My first DNF

You have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.  Hold your head high! You have the chutzpah to sign up for a triathlon and then dedicated an incredible amount of your time training for it.  So what it didn't go as planned...that doesn't diminish all your training, commitment and dedication.  Learn from your experience and you'll be back stronger than ever (physically & mentally). 

As a side note:  Thanks for posting this, because for me, it tells me despite how much we prepare: to expect the unexpected.

Thanks and look around, I bet there's another race somewhere.

SpiritFire, there aren't any more triathlons on the island this year, but if you can make it across to Vancouver, there's the Vancouver triathlon on the Labour Day long weekend.  The swim is in the ocean, but it's much warmer than at Cadboro Bay.  They offer a sprint distance too.

Alternatively, there's the Kelowna Apple tri next weekend (August 18/19).  Warmer lake swim, mostly flat course and offers olympic and sprint distances.  Requires a bit more travel though.

And about the DNF, don't worry about it.  Happens to a lot of folks.  I DNF'd by choice this year due to injury.  Just get back out there and get another race under your belt. 

I had my first DNF this week - well into my third year into triathlons.  (Just sayin', it happens even if you're not a newbie.)  Like you, I felt a little like I let myself and my teammates down, but later I reframed the experience into a training day.  I learned what I could do differently, what I needed to work on.  If you can't find other triathlons in your area for this year, give yourself another challenge to work on, say a new running distance in a race, or hiking up a mountain, or another open water swim (with friends!). 

Get outfitted with an inhaler from your Dr. and start finding that next race! 

you had a physical malady - no shame in stopping.   Would you be embarrassed if you had a broken bone?  

YOu might find another race - maybe some fall runs?  stay in the game.

There is nothing to be embarrassed about!  Some things are out of your control and asthma attacks are one of those things.  I hope you are feeling better now and aren't still haven't problems.

Stick with it and try to go back out when you are feeling better.  Look for a fall run and try that. 

I know of people who are very committed to their training but still have OW demons and/or setbacks. It happens. In your case, having asthma is a double whammy. I know when I've hopped into cold water to swim, it's knocked the breath out of me.

Shake it off. Tain't a thing to be embarassed about.

Were you wearing a wetsuit? I am a life-long swimmer and wetsuits make me feel claustrophobic; feels like I can't breathe. Takes practice and mental discipline. And practice. Oh, and a bit of practice.

You'll get there!

Sounds like it's time to take a roadtrip, to get another race in this year.

Sunny San Diego has a couple more Sprint Tri's left this year......

http://www.kozenterprises.com/site3.aspx

Whether you race again this year, or next year, it will be sweet getting that next race done.  We look forward to hearing all about it !!!!

Danny 

Had my 1st DNF this year (2 flats).  I will say the only DNF in 20 years of racing.  If  When you race as many years as I have you will have problems, but some you just cannot overcome.  Do a road trip for another tri.

I've done an OWS every week for the past 4 months, and for the weirdest reason, had a panic attack during a race last month! Took me a couple minutes to get my breathing slowed down so I could continue. You have asthma though. Getting your breathing back under control probably isn't going to happen.

All the pounding, cold water, and adrenaline affected you.

You're fine. Our minds just do stupid things sometimes, but it's absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. The only people who should be embarrassed are the one's who never get off their couches.

I'm just glad you're OK; a panic attack + asthma attack rivaling the worst you've seen in a decade **During a swim** is scary stuff.  Even if you could still touch down, wow, that's not the way to feel in the water.  You were small to wait, then call it off.  Today just wasn't your day.  You'll get another go at it.  Even if you were 69 years old, and thinking of hanging up your goggles, I'd say "stay with it-- just one more year, give it another try". 

I give the same advice to you now.  This too shall pass, and you're still way more brave to have set out to do something very challenging than to have never tried at all.  Next year will be your year. 

And if you can, try for a few more lake swims between now and then... I love lakes, but love/hate the ocean.

Cheers, -Sunny