[fox-runr]

<p>a year of training, thousands of miles training, and possibly the most touted race in the sport of tri..........</p>
<p> </p>
<p>thanks for the well wishes.  I'm currently in Honolulu, the family is on Waikiki Beach.  hoping to join them soon, but I just had my mental/physical crash..</p>
<p> </p>
<p>what happened in my race?   I pulled out around mile 15 of the run. at 13 I told the volunteer station that I was going to take a DNF, but they told me to keep walking and they'd come get me.  I saw 2 medical vans go past and waved my arms, but they didn't stop.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My race wasn't going well, I knew everything was way slower than it should be  (the winds weren't severe and therefore the bike should have been way faster than IMWI course)  and I just said "eh, whatever, just finish".  When I got to the run, I got 2 miles in and then I had to walk.   Everyone said it'd "come back"  but I death marched 10 more miles and each step hurt my abdomen really bad.  Around mile 11, I was coughing severely and people thought I was puking, but I was coughing up stuff.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By the time I got to the medical tent, I was still having abdomen pain, but my hands were like baseball mitts.  they put me on a scale and I had GAINED 9 pounds since my pre-race weigh-in and my pulse was abnormal and blood pressure was something over 98.  prerace was 96/60.   they were going to treat me for hyponatremia but my labs were coming back only a little abnormal.   Then I started coughing up salty water with blood.   One doctor came over and said he felt I had "seawater asphixation".  I went to the ER and the chest xray confirmed that I had a moderate amount of fluid and compromised oxygen capacity....but thank goodness I didn't have to be held overnight.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope that this experience doesn't stop me, but I haven't decided.   Hoping to be a sherpa or sherpa friend for next Kona visit,  eventhough my race sucked, the spirit was awesome and I highly recommend a visit.........but holey man...........everyone is FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>see you in the mainland</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Stitcher]

<p>SOOOO glad that you're recovering. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Do you have an idea as to why/how you got so much seawater in your lungs?  Was the swim uber rough?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And, if you're going to DNF, you sure did it with style...literally leaving everything out on the course.  This was no "I don't feel good so will stop" DNF, or a mechanical.....this was an honest to goodness medical reason to stop.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Was the med staff good to you?</p>
<p>Do we have to go postal on anyone on your behalf?</p>
<p>Cause, you know......we will....oh yeah, anyone messes with one of OUR own, and we will go off on them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So, hugs to you, you'll come back again.</p>
<p>Definitely give yourself time to heal up and get back to feeling 100% before making any definite decisions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We were all watching and pulling for you!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Glad you're up and around.</p>

 

[cak73]

<p>Also very glad to hear you're recovering!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kinda freaky, IMO, that they told you to just keep walking and that two medical vans went by without stopping.</p>

 

[TriAndStopMe]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>cak73</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70610/what-a-way-to-get-my-first-dnf#post_1953766"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br>
Kinda freaky, IMO, that they told you to just keep walking and that two medical vans went by without stopping.</div>
</div>
<br><br><p>Yeah, no kidding! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Glad you're doing better.  That sounds like quite the ordeal.  Don't suppose you have pictures of the "baseball mitts"?  Twisted minds want to see. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif"></p>

 

[TriBob]

<p>Scary stuff. Take care.</p>

 

[BethR]

So sorry that you had to DNF. I can't imagine your disappointment after all you've put into preparing for this. So glad you are ok. Take time to work through all the emotions and take care of yourself!! You are amazing for going as far as you did!!

 

[juliemboyle]

<p>I can't imagine how disappointing that must be after all the time spent physical and emotional leading up to the big day.  I'm glad you are recovering, sure seems like a nice place to recover <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't understand them telling you to keep walking????  If someone pulls out of an IM they are done!  Enjoy the rest of your trip!</p>

 

[theia]

<p>Glad you are OK, but how scary! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And as others have said, what a difficult decision it must have been to pull out after everything that went into getting there.  Be good to yourself. </p>

 

[Thor]

<p>Hang tough, girl. Glad you're okay!</p>

 

[niemsco]

<p>Hey Sue!  I'm glad you're ok.  You had a great year and serve as an inspiration to many people including myself.   Hang in there, every setback has something you can get out of it to make you stronger next time.  I'm sure you'll find it and be back stronger than ever. </p>

 

[mrscoby78]

<p>Holy moly!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(((foxy)))</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So glad you're okay!</p>

 

[AdCo]

<p>I'm just glad you are OK! As I've learned over the years.. You have good days and bad days and things go right and they go wrong.. SO, start training and next year when you go back, you can Kick ass <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif"> </p>

 

[mmoonptdeux]

<p>Wowzers...not that anyone wants to DNF, but you know it's a tough day when you can't even DNF in the way you want to.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Glad to hear back from you Sue and that you're OK - hope the recovery time in HI was good and I know you'll be back better than ever after this one.</p>

 

[MBannon]

<p>Jeebus.  Drowing in ocean water and your own blood, but managed to swim 2.4 miles, ride 112 miles, and slog through 15 more miles on foot.  You should be teaching our Marines how to "man up."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now enjoy the rest of your stay!</p>

 

[LookiLoo]

<p>Holy crap, what an ordeal.  Glad you're OK!!  I don't know that I can think up anything brilliant to say to help take away some of the sting <img alt="sad.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//sad.gif">  I will say that you are a crazy-strong athlete, and the fact that you made it as far as you did is quite a feat.  Rest up, heal well and know that you'll shine another day!!</p>

 

[KitKat]

<p>Wow.  What a way to DNF!  Glad to hear you are on the mend.  Take care of yourself Sue.</p>

 

[jenotter]

<p>Oh my....I'm so glad you're ok, but how scary!!! Hope you're on the mend and able to take some time for R&R. Hang in there!</p>

 

[hobey]

<p>Oh my God! How terrifying!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm glad you're OK. Enjoy the rest of the time in Hawaii with the family and recover well.</p>

 

[1Topodope]

<p>I say your new name should be Wonder Woman!  That you made it as far as you did with your body fighting you every step of the way speaks volumes.  Absolutely amazing  <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/notworthy.gif" style="width:29px;height:15px;" title=""></p>

 

[pcsronbo]

<p>Ahhhh SUCK!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Really anything else to say? Buck up, get 'em next time, etc - that probably doesn't mean much at the moment.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So process it, let it go, and then go back to doing what you love... and if you want it, I really I have no doubt you can head back to Kona easy enough. If you don't want it, hell, you made it there with style and your body didn't cooperate, simple enough - you're a damn amazing athelete regardless of how you might be feeling right now - just don't forget that.</p>