I am creating a new club: “DNS” Ironman Club!
To “DNS” or to “DNF” or to ?
If you compete in any sport, are competitive, love training and love racing… what do you do when you have an injury or health problem on race day?
As I walk around Whistler Village Ironman Canada expo, and on my swim/bike/run workout sessions, I notice a few athletes with walking boots or athletic tape masking injuries. I started to think about how competitive we are or stubborn… when do we decide to “DNS” the race we have trained all year for? Do you race with an injury and risk creating more damage then have recovery for six plus months? When do you come to the conclusion that your health and body is more important than crossing another finish line and that you have many more opportunities in the future to cross that finish line?
I know it is a tough decision. I have been there myself… I started competing in Ironman Triathlons in 2001 and started qualifying for Ironman Hawaii in 2004. I was so excited to place in my age group, podium and qualify for the “big one” Ironman Hawaii. About six weeks before Ironman Hawaii, I was finishing my bike ride with some light rain and wet pavements. My back tire spun out as I was going over to the bike path on a ledge over wet oily pavement. I ended up with a small ulna fracture but I was able to do my first Ironman Hawaii anyways with a slower than my average slow swim. A year later I qualified again for Ironman Hawaii but about five weeks before the big race my shoulder started hurting and I ended up with a torn labrum and large cyst in my joint. The bike accident the prior year caused a tear in my labrum but a year of training (swimming) created a larger tear that required surgery. I went to Ironman Hawaii and cried a lot as I watched the race. I have kept racing after various injuries or “hiccups” in my training schedule (2009 foot surgery- fractured 2nd metatarsal during a run – related to a bunion), but I love training and racing long distance triathlons.
My point is to share that I have had my share of setbacks and was forced to “DNS” (did not start) a race even though I was very emotional and depressed. There is always another year of racing and another Ironman finish line to cross. This year in April, I was hit with Adrenal Exhaustion (stage 3 Adrenal Fatigue) from chronic stress (work and exercise) and not enough quiet relaxation time. Another year of races I was pre-registered for are wasted but I have to be positive and enjoy my new journey. My husband Neal is racing his first and second Ironman this year (Coeur d’Alene and Canada-Whistler). He has supported me in my races since we started dating in 2005. It is his year now.
My experiences and observations lead to many questions…
Does everything happen for a reason?
What can we learn from our experiences?
How can we help others from our own experience?
When do we realize we should not start a race and enjoy the experience as a spectator instead?
A good friend this week had to decide to “DNS” Ironman Canada this Sunday due to severe Plantar Fasciitis. He has been training and racing a lot this year but this was his race to qualify for Ironman Hawaii this October. I am proud of him for not starting this race as it sometimes can be too difficult to do the swim and the bike then DNF or do the race and be injured for months. He is going to be a spectator with me at Ironman Canada and Ironman Hawaii as we start the “DNS” club. There are many more years of racing ahead… it is our bodies (and minds) telling us we need rest, repair and recovery. We are not designed to “chase lions” every day …multiple times a day. We need to figure out why we have these health problems or injuries and then determine the root cause. The next step is correcting and treating the injury. Don’t just get taped up and ART for re-occurring Plantar Fasciitis or don’t just take a pill for Adrenal Fatigue or Exhaustion. Determine what the root is because…why is this happening to you then set up a recovery plan.
For more information on coaching or consultation call, please contact Debbie Potts at fitnessforward@comcast.net or call (425) 466-3653. Follow me on Facebook under FITNESS FORWARD and FIT FAT FAST podcast. Thank you!