1st Tri - A DNF Discouragement

Yes, that was a mistake. Open water is much different than a pool, and wetsuits take a few swims to get used to. This is not quite the same, but similar to doing a tri after only training indoors on a treadmill and bike trainer.

However, DNFs from the swim happen all the time, especially in open water swims with rougher water. Keep training, learn from your mistakes and race again.

My suggestion:

1. Find another tri and register. 

2. Swim in open water with a wetsuit a few times a week. 

3.  Do your second tri and have a whole new tri experience for the memory book!

If doing triathlons was easy, I doubt you would be doing them.  You want the challenge and you can do it!

First, you are not a loser. I am a total greenie to triathlon and have had my share of learning experiences this year.  You are correct, you should have tested OW and the wet suit several times before attempting the race, especially in something like Lake Ontario.  The good news is you learned something and will not make the mistake again.

I agree with one of the posters that you should find another tri and sign up for it.  I would also suggest OW swimming lessons if you can find them in your area.  There is something to learning how to site and breathe that is different from the pool.  I am now far better in the OW than the pool, but I attribute a lot of that to lessons, the wet suit and quite a bit of practice.

Chin up, you will nail it next time.

Lots and lots of DNFs due to OW problems. Just keep reading the race reports.

Super job for doing all the training and starting the tri. You've gotten great advice on what to do next--now go get 'em, Tiger.

Do not feel bad about that DNF. That water was rough. The up and down was pretty intense. If you check the results, you'll see that people who post paces of 1:15 per 100 yards at races in the Finger Lakes had paces just barely under 2:00 per 100.

In a big lake like that the waves have no rhythm or steady direction. There's no tide so it's just random water movement. Waves can come at you 2 from the left, then there's a lull, then there's one from the right and two quick ones from the left. If you're not used to it, it can be very disorienting.  At least in the ocean you can get a sense of timing of when to breathe and sight.

Now obviously race day isn't the time to get exposed to open water swimming. Here's what you do: at Kershaw Park in Canandaigua, the local Masters club and Rochester Area Triathletes hold an open water swim practice every Friday evening in the summer. People start getting there around 5:30-ish. The course is great, it's between the regular swimming area and the "no boating" line and you can stand up at any point. Very nice group of people, too. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and tell people it's your first time there.

As to other tri's in this area things are filling up, but you should do one if you can. Skinnyman in Skaneatelese might have some slots, that's a good Sprint distance race.

Amongst other things, triathlon is about overcoming setbacks.  Do not give up. This will just make crossing the finish line for the first time that much sweeter. 

Look at it this way....

 You could have made it through the swim, got to the bike...then get a flat and not be able to fix it.  You would have still had a DNF.

Keep positive, sign up for a race soon, kill it, write a race report and sign up for another after that!  Keep it going!

I am so sorry for the water condition for you first tri.  It was rough and there was no timing anything.  Talk about the washing machine at the start.  Seemed to be worse then normal.  I've done numerous tris and that was the roughest start even without the waves.   I think everyone wanted to get out and get some breathing room. 

Emotion run high right now.  Give it a couple days.  Don't sell you bike yet.  Come down and hit the Finger Lakes for one.  Your training is still there.  If you can't make one I think there are some Fall duathlons in Rochester area.  The Black Diamond is October.  It's a trail ride and run and a lot of fun.   Try to make it to an OWS in Canandaigua.  Let me know if you can make it some time.  If the wetsuit was a rental I'll let ya borrow mine and even harrass you in the water.  Nothing like real conditions to train in.  Ask KenJ.  Sorry the dog will beat you.  We also swim in the early morning.  Like 6-7 am.  

You didn't fail.  Tri again!  Damn it!  

A little off topic, but I see this all the time but can't decipher it ...

What the heck does HTFU mean????

Harden the **** up.

Gotcha!

Thanks for enlightening me ... that is actually pretty hilarious and now makes many of the other posts I've read all that more enjoyable!

I don't think I've ever revealed this before, but years ago I was in the Army and I think everyone is familiar with the term ASAP (as soon as possible).  I once had this very memorable platoon sargeant who used his own very term (and he used it often) and instead of barking out orders and saying ASAP! he would always say "and HTFU scumbags!"

Just replace "harden" with "hurry" and there you have it.   I was trying to insert hurry the f#$% up in the original posts but it just didn't fit.

Thanks again for the info.

Wow...

Thanks everyone for your reply's!

So, here I am 14 hours later....a kickball game with the kids, a tennis game with some friends (w/way too many kill shots that went long) and a game of horse with some random kids on the basketball court (I was first out), a HUGE bowl of ice cream, and about 3 nice size vodka cocktails (both off the training diet, THANK YOU!), and a night of contemplating all the athletes I watched come in last place in the Olympics....

.....I must say, I am in a much more acceptable mind set!

Thanks too to all the local folks that recommended close solutions.

I have to figure out my training from here on out, having a 2 yr old and a WAY stressed out wife, I really have been only able to train during my lunch breaks, sometimes a 1/2 hour before work, and an occasional "Sunday blessing" from the Mrs. Canandaigua Friday evenings is out for this dad, it's "my turn" by that point. I must say, I squeezed every minute I could w/o getting a divorce, I was happy with what I did, I was convinced it was enough.

I may be looking to next year at this point......but hey, at least I got my lazy a** off the couch, I am much more fit, and for all you ladies...I must say, my biceps are much bigger!

Thanks all!