Whenever I swim, in training or racing, I get the uncontrollable urge to pee, often several times. It sets in for the first time after swimming for about 20 minutes, and during longer sets or races I have to pee several times (and during races, at least once per 45 minutes of cycling).
This happens regardless of my hydration before, during or after swimming. I’ve gotten very good at peeing on the bike (one of tonight’s other threads reminded me of this topic).
Anyone else have this problem? Anyone know why this occurs?
I always think it must be a water pressure thing. If I swim a masters workout I absolutely have to get out at least once half way through. I SWEAR, I get out But yes, it does the same thing to me.
Try scuba diving. Whoa - it goes on for hours after that. I sometimes wonder if I’m going to turn into a raisin.
It’s not a problem, it’s a body function. IIRC, the water pressure on the veins (don’t quote me on that) leads to an increased kidney activity. The byproduct of this (yellow-ish, liquid-ish) fills up the bladder and eventually has to leave the body.
This is the really cool phenomenon that lets big brothers get little brothers to wet the bed with a warm glass of water!
I never have to urinate while cycling or running though. (well almost never. Occassionally on a long ride I’ll need to stop if I’ve been drinking a lot)
I’ve wondered about this and think it’s realated to vasoconstriction. The cold water stimulates your body to keep more blood around the core, so your vessels contract retricting bloodflow and retaining heat, when this happens your volume actually reduces and exces fluid gets filtered through your kidneys and pushed out. I know that if I swim in really warm water, it doesn’t happen or isn’t as noticable.
I think it’s something like that. I know I often have to pee a lot immediately after I swim.
But yes, it does the same thing to me.