To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question
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2008-03-31 7:54 AM |
Extreme Veteran 500 On the road...somewhere | Subject: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question OK, last week I started a thread on being a big dummy by trying to relive my soccer glory days which ended up putting me in a boot with a severe sprained ankle. Dr. says no running, but I can swim if I want. She says I can bike unless it hurts. Question: I have my first race of the season in 26 days and I'd like to still do it even if it means just the swim/bike portion. This means a DNF. My first "A" race is in June so I have time to heal up before that. What would you do? Edited by triturn 2008-03-31 7:54 AM |
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2008-03-31 7:59 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Pro 4675 Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question A "DNS" is 10 times better, and smarter, than a "DNF" if you are coming off a severe sprain. I'm puzzled how biking is not affected by a severa sprain, or swimming for that matter. Good luck |
2008-03-31 8:01 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Champion 16151 Checkin' out the podium girls | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question Can you switch your entry to relay team? Find a friend or 2 and compete as a team. Or volunteer at the race instead of competing. Would you truly lay down the bike and call it a day? Or are you the kind of person who would push through it and cause damage or pain by toughing out the run (I know I would)? Basically, ask yourself in good faith if you "Could" DNF? |
2008-03-31 8:02 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Extreme Veteran 492 Austin, TX | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question That's exactly what I'm doing for my first race May 25. It's been 6 weeks since my last run and I have 2 more weeks before I can even attempt it. I've been swimming and just started riding last week. My plan is to do the swim and the bike and then DNF after 1 loop of the run. Since I've already DNS'd my first race I need a race on the calendar to get me going. The swim and the bike in a race environment are always good practice. It will be difficult, however, DNFing as I've never done that and I'm hoping my competitive juices don't take over. IMFL is my A race and I need to make sure I don't do anything to jeopardize that. Since this isn't your A race I 'd say go for it and use it as a training day the best you can. |
2008-03-31 8:04 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Regular 545 | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question I WOULD NOT do the race. I always tell people to do the race when it's "My A race is in July but there is this sprint the end of June, etc., etc." but doing a race injured (so injured that you know beforehand that you will DNF) is pretty much never a good idea. |
2008-03-31 8:07 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Master 1704 Long Island, NY | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question I'm no doctor but I have sprained my ankle severely approximately 12 times. I say don't do the race. 26 days is not enough time for the tendons/ligaments and whatever else is damaged to heal. Why risk your June "A" race, or your whole season for that matter, for an April race?? I firmly believe the reason I sprained my ankle so many times is that I never properly healed from the first time. I was playing basketball within 3-4 weeks and I even re-sprained once or twice just walking down the street. I would continue to let it heal and treat it, but definitely not race in 26 days. Just my .02 of course, and the ultimate decsion is yours. btw: I haven't sprained my ankle (knock on wood) in about 10 years, exactly the same time I allowed it to heal properly. |
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2008-03-31 8:08 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Expert 1014 Virginia | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question I'd skip the race and concentration on getting ready for your June race. It's just not worth it to have to DNF two races because you were pushing too hard on the first one. |
2008-03-31 8:14 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Elite 3519 San Jose, CA | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question First...listen to all the people telling you to not do the race...recover fully first, especially since your "A" race is a couple months away, which, really is not that far away... I did have a friend do this on his first tri. He was able to swim and bike, but his specific injury kept him from running...He was the first out of the water for his Age group...and kicked butt on his bike and it killed him to not be able to finish the race, especially since he probably would have placed in the top 3 of his age group on his first tri. The funny thing is, there were three of us that trained together for this race. I was the slowest on the bike, ok on the swim, and pretty good on the run...out of the three of us, I was the only one who finished the entire race. The other guy, panicked during the swim and never finished. |
2008-03-31 8:19 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Sneaky Slow 8694 Herndon, VA, | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question Don't do the race. You said you were a "big dummy" and injured yourself. Don't compound the mistake by racing when you are injured. Bad idea. I don't want to see another thread from you in 27 days saying, "well, I was an even bigger dummy and did this race injured, now it is worse, and I don't know about my A race." |
2008-03-31 8:23 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Champion 5575 Butler | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question If you are healed enough to just do the Swim/Bike why not. Just turn in your chip and take the DNF. In your mind you will know that was your intentions. There are people who probably do it when healthy as they can't run but want to race or are training for something and coach says no run. The key is to make sure you are healthy enough to do this. You still have 26 days til the race to heal. |
2008-03-31 8:26 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Wilmington, Delaware | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question If the doc says you can swim, and if you feel that you can bike w/out pain, go for it. Just take it easy and look at it as a nice training day, and encourage folks during the run leg of the course. Are you really going to stop swimming and biking completely over the course of the next month? I didn't think so. Don't worry about the DNF/DNS label. |
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2008-03-31 8:38 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Expert 2180 Boise, Idaho | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question DNF or relay! Consider race day a swim/bike brick workout with a snazzy cotton t-shirt thrown in. |
2008-03-31 8:50 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Champion 6046 New York, NY | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question I would DNS - you have a bad enough sprain to need a boot!!! sheesh - surprised this is even a question! |
2008-03-31 8:52 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Champion 7163 Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country! | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question If it were me, I would heal up and do the first race in June. If you already know you are going to have to DNF, why bother? I would rather be in great shape for the race I plan to finish. For what it is worth, I had to DNF a marathon because I slipped on an ice covered bridge and sprained my ankle. It isn't the end of the world, but if I had been injured beforehand, I would have opted out of the race. I have also DNS'ed, again not fun, but it was the right and smart thing to do. |
2008-03-31 9:56 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Expert 1169 Charlottesville, VA | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question Stuff happens. Heal and come back stronger the next time. No use really mucking things up. |
2008-03-31 10:04 AM in reply to: #1304345 |
Extreme Veteran 500 On the road...somewhere | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question With an avatar like yours (HTFU) I would think that you'd consider racing or at least ask the question. However, thanks for the input, you seem to be in the majority on this one. |
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2008-03-31 10:06 AM in reply to: #1304570 |
Champion 6046 New York, NY | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question triturn - 2008-03-31 11:04 AM With an avatar like yours (HTFU) I would think that you'd consider racing or at least ask the question. However, thanks for the input, you seem to be in the majority on this one.
