Reasons v. Excuses

(Easily distracted at Umstead 100)

Knowing the difference between a reason and an excuse means you never have to worry you’re using the wrong one.

When you can’t tell the difference, you worry you’ll regret a decision.

Is it ok to skip an important long run for another priority?

Should I drop down to the 100k or run the 100 mile as planned?

Do I drop or keep going?

The decision paralyzes you, so you waste time making it.

And if you choose the easier option, you waste more time second-guessing it because ‘easier’ only happens when you use excuses…or does it?

Here’s how to tell the difference…

If you use a reason to explain a situation, you’re taking responsibility, even if there are other people and unhelpful circumstances involved.

If you use an excuse to explain a situation, you’re blaming other people or circumstances - things outside your control.

When Zumbro 100 was stopped partway through because of a blizzard, I got pulled (thankfully) with one lap of six left but a few runners finished. A blizzard would be a perfect excuse but I know I was slow on the first two laps and could have finished. Reason.

If you drop for a reason, you feel a clean disappointment about your goal.

If you drop for an excuse, it’s a ‘dirty’ disappointment about yourself.

When I dropped the second time at Leadville 100, the car I was riding back to the start shared the gravel road for a short distance with incoming and outgoing runners. As we passed runners I’d been with who were still in the race and headed to the finish, I knew I’d given up on myself. Excuse.

Acting on a reason is self-validation. When you drop for a reason despite your goal, you validate yourself. You’re willing to take care of yourself.

Acting on an excuse is self-disrespect. When you use an excuse despite your goal, you’re saying you’re not important enough to follow through for, and you’re also willing to lie to yourself about it.

When I dropped at 50 miles in Black Hills 100, I could hardly walk. My SI joint had come out of place two sections earlier. I tried to fix it but the pain kept getting worse. I could have limped through another section but for no value and likely joint damage. Reason.

And finally, basing your choices on reasons makes you a mentally stronger runner. You confront problems even when you don’t want to, so you get better at solving them…and better at ultras.

When you resort to excuses, you don’t improve. You avoid problems, never get better at solving them and stay at the same level.

I dropped twice in a row at both Umstead 100 and Leadville 100. I used excuses the first time and repeated the same excuses the next year. When I got honest with myself the third year and solved my problem, I finished both.

Ultimately though, you don’t even need excuses if you’re honest with yourself about what you want most - whether that’s dropping or staying in the race to reach your goal.

That’s the easiest way to never worry you’re using an excuse.