I am new to doing triathlons. This is my first year attempting them. I do great at 5K's and thought I would expand my journey. This is so embarrassing but what a great place to ask. How do you handle preparing for incontinence issues at the transition stages? I can 'suit up' properly for a 5K by preparing beforehand, but how do you do that for a triathlon? After the swim....can you go change somewhere or is there a ladies secret that I am not aware of? I am pushing 50 and I'm sure that I am not alone in this problem. Help!!!
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Re: Embarrassing question regarding incontinence [BAMorris]
[ In reply to ]
This is a great place to ask, because I'm sure you're not alone.
If only urinary incontinence, not so bad. But there is no reason not to suit up in T1, depending on the event there may be a changing area provided or you can utilise the classic porta john.
The good news is, in the tri/cycling world it is not unheard of to 'let go' on the bike anyway. Rinse yourself/bike with water and all is good. Plus, I'm not sure if you'd want to wear a brief on the bike under your chamois?
Anne Barnes
ABBikefit, Ltd
FIST/SICI/FIST DOWN DEEP
X/Y Coordinator
abbikefit@gmail.com
If only urinary incontinence, not so bad. But there is no reason not to suit up in T1, depending on the event there may be a changing area provided or you can utilise the classic porta john.
The good news is, in the tri/cycling world it is not unheard of to 'let go' on the bike anyway. Rinse yourself/bike with water and all is good. Plus, I'm not sure if you'd want to wear a brief on the bike under your chamois?
Anne Barnes
ABBikefit, Ltd
FIST/SICI/FIST DOWN DEEP
X/Y Coordinator
abbikefit@gmail.com
Re: Embarrassing question regarding incontinence [BAMorris]
[ In reply to ]
Not only is it "not unheard of", but encouraged if the temperature allows. Don't stop, just go-literally!
As was stated before, rinse off well with water that is offered on course and don't worry about it. everything washes off and you can search for cleaning remedies for your shoes, etc. on the forum.
I race Ironman-distance events, and if I'm competitive on race day, nothing will stop me from getting to the finish line as fast as I can!
DFL > DNF > DNS
As was stated before, rinse off well with water that is offered on course and don't worry about it. everything washes off and you can search for cleaning remedies for your shoes, etc. on the forum.
I race Ironman-distance events, and if I'm competitive on race day, nothing will stop me from getting to the finish line as fast as I can!
DFL > DNF > DNS
Re: Embarrassing question regarding incontinence [SallyShortyPnts]
[ In reply to ]
SallyShortyPnts wrote:
Not only is it "not unheard of", but encouraged if the temperature allows. Don't stop, just go-literally! As was stated before, rinse off well with water that is offered on course and don't worry about it. everything washes off and you can search for cleaning remedies for your shoes, etc. on the forum.
I race Ironman-distance events, and if I'm competitive on race day, nothing will stop me from getting to the finish line as fast as I can!
+1
Pee before you get out of the water while you're wet anyway.
Pee on the bike a few km before you pull into T2.
Pee on the run a few km before you hit the finish chute.
Or whenever you feel the need to - you won't be alone!!
Re: Embarrassing question regarding incontinence [blackthugcat]
[ In reply to ]
this is one sport where everybody's peeing willy-nilly and nobody cares! have a great time racing!
Re: Embarrassing question regarding incontinence [kiki]
[ In reply to ]
From another perspective, and without asking your full medical history, incontinence is actually often dismissed as "normal" but it's a problem that can be tested in the vast majority of cases. Your first port of call for that is a Women's Health (continence specialist) physiotherapist. Your pelvic floor is muscle, like any other muscle, can respond to training and the right rehab program. Failing that, medical intervention is also possible in many cases but firstly you should be assessed for pelvic floor function and capacity to retrain those muscles. (Usually they're weak and respond to "up" training, but assessment will also show if it's over activity (thus inefficient, fatiguing detrusor muscle) and needs "down training". In the meantime, by all means, pee on the bike, but don't write it off as a problem you have to keep putting up with (in most cases).
Re: Embarrassing question regarding incontinence [noodlecat77]
[ In reply to ]
noodlecat77 wrote:
From another perspective, and without asking your full medical history, incontinence is actually often dismissed as "normal" but it's a problem that can be tested in the vast majority of cases. Your first port of call for that is a Women's Health (continence specialist) physiotherapist. Your pelvic floor is muscle, like any other muscle, can respond to training and the right rehab program. Failing that, medical intervention is also possible in many cases but firstly you should be assessed for pelvic floor function and capacity to retrain those muscles. (Usually they're weak and respond to "up" training, but assessment will also show if it's over activity (thus inefficient, fatiguing detrusor muscle) and needs "down training". In the meantime, by all means, pee on the bike, but don't write it off as a problem you have to keep putting up with (in most cases).totally agree, and well said.
Re: Embarrassing question regarding incontinence [noodlecat77]
[ In reply to ]
Good point. Actually, I have talked to my doctor about the problem and was referred to a urologist who pretty much told, after some extensive tests, that my pelvic floor muscles are just weak probably from age and childbirth. My doctor did give me a crazy suggestion though. He said that in some cases inserting a large tampon during the event will help support the pelvic floor and relieve some of the incontinence issues. Im willing to give it a try. You never know....some crazy ideas really work. It actually makes sense.
Re: Embarrassing question regarding incontinence [BAMorris]
[ In reply to ]
The tampon is basically acting as a "poor-man's pessary" which is putting pressure on the neck of the bladder and the urethra and therefore preventing some leaking. It's not solving the issue of weak musculature though. There are studies showing that muscle retraining and physiotherapy is as effective at managing incontinence in 80% of cases, as surgery (but far less invasive and far far less expensive). It seems the profession in the US is poorly recognised and under utilised but here in Aus, the respect and value is recognised by medical insurance companies across the board and you can find exceptionally well trained experts in dealing with this issue.
In the US I think people refer to pelvic Floor exercises as Kegel exercises so find someone to check that you can do that type of contraction properly (squeeze up and in, not bearing down) and add it to your daily routine :)
In the US I think people refer to pelvic Floor exercises as Kegel exercises so find someone to check that you can do that type of contraction properly (squeeze up and in, not bearing down) and add it to your daily routine :)
noodlecat77 wrote:
The tampon is basically acting as a "poor-man's pessary" which is putting pressure on the neck of the bladder and the urethra and therefore preventing some leaking. It's not solving the issue of weak musculature though. There are studies showing that muscle retraining and physiotherapy is as effective at managing incontinence in 80% of cases, as surgery (but far less invasive and far far less expensive). It seems the profession in the US is poorly recognised and under utilised but here in Aus, the respect and value is recognised by medical insurance companies across the board and you can find exceptionally well trained experts in dealing with this issue. In the US I think people refer to pelvic Floor exercises as Kegel exercises so find someone to check that you can do that type of contraction properly (squeeze up and in, not bearing down) and add it to your daily routine :)
Agreed - with this comment and the comment of incontinence being dismissed as "normal". I am a physical therapist that works with womens health concerns such as this and I tell women all the time, just because something is common doesn't make it normal.
To the OP - seek out a provider to help with your concerns. Obviously you are asking in the context of running and triathlon, but I would be this affects you at other times and in other ways. There are many things that can be done.
http://www.apta.org/apta/findapt/index.aspx?navID=10737422525
http://hermanwallace.com/practitioner-directory
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