Mammalian Dive Reflex

[Bike Chick]

Clearly the solution is to hang out in nice warm water... with a floatie and a beer for me!

Wonderful solution! As a matter of fact, this was the extent of my swimming until 3 years ago when a cycling friend suggested we try triathlon and I had to learn to swim. I was like Catrin and didn't even want water in my face in the shower. Btw, I used a washcloth to wash my face back then--no splashing for me--and would lean backwards to rinse my hair. No kidding! When I finally got over my fear of putting my face in the water, then it was the anxiety-ridden fear of being in water over my head. I couldn't swim the length of the pool without having a panic attack when I got to the deep end. I have overcome that but now am trying to get over my fear of open water. I hadn't even considered cold, open water. Oh my! My first OWS was last year and the result was my turning around at the first bouy and heading back to shore. No kidding. I am trying it again in May and am not looking forward to it.

[Catrin]

...Btw, I used a washcloth to wash my face back then--no splashing for me--and would lean backwards to rinse my hair. No kidding! When I finally got over my fear of putting my face in the water, then it was the anxiety-ridden fear of being in water over my head. I couldn't swim the length of the pool without having a panic attack when I got to the deep end. I have overcome that but now am trying to get over my fear of open water. I hadn't even considered cold, open water. Oh my! My first OWS was last year and the result was my turning around at the first bouy and heading back to shore. No kidding. I am trying it again in May and am not looking forward to it.

I am still the same way with washing face/hair. It doesn't mean I CAN'T do it other ways, just don't like to do so

I can, however, float on my back and have a pretty decent back stroke - or at least I used to I like the idea of hanging out in the warm water with a nice beer and floatie. Ahhhhhhhhh, nice way to recover from a long ride!

[Crankin]

How else would you rinse your hair? I've always done that... stand with my back toward the shower and lean back. It doesn't make sense to me, to do it any other way.
Good luck with the open water swim, Bike Chick. I remember that we were both thinking about tris at the same time. You went for it and I decided I am too afraid of drowning and my running is so slow, it's crazy.
And... I am lazy.

[hulagirl]

I was snarky yesterday. I'm sorry. I was feeling off and it turns out I was food poisoned. 8 confirmed century riders that had lunch at the same restaurant. Dept of health is taking it pretty seriously. They think it's norovirus.

Anyway - back to swimming. I'm not a confident swimmer - though getting much better. I did my first 2 tris with a nose plug! I have one coming up Sunday that worries me now due to my illness. But I've taken many lessons and train with a supportive group of ladies. It's a great big accomplishment to complete the swim for me. Bike Chick - do you have a "happy stroke?" For me it's the breast stroke. And I can float on my back for days. If you can find that happy stroke that allows you to relax and a short super sprint swim distance, it might be a good start.

We have an all women's Tri here on Oahu. Sprint and super sprint distance. That was my first and it was so much fun. Do you have anything like that near you?

I've got a bear of an Olympic distance coming up in a month - 1500m swim. Ugh!

[redrhodie]

Hope you feel better in time for your race! Make sure you're up to it. You won't be proving anything to anyone racing sick, except that you're stubborn.

[Susan]

How else would you rinse your hair? I've always done that... stand with my back toward the shower and lean back. It doesn't make sense to me, to do it any other way.

Well, I usually rinse my hair by sticking my whole head under the shower, water running down my face and breathing through the water spraying it everywhere. It clearly doesn't make any sense but it's fun

Then again I was able to dive long before I was able to swim as a kid and I also like to lie in the bathtub upside down, sticking my face into the water, making funny noises and sing under water.

Rereading this and realizing this could be taken as ironic - it's not. i really AM that strange


Hulagirl - sorry that you don't feel well! Regarding your fear of water I wish I could say something that would give you the opportunity to experience how good swimming or diving feels for me. I guess someone without a certain fear can't help someone that has to deal with this fear (like people without the fear of Dentists can't help me cope with them) but being under water is so calming and beautiful for me. I always wish I had enough air to stay there as long as I want to.

[OakLeaf]

hahaha Susan - when I was a kid I used to go sit at the bottom of the pool for as long as I could. One time someone else's parent grabbed me by the arm and pulled me up because she thought I'd drowned!

(and Susan - my DH has a dentist phobia - I have another phobia so I understand the concept, but mine doesn't impact my health so hugely - he's found a dentist who does sedation for phobics. I don't know whether some jurisdictions require a "medical" rather than "psychological" reason for sedation, but it might be something to look into - the risks of sedation are less than the risks of untreated dental problems for sure - good luck. )

Hulagirl - sorry you're having that trouble and hope you get it worked out.

[colby]

I was just reading this article on cold water swimming:

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2011...wimming-2_9072

There's a few tips in there you could try.

My definition of cold might be a little different than yours considering I'm in the PNW and you're in Hawaii, but it's all relative - I might put on a wetsuit where you aren't. I definitely can feel the gasp reflex come on as I get in the water, worse the colder it gets, and have to breathe through it. In even colder water, my ears start to hurt.

You might also try a wetsuit (sleeveless?) or even just a farmer john swim skin that adds a bit to your insulation and glide while you warm up.

Hope you find a good technique!!