2024.07.09
A couple of years ago it was my first time when I had to quit a race, after which I tormented myself for a long time with the thought that I was a “loser.”
As Hemingway said, “No one ever stopped when they were winning.” This is exactly what sports thinking sounds like, so for many runners, such a question as “to run or not to run” is not worth asking at all. Walk, crawl, the main thing is to get to the finish line.
Such persistence is flattering for those who finish, but completely demoralizing for those who are forced to retire.
Before races, I often hear the following conversations:
"Are you ready?”
"Well, I’m not at all ready today. I didn’t sleep well, ate poorly, didn’t train much...”
"Come on, you’ll definitely be one of the first to come running.”
"Haha, I wish I could reach the finish line..."
But no matter how much we complain, deep down every runner believes that today they will finish first, overtake all the elite, and become a legend. Is it not so? ;)
The entire sports culture is focused on overcoming one’s weaknesses, so the abbreviation DNF (did not finish) is very stigmatized.
Imagine how difficult it is to stop in front of a crowd of spectators shouting “Run, you’re great, you can do it” and admit to yourself that no, I’m not great at all, and I can’t do it anymore.
The choice to “run or get off” is always individual and ambiguous. When making such a decision during a race, we often don’t understand where the line is between the desire to overcome ourselves and the fear of being worse than others, between psychosomatic pain and real trauma, between banal laziness and the instinct of self-preservation.
“There are only two reasons to leave the distance. The first is a broken right femur. The second is a broken left femur,” as Scott Tinley, a two-time Ironman winner, said.
Haha, this is certainly cool, but later he admitted that it was quite difficult to finish with an injury.
I think it would be wise not to escalate the situation to two broken legs in order to leave the distance without any qualms of conscience.
Factors that may prevent you from reaching the finish line:
1. TRAUMA
According to a New York City Marathon study, dropping out of the race is very common among elite runners.
Athletes like Kipchoge have proven time and time again that there are no limits to human performance. But, having been injured or feeling unwell, they prefer to stop because they know that this race will not be their last. If you finish yourself off now, there will be no resources left for the next records.
Haile Gebrselassie did not finish the New York Marathon due to knee pain.
Dennis Kimetto stopped competing in the Chicago Marathon due to a suspected stress fracture.
Dean Karnazes, an ultra-running titan, literally fell out of his first Badwater Marathon and passed out.
Well, for some reason, we amateurs are sure that we have more than enough resources! We give the last money for the entry fee, come to another city, and are sure that we must recoup all the money spent before the finish line.
But if we strive to be like the best runners in the world, then we should often remember their amazing and courageous ability to say “stop” at the right time.
2. WELL-BEING
You can talk about running and health for a long time, both in a positive way and vice versa. Dehydration, joint disease, cramps, muscle damage... all of this, unfortunately, can happen with serious running loads.
A separate point is cardiac problems. We all know the tragic consequences of neglecting heart health.
But statistics show that heart disease is not the most common problem at races. Most often, athletes do not reach the finish line due to digestive system disorders.
Usually, this side of the running coin is not talked about much. It’s not a secret, but it’s awkward. Such sensitivity is entirely justified, but keeping the problem quiet can create the feeling that it doesn’t exist. Fortunately, there are very brave athletes who are not shy about the truth and legitimize for us any, even not very pleasant, disruptions in the body’s functioning.
For example, Paula Radcliffe told quite openly, without hiding or averting her eyes, how an intestinal disorder did not allow her to finish the marathon in Athens.
“After the 10th kilometer, my stomach began to cramp violently. And the more I fought with it, the worse it became. I remembered Liz Yelling telling me that at the Berlin Marathon she had to have a bowel movement while running. To hell with vanity, I thought. I can’t stop and go to the toilet - I’ll have to do it.”
So if you feel unwell (dizziness, diarrhea...) stop and seek medical help.
3. LACK OF TRAINING
There are different reasons for undertraining. For example, you might suddenly and seriously fall ill shortly before the start, change jobs and drop out of the running schedule, or get stuck and miss two weeks of training in a row. I know that at such moments the phrase “What nonsense, don’t give up on the race” sounds in your head. But in fact, the most humane decision would be to refuse to participate. If you decide to run, listen to your body. If you feel that you clearly do not have enough strength to reach the finish line, it is better to stop and prepare well for the next race.
Undertraining can happen to anyone, even top athletes. For example, Kenenisa Bekele admitted at the Berlin Marathon that he was not 100% ready for the competition. The reason turned out to be his business; he simply did not have enough time for full training... And he is a professional athlete!
4. BAD CONDITIONS
Most athletes are tough people. It would be ridiculous to quit the race because of a little frost or to complain about the mud while participating in a trail race.
However, we should not forget that there are enough precedents in world practice when competitions were canceled due to bad weather. The threshold of tolerance to weather conditions is different for everyone. You should not wait until the race is officially canceled if you feel that the race conditions are contrary to your health or safety concerns.
To run or not to run, that is the question. No matter how purposeful and determined we are, we should put our health first. Every time, ask yourself what the threat is for you to selflessly reach the finish line. Stop in time and run for your health!
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Daria K