Triathlon - stomach upset from swallowing lake water?

Did my 3rd sprint tri this morning, which had a few good parts (my first 1/2 mile swim in a race, and second ever; first ride on the new Cervelo) and a few not so good parts. Each of the age group waves was pretty big, and the water was a bit rougher. Couple that with the length of the swim, and I wound up swallowing a bit more water than in the last 2 races. I hurriedly ate 2 Powergels and electrolytes and drank some water during T1 and on the bike to wash it all down; this has worked successfully during the last 2 tris. Just as I got off the bike I got hit with some nasty stomach cramps / nausea that lasted for the 1st half of the run. It felt like my stomach hadn't emptied during the bike leg - I could almost swear I heard the sloshing.

I slowed down during the 1st half of the run and then felt much better for the last 1.5 miles. Ten yards to the finish and my right quad and hamstring cramp; I grit my teeth and finish. With me this is usually a sign of low electrolytes, but since I took a dose that usually prevents this, it seems to support the notion that my stomach simply shut down during the bike leg.

Anybody else have any gastric problems after swallowing lake water?

Chris

P.S. H2OChick did the same tri and was probably top 5 in her age group swim leg. An awesome performance.

Chris, I have to say that swallowing lake water turns out to be entirely preferable to swallowing ocean water! So no complaints here. I think my belly ached just from the exertion.

Chris, I have to say that swallowing lake water turns out to be entirely preferable to swallowing ocean water! So no complaints here. I think my belly ached just from the exertion.
Yea, there's currently a thread over on slowtwitch called `Advice for Kona', or something like that, and not swallowing ocean water was high on the list if you didn't want to add vomiting as a 4th leg.

I just finished my first tri on Sunday (9/18) and swallowed some lake water. It was my first real OWS so I'm not sure if it was a normal amount or too much but I cramped up almost immediately on the bike leg, within the first mile. Which of course is also the longest climb of the race. Cramps lasted until abour 20 minutes after the run. I initially thought I had drank too much water pre-race so I didn't drink much on the bike. And my gatorade tasted like maple syrup so I don't think I was low on sugar or electrolytes. I think hte cramping was more a result of nervousness, a rough OWS, and just being totally jacked up for my first tri. Oh yea, and not sleeping the night before probably didn't help either.

Anyway, long story short: Yes, I too had gastric issues after swallowing lake water but of course I can't say for sure if it was the water or other factors.

Just finished my first Sprint Tri this Saturday (see related thread) in the Atlantic. No sooner had I finished the swim, I felt really bad then blehhhhh! Luckily, it was only a quick twice and I was back about my business transitioning with no ill effects.
I know a lot of tri vets say ocean swims can lead to seesickness, but I think in my case I took in too much ocean water. Interesting experience to say the least, but I was happy it didn't hamper the rest of the race, because that would of been misery.
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