Unfortunately, over the course of our athletic pursuits, most of us will experience some sort of self defined ‘failure’ in which we don’t achieve what we set out to. No one is immune from this, with DNS (did not start) and DNF (did not finish) common in age group and pro ranks across the world in all disciplines. Despite the frequent occurrence, overcoming the emotional trauma of ‘failing’ is extremely difficult. I have read stories of people not finishing events due to personal reasons, injures, freak accidents before events, not making cut offs and the list goes on. Personally, I experienced this first hand last year at the Ironman World Championships (DNF through bike mechanical issues) and am sharing my tips on how to move forward from the experience onto bigger and better things.
Here are my thoughts on how to overcome DNS & DNF:
- Give yourself a chance to grieve
It sounds silly but it’s true. As it was explained to me, not finishing was the loss of a dream. The same dream that gets you moving when the alarm goes off at some ridiculous hour and keeps you going on those long training days when, let’s be honest, you’d rather be somewhere else. You can’t keep continuing as though it didn’t happen. Surround yourself with a support crew that will understand your devastation but at the same time give you some tough love – it happens to all of us!
- Accept it and own it
Stop thinking about what you could have done differently or what might have happened – it did happen and that’s all that matters. It’s important not to blame anything or anyone (including yourself) – you can’t get over something if you are holding onto resentment.
- Remember why you started
I know I didn’t start doing Ironman’s for the finishers medal at the end; the race is simply a finish to that part of the journey but is not a definition of the journey itself.
- Don’t be scared to fail again
Reset your goals and slowly start working towards achieving your dreams. This is harder than it seems but my favourite quote that got me through some really bad days is by Erin Hanson: What if I fall? Oh but my darling, What if you fly?
Different people are going to bounce back in different ways after a set back, but at the end of the day we are all out there doing our best regardless of ability level or goals. I can’t wait to start fresh again and hopefully one day get my redemption race at the World Champs!
By Emily Kempson.
