Very few athletes feel good about having a DNF (Did Not Finish) race result.
The circumstances around a DNF result can be so varied – injured, didn’t make a cut off time, too many penalties, pulled off the course for medical reasons, or simply giving up. Only the athlete truly knows what happened (unless they care to share their experience on social!) – and the only person it really matters to in the end is the athlete, unless the reason involves injury or medical. But many athletes feel ashamed about having that result on their record and will push through in spite of themselves, or not start at all.
Here’s another perspective.
Recently, two CLPT athletes participated in separate 70.3 races and went in with the intention of not finishing. For both, their training was on par for a strong swim and bike, but persistent issues with achilles threatened their run. Rather than not doing the race at all – they both accepted that a DNF was ok – and pulled out after T2.
It’s hard to make that decision, but it comes down to doing the right thing for you. Forget how it looks on your record…there will be other races, if you’re smart about it.
This is an intelligent decision for both athletes, who have other goal races in their season and can’t afford to be sidelined. They still got in a race experience and put their swim and bike to the test, without further aggravating an injury for the sake of not having a DNF result.
Sometimes you have to leave your pride at the door and be okay with doing what you can. Race for your own reasons – not for the sake of having a finishing time. It probably won’t be great anyway.”
– Coach Cindy Lewis-Caballero, who chose to DNF her own race
The live athlete trackers make this a more challenging situation than ever before. Knowing that you are being followed by your friends, family, coach and potentially your competitors adds pressure. Some athletes enjoy the support – knowing that people are out there cheering for them. But when the trackers stops producing results – the stress level goes up for everyone. The athlete who can accept that magic doesn’t happen out there on race day, and plans for an intentional DNF can alleviate a lot of pressure on themselves by making that tough decision in advance and advising their people to prevent unnecessary concern.
