Open water tri swim help needed. UPDATE post 11

[John VN]

First off, thank you for the advice regarding my first tri swim in 3 1/2 weeks.

Now for an embarrassing question. I did a practice Sprint Tri this past Sunday. Everything worked out great including transitions. I swam for 1/4 mile in the Gulf of Mexico and had to incorporate some side stroking which overall went well but I had an unusual problem....with the wave action and the alternating breathing I was getting seasick!

Any ideas as to the best pill to take that should eliminate the problem and not cause issues during the competition?

Thank you!

 

[cewait]

First off, thank you for the advice regarding my first tri swim in 3 1/2 weeks.

Now for an embarrassing question. I did a practice Sprint Tri this past Sunday. Everything worked out great including transitions. I swam for 1/4 mile in the Gulf of Mexico and had to incorporate some side stroking which overall went well but I had an unusual problem....with the wave action and the alternating breathing I was getting seasick!

Any ideas as to the best pill to take that should eliminate the problem and not cause issues during the competition?

Thank you!

Try ear plugs first. Drugs will effect performance. The ear plug will help the inner ear deal with the motion.

 

[tiberius]

I'd definitely agree with trying to avoid medication for this issue. This happened to me in my first ocean swim and hasn't been a problem in the couple I've done since.
Are you already used to alternating your breathing? If not you might try going back to a comfortable breathing pattern if the waves allow it. What is your coming tri swim distance? If it is not that long, it might not even be worth worrying much about.

 

[John VN]

Thanks coach, never even thought about earplugs. Richard, it is only a Sprint so not a long swim. Today I hit our County pool and tried doing more forward sighting which might help some.

I believe a cause for the seasick feeling could be from being rear-ended while at a stop light by a car doing 60mph. Along with my melon getting rattled from the car crash was a bicycle crash where I landed on head and shoulder. Ever since I have had vertigo episodes along with restricted movement with head from broken neck and shoulder rotation from socket bone on bone. This is why I was thinking some med. might help a bit even if it were to slow me down. I'm not concerned about finishing time, just accomplishment.

Already registered for another Sprint in Sept. in Venice and just found out that Venice will be having a 70.3 in October. I would love to improve swimming to compete in a 70.3 seeing I finished a 72.2 Duathlon in March but that would be like a to dream the impossible dream endeavor.

 

[cewait]

Thanks coach, never even thought about earplugs. Richard, it is only a Sprint so not a long swim. Today I hit our County pool and tried doing more forward sighting which might help some.

I believe a cause for the seasick feeling could be from being rear-ended while at a stop light by a car doing 60mph. Along with my melon getting rattled from the car crash was a bicycle crash where I landed on head and shoulder. Ever since I have had vertigo episodes along with restricted movement with head from broken neck and shoulder rotation from socket bone on bone. This is why I was thinking some med. might help a bit even if it were to slow me down. I'm not concerned about finishing time, just accomplishment.

Already registered for another Sprint in Sept. in Venice and just found out that Venice will be having a 70.3 in October. I would love to improve swimming to compete in a 70.3 seeing I finished a 72.2 Duathlon in March but that would be like a to dream the impossible dream endeavor.

For me, the feeling on open water comes from sighting (or is it siting). You are raising the head, then lowering it. Not much different than running and looking straight up every 60 seconds or so.

I honestly have more issue in the first mile or so of the bike. I have lost cookies in that first mile more than I care to admit

 

[tiberius]

Ouch! That definitely sounds serious. I think you might work out the nausea while swimming in open water with practice. If not, then perhaps a physician or pharmacist could recommend something for you.

As for the impossible dream, nothing is truly impossible if you set your mind to it. I used to think those same thoughts and just kept moving to the next target--that was a couple Ironman races ago.

 

[BigEeyore]

What are you eating before your sprint tri? That might be another factor, if you tried something new that you haven't been doing in training. You could maybe have something really light before the race, then take on more nutrition once you get on the bike.
Good luck! I am doing my first half Ironman this year - I would have never thought I could do it either!

 

[ironz]

Hi, John!

I think Charles and Tiberius had good suggestions. Also...and this prob wouldn't help much for the Gulf, but if you could sight off of something on the land beyond the water (could at least do this coming back from the gulf swim), rather than a bouncing buoy, that might help...sort of like you look at the horizon when on a bouncy boat.

What tris are you guys doing? Tiberius, did you do IM Texas?
I'm heading up to Buffalo Springs 70.3 this weekend. Then a few sprints, then off to IM Canada. Hoping to have a good race (mentally and physically) and then take a break from IM and have time for more fun stuff and not as heavy on the training.
Will also be coming back to redeem my DNF at Goofy (John, don't know if you remember, I met you when you were finishing up the marathon around the World Showcase). Hopefully, I can show up relatively injury-free and get it done!

