I’ve done 4 long course triathlon last year as I am a beginner.
First One: although having trained constantly in the ocean, cold and warm, did IM WA 70.3, short warmup, got in and swam hard following someone for 300m, started gasping, panicked for seemingly no reason, had to hang on a paddleboard and took an hour to finish a normally 34 minute swim. HRM later showed highly elevated HR vs normal
Why? Well I visited a cardiologist - no issues after complete workup, an experienced doctor who is a triathlete who treats triathletes and a sports psychologist.
The sports doctor explained the commonality of panic when in cold water and constricted (wetsuit). Checked my bloodwork, made some recommendations for supplements that weren’t related to panic, highly recommended warmup during races.
Psychologist worked on panic with me, why it happens, what to do about it (the mental side)
Second race was IM liuzhou 70.3 in a cold river - no warmup (they just told us we couldn’t for no reason) - entered slowly, prepared for panic. Felt it for about 20 seconds, applied techniques recommended by psychologist, it went away.
Third was IM Canada - wetsuit. Warmup allowed (and done), swam portions of the lake course a few times before the race. At race start felt a tiny bit of the “panic feeling”, easily suppressed, went away.
Last week was a longer than Olympic race in Phuket Thailand, warm weather, warmup, had no panic at all.
In each race my HRM said my HR was closer to practice HR than the initial Panic HR. Use makes master. Knowing their is a chance for panic allows you to control it better.
My coach said he panicked as well but not until after like 10 events.
Not sure why I posted this just thought it might be interesting and also if you have had similar issues it’s not unknown or something to be ashamed of. One thing that stuck with me was that cold weather plus wetsuit constriction heightens panic risk per my doctor.
First One: although having trained constantly in the ocean, cold and warm, did IM WA 70.3, short warmup, got in and swam hard following someone for 300m, started gasping, panicked for seemingly no reason, had to hang on a paddleboard and took an hour to finish a normally 34 minute swim. HRM later showed highly elevated HR vs normal
Why? Well I visited a cardiologist - no issues after complete workup, an experienced doctor who is a triathlete who treats triathletes and a sports psychologist.
The sports doctor explained the commonality of panic when in cold water and constricted (wetsuit). Checked my bloodwork, made some recommendations for supplements that weren’t related to panic, highly recommended warmup during races.
Psychologist worked on panic with me, why it happens, what to do about it (the mental side)
Second race was IM liuzhou 70.3 in a cold river - no warmup (they just told us we couldn’t for no reason) - entered slowly, prepared for panic. Felt it for about 20 seconds, applied techniques recommended by psychologist, it went away.
Third was IM Canada - wetsuit. Warmup allowed (and done), swam portions of the lake course a few times before the race. At race start felt a tiny bit of the “panic feeling”, easily suppressed, went away.
Last week was a longer than Olympic race in Phuket Thailand, warm weather, warmup, had no panic at all.
In each race my HRM said my HR was closer to practice HR than the initial Panic HR. Use makes master. Knowing their is a chance for panic allows you to control it better.
My coach said he panicked as well but not until after like 10 events.
Not sure why I posted this just thought it might be interesting and also if you have had similar issues it’s not unknown or something to be ashamed of. One thing that stuck with me was that cold weather plus wetsuit constriction heightens panic risk per my doctor.