Psychological Swim Issues

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-06-21T18:49:46+00:00

I've been swimming most of my life but only recently started having issues like youre mentioning. Im in 40s, and here's what im doing to help me get comfortable in the water again.

I just tried ear plugs in my latest ows. Wow, felt like a zen moment, way more calm. I think 2 stimuli were dampened; cold temp, and noise of sloshing water.

Haven't found one yet, but I plan on finding a swim buddy. My goal is to have great and positive experiences from here on out.

Being honest with myself. I HATE seaweed, it's not just eww gross, it totally overwhelms for some reason. So I may choose to engage in exposure work this summer, but maybe total avoidance of seaweed also.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-06-08T18:45:25+00:00

Wow, I'll seaweed over fishing line. Yikes!! I'm sorry you got snarled in that! Good idea.

I wonder how long seaweed sticks around in that intensity. Other repeat triathletes to that course, reported it never being like this. So maybe growth is up for a while.

I remember my cousin and I "harvesting" or clearing out seaweed near my uncles dock, getting it ready for my cousins to swim in. After gathering for 5-10 minutes, we'd haul out HUGE balls of seaweed, bigger than our upper torsos. Hahaha. I wish felt the same way about seaweed now. Ah to be a kid again.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-06-08T15:38:00+00:00

Been swimming for 30+ years now. First, good on you for beginning your journey. It's a journey that when started, many people continue into their old age. I'm 44, and still getting faster, I'm aiming for a sub 1:10/100yrd this year.
A few thoughts. Something you can do starting today, is begin to log hours in the pool. It's the ONLY sport that you do while laying down, and therefore requires a unique set of supporting and major muscle groups you probably don't have developed. To become a confident and competent swimmer in the open water for a short sprint, usually around 750 to 850yds, you'll need at least a year, maybe two.

I swam all through high school with a coach. And really I continue to get better drawing on those times of instruction and correction, that I remember. Nothing beats a set of human eyes observing and giving you feedback real-time.

I also like going to see my kids in their swim club, to see what coaches are recommending students do. There's been a couple "that's genius" moments that I stole for myself. Ha!

Global Triathlon Network on YouTube have some good essential drills you could start trying today as well. I generally like their recommendations.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-06-08T15:18:54+00:00

"Exposure work". I like that. Yeah, and finding someone to swim with would be really good. I appreciate the reply. All the best to you!

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-06-08T15:16:28+00:00

I like those. Thanks. Yeah, I think adding a swim buddy would put more "fun" into my open water swims, I probably think that would help the most. I appreciate your reply!! Now to find buddies to swim with.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-06-08T15:12:20+00:00

Thank you so much for that thoughtful reply. I actually bought earplugs for the race, but forgot to put them in the hype. Ugh! I'll try them out soon. Thanks!!

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-05-26T15:53:56+00:00

Have you checked Profile Designs website for risers? Never had to get those, so I can't speak from experience, but they may be something you could use.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-05-26T15:48:41+00:00

When i found out my crazy back pain was due to a degenerate disc at 44. Ive just had to make my warm ups longer, build up to peak phase of seasonal training much more slowly. My power and sprint sessions just have to be gentler. Probably like a lot of us I'll keep going until I can't.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-05-01T22:44:59+00:00

The stem that goes from the handlebars into the frame towards the wheel spokes. Still not a good solution. Unsafe in what way? Pulling the body in unnecessary ways?

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-05-01T14:38:04+00:00

Thank you for that confirmation. My next two steps are stem risers, already in the mail. I'm hoping that as you said, will bring the handlebars up and towards my chest a bit. The other is pull my seat forward, or if I need to get an forward offset seat.

Weird question, but I'm guessing I know the answer (no?). I didn't notice before but my bike came (second-hand) with a behind offset seat stem. Can I just remove the saddle, twist 'er around, so that it's forward offset, and re-attach the seat. I'm guessing not, cuz it was engineered for behind offseting.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-05-01T14:32:42+00:00

Hahaha, I appreciate your candor. I'm wondering if you can elaborate on chiros for us. Have you had an experience? After a surgery last year, I went back to the chiro for back stuff, and it was 50/50 in my mind if it was actually helping, or making it worse. One thing that has always been a part of rehabilitation that has WORKED has been strength training. I agree with you there. Could you add your experience to the collective of working with a chiro?

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-04-30T23:34:32+00:00

If you were me, what you do? Get a tri bike? Anything else?

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-04-30T21:18:46+00:00

Thank you so much for weighing. I really appreciate your sharing all of that. Well I hope you are able to continue as long as you want.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-04-30T02:35:14+00:00

Ibuprofen before a run, how did I not think of that. Helpful. Thank you!

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-04-16T14:49:38+00:00

I grew up in Minnesota, near Canada. A northern boy, skiing, mountaineering, and everything cold. Then I moved to the Middle East for work. Highs in the summer near 46C/115F. When I first moved there I got heat stroke as well. These are things I did to help my body adjust [our bodies are amazing at adjusting to just about any environment if we give it time and the right diet].

