We often associate DNFs to injuries. mechanical problems, missing cut
off times, etc… and in most cases there is very little one can do about these
so mentally we tend to move on reasonably quick. “It just wasn’t our day”.
But what happens when a DNF is within our control? How do you recover
mentally from these? A DNF isn't the goal for any racer, and certainly it wasn’t
for any of my friends who decided to pull out from Ironman Cork yesterday. I’m not talking about the average Joe out who
likes to quid the minute things get a bit harsh. I’m talking about hardcore National
Series racing lads and double-Ironman nutters who faced extraordinary
conditions yesterday.
Whatever their reasons were (I suspect related to the cold, rain and
general safety – I haven’t talked to any of them yet), it was ultimate THEIR
decision and no one else’s to take.
Triathlon is an individual sport and decisions need to be taken constantly
while we race: “Should I take the lead in the swim?” “Should I take a gel at
the top of that hill?”, “Should I change into a higher gear now?”, “Should I attack
now?”, etc… unfortunately, one of the harder questions we face is: “Should I
pull out?” and this is where some people confuse “Bravery” with “Absurdity”.
Triathletes are often seen as fully-committed athletes that “Never give
up” and we frequently come across to a lot of references, quotations and
Marketing slogans on social media where they brainwash us saying quitting is
only for the weak.
It is very easy for outsiders to label these DNFers as “weak”, “not
brave”, “not manly enough”, “Big girl’s blouse”, etc… … but these outsiders
are missing the point; THEY WERE NOT THERE!, THEY WERE NOT THEM!. In my view, no-one,
absolutely no-one, is entitled to criticize someone else’s DNF… and I take
these sort of comments very personally.
Criticising someone for a DNF is an insult that is exclusively applied
to us, athletes with common sense, in an effort to shame us into taking some
usually preposterous and irresponsible actions by impugning our frangible athlete’s
pride at this very low time in our sporting career.
In my experience, two of the toughest decisions that I have ever made while
racing were linked to DNFs (one due to injury and one due to safety)… but these
reasons whether they were acceptable by outsiders or not, they were MINE decisions
to take and not theirs.
So, this little text is fully dedicated to all the Ironman Cork NOT
Finishers who will go home without the so-much wanted finisher’s medal; Race
day wasn’t your day, and it wasn’t ok!!
It is understandable that you are disappointed, frustrated and even
angry… and you have every right to feel that way after having trained so hard
and for so long for this race.
You have my full support for taking such hard decision and I hope you
don’t mind me finishing this text using a quote from the amazing ultra-runner Jim
Walmsley. “This sport is not just one
race, it’s a big picture. Sometimes you need to fold your cards.”
Yours in sport,
Ernest
