Making the decision to Pull the Plug On A Race is never an easy one. Presumably, you’ve signed up, trained, told all your friends, and mentally committed etc however there may come a time when it’s necessary to “Do Not Start” (DNS). How do you know when it’s time to Pull The Plug?
I’ve really struggled the past few weeks with my decision about my tri race this weekend. I have shared quite a bit about my passion for tri training and how much I love how it makes me feel both mentally and physically. I’ve done 2 sprint tri races this summer already and have the Iron Girl triathlon on my schedule for Sunday.
To make a long story short, my regular life has gotten in the way. After looking for a long while, we found a new house that we love and we are moving in September. As you may know, this whole process requires so much time, and mental stress.I have been completely absorbed with getting our current house in order to sell and working on all of the stuff for the new house. I’ve been so stressed and over whelmed that I don’t have it in me to race this weekend. Mentally, I am just not there. Fortunately, our new house is a good thing that I am really excited about moving but right now I just can’t focus on doing this race.
I wrestled with the decision and even felt guilty that I was letting my friends down. I know it’s the right decision for me now to Pull the plug on the race and DNS. There is always another race to do.
Knowing When To Pull The Plug on a Race
Injury
I made this mistake once before by doing a half race with very severe shin splints. I earned myself a stress fracture that day. If you are wondering whether your injury is severe enough to back out of a race it probably is.
Not Enjoying it
Presumably training for a race is supposed to be something you enjoy. If you are feeling like the training is a chore and you are not enjoying it, perhaps it’s time to rethink it.
Undertrained
Race day is nearing and well lots of those training runs just didn’t happen as planned. Depending on the distance of the race and your over all fitness level, it might be the right decision to pull out.
Bad Timing
Well when you entered the lottery or signed up back in January for a fall race it sure seemed like a great idea at the time. Weddings, kid stuff, work travel, things come up and the timing might not be so great anymore.
Life gets in the way
This is where I am right now. Leaving to go on a racecation/triathlon weekend just does not seem like the right thing to do right now. Life happens and races will always be there.
Tell me, have you ever #DNS for a race?
Linking up with :
Fit n Fashionable Friday: Nicole
Friday Five: Courtney, Mar, Cynthia
I’ve had several races that I’ve DNS’d, and I have no regrets about it. There IS such thing as a workout that you regret, and that is one that ends in injury!
I totally agree with that!
First of all, CONGRATS on the new house!!! So exciting!
I had to DNS the Syracuse Half back in March when I was dealing with health issues. It’s never an easy thing to do, but if I’m going back and forth about a race, I’ll ask myself, “Will I spend most of the race worrying or will I spend most of the race enjoying?” If it’s worrying, it’s not worth it.
It sounds like you’ve made the right decision. There will always be another race. Your real life and sanity come first!
I do remember when you were having some of the same feelings about dropping out of your race. I think we both made the right decision
I think it is SUCH a hard decision but you really do have to be smart about it. If you’re not ready or you’re not mentally there it’s just not worth it!
I agree thanks 🙂
I got sick before a 10K I was working REALLY hard to train for once. It was such a bummer, but sometimes real life is just more important!
Congrats on the new house! That sounds stressful but very exciting! Just the idea of moving at this point, makes my eye twitch!
Thanks so much! It is a lot but all good when it is over
I pulled out of the San Luis Obispo marathon last year because my back was really bothering me. I think I was more worried about the 6 hour drive than the actual race, but I did feel bad because I was an ambassador for the event. It was the right decision though.
How exciting that you’re moving to a great new home! It is stressful, but will be so worth it in the long run.
Thanks I know it’s all worth it but yes quite stressful at the moment
Congrats on finding a new house! Moving is definitely stressful. But the good thing is that there will always be another race to complete. It sounds like you’re making the right decision.
thanks stressful indeed but yes I think the right move for me. Have a great weekend
I haven’t pulled the plug on a race, I do have to admit I almost did with my marathon out of fear but so glad I didn’t! I have pulled out of signing up for a race I said I was going to do though, just because I wasn’t enjoying it anymore
I think we all go through those feelings from time to time as well.
Sounds like you made the right decision. Like you said if you are not properly trained you could risk yourself into getting an injury. It is just not worth it. I never had had DNF but I always wait to the last minute if I can to sign up for races.
The races fill up so quickly around here and I usually sign up earlier because it is less expensive.
I’ve DNS’d — not yet, anyway, but last year around this time there was a 10k I’d planned to race. I’d done it the year before & enjoyed it (despite the fact I don’t race much in the summer, and it’s a hilly course).
I didn’t actually sign up for it, though, and I was struggling with my IT, so I didn’t do it. It was sad, as we’d planned to take the dogs and had already made a reservation a long time ago. In the end it was a good thing, because my fall half, the goal race, went really well — and Chester would have really suffered in the heat.