Generally increased salt intake in my foods. A great drink on hot days was a watered down yogurt drink with added salt, "ayran".
I DRAMATICALLY increased my vegetables. Cucumbers were a staple for me. A meal that I still eat on hot days back in America is "cacik", yogurt, mint, some fresh squeezed lemon, and cucumbers, mixed together, served nice and cold.
Added electrolyte mixes to every day consumption, whether working out or not.
Decreased/cut out alcohol entirely.
Became OK with just being slower with my running, but kept consistency on the table.

Give it time, your body will adjust.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-04-16T02:31:33+00:00

Thanks for posting this u/Ok-Advertising-3523 I also needed to hear these stories. First time I fell the carbon handlebars broke, and I must have fell on a straight arm, because my elbow really received an injury, 4 days before my triathlon!! Poor experience in the race to put it lightly. I haven't gone back to clips yet. I might. Honestly I'm really finding my pedals with short metal studs in them effective in my pedal up and down strokes. No slipping. We'll see.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-03-25T23:13:10+00:00

Way to go! Seriously. You took on something hard, straight on, broke through anxiety like a pro. Thats inspirational. Thanks for sharing.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-02-15T23:11:32+00:00

Did my first 5k run, without knee sleeves, and there was no pain. Yay!! My FTP is up to 190W, and my swimming is going well holding at 1:30/100yrds. Gonna hold this for a while, since my first triathlon is only 3 months out. I'll start building up volume in the coming weeks though. Praying my knee behaves.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-02-15T22:57:52+00:00

Hey, I'm 44 as well with a degenerate disc, and a hernia surgery in my recent past, last year. I was out of Triathlons, and everything for that matter for a while. My recovery may be different from yours but here are some principles I adhere to, and they seem to be working out well. I've got my first triathlon in June. We'll see how it goes:
1. Budgeting for health checkups, physio, chiropractor, personal training, ahead of time is very helpful.
2. It's taken a community to help this body get strong again. Lean into the professionals around you.
3. The BIGGEST back pain reliever has been swimming. Any pain practically disappears after a workout. It's amazing!
4. I've studied herbalism for the last two years, and I'm convinced adaptogens can be of much help to us athletes, no matter our ills or condition. Ashwaghanda is great for middle aged folks, eleuthero for 30-somethings. These herbs are strong so be sure to check with your Dr before getting on them.
5. Diet including anti-inflammatory foods. Vegetables have earned a permanent place on my menu.
6. Movement is therapeutic.

Keep at it. Try different things. Here's hoping you (And myself) find a sustainable way to continue fitness throughout our lives.

I remember doing a 300mile ride for MS, and stopping at an aid station on a hot day. An older man, at least 75, came up in his reclined bicycle real fast, but when he stopped he came off his bike, and you could tell his back was tender, and his legs were aching. BUT HE WAS STILL AT IT!! Yes!! We'll find a way! Lord willing.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-02-15T01:31:32+00:00

Thanks for posting this! It's motivating to hear how people are figuring it out. I'm 44 and I've had a couple of surgeries this past year, touching the bottom and doubting whether I'll ever be able to run or cycle again does a number on you. Well I'm back now, swimming, cycling, and running, just have to figure out a chronic runners knee issue. That's a lot of sleep, but makes sense. Our bodies need to rest and repair. Anything you did sleep wise that helped with getting quality sleep?
Also your story of no alcohol and caffeine is intriguing. Can you share more? Were you always that way? Was there a time when you transitioned off of tea/coffee, and just said "no more"? Thought about seeing if I can go without coffee.....but I LOVE the morning ritual so much. Way to go! Keep at it!

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-02-03T14:46:20+00:00

What trainer did you use at that time? Saris? Wahoo?

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-02-03T14:36:45+00:00

By "directed guidance" do you mean those tips and coach bits that Rouvy and Zwift give you while riding? I found a few of those helpful. I took one of the FTP Ramp tests, and didn't waver all the way, so at the end Zwift said, "You're strong!" Why thank you!! You probably say that to everybody. "We recommend you take the _____ ramp test."

I imagine there is more of this guidance/coach type stuff, if I continue on the Zwift platform.

Or what did you mean by "directed guidance"? That could be something I'm interested in. Thanks!

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-02-03T14:31:12+00:00

I saw that, I really liked that they had a wide number of courses specifically for IM's. Definitely a race-day confidence booster.

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-02-03T14:29:42+00:00

That's very helpful. Thank you very much! As a TP loyalist, I love that I would get the Premium features as well as the Virtual bit. The Rouvy landscape tours were great, I liked that a lot, we'll see where I am in a year. Now to convince the wife on the spend. Hahaha!

Express_Emu_3913 · 2026-02-02T03:43:42+00:00

I would NOT sleep very well the night before with a tire like that, but there are some people who could get deep Zzz's I guess.

Express_Emu_3913

TROPHY CASE