Panic Attacks in Swims

[julia]

I have done three triathlons:
The Women's Only in 06
The Summer Tri in Lorain 07
The SummiTri in 08

Here is the problem, during every swim my heart rate gets high and I cannot seem to get my breath. Although I make it through the swim, I am drained for the bike and run. I am fine when I am just training in the lakes but something about the races gets my HR too high. I have tried breathing, focus, yoga....any other suggestions?

It has made for a very interesting introduction to triathlons and I am doing the Summer Tri this weekend again...I am hoping that there is some miracle way to prevent high HR and panic attacks.

[jetlink]

Three big things to try:

1) Get in the water and do a nice warmup prior to the race - start off ez working on getting comfortable and focusing on form then throw in a few short sprints before exiting the water...do this about 10min before the start of the race.

2) Seat yourself in the back and start off very relaxed - try to find some feet to draft off of and then once your feeling good build up to your desired pace....not the best way to start for a competitive swimtime but a good way to go at it if you are continually having these episodes.

3) If your not already doing so, wear a wetsuit.

[Aussie Rob]

When the gun goes off, chill for about 20 seconds. Then proceed at your own pace. That's what id do anyway.

Best of luck!

[suziharman]

First of all, I think this is fairly common. You are pumped and excited about the race, the swim can be scary, and arms and legs are everywhere. I bet if you did a search on the internet, you would find a lot about this topic in other chats as well.

Try to stay at the back of the pack as Rob suggested and go at your own pace.

Sounds like you are already training in open water, which is crucial. Also, ask your training partners to simulate a race start every now and then to get used to that feeling.

If you are wearing a wetsuit, is it the right size? If it is too tight, I supposed it's possible you are having this reaction because of that - cutting off circulation.

[trevor]

Julia,

I used to deal with the same problem. In my case, when I started doing tri's, my HR would spike because I was afraid of drowing (even though I had been training in pool with a masters group, doing about 3000m per workout). Practicing in open water is crucial, especially getting some time in a little rougher water.

Now my problem is keeping the HR down because the adrenaline starts to flow and I want to kick butt. Either way, you've got to keep the HR down, allowing it to build gradually like you would in a workout. If not, you'll keep feeling that winded crap.

I would wipe the Lorain 07 swim from your memory. That was rough water, the waves were pushing us towards the rocks, and I know a few very good and experienced swimmers who reported near panic attacks that day.

Good luck

[sarajean]

Last weekend at the 1-mile OHIO Masters race, I found something that helped me. I thought, "Everyone is going to pass me anyway, so I might as well *look* good in the water." When I did that at the pool, my times improved, so I figured it couldn't hurt in a race situation.

When I started focusing on making my stroke fluid and smooth-looking, my heart rate didn't race like it has in the past, and I ended up passing a few people. (Then, I lost sight of the buoy, went off-course, had to stop twice and ask the kayakers for directions, and was probably among the last finishers, but at least my heart rate wasn't too high.)

[julia]

Thanks for all of the help, I will be trying all of these things in the future!!