feeling sick after swim

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » feeling sick after swim Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-04-18 5:10 PM


5

Subject: feeling sick after swim
My husband and I just completed our first triathlon today. Both of us felt nausous and dizzy after our swim. As for me, I didn't push myself on the swim...kept the pace pretty steady and wasn't tired. Is this normal? What causes it? I only swam 400m today, during training I swim 1650m. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
-Lori

2009-04-18 5:47 PM
in reply to: #2094288

User image

Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim
Was the water cold? I don't get motion sick at all but when I did a warm up swim in 60 degree water I got out of the water dizzier than all get out. I used ear plugs during the real swim and didn't have a problem at all.
2009-04-18 6:04 PM
in reply to: #2094288

User image

Expert
900
500100100100100
Austin, TX
Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim

Cold water in ears = dizzy/sick for many people.  Swim earplugs should do the trick.

2009-04-18 6:15 PM
in reply to: #2094288

User image

Pro
5169
50001002525
Burbs
Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim
long enough cool down?
2009-04-18 9:52 PM
in reply to: #2094288

User image

Extreme Veteran
481
100100100100252525
West Chester, PA
Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim
That happens to me even in a pool if I get water in my ears.  I ALWAYS swim with ear plugs and never get dizzy or nausea from swimming.

Scout
2009-04-19 4:36 PM
in reply to: #2094288


5

Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim
Thanks for the feedback. The water was pretty warm (around 81 degrees) and I swim there routinely without any problems. I'll try the earplugs.
-Lori

2009-04-19 4:41 PM
in reply to: #2095623

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim
Another thing that happens to me is if I swallow any.  A lot of my races are in brackish water (mix of salt and fresh) and that stuff can get pretty nasty.
2009-04-19 5:49 PM
in reply to: #2094330

Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim

DanielG - 2009-04-18 6:47 PM Was the water cold? I don't get motion sick at all but when I did a warm up swim in 60 degree water I got out of the water dizzier than all get out. I used ear plugs during the real swim and didn't have a problem at all.

That happened to me at today's race. I've never swum in really cold water before. The water was 62 - I got in before the race to get acclimated, and when I was swimming, I got used to it quickly. I felt fine in the water and had a decent enough swim. But when I got to my transition area, I feel dizzy, a little nauseous and quite shakey - had a hard time getting my wetsuit off, putting on my shoes, etc. Normally my transitions are pretty solid  - heh, not today. Next time I have to siwm in cold water like that, I will get earplugs.

But since the OP has since said that the water was 81, I doubt cold was a problem.

2009-04-19 5:51 PM
in reply to: #2095731

Pro
4054
200020002525
yep,
Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim

wurkit_gurl - 2009-04-19 6:49 PM

DanielG - 2009-04-18 6:47 PM Was the water cold? I don't get motion sick at all but when I did a warm up swim in 60 degree water I got out of the water dizzier than all get out. I used ear plugs during the real swim and didn't have a problem at all.

That happened to me at today's race. I've never swum in really cold water before. The water was 62 - I got in before the race to get acclimated, and when I was swimming, I got used to it quickly. I felt fine in the water and had a decent enough swim. But when I got to my transition area, I feel dizzy, a little nauseous and quite shakey - had a hard time getting my wetsuit off, putting on my shoes, etc. Normally my transitions are pretty solid  - heh, not today. Next time I have to siwm in cold water like that, I will get earplugs.

But since the OP has since said that the water was 81, I doubt cold was a problem.

 

That also could have been a balance issue.  I've had that dizzy feeling with being in one position for so long and not changing that "balance" of my body.

2009-04-19 5:52 PM
in reply to: #2094288

User image

Extreme Veteran
495
100100100100252525
Denton
Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim
This might sound kind of gross, but myself and some others on my team have noticed that swimming really, um, clears our sinuses, which can create drainage into your stomach.  It makes me feel a little sick every race I do.  Kind of weird, but it happens - and only when I swim in a race, never a problem in run races.
2009-04-19 6:25 PM
in reply to: #2095736

Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim

Dlaxman31 - 2009-04-19 6:51 PM

wurkit_gurl - 2009-04-19 6:49 PM

DanielG - 2009-04-18 6:47 PM Was the water cold? I don't get motion sick at all but when I did a warm up swim in 60 degree water I got out of the water dizzier than all get out. I used ear plugs during the real swim and didn't have a problem at all.

That happened to me at today's race. I've never swum in really cold water before. The water was 62 - I got in before the race to get acclimated, and when I was swimming, I got used to it quickly. I felt fine in the water and had a decent enough swim. But when I got to my transition area, I feel dizzy, a little nauseous and quite shakey - had a hard time getting my wetsuit off, putting on my shoes, etc. Normally my transitions are pretty solid  - heh, not today. Next time I have to siwm in cold water like that, I will get earplugs.

But since the OP has since said that the water was 81, I doubt cold was a problem.

 

That also could have been a balance issue.  I've had that dizzy feeling with being in one position for so long and not changing that "balance" of my body.

For me, I doubt it. I've swum that distance in open water before, with and without a wetsuit and never had a problem like I did today.

2009-04-19 6:35 PM
in reply to: #2094288

User image

Veteran
217
100100
United States Military Academy
Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim
I know dizziness can occur when you rapidly change position to upright after being prone for a long duration. Also your legs aren't doing much during the swim compared to walking/running to T1.

So, when you stand up, your heart has to overcome gravity very rapidly and send blood to your brain and your leg vessels dilate to send blood to your leg muscles.  The 2 physiologic responses contribute significantly dizziness.  

A technique I learned from a coach at Carmichael Training, is to practice running out of the water a few times during your OWS to become accustomed to the feeling.  
2009-04-19 6:35 PM
in reply to: #2094288

User image

Expert
838
50010010010025
West Palm Beach, FL
Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim
I get crazy motion sick from swimming.  Cold water makes it worse.  Need to try ear plus myself.
2009-04-19 6:45 PM
in reply to: #2094288

User image

Extreme Veteran
349
10010010025
Burke, VA
Subject: RE: feeling sick after swim
Yeah if it happened as you came out of the swim into T1, then I would say it was a blood flow issue. Being horizontal vs being vertical, stand up, blood that is being pumped hard to arms and legs goes up into head. I know sometimes I feel great as I swim, then I hit the shore and T1 and my heart rate goes straight up.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » feeling sick after swim Rss Feed