Failing Gracefully

What's the only thing as bad as a DNF? A DNS. I know because I've done both in the past 6 weeks...failing on two counts and on two occasions. Not to mention another DNS in a goal race in a couple of weeks time. Epic fail. Suffice to say, it wasn't meant to be like this...

This article is not a tale of my woes...I've done enough sulking...but about when and why a DNF or DNS is actually a smart move. Although my issue was a pesky little injury (yet anything that keeps you out of goal competition is major issue) there can be a myriad of things that result in DNF or DNS.

No one takes the decision to DNF lightly, especially if it's a goal race / race you've travelled to do it / you're going well in / you're pride is strong / other reasons. Pulling out causes no end of torment, which is probably why people usually choose a spot where there's few people around to step off the road where only fellow athletes will see you. There's the hassle of getting back to race central, questions from friends about why, and more. Sometimes it would seem easier to just finish, but that's not the point. To DNF means a conscious action was taken for what was a valid reason at the time...so let's consider some of those reasons.

Perhaps the most common reason for DNF is injury, when the decision is usually obvious and is made for you. However some injuries allow you to keep on competing, but with painful consequences afterwards where only you can make the decision if it is worth it. If it is a big, goal event with some downtime scheduled afterwards then perhaps continuing could be acceptable. But what if the injury is compromising / hindering your performance, regardless of how big the race is, would you still push on? There are no black and white rules in this regard, but I'd suggest it would be prudent to think beyond the finish line and what competing with an injury - a high stress situation on your body - would actually mean once the excitement of the event has passed, usually by about Tuesday, and how you would feel then. Sore and sorry, with no magic potion to fix you up. Make sure you can fight another day by acting sooner rather than later.

Other than injury, another reason for DNF could be fatigue. In most cases there is little excuse or reason for being fatigued going into a race. A race is a race, afterall, and is worthy of the respect of making sure you can give it your best shot of achieving the goals you set for it. Nonetheless, things don't always conspire to allow that which is when it is worth considering the value of continuing. On one side is the experience of being in a race, and learning from it about how your body responds while fatigued. On the flip side is the value from saving your body so it can perform to it's potential on a day when you've got your 'A' game in hand.

The other factor in DNF'ing due to fatigue is what other people will think...but question if that is really important to you, or if they really care beyond curiosity. One problem in pulling out from a race once, is that your mind now accepts that this is OK to again, and possibly again. So you need to only use the fatigue related DNF card very sparingly.

Further factors in people DNF'ing tend to be emotional, which is a container for all range of matters that may be affecting you - stress, family, work, etc. No one will truly understand your emotional state, and thus no one is any position to question your actions. Do what you need to do to manage your situation.

Sometimes you hear of pros who DNF saying "it just wasn't my day", and that they're better to line up again soon in order to further their professional standing. This action divides observers who on one hand say they're soft and should tough it out, versus those who respect that their careers are short anyway, are are better off seeking opportunities where they can succeed. I guess we should walk a mile in their shoes before casting opinion.

DNF'ing is an inglorious exit from a race when things aren't going right, whereas a DNS is pre-empting a forecast poor day. Often the same factors come into play as for DNF, and at least you can avoid the spotlight that a DNF shines by not lining up in the first place. The only downside of this is missing an opportunity to see what might have been once the gun goes...lots of people have surprised themselves by just starting and seeing what happens. In deciding about a DNS or not make sure you're only being informed - and not influenced - by others. After all it is you that is facing up to the event, not them.

Whether you DNF or DNS, one things I've learned from coaching athletes is that they're always thinking ahead to what might be next time they can line up - they're optimists. So if you DNF or DNS then make sure you understand why you did so, and then look ahead to the next race and an opportunity to correct the situation. For as Muhammad Ali said, "Inside of a ring or out, ain't nothing wrong with going down. It's staying down that's wrong.".