MY FIRST DNF!
I never felt so fit in my life before this race. I was feeling great and Could not wait to race. At 7 am the race gun went off and we started to swim. I felt pretty good in the swim. HOWEVER I did get caught between 2 gumby swimmers that did started at 6:45 and caught their wash. I think I swallowed half of the lake. This is where the trouble started. I came out of the water with a 52:20 (I think did this Including T1). When I jumped on the bike all I thought about was to drinking something fresh and get the lake water taste out of my mouth. As I took my first sip of water I threw it all back up and did that only in the first 10 mins on the bike. I knew from then on this is not going to be my day. As the ride went on and I tried to get my calories and hydration into me I just kept on throwing it all back up. I tried everything from gel, ISO, Coke and only water but nothing worked. As the bike leg came to on end (with a 5:19:12 pretty good with no nutrition) and I ran into T2 I knew it that this is the end of the day for me. I tried to run a little but after the first 1km I had whole body cramps. I fought my way to the first Medical tent then I had a rest. I called my wife and she called it quits for me after lying down first, for about 30 mins. My FIRST DNF! I got my infusion and then went home. Feeling completely disappointed and upset I had to set a new goal quickly. So I signed up for Cologne 226 (Ironman distance) Which is 8 weeks later and signed up for IRONMAN FRANKFURT 2014. From this DNF I learned a few things and will take on a different approach next time.