ahh but it is knowing when HTFU is appropriate and when healing is....I treat a lot of sports injuries,and cannot remember the last time I put a sprain in a boot.....must be pretty bad! did you nail medial and anterior ligaments? |
2008-03-31 10:29 AM in reply to: #1304577 |
Extreme Veteran 500 On the road...somewhere | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question TriToy - 2008-03-31 10:06 AM triturn - 2008-03-31 11:04 AM With an avatar like yours (HTFU) I would think that you'd consider racing or at least ask the question. However, thanks for the input, you seem to be in the majority on this one.
ahh but it is knowing when HTFU is appropriate and when healing is....I treat a lot of sports injuries,and cannot remember the last time I put a sprain in a boot.....must be pretty bad! did you nail medial and anterior ligaments? Looks like a grade 2 maybe 3. Looks like both the CFL and ATFL. I'm screwed for this race. |
2008-03-31 10:43 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Champion 7547 Albuquerque, New Mexico | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question Swimming may be OK, and biking might be OK, but consider the following: How will your ankle feel if you accidentally kick someone behind you while swimming? Is it worth risking a proper recovery? You're around a lot more people on race day than you are in practice. Some of the things we take for granted (like stabbing a foot down to keep from falling over) become more significant when other people's actions affect us. |
2008-03-31 11:04 AM in reply to: #1304679 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question Under normal conditions, I would say a DNF is better than a DNS. But with an injury, I would probably just take the DNS. For me, just getting up, traveling, packing, etc is not worth just a swim (and maybe a bike?) IMO. Here is a suggestion that I havn't heard. Maybe you can call the race and see if you can volunteer? Watching people race will keep you motivated, you can provide a helpful service, and still be part of the race. (However, I can see it as a reminder of what your missing, which could be tough!) I have tweaked many-an-ankle playing basketball and volleyball. I would let it heal so you can get back out there as soon as you can. Don't risk reinjury. I made that mistake a couple times by getting back on the court too early, twisting it again on something minor that I wouldn't have if the ankle was at full strength... |
2008-03-31 11:23 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Master 1670 Harvard, Illinois | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question I wouldn't race. Better to heal up, plenty of races out there. Don't worry about missing one of them. |
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2008-03-31 11:51 AM in reply to: #1304213 |
Champion 8540 the colony texas | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question what's your "big picture " goal for the year.. To do your "A" as best as you can or to do a lesser race injured just so you can say you did it.?? |
2008-03-31 11:53 AM in reply to: #1304313 |
Champion 10154 Alabama | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question jeffnboise - 2008-03-31 8:38 AM DNF or relay! Consider race day a swim/bike brick workout with a snazzy cotton t-shirt thrown in.
x2
It's only a DNF is you intend to do the whole thing and don't. I did the Country Music Marathon last year and I saw tons of people with the marathon number peal off at the 1/2 marathon point. The temptation for me to do the same was great but I had set out to do the full marathon and that's what I was gonna do. All those people who signed up for the full and took the 1/2 marathon exit DNF'd in my opinion. ~Mike |
2008-03-31 12:00 PM in reply to: #1304213 |
Extreme Veteran 438 | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question I had a bad sprain in November while on vacation and even now it hurts more to swim than to run. Have you been able to swim since your injury. Keeping my ankles loose in a swim is still very uncomfortable. I would try to talk some friends into doing a relay with you... make it a team building event if it means that much to you. On that note, 2-3 weeks before my last race of the season last year, I herniatted a disk. Although I was warned to stay off my bike... I decided I would DNF if I was hurting too much. I finished with a PB in that distance. 3 weeks of NOTHING before the race was the best thing I had ever done. Whatever you choose will be the right decision. |
2008-03-31 12:01 PM in reply to: #1304539 |
Expert 1318 | Subject: RE: To DNF or not to DNF...that is the question kenail - 2008-03-31 9:56 AM Stuff happens. Heal and come back stronger the next time. No use really mucking things up. x2 |
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