Tips For Deciding To DNF - Or Not

Let’s start with a confession. I have DNF’ed (Did Not Finish) before. Twice, in fact. After my first non-finish (when I least needed to hear it) someone told me, “DNF once and it gets easier every time.” Not so. Dropping out of a race is always a very difficult on-the-spot decision.

I’ll say up front that I’m not a sports psychologist giving out professional advice. I’m a mid-packer who’s faced the mental and emotional monsters of a DNF head on and I’m here to share the decision processes I went through.

DNF dilemma #1

I’m going to miss the time cutoff. Should I continue on or drop out? I won’t be an official finisher either way.

My goal for my first marathon was to “just finish.” In my first Ironman my goal was to finish within the time limit. Near the end of both races I knew I was going to miss the final cutoff time.

My differing goals for each race led me to different decisions. In the marathon, I stayed in the race because I wanted the accomplishment of completing the course. Though I wasn’t an official finisher, I achieved my goal. In the Ironman I dropped out. I let the clock dictate my entire approach to the race and my decision to DNF.

DNF dilemma #2

I have a minor injury that’s slowing me down and has blown my goal finish time. I can cut my losses if I stop. But, if I quit I won’t be part of the excitement of the race.

In a recent marathon I got very painful blisters at mile 20. Afraid that the pain would become unbearable and make it impossible to finish, I dropped out. I soon remembered that I went into the race feeling that I wanted to finish in a goal time, but didn’t need to. I wanted to participate all the way to the end, but I didn’t have to. What if the blisters were taken care of, would I then continue, even if it was much slower than I wanted? Yep! I got them treated and happily took off for the finish. No DNF needed.

DNF dilemma #3

Does my success or failure in the race determine who I am as a person?

While training for my second Ironman I bought into the idea that it was the most important thing I was ever going to do, and that it would set the direction of the rest of my life. I thought I was being dedicated and focused, but my self-esteem got tangled up with my goals.

I once again DNF’ed and it affected me for a long time. I’ve since learned through experience that races of all distances are meant to be fun activities, not life-events. I now enjoy racing, PR more often, and shake off bad days much faster.

In hindsight, my DNF’s were the result of disappointment affecting my decision-making. I avoided the others by keeping a relaxed, upbeat attitude. If you find yourself faced with a stay-or-go decision in a race, stay calm, stay true to your goals, and keep it in perspective.

Originally published on RunHaven.com, 2015