My First DNS – Spartan Race

DNS = Did Not Start.

That’s right.  Spartan Race marks my first ever Did Not Start.  I wish it wasn’t.  Out of all the races on my calendar, why did I have to fall ill and miss out on this race? It’s not fair, but there is nothing much I can do about it.

To say that I’m bummed is an understanding.

I know I stated that was I hesitant and unsure how I would go in this post. But I’m still mad, angry, bummed, and sad, that I couldn’t participate.

Wednesday afternoon I was feeling a bit off.  I took my temperature and it was 37.1.  Took some paracetamol and got a good night’s sleep.  The next day again, a mild temperature, but had gone by the end of the day.  The same again Friday.  I was hoping it was just a mild thing and that would be gone by the morning.

Ballarat on Friday night was cold though, and I was cold to the bone, so much so, that I didn’t leave the car unless I had to, because the cold air was hurting my back.  Not a good sign.

Saturday morning I woke up and I was roasting.  I was seriously on fire.  I don’t think it helped that Tom had given me a -16c down sleeping bag. So while he was cold during the night I slept like a log or toasty and warm. Could that have been attributed to my DNS some may say yes, but I’m going to say no though, you’ll see?

So I woke up roasting, but I was feeling ok.  I took my temperature at 39.3c. Yeah, not good.

Took more paracetamol, got changed into my spartan gear, got some orange juice, and ate half a banana.

I sat down, and I thought about doing the race, and not doing the race. I thought to myself I’ll do it unless I faint or spew, then I’m out.

Temp now 38.7c.

By not doing the race I would be letting not only myself but my team down.

But by doing the race I could be putting not only myself at further risk, by my team at risk too.

There was also this to think about:

5. I attest and verify that I am free from all illnesses, injuries and defects and that I am physically fit and sufficiently trained to participate in all activities associated with the Event.

Yep, I read the waiver, I knew it was in there.  I wasn’t free from illnesses, I had something, and I was feeling awful.

Temp is still in the mid 38’s.

By now I had the hot and cold sweats going.  Sitting there with a cold washcloth on my head it hit me, there is no way I can do this feeling this shitty.  I’ll just make myself worse.

The decision was made. I called the Team Captain, I told him I wouldn’t be there.  Tears were rolling down my face while I was talking to him.  I so wanted to do it, but I knew it wouldn’t be wise to. I felt like I was letting my team down.  I know they had a great time, and I know that there is next year, but it’s not the same.

We packed up the car and made a silent drive back home.  Where I curled up on the couch and slept for the rest of the day/weekend and possibly even the week.

All it took was a severe case of tonsillitis to take me out of the Spartan Race.

Some will say it’s mind over matter.  But I couldn’t run, let alone carry a sandbag or do a burpee.  It wouldn’t have been fair on my team to wait on me to finish when I wouldn’t be able to.

So even though I didn’t get to run Spartan, I know there will be other events, and I know I will participate in them, and I will be ready and most importantly not sick.

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Have you ever DNS due to illness?