DNF (Page 2)

After all the precious posts, I don't really have anything new to add.  So keep re-reading what they wrote 

Was going to suggest puking quickly an getting it over with early...instead of fighting.  However, since you're a scuba diver and have puked regularly, it doesn't seem like that helps you feel better any quicker.

Have been seasick...puked...felt better nearly instantly.

You'll ROCK on the next race 

Sorry to hear you got seasick.  I've only been seasick twice, and it is really miserable - almost an out of body experience.  I guess you'll have to pick races that are lake swims!

Not a total loss though, you lost weight, are in better shape, and really learned something important.  I think you were much grittier than I might have been.

You did your best - the conditions just defeated you.  I don't think that you need to hang your head in shame. 

Try Bonine for the motion sickness next time - it's non-drowsy and it lasts for 24 hours (I think) so you could take it early in the morning and be good to go.  If you're that subject to motion sickness - I'd make it part of your pre-race routine, cause it sounds like you might need it every time.

  Sorry to hear about your race. How disappointing!!.....to say the least.  It certainly wasn't something you could control though.

I am a fellow motion sickness sufferer as well as a scuba diver. When I go diving (or to an amusement park) I take ginger capsules.     Two before I get on the boat... then two more after the 1st dive.  If its a long boat ride I will take more.   I used to wear the accupressure bands and take the ginger but discovered when I lost the bands that I was ok with the ginger alone.

I am unable to take dramamine and bonine because of the side effects

I swear it has been like a  miracle for me for the past 6 years.

Now, back to training for another race!

I get the exact same kind of motion sickness you describe and I can say first hand you really made a very brave attempt.  To be hurting at the first buoy and make it to the eighth you must have been just dying out there.  Ditto to all the posts that said you made great accomplishments in your training.  The race is suppose to be the celebration where you get to show off your training.  You were denied the fun and that sucks.  However, you have plenty of suggestions on what to do next and shutting down is NOT an option.

From another motion sickness person, way to hang in there as long as you did.

Let's see - you just educated a whole bunch of newbies to be aware of getting 'sea-sick' in an OWS.  That is something I would have never thought about.  Thanks! 

Now, when is your next race?  There is absolutely no reason for all that training not to be used in an upcoming race.  I look forward to your race report.

Thanks for sharing your experience!  You should be proud of all you have accomplished to date!

Mike -

I'm not sure what to say to make you feel better, because I don't know if I were in your situation what would make me feel better.  I know it is a big disappointment and I can't tell you how bad I feel for you that you were not able to finish and see all of your hard training work pay off when you crossed the finish line.  I know that you could have done it, and I think you do, too.  Motion sickness is a bitch.   A few months ago in an Olympic tri, I almost had the same thing happen from open water chop.  So I know how bad it can make you feel and how quickly it hits you.

I love the fact that you  have some small part of your brain already thinking about finding another HIM with better swim conditions.  I think that may be a good idea to keep yourself motivated and get out there and do your HIM.  You've trained for it and can finish - don't ever doubt that.   

I really enjoyed meeting you and you're a super nice guy.  I hope that as the days go by you can stop feeling quite as bad as you do right now and realize that you've come a long way in training and you had the guts to get out there in the first place. 

Please let us know how you are feeling in a few days and let us know when you decide to give HIM another shot so that we can root you on! 

Mike - Those are your words, not mine.  I'm sure you wanted that race under your belt.  It was important to you.  But think about those around you, your family.  What do you think is more important to them?  Whether or not you finished the race or the statements that I quoted above?  We know what kind of dedication it takes to train as hard as you did and isn't there a reason they say that it's about getting to the starting line and not the finish line?  Some things are beyond your control, or part of the learning process.  This is just another step forward for you because you had to find this out before you could progress any further as a triathlete.

Good luck and keep training. 

Please don't feel like a failure! You toughed it out for a lot longer than many others would have in your situation. Sometimes unexpected things come up in a race and just throw the game plan out the window. You're certainly not the first, nor last, person that has happened to!

My advice would be to investigate some motion sickness remedies (non-drowsy dramamine? those sea band bracelet things?) and just keep at it. You've come a long way and should be very proud of yourself!

I get seasick/motion sick easily too....and YES, including on the 360 screen at Disney (the one where you're standing still, do they still have that?)   It sucks. I wish like heck I could give some solid advice as to how to overcome it.  Start looking for those lake races!  It's been said already but YOU DIDN"T FAIL.  You accomplished more than most people do just by getting to the starting line.  You won before you ever got there.  Sign up for another race, one that's soon so you can take advantage of all  your hard work.  You'll be great. 

Hey Mike-

thanks for sharing that story.  You thought you would finish short of being broad-sided by a semi...and that's essentially what happened.  You can't blame yourself for that.  Just find another HIM, sign up, and get back on the horse.  Like so many others have said here...the journey's the important part.  Good luck. 

I finished my very first tri yesterday and my heart is completely breaking for you right now.