Hi, so this is the second time this has happened to me on a 70.3…and ive only done two! The first time i thought it was because I biked over my threshold and just pushed it too hard so I suffered on the run also i had a cliff bar on the bike which i heard can cause some issues. I did the same race again and the same thing happened. On the i biked conservatively between 20-21mph i knew i could do more but i didnt. All i had was gel and infinit on the bike, 3 gels and prob 50ounces of infinit. These are the same things i have on my training rides with no issues.I didnt feel any breathing issues on the bike. In T2 i took my time instead of my usual rushing, took some deep breathes slowly put on my running shoes drank some water and was on my way…prob a 2:30-3 min T2.
when i start to run i just cant get any good deep breathes! it is like a combo of heart burn, gas and asthma. it comes with a pain tightness in the upper back also. Ive been marathon training also so have done a couple of 2 18mi runs lately with no breathing issues. I have been wearing a camlebak with infinit and a gel or two for the long runs…no breathing or tightness issues.
The only thing i can think of is bike positioning? I am pretty much aero the whole time in this 70.3 because it is very flat, so maybe is something compressing my diaphragm?? i dont know im looking for any help here. My training rides are rather hilly so I am up and down out of aero much more…maybe this is why i dont get this while training? I had a full fit last year, i am a heavier guy abt 200-205 but lean…i am 6’2’’ and have more muscled build compared to the typical triathlete build. could this have anything to do with it?
Anybody get anything similar? Maybe seeing some sort of specialist? Repository dr?
I think you nailed the cause of your symptoms being related to abdominal compression in the aero bike position. Could be GERD. Do an online search to see if you agree.
Don’t see it your post, but do see that you mentioned Asthma. Did you by chance take some NSAIDS just prior or during the race? Oh yeah, and go see a doctor.
I’m definitely not a doctor, just an idiot on the internet so you should probably get evaluated by such for more serious sources of this immediately.
That said I experienced similar symptoms to what you are describing minus the gas/heartburn. I still occasionally get symptoms after long training weeks, especially combining lots of hard pool swimming/pulling with speedwork on the bike the same day which matches your circumstances. I actually found relief from my chiropractor. Dislocated rib heads were his diagnosis and after a quick adjustment I felt instant relief every time. The symptoms usually go away on their own if I just recover normally for a day or three with more moderate workouts. Swimming hard is always the consistent thing for me with the return of symptoms…perhaps it’s the same for you?
I never had any of the other classic congestive heart failure/stress/MI symptoms such as lower torso edema, palpitations, dizzyness, nausea, sweats, crushing pain, feeling of dread, jaw pain etc etc etc…but I still took it seriously. Plenty of heart failure happens out of the blue with zero symptoms or minor ones so why not get checked? With the chest tightness, heartburn and difficulty breathing during exercise you are getting some symptoms that match up with those for possible life threats. I did the med stuff first which meant my doc called for a ECG, stress test, blood work and follow up visit. Then just sort of lucked into the chiropractor thing afterward as I was seeing him for something else.
Most likely nothing serious (considering you’ve done 18-mile runs and not experienced the same symptoms), but you still need to schedule your annual physical exam with your M.D. and mention what happened.
Based on your description, I am going to say that your issue is related to nutrition during the bike. You might be ingesting too much air while drinking your Infinit solution and gels. As you transition into the run, this mix sloshes around in your stomach, giving you the sensation of dyspepsia. I’ve had this issue happen to me before, and solved it by taking simethicone (Gas-X) to reduce foaming in my stomach.
The pain and tightness in your back can also be caused by too much gas in your stomach, not allowing your diaphragm to descend properly while you are trying to take deep breaths (the diaphragm is right above the stomach). This can be causing irradiated pain to your back.
I think Almond might be closest in what he (or she?) descirbed. I know that this might sound very serious which is why i have gotten some of the reponses I did and i apperciate your corncern and feedback. I have had some serious medical conditions in the last 2-3 years and have been to Dr’s regaulary and have a ton of tests and blood work done so I am not really worried about it being something more serious like heart filure etc. Though I am going to mention it to my GP and see if he cant maybe point me to a specialist.
Almond did to change anything nutritionally on the bike? I also started taking 1-2 Gas x in T1 last season as i felt that my breathing was not the best in the swim and could lead to feeling that i get. Maybe taking more toward the end of the ride might help? Or an anti acid type medicine? I use the front moounted AeroDrink by profile and and on the longer races i do suck thourgh there and get nothing but air sometimes which i think can also contribute.
I feel its either nutrition or bike position or a comobo
I did not change my nutrition on the bike. At the end of the bike portion (last 5/56 mi.), I took the Gas-X, and that solved my issue. I’ve raced only four 70.3’s. Happened during my first one, and has not happened since (nutrition was the same, four gels during the bike, with a couple of salt capsules).
Regardless of your hydration setup, we naturally ingest air whenever we eat/drink.
I still think your issue is related to air ingestion during your bike nutrition (80%), and being down on aero / general fatigue might account for the remaining 20% of your symptoms. This will take sometime to figure out (it’s not like you’re racing 70.3’s every weekend), but eventually you’ll tailor your nutrition and figure out a solution.
David
P.S. Also, you mention that you have had some serious medial conditions in the past. Have you had a stress test done before? Some symptoms are only present during exertion (e.g. race day).