Elbow pain during long swims

Bwalker

I started the HIM Intermediate program earlier this year.  During the swim, starting about 1.5 months ago (about week 14/20), I started having discomfort along the outside of my left elbow.  The pain is referenced to my elbow, but by doing a little bit of pressure I can isolate the area that's causing it and I believe it is the triceps brachii, lateral head.  It only starts after 1300-1400 meters of swimming at a moderate to hard pace.  I can push through it and when stop swimming I don't really notice it with the exception of my HIM last weekend it hurt a few times during the run. 

Has anyone else experienced or heard of this?  And does anyone have any ideas of what I can do to address the root issue as well as some short term therapy to allow me to continue swimming.  I have now transitioned to short course training, but I want to eliminate the issue prior to my IM training that will start in late July.

As always, thanks team for the input!

natepepper@yahoo.com

I developed the same pain during the build period of my ironman training. I never saw the doc for it, but in my view it was a symptom of "too much too fast." I backed off swimming for a couple weeks and it resolved itself. Hope the same happens for you.

jburbatt

I'd take a look at your catch motion and make sure you aren't overextending or doing some other awkward movement during it. Take a look at the swimmer guy on swimsmooth.com to compare. Are you bilaterally breathing or breathing on one side? Maybe consider you might be doing something slightly different when rolling to that side.

Bwalker

I will head over to the pool and see if I am doing something weird on my catch, especially focused on that left hand. I am a hard puller, and bilaterally breathe so will also get someone to watch me and give me some feedback. Thanks for the suggestions.