Congrats on your new house, and hugs on the move. I HATE moving! It’s one of the most stressful things you can do.
Thanks so much Judy! Yes it is stressful but will all be worth it in the end. Have a great weekend
Only once, due to injury. But I totally get the life getting in the way thing. My running mileage is so low right now. I’ll be writing more about it on Sunday, but it’s all I can do to just get even 4 miles in.
Congrats on the new house! Running will be there when you’re all settled.
Thanks and yes I know racing will always be there and I will be back soon!
It’s always good to listen to your body. No race is worth risking a bad injury or something like that! I’ve never had to drop out of a race but that’s because I’ve only run a few 😉
Yes always good to listen to your body!
Congrats on the new house and upcoming move! I’m sure it’s a lot of work to get ready for selling and the move. It makes sense to DNS the race if it was just causing you more stress. I decided to DNS my April race earlier this year because it was causing me so much anxiety. I think the point when it becomes more stressful than enjoyable might be a good time to re-evaluate.
I completely agree! Thanks friend
I DNS’d due to injury, and it was the right decision. I had friends running so I went down to support them, and I was actually fine with not running. I realized it wasn’t the end of the world.
Thanks it helps to put it into perspective for sure.
I haven’t DNS yet, because I honestly don’t sign up for many races…. I mostly just run on my own, but races in themselves require such a time commitment with picking up bibs at expos and getting to the race early and back…. they take a much bigger chunk of time than just running out your front door…. I do think that if you are not enjoying the process/journey/preparation time, then it’s really not worth it… Not racing is not letting your friends down…. but forcing yourself to fit in something that you are too stressed about and not enjoying the process is letting yourself down.
Thanks friend it does help to put it into perspective. Hope you have a nice weekend
Sounds like you made the right choice. And congrats on the new house – so exciting!
Thanks! It is exciting and stressful as you know too
Just took my first DNS recently, due to stomach issues. Still hurts a little (though, luckily, was a just a tiny local race, not much to regret in the wallet).
It’s never easy to do!
Good tips. I find it’s hard to admit when you’re not ready for something but it’s good to have this am resource to help you do it
Thanks so much!
Well said my friend. It’s easier said then done as sometimes mentally and physically we are in two different spots.
I’m sorry you have to DNS your tri, but you’ve got some great points here and it’s best to not go to the starting line when you have other priorities. But that’s exciting that you’re looking to buy a new house!
Thanks lots of good times coming our way and yes not the best time for racing unfortunately.
Moving is a HUGE task! Don’t beat yourself up or feel bad about it! Enjoy the exciting time in your life 🙂 Great tips as well!
Thanks so much really appreciate it!
Well, I am signed up for one in 2 weeks, and I don’t know if it’s gonna happen due to this knee injury. It’s just a 5K, but I’m also signed up for a half in November and one in December. I sure hope they don’t become DNS. There was a stairclimb I signed up for that was about 30 minutes away in February one year, and we had bad weather so I chose to skip that race, because I didn’t want to risk the travel.
Well I certainly hope you make it to your race! Personally I think it’s worth sacrificing a 5k to make it to your 2 half races if that’s what it takes
Thank you! Totally agree with you about skipping the 5K!
Feel good friend!
congrats on the new house decision, that is stressful! Life does get in the way- LOL and there are always more races! I have had one DNS last year for a race in December- a long weekend getaway opportunity presented and BAM I was gone! 🙂
Sounds like you never looked back either! Funny how we can put so much emotional energy into a race isn’t it?
That is a bummer Deb. I know you put everything you had into your training. It sucks when life gets in the way for one reason or another. On the other hand, congratulations on your new home! That is exciting! Try not to let the stress of moving get to you. Good luck!
Thanks so much for that! I know it will all be good in the end just a little stressed at the moment
Girl, as hard as it was, it sounds like you made the right choice.
I have had a few DNS races and at the time I was SO frustrated with myself, but like you said, there is always another race. In the end I was always SO glad I ended up not racing.
This summer I skipped a half for the exact same reason, a new house. It is a stressful time, and leaves you drained in every way!
Enjoy your weekend, and can’t wait to see how the new house transition goes!
Thanks for that! It sure is draining in a way I did not expect at all. Keep you posted for sure 🙂
I DNSd one race. Part of me thought this sucks but for the most part I knew there was no other option.
Yes I think it’s inevitable at some point. I was a little sad today knowing they all did it without me
Good for you for looking at the big picture and pulling the plug; and like you said, “races will always be there!” Are you staying in the same general area of where you live now?
Yes we are just moving a mile away but same pain in the butt!
Congrats on the new house! I totally understand how much work that is. I’ve definitely DNS’d many times (in part because I have the tendency to register for races really early but then plans or goals change and life happens). Good luck with all the move details, can’t wait to hear more about the new home!
Thanks so much! I am excited about the new house but stressful as you know. Loving seeing all of your racing pics lately you are seriously crushing it out there.