How Many Times Can You Try Before You Should Give Up?

Dec 14

Written By Susan Donnelly

You poured your heart, soul and a lot of training into this race, your third try at 100 miles.

And DNF’d…again.

Confidence shot, you half-heartedly wonder “Should I try again?”

Answering this question is like peeling away the layers of an onion you’d rather not face.

So we’re going to do that together.

It’ll be better than you expect.

1. How many tries am I allowed?

Unless a specific race has a rule I’ve never seen, as many as you want. How would an RD even pick a number?

If you think about it, setting a limit on the number of tries is anti- what ultrarunning is about: challenging your limits. The Barkley even glorifies failed tries.

So cross this layer off the list of things to worry about.

2. Am I taking someone else’s turn?

Race entries aren’t about whose turn in line it is. They’re about who took action to click the Enter button and pay first.

Yes, lotteries can factor in “turns” of various kinds, like stacking the odds in favor of previous finishers, but that’s their choice and their doing. It’s not your responsibility to guess at and enforce their rules for them.

And if it was about turns, how would you know when it’s your turn? When everyone else is done?

The answer: If you enter a race or get in through a lottery, it’s your turn. Take it.

3. But am I selfishly taking the “spot” of someone more worthy - someone who can finish?

Entering is a selfish act for everyone. We’re all thinking about ourselves when we enter.

That’s how it’s supposed to be.

So selfishness isn’t an issue.

Worthiness is measured only by the qualification requirements to get into a race. If you meet the requirements, you’re as worthy as everyone else in the race.

Also not an issue.

And remember, everyone who’s finished an ultra started out with no finishes.

We ALL started with none.

Those have finished an ultra aren’t better than someone who hasn’t - they’re just further ahead.

But if you still think you’re taking the spot of someone more deserving, try this: write down the name of that actual person and how you know for a fact you’re the one on the entry list who took their spot.

Good luck.

4. If I try again, will everyone - especially other ultrarunners - think I’m deluded?

Possibly, but does it matter?

Someone in your orbit probably thought you had no business trying in the first place and after watching you DNF, they’re certain they were right.

But you tried the first time anyway, regardless of their opinion

So you can bring your new, more experienced best to another race the same way.

Let them have their opinion - you get to run the race.

5. What if I DNF again?

Well, then you DNF again.

The real question is - what would you make it mean about yourself?

How would you talk to yourself?

It’s an opportunity to have your back.

If you can learn from it AND have love and compassion for yourself, you’ll be in the perfect place for your next try.

Which leads to the most important question of all…

6. How many times am I willing to try?

Only you can answer this one.

And it’s worth answering because you may be placing hidden limits on yourself.

Try some numbers in your imagination.

Is one try all you get? Two? Five? Ten?

When you hit a number that makes you squirm, why that number?