DNF

A little anxious before the swim start.
Who am I kidding, I just wanted to cool off in the water!

 There’s a first time for everything and this morning for me was a big fat DNF.

Let’s shift back in time: two weeks ago I signed myself up for the Qld Gatorade Series at Robina. 750m swim, 20km cycle, and 5km run. I’ve done it before and I needed something to motivate me to get back into training so I thought the sprint distance triathlon would be perfect.

My wave start this morning. 9:02am. It was already in the 30s and around 60% humidity but it like mid to high thirties in the sun. It was going to be a fun race and the only part I was looking forward to was the swim so I could cool off.

Taking way to long to get on the bike.
I felt like I was in slow motion.

The swim was great but as soon as I got onto the bike I knew I didn’t feel right. I managed two laps of the four lap course in 32 degree heat, probably a lot higher in the sun, and then that was it. I had no strength left in my legs and when I got off the bike and told an official I was exiting the race I saw stars in my eyes.


I thought I’d never get to Jarek who was looking out for me thinking I’d turn round the roundabout and pass him. I knew where he stood but getting to him took effort. I was wobbling from side to side and hoping that I would not (a) puke, or worse, (b) pass out.

I got someone to get me a bit of gatorade at the finish station and that helped a little (ignored the no sugar rule for a moment). As soon as I got to Jarek he gave me a cold drink and I started to feel worse. With no shade in sight it was difficult to get out of the sun. I needed to get into the water but the water was warm too.

When I went to grab some water from the final water station one of the lovely volunteers saw my state and got me to take a seat, drink a few cups, got me to plump my feet into a bucket of icy cold water and gave me a plastic bag of ice for my neck. It was a blissful moment and by then I knew I was going to be alright.

Putting on a happy face.
I was happy to be going home to eat and lie down!

How do I feel about the DNF? It was the right thing to do. It’s ok to push yourself but you have to know when to stop too. Normally, I’d keep going. Mentally, I could make it. But physically I knew that if I pushed hard the day could have ended very badly.

While the temperature outside has decreased, inside it’s still a sauna so I’m sitting in front of the fan with a cold glass of water beside me. I did DNF but I also gained the motivation to get back to training.