I am learning that triathlon training with ALS is really not that much different from “normal” triathlon training, and most any excuse I tell myself to the contrary is really just that – an excuse, propagated by fear of failure (which, come to think of it, is just as ingrained in normal triathlon training).
Sure, I have some unique challenges – e.g. pushing the trike through the transition area is quite a balancing act and my “run” is actually a slow walk behind the walker.
But these challenges really just need to be dealt with head on, as any normal triathlete would do. Trouble clipping in? Practice. Trouble getting into aero? Practice.
My big challenge in preparation for Ramblin’ Rose Chapel Hill (2+ weeks away!) has been breathing while swimming. Many newbie swimmers make the mistake of not exhaling fully underwater, meaning that they’re either still exhaling as they come up to breathe and don’t have time to inhale, or they don’t have room in their lungs. Either way, by the end of the pool length, they’re gasping for air.
Experiencing this panic-inducing phenomenon for weeks, I have focused almost exclusively on my breathing technique: exhaling fully underwater and making sure I’ve got good body position so I have time to take a full breath before plunging my face back in.
I realized something though. For some ALS-related reason, I can’t breathe out of my nose underwater with enough pressure to a) exhale fully and b) keep water out of my nose so I don’t suck it into my lungs when I go to take the next breath. Maybe it’s an excuse but I’ve never had this issue before. In addition to being panic-inducing, I worry that it’s especially dangerous given the threat of pneumonia, a major concern in ALS. At this point (miraculously, thankfully), my breathing is still testing within the normal range. But still not something I want to mess around with.
All that to say…we have spent a small fortune in nose plugs this summer. I finally found the Sinus Saver, which goes in the nose, requiring me to answer a question I never thought I’d be asked: what size are my nostrils, as measured in Q-Tip units? There is a pretty amusing discussion in the Amazon Q&A about the precise technique for jamming Q-Tips up your nose to figure out the correct size of nose plug. When I tried it, DP cracked up and, well, I snorted Q-Tip J
But I digress…
The nose plugs help, but I have still struggled with making it all the way across the pool without swallowing water or trying to suck in through my stoppered-up nose, inducing panic and causing me to abruptly abort mission, clinging to the side of the pool or thrashing around trying to control my leg muscles enough to stand up (I am sure I have freaked out lifeguards from here to Atlanta…)
As the race gets closer, my anxiety has gone up and so have these midstroke panic attacks. I rehearsed what I would say to the Ramblin’ Rose folks to let me do all five laps in one lane by the wall. I even started the email, but stopped in the middle and committed myself to one more swim before pulling the trigger.
I finally admitted that the remaining issue is the self-sabotaging mind tricks I’m playing on myself. What if I panic in the middle of the pool? What if everyone watches me fail? Which is totally a normal triathlete fear…especially as races loom on the horizon.
And so the answer, as always, is practice. I had a beautiful swim yesterday. Under self-threat of emailing the race officials, I focused harder. I swam smarter. I got out of my own way and swam a perfectly respectable 4 x 250 (four times the distance of the race) close to the wall, but not near enough that I could cling to it easily. I timed two of my sets and I swam them in 6-7 minutes. Not lightening speed by any means (oh, did I mention I swim with my arms only?) but last year, my official RR time was 12:43, ranking me 558 out of 564 competitors.
Am I cured? No. I’ve been through too many triathlon swims (9 of them, to be precise) to know how easy it is to panic at the start of a race as my heart rate spikes. But this is also what I love about triathlon. You have to work through the day challenge by challenge, loving the process and trusting yourself, with the glory of just feeling alive as the reward more precious than any medal or hardware.
…especially if you’re guaranteed to come in last ;).
3 Comments. Leave new
I'm so excited for the triathalon! Your determination to do this is my inspiration =)
Wow, Andrea, another great post. I am here to say that I don't write/speak as wonderfully as you, but we do have something in common right now. And that is the fear of choking on water. Even after all my years of swimming, I still feel panicked when I suck in water and can't catch my breath. Back in 1973, I failed swimming lessons. I was so small I couldn't tread water for the required length of time. I may have failed them twice…I can't remember. My Mom would, but she isn't here to ask.
My parents always said I can do anything I put my mind to. I'm sure Sandy and Andy have said the same to you, and they are right. Kudos to you for the amount of training you are doing in the pool. You've put me to shame, as I haven't been doing as much as I would like. But I can honestly say that yesterday when two different situations nearly brought me to tears, I knew I had to get to the pool and pound some H20! While my inner-fish came out, I felt rejuvenated and empowered as I bet you do too during your training. Obstacles can and will be overcome!
I'm ready to give it my all at the Ramblin' Rose for Team Drea HPW – Helping People Win! And to cheer you on as well!
Kristy
"always follow your bliss"…"the-blazeman"…(alswarriorpoet-spirit)…FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!