I really don’t think I have ever quit anything. I mean, I quit a few jobs when I was younger but felt terrible about it. I have never given up on a project, a hobby, a round of golf, a run or a workout.
Sunday a lifetime of not quitting was broken. There is no celebration of a PB, no feeling of satisfaction for all the hours of training I put since November, no medal, no cheers, nothing.
The race started off fine. The day was beautiful and the course itself is fantastic. We had a group of full and half marathoners who did awesome.
I never really felt ‘great’ or in a groove but kept on with plan. The hubs was out on the course and kept checking in on me. Around the 19km mark, my breathing just felt off but I was still on plan. By the time I got to the 25km mark it was just all bad. I told the hubs to meet me at 30km and I would assess how I felt. At 30km, I could barely keep my breathing under control. The hubs had his asthma meds which I took a hit of and we planned to run 1km to see if it helped.
It didn’t. I then decided to stop. I truly thought about what that would mean and that I would have to live with it so it wasn’t easy. I am sure I could have lumbered in but 11km of walking is a long time…
So I quit, I DNF’ed, I stopped, I chucked ‘er in. I know this is just a race and I get to do this – no one is forcing me. But quitting is just something I never thought I’d do.
So there you go.
The other cruddy thing is I actually got a really good race shot by the hubs and now have a bad day to associate it with. Crud.
I’ve wallowed in some stupid self pity since Sunday. And then today signed up for 2 10km races, a 10 miler and the Detroit Half Marathon in the Fall.
A DNF is a good motivator apparently.
19 comments:
That is a good photo! Sorry about the DNF, but you did the right thing.
oh Laura..I am so sorry. From reading this It looks like you did the right thing. I am sure this was not an easy decision though.
I love that picture of you running!
As much as it sucked, but sometimes its better to stop when you did for one race, instead of keep going and risking the chance to miss alot more
My heart breaks for you but sounds like it was completely necessary.
DNFs are a tough call to make. But you do learn from them and you never know what could've happened had you kept going.
You thought about it for a long time and it was the right thing to do to DNF. I'm sorry your race didn't go as planned, but you're right it is only one race.
I'm really sorry--I know that sucks. But you're getting back on the horse (in a big way with all of those races!!) and you did the right thing--you shouldn't mess around with lung issues in a marathon. Any runner who races long enough will have one they just have to drop out of.
On a side note, we may be in the half in Detroit together unless things come together for my back faster than I expect right now and I actually can stick with the marathon.
Sorry to hear that :( Sometimes you have to do what's right. There will be plenty of other races, but you there is only one you! You will have plenty of other finishes to celebrate!!
You made the right choice. There will be other races.
It's never nice but on the day you know that it is time to make that choice. Good to sign up for the shorter races.
I think you'll more than make up for it in upcoming races. Sorry you felt so crappy.
That is a great pic though!
I pushed thru my 1st Marathon and paid a heavy price recovering from injury, messed a whole summer up. Chalk it up to experience...and hey, you have already jumped back into the saddle...carry on!
I've had to DNF before as well. It sucks. But sometimes, it's just not your day. I hope you can quickly get past it mentally and just move on. I'm still sulking over my race on Sunday (which wasn't a DNF, just a disappointment), so I know this is easier said than done.
Sorry about the DNF Laura that must be hard. But you have to listen to your body, and it takes more courage to stop and DNF then it does to lumber to the end when you shouldn't be out there. Hang in there! Way to go on signing up for more races...awesome.
So proud that you had the courage to make that decision Laura - it was the right one.
Excited to train and race with you this coming session.
xo
I'm so sorry that the day turned out this way for you. Taking a DNF takes guts too, and I know you wouldn't have done it unless it was the right choice. Hope you are not feeling too down and out. On the new next one!
I'm sorry you had problems with your asthma...I have that crap and know it is not pretty when you cannot breathe. You did the smart thing, you did...and nothing like signing up for more races to keep your mind and body ready for the next one!!!
Awwww so many hugs to you. I quit at mile 6 of an 18 mile long run once, I was appalled at myself, it didn't make sense, I never quit either. Don't dwell on it though, pick yourself up, move on, onward to the next thing.
At the end of the day, running is a way to be good to your body. If a race or a run isn't good for your body, stopping is being consistent with your true goal of being good to your body.
A DNF definitely feels like suck though. I'm sorry it happened. :/ It really does sound like it was the wise choice to make in this case.
Can you get checked with a doctor for asthma? I had barely-there asthma as a kid and then it went away. As an adult, it came back (wth?) and worse. I need to take one of those flovent things now every day. Makes life and exercise WAY better. Use your DNF to motivate checking to make sure things are all in good order!
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