me.

On Monday I started with the rest of the folks, but turned back about a quarter of the way out and returned to shore.

I saw a device in the back of the triathlon mag. It's called swimsafe. It's like a little fanny pack that's like an emergency life preserver. I ordered one and hope that it helps me get over this mental block.

any suggestions?

[MINIskirt]

are you swimming in a wetsuit?

Having my wetsuit on, with it's extra buoyancy, really helps me feel more secure. If I start to feel winded, I just flip over and kick backwards.

[silver]

No, I'm confused about wetsuits. I am just planning to do two summer tri's (sprints) this year and I thought that you couldn't use them in warmer weather. Please inform me.

[MINIskirt]

No, I'm confused about wetsuits. I am just planning to do two summer tri's (sprints) this year and I thought that you couldn't use them in warmer weather. Please inform me.

It depends on water temp. Here's the USAT rule on wetsuits:

Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

Regardless of whether or not you can use it in the actual race, it might be something to think about in your training to help you feel more secure and get more comfortable in open water. Then work on swimming in open water without it.

[Meg McKilty]

Perhaps it is a vision issue...

I have a very tough time swimming in water I cannot see the bottom of, such as oceans and lakes. I just try to remind myself that everything is on the bottom and nothing [should] surface to attack me.

[silver]

Ha! I do have vision problems! I had to get contacts in order to do triathlons.

Well, the "lake" that our tri was in and the "lake" that we practiced in are just old stripper pits. mud holes really! I couldn't see anything but brown. Yes, that was disconcerting. Last year my private swim instructor had told me to swim in the pool with my eyes closed. Today My goggles fogged up and I just left them that way.

I do know that I was swimming way crooked on Monday. every time I sighted, I was turned to the right and had to straighten out again.

Funny about the things on the bottom....this "lake" was described by a team member as "the lake with the Freakishly Large Fresh Water Mussels." NOT very confidence inspiring...but they really didn't bother me too much. As long as I don't see snakes, dont' get out with leaches, and don't sink into the mud to my knees...oh, and don't have to swim through green pond scum, I'm pretty much OK with the fact that it's brown open water. But I will remind myself that those things are on the bottom, like you said.

I feel like my problem is more a confidence problem. It seems to be a breathing problem mostly, I think. I'm afraid of being out of breath and being away from shore. I think......I wish I could put my finger on it.

[rocknrollgirl]

Silver,
I had a bit of a panic issue the first time I swam in my wetsuit. I kinda freked out actually. So I feel your pain. I do have some advice, but you may not like it.

I just forced myself to go back in, and then again, and then again. Mentally I just gutted it out, and talked myself through it.


Would it be possible for you to swim along shore so that you could stand up? I would try if I were you to get back in asap, even if Mr. Siver has to come stand along shore as your safety. That is what my DH did until I worked through it.

Hope that helps.

Ruth

[silver]

Silver,
I had a bit of a panic issue the first time I swam in my wetsuit. I kinda freked out actually. So I feel your pain. I do have some advice, but you may not like it.

I just forced myself to go back in, and then again, and then again. Mentally I just gutted it out, and talked myself through it.


Would it be possible for you to swim along shore so that you could stand up? I would try if I were you to get back in asap, even if Mr. Siver has to come stand along shore as your safety. That is what my DH did until I worked through it.

Hope that helps.

Ruth

Thanks Ruth! I know that's what I'm going to have to do. I'm going to take every opportunity to swim open water and try to gut it out like you said. Monday was the first time this year and it was just a start. I'll make it a goal to push farther next time.

I'm also trying to get in the pool as much as possible. Trying to simulate the panic and pushing through it.

Mr. was there on Monday, but he won't be there next Monday. The "lake" is a shallow one and the team prez told us that we should be able to stand up at any time. When I told him that I couldn't when I stopped, he's declared that I managed to find the one spot in the entire lake that's over 5 feet deep.

[KSH]

Silver... I totally paniced when I swam in a wetsuit for the first time.

This is coming from a gal who was a competitive swimer... and someone who LOVES open water swimming. I have never had issues in OW. Seriously.

The race I did with a wetsuit, was horrible. I had a great swim... but I do not clue HOW. I felt like I couldn't breathe the whole time. I hated that stinking wetsuit being on me.

I basically had my mind take over... and I told myself that I COULD breathe... I was doing fine... and to do what I do in the pool... stroke-stroke-stroke. It worked.

So, keep swimming in it... it should get better. Good luck!

[wildstreaktn]

Hey Silver,
You might want to invest in a swim safe just as a security blanket of sorts until you get your confidence higher.I almost got one when I decided to enter my first tri which is 6/2.The swim is 800 yards and since I am basically a rock with arms and legs I was apprehensive about any water.I could swim but not with any efficiency.The swim safe is reusable if you have to pull the cord and it would come in handy if there are times when you are alone,even if you are in water you can stand up in. I have done several open water swims now with my partner who is also entered in the tri.She is a dolphin in the water,but she had a little issue last week with being in water where she couldn't see the bottom. She has been open water swimming all her life but she told me it just got on her and she freaked out a bit.We worked on it and she's more at ease with it now.I also will flip over onto my back and use a modified backstroke when I feel tired.You might also want to invest in the book "Total Immersion".It helped my immensely just by showing me how to find my natural buoyancy.With help from my partner and our local high school swim coach,I think I can gut it out.I hope some of this ramble helps you.You can do it!!!!Tammy

[luv'nAustin]

Hi Silver,

I feel your pain. I also suffer from panic attacks in open water and experienced one myself this Monday morning. It is still too painful (read embarrassing)to go into the details.

I will do another open water swim next Monday and my daughter will swim beside me with a noodle. This alone will assure my success. I can't wait 'til I get my head game under control and swim on my own!

I'm also considering that swim aid belt. It might be the next step to reaching my goal.

Good luck to you!