Subject: RE: 1st Tri - A DNF Discouragement I DNFed my first tri to because of the OWS. Columbia 2004 or 2005 (I can't remember) and it was cold and the water was freezing, and I just could not get my breath well enough to swim a decent stroke. I finished my next swim in choppy waters with 2-3 foot waves. Slowly, but finished. Then, I DNFed at least 2 more swims in calm waters, but finished 2 others ruled by chop and currents. It just took me a while to get the comfortable with open water swimming. Then, last year I had a panic attack while swimming in my wetsuit in a fun, practice tri. And this was in a beautiful, calm, clear lake. Turns out my biggest issue is the wetsuit. My first one was maybe too small, and the tightness around my chest freaked me out. So, I now have a new one (Blue Seventy Helix...it is awesome), but living down here in MS, I rarely get the chance to use it, and I still have the initial sense of "I can't breathe" when I get in the water. I know that practicing OWS is great advice, but if you're like me, it's not necessarily convenient. Luckily, I've gotten my head wrapped around the open water swim thing, and I now actually really enjoy it. I guess what I'm saying is don't despair. It will come. And you will be so darn proud of yourself when you step out of the water and head to T1. |