*For
non-runners DNF = did not finish, DNS = did not start
I initially wrote this post in the bar of the Sun Hotel,
Coniston 27/7/13 on a note pad purchased in a local souvenir shop to be typed
up at a later date (with some additional bits added that I’ve recalled since
then and some of the more embarrassing typos removed).
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I’ve just had to pull out of the Lakeland 50 after
approximately 4 miles and the term gutted doesn’t quite cover it. In order to prevent
myself from wallowing in self-pity for the afternoon I thought I’d take the
unexpected free time to write something for the blog. For pretty good reasons
“pull out of an ultra-marathon after only 4 miles” did not make it on the list
of challenges but as this is the first time I’ve ever DNF’d in any sort of a
race, let alone an ultra-marathon, it qualifies as being out of my comfort
zone!
What was different this time? Well I tried to run carrying
an injury. Two weeks ago I pulled up in a training run due to cramp (it was a hot
day and I wasn’t hydrated so it was my own fault). The cramp caused a few small
muscle tears. “Something minor” I thought; “just see the physio then rest for a
few days and it’ll be fine”. Six days later I went out for another run – just a
light 2 miler – and it locked up again. There were now just seven days for it
to clear up. A couple more trips to the physio followed and though he told me
that “in an ideal situation you shouldn’t be running” he also said “it’ll be ok
to give it a try so long as you don’t push too hard and you stop immediately if
you feel the muscle start to go again”. This was all the encouragement I needed,
especially as I said I would do the race with Sumanth, so I decided to go for
it.
The fact is that, given the above and the nature of the race,
it was pretty obvious what was going to happen – my leg would not last the distance
– and deep down I already knew this.
One of the thoughts running through my head is should I have
even started? Be a DNS rather than a DNF? DNS means no risk of additional
injury and everyone understands that you had to withdraw. But withdrawing from
a race beforehand is hard – especially one you’ve been training for ages, with a
lot of sweat and pain invested as “this was the year you were going to rip the
nuts off it!”. And deeper down none of us wants to give in before really
knowing we couldn’t do it. Ultimately it's about risk versus ego – and ego
usually wins.
After pulling out I was driven back to race HQ in a minibus
with half a dozen 100 mile runners who had had to drop out through either
injury or exhaustion (some could no longer walk) and some marshals one of whom
(I’d met him briefly before at the Hardmoors 55 earlier in the year) decided that
I needed reminding of the ultra-marathon facts of life…….
“You youngsters think
you’re indestructible! You can’t expect never to be a DNF, these races are
designed to be tough – that’s the whole point! Even the guys at the front have
to pull out sometimes. The important part is to review what went wrong and get
it right next time”.
…… I had the rest of the journey to reflect on this (and
sulk a bit more if I’m honest)….. I knew he was right but it was still hard to
take.
It’ll take about 2 weeks for the
muscle tears to clear up properly, which will Ieave me plenty of time to train
for next year. I’ll take Ultra Marathon Yoda’s advice in future, train smarter
and not start races when injured. Though I reserve the right to throw another
sulk if I have to DNF again!
It’s now nearly a month after I wrote that down – I’ve
rested the leg and done my stretches. However, the first time I went back to
running my calf went again. So I’ve been back to the Physio and am in the process
of building a proper recovery programme (have also been told I was doing my stretching
wrong!). Time to buy a bike – but I will be back doing ultras next year!
