Sore throat after race - Triathlon Week

MOhSoCool · 07-17-2006, 12:56 PM

I just finished my first Olympic triathlon this weekend and aside from some major chaffing on my neck (I know...body glide) and some muscle soreness, I survived okay!

My question is, after the race my friends and I went to In-n-Out for some yummy food and my friend and i had a difficult time getting the food down. Our throats killed! to be specific, the roof of my mouth way back near my throat was killiing me! it was hard to swallow. the food was still great, but it was an effort to get it down and my throat ached afterward.

The same friend had the same experience after a triathlon in May.

Both of us aren't the strongest swimmers and struggle mentally to get through it. I think it's poor breathing on the swim.

Any thoughts?

sfricks · 07-17-2006, 01:45 PM

Hummm.... I've never heard of that. A few questions:
1) Ocean, pool or lake?
2) Fuel intake for you and your friend?
3) Hydration intake?
4) Any other commonalities outside of doing an Olympic Triathlon?
I don't see breathing causing an issue unless the water was comtaminated or you were sucking in boat exhaust fumes. I suppose you could have been so apprehensive that you squeezed your esophagus closed with enough force to cause pain. Did you feel you were getting enough air on the swim?

MOhSoCool · 07-17-2006, 02:08 PM

1) ocean swim
2) fueled properly
3) hydrated well
4) we are both deathly afraid of the water.

I'd like to hear more about your theory on apprehension and the esophogus. we have major issues with water but feel the need to keep doing triathons... i feel like my breathing is good and i don't struggle for breath. but i do struggle with getting myself through the entire swim. please explain more your theory.

Hernan96 · 07-17-2006, 03:17 PM

Was it the Camp Pendelton Race SoCool? I know some people I train with complained about one section of swim tasted like boat fuel? Could be the link. Was your friends race in the same location?

MOhSoCool · 07-17-2006, 03:19 PM

It was the Camp Pendleton race and there were boat fuel fumes, but the boat fuel didn't seem significant enough to have caused the soreness, albeit unpleasant.

sfricks · 07-18-2006, 04:53 AM

I'd look at an outside irritant such as the boat fuel/fumes first. Have you ever experienced this feeling in a training swim of the same length? My theory on the esophagus is just speculation and it would seem to interfere with your breathing.

Hernan96 · 07-18-2006, 08:30 AM

Scott I agree with you that the fume may have been a irritant to the throat. Also asking if he had this problem with swims of similar lengths is a good question.

MOhSoCool · 07-18-2006, 09:03 AM

My same friend had the same problem at a previous triathlon and boat fumes weren't an issue. I am thinking that the stress from the swim put pressure on her breathing technique and after a mile of that, the throat just bruised a bit.

i like your esophogus speculation.

sfricks · 07-18-2006, 11:09 AM

Hummm.... Well, glad I could guess properly but I have no idea how to suggest you rectify it. Here are some suggestions on breathing:
1) Do not hold your breath. Breathe out almost constantly through your mouth and nose as appropriate.
2) Exhale fully. Most swimmers concentrate on the inhalation portion of the breathing cycle. Focus on the exhale making sure to mostly (not uncomfortably) empty your lungs. This sounds counter intuitive and takes some adjustment but the result is your air intake is more automatic, relaxed and complete. This may force you to keep your esophagus open and relaxed.

Let us know how you get along on this.