Augusta was my first half back in 2013. I recall being a decent swimmer but with the barge/dock swim start I found myself in a mess of arms and legs!
Has Augusta adopted the self pacing start like many of the other races?
This year at Michigan 70.3, I noticed an abundance of swimmers seeking support from the kayaks, floating bouys/pads as well as the turn bouys. Additionally I saw the little ârescue boatâ zipping around a lot. It was a tad unsettling to see all of that while racing. IMO, the water was cool, not cold. There is no current and the swimmers had a self seeded phased startâŚso I wonder why this year there were so many struggling.
I think Michigan was a mix of cold water, too many people going off in a short time, and then people seeding themselves totally wrong. The amount of people in sub 30 corals was insane. During that swim I thought to myself âI hope this isnât happening to everyone right now. Someoneâs gonna drownâ. I donât think I made it more than 25 yards at a time before collision after collision. Been racing for 15 years and that was the worse for sure.
Ok, well I am glad I was not the only one with those intrusive thoughts. This was my 5th(?) year doing that particular race and it was totally different than any of the prior years.
In the past the self seeded line was much longer but it was super condensed. While not using it as an excuse, it was pretty distracting and I found it difficult to find my groove initially with people regularly swimming towards support early.
Update cost of calcium score from insurance: $170.75
Was Nice 140.6 worlds mass start by age group in water start that was 100m out from the beach? I like that option (particularly the rock beach in Nice is a shit show)
I was curious about this. I was with the 40 minute group and I had a lot of contact and more than any race I have ever done granted that I have only done 7 and this was my first 70.3. Was wondering is this much contact was simply typical of the Ironman branded 70.3. I plan to do Madison next year and hope it will be less stressful. (Referring to Michigan 70.3, not sure how to quote others properlyâŚ.)
Ya, probably more like 50m or so, but ya.
Waco 70.3 today:
We are saddened to confirm the death of a race participant during the IRONMAN 70.3 Waco triathlon. During the swim portion of todayâs event, water safety personnel identified the athlete who required medical attention. The athlete was attended to quickly and provided immediate medical care by water safety personnel before being transported to the hospital where they sadly passed. We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the athlete and will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time. Our gratitude goes out to the water safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to assist the athlete.
Unfortunately 2 deaths during the swim leg of 70.3 at Mossel bay yesterday. One only 29 years old, the other 58.
âWe are deeply saddened to share that two race participants from todayâs IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay triathlon have passed away.
During the swim portion of the event, safety personnel responded to two separate incidents, approximately 15 minutes apart.
One athlete was extracted at approximately 400 meters, and the other at around 1 000 meters. Each athlete was taken to the designated extraction point for urgent medical care, before being transported in individual ambulances to hospital.
Our hearts go out to their families, friends and loved ones, and together with the triathlon community we mourn the loss of two fellow athletes. We will continue to offer our support to the athletesâ families as they go through this very difficult time.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to the safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athletes with medical support.â
1 Like
Wow two deaths in a 70.3 is pretty wild.. Swim deaths are so âcommonâ yet I really dont get how it happens.. heart attack and wetsuit combination? Stress of the swim? It really baffles me. My heart goes out to the two families.
I read this article a few months ago that points to swim-induced pulmonary edema as a potential cause of these deaths:
Might not be the only cause, but my takeaway from that is that if I ever experience shortness of breath, coughing, and/or blood-tinged sputum during the swim, Iâm not gonna try to push through or take any chances, Iâll just stop immediately.
3 Likes
Sudden cold exposure causes a rapid sympathetic surge: big blood-pressure spikes, vasoconstriction, and changes in heart rhythm. Those responses can precipitate heart attacks, arrhythmias, or rarely other vascular events in people with preexisting cardiovascular disease.
Per a trick from my coach, I always pour cold water down my back inside my wetsuit prior to the swim. I do a little with slightly warmer water when I get in line to get my body ready then do a colder bottle about 5 minutes before I get in the water. That way my body has acclimated a bit and the shock is less sever just before I then stress it again by racing. Not sure if it helps prevent this kind of thing but figure it canât hurt and it does make the start of the swim easier.
1 Like
One thing that strikes me - aside, obviously, from not wanting to die during a race - is that, frankly, I donât want to be at a race where someone else dies. I mean, the idea of training for months, executing my race plan well, being all excited by hitting my target time, but thereâs some dudeâs wife crying because sheâs just lost her husband⌠while that kind of disappointment doesnât compare to dealing with the actual loss of a loved one, itâs still not an experience Iâd ever want to have. Or what, theyâre going to hide the widow from the rest of the participants? ânothing to see here, folksâŚâ
At some point, gotta figure youâll have a significant number of people choosing not to do tris because they donât want to be around when someone else dies.
Youâre on the bike and gone before youâd know. Iâve been in races where it happens youâre typically oblivious. Even spectators donât know typically other than knowing there was a medical issue. There are lots of people who get pulled from the swim very few die.
Condolences to the families and friends of these athletes!
Iâve always thought that triathlon has its dirty secrets like deaths on the swim and deaths and serious injuries on the bike (mostly during training). Running probably has the most injuries but not as life changing. I wonder how many newbies are aware of these hazards.
The motto âAnything is possibleâ can have a whole different meaning than whatâs advertised!
I was at a ski race a few years ago. The weather was very cold, maybe like 10? Before my wave went off they announced that someone had a heart attack about 2 minutes into the race. He was an older guy. In line with swim deaths, it was cold, and an intense start. It was awful, but you just have to realize that these things are rare.
Very good article, thank you for sharing. I think it tracks somewhat to what I have experienced in the past: sudden onset of shortness of breath mid-swim with some coughing, chalked up to inhaling some water, but after reading this, I dont think inhaling water really leads to the same symptoms (eg shortness of breath prior to stopping to tread water then coughing some).
1 Like
Yes it was an eye opener for me too. In the past decade I have had the same symptoms in some races, always attributed it to inhaling water. But on reflection I do not inhale water, occasional drink some in races. So those few times I had water in my lungs and lost half my breathing capacity, well I had SIPE. Clear as day now, but took awhile to figure it all out. Now how to approach the docs to get my Viagara prescription⌠(-; Gonna definitely try it in my next OW race, if it can work for navy seals then why not old men!!! Gotta watch out for that 4 hour rudder though..
2 Likes
Time to 3D print an⌠attachment. Swim Straight Swim Hard.
1 Like