Strange 2k...

Question
I recently took a 2k that really concerned me... I'm a junior rower in high school and last week was supposed to be when I broke 8 for the first time. Based on pieces, my steady states, and 2k indicators, I was supposed to be well under 8. I was fine 1750 meters into my piece and all of a sudden something hit me and my splits immediately sky-rocketed to a 2:30 and my technique went out the window. I could not even have a hard last 20 because it just wasn't possible... I had no energy and it seemed as if I forgot how to row... It wasn't like I was struggling to hold the split at all in the body of the piece... I was fine with 1:57s and 1:58s all the way down and then all of a sudden the next stroke was a 2:05 and then the ones after that were 2:25+. It was so strange.
After the 2k, I was on the floor, couldn't stand on my feet, and I was semi unconscious for about 35 minutes. It was totally unlike any 2k I've taken before. The day after my 2k, i spiked a high fever that lasted a few days...
Do you think the fever was something brewing before the 2k and affected my 2k but did not show any symptoms until after?
Should I be worried that this might happen again?

Answer
Hi Isabella: My guess is you had a low grade flu or something on the day when you did the piece.  Doing something as intense as a 2K piece while being sick caused you to "hit the wall." You were very tough and gutsy just to finish out the piece.   

If I were you, I'd simply forget about the piece.  You'll break 8:00 the next time out.

Good Luck/AP