Should I Intentionally DNF a HIM ?? (Page 2)

DO IT!! and at least attempt the run.

I say do it. You are in a similar position that I was in entering my Oly 2 weeks ago. I KNEW that I could not finish without some amount of walking. I just didn't know how much walking I would be doing. YOu read my race report, so you know the end result.

After doing the Oly, I entered the 10K this past weekend. TO be honest with you, I am far MORE sore this weeek after a measly 10K than I was after the OLY. WHy? Because for the Oly, I had a plan for my run/walk. I knew how much I could do, and I had a preset plan (run 10, walk 1, repeat). I kept this up as long as I felt good. THen I increased my walking intervals. I finished the run at an almost 15min/mile pace. I was sore for a few days, but was able to run without pain or fatigue 3 days later.

Fast forward to this past weekend. 10K should be a piece of cake after an Oly, right? Well the difference was that I let a friend talk me into running the whole thing. His goal was not to walk at all, whcih to me was moot, I just wanted to do a 10 K again. I ran the whole thing, ran throguh the knee pain that developed in mile 4 and am still sore. In a way, I am trhilled to "prove" to myself that I could do it, but to what end? Now my knee hurts, and that's a precedent I don't want to continue.

Bottom line...stick to your plan, do the swim & bike, enter as an Aquabike if the race is sanctioning one. If you feel like you still have energy, start the run, but have a plan. Don't let yourself run till you hurt, take walking breaks before hand.

In my case, with the Oly, the 10K route went past teh transition at teh 5K point, so I knew I could always bag out if I needed to.

My friend that I ran with is a great friend, but I don't think I'll be sharing my race plans with him, as he always "guilts" me into doing more than my planning calls for. But I digress...

DO IT!

I was well trained for the swim and the bike when I did my first HIM. I ran as much of the run leg as possible - which was about 1/2 of it (walked the rest). I didn't hurt myself. I just wanted to finish and I did so in a respectable 6:34. At least it was respectable to me. I regretted having not trained harder for the run, but that is just life. I had a fairly bad run of ill health through out the 3 months prior to the race and running was the thing that suffered the most.

I doubt that you will injure yourself if you walk the run leg when you cannot run. I know that I would be more satisfied knowing that I walked than ending up with a DNF. Some of our club members who did the same HIM (also their first) walked the entire 13.1 miles. They finished the race before the cut off time and were very, very proud of themselves.

Your money spends like everyone else so enter the race. Don't worry about taking some ones spot. The run will take care of itself.

This user's post has been ignored.

Brandt,
I have been following this thread closely and it is my turn to chime in. I think you are smart enough and very much in tune with your body to know what you can do. I say go for it if you think you can. Now, I am in a similar situation. I am on the edge about doing this race. I am not sure I can finish it. I have been testing myself and have done a 20 mile ride/9 mile run brick and did OK. But I am struggling with the question, can I do it safely? I have been "coached" by a friend who has done 13 IM's, he said since I got the bike down and the swim can be done, I need to focus on the run, sounds like you are in the same boat. I am now putting my time into the run, but I only have time for short runs during the week (3 to 5 miles). I will do a 10+ this weekend to see how it goes. He says I should try to get a 15 mile run in so i can "have something in the bank" before I do this race. I would love to do this race with you, but not at the cost of injury. Lets keep in touch on this, but I want to "keep it real", I am too old to be proud and too old to get hurt.
Take care.
Joe

Edited by Freeswimmingfish 2005-09-29 11:55 AM

That is prolly a good thing to do-listen to the coach. I am still sitting on the fence. I know i am the only one to make this decision. I will try to make a call this weekend after my long run. My last race was an OLY (Cinco), I finished strong and felt good, I dont want to end my season with a race that I was not ready for.