Good luck with your tri!

 

[John VN]

For me, the feeling on open water comes from sighting (or is it siting). You are raising the head, then lowering it. Not much different than running and looking straight up every 60 seconds or so.

I honestly have more issue in the first mile or so of the bike. I have lost cookies in that first mile more than I care to admit

Looking straight up, , YUP and having things spin around.

Ouch! That definitely sounds serious. I think you might work out the nausea while swimming in open water with practice. If not, then perhaps a physician or pharmacist could recommend something for you.

As for the impossible dream, nothing is truly impossible if you set your mind to it. I used to think those same thoughts and just kept moving to the next target--that was a couple Ironman races ago.

I was contemplating going to see a pharmacist tomorrow after an early morning swim. Who knows, the person might even be a triathlete.

What are you eating before your sprint tri? That might be another factor, if you tried something new that you haven't been doing in training. You could maybe have something really light before the race, then take on more nutrition once you get on the bike.
Good luck! I am doing my first half Ironman this year - I would have never thought I could do it either!

I have my eating routine down pat. Know what you are referring to when it comes to trying something new and then having a problem.

Hi, John!

I think Charles and Tiberius had good suggestions. Also...and this prob wouldn't help much for the Gulf, but if you could sight off of something on the land beyond the water (could at least do this coming back from the gulf swim), rather than a bouncing buoy, that might help...sort of like you look at the horizon when on a bouncy boat.

What tris are you guys doing? Tiberius, did you do IM Texas?
I'm heading up to Buffalo Springs 70.3 this weekend. Then a few sprints, then off to IM Canada. Hoping to have a good race (mentally and physically) and then take a break from IM and have time for more fun stuff and not as heavy on the training.
Will also be coming back to redeem my DNF at Goofy (John, don't know if you remember, I met you when you were finishing up the marathon around the World Showcase). Hopefully, I can show up relatively injury-free and get it done!

Good luck with your tri!

I remember our meeting very well even though I was a walking zombie at that point. Shortly after I left you a gentleman came up next to me and we started to talk a little. He told me about his 70+ year old dad running races and was guessing that I was in his father's age bracket. Sure did make this 61yo feel really good.

Good luck with your upcoming events.

 

[Duanerice]

I've also heard ear plugs might help. Worth a try right?

I haven't been here in a while. Glad to see another join our tri gang. Lot's of fun.

Did Florida 70.3 at the new location this year. Good race. I didn't have a good day but they can't all be good. Have Augusta in September then IMFL in November again. Couple of sprints thrown in there for fun.

Good luck John
Duane

 

[John VN]

I've also heard ear plugs might help. Worth a try right?

I haven't been here in a while. Glad to see another join our tri gang. Lot's of fun.

Did Florida 70.3 at the new location this year. Good race. I didn't have a good day but they can't all be good. Have Augusta in September then IMFL in November again. Couple of sprints thrown in there for fun.

Good luck John
Duane

Thanks Duane, I'm hoping to go to Haines City next year.

Got into the Gulf today with wax plugs in my ears. Even with more wave action than last time, I felt much better. Dummy me did manage to leave my prescription goggles that I need to see, back at home so that was not too helpful. The salt water in the eyes is not a good thing.

For only my 2nd swim in the Gulf I felt smooth. Bicycled a hard 58 miles yesterday then walked/jogged a 5K after with the temps. in the 90s. Have a 100 miler on Wednesday, 55 miler on Saturday, another Gulf swim on Sunday, some road work thrown in to keep legs freed up, my 62nd birthday next Tuesday then the Sprint Tri on Saturday.

Once again, a big THANK YOU to all of you for your assistance.

 

[Duanerice]

Thanks Duane, I'm hoping to go to Haines City next year.

Got into the Gulf today with wax plugs in my ears. Even with more wave action than last time, I felt much better. Dummy me did manage to leave my prescription goggles that I need to see, back at home so that was not too helpful. The salt water in the eyes is not a good thing.

For only my 2nd swim in the Gulf I felt smooth. Bicycled a hard 58 miles yesterday then walked/jogged a 5K after with the temps. in the 90s. Have a 100 miler on Wednesday, 55 miler on Saturday, another Gulf swim on Sunday, some road work thrown in to keep legs freed up, my 62nd birthday next Tuesday then the Sprint Tri on Saturday.

Once again, a big THANK YOU to all of you for your assistance.

You sure you're not training for an Ironman with those rides?