My First DNF

I started my first mountain bike half-marathon this weekend, the course was really well suited for me with just a bit of technical and some good recovery spots. It was a two lap format, first lap I felt like I was on top of things drinking plenty, alternating water with electrolytes, taking gel and not over doing it. Second lap I felt find until about 2 miles in when I slammed into "the wall". I started feeling nauseated and was "pedaling squares". I knew the nausea meant dehydration was coming strong. Water felt like it was solid when I tried to get more down. I had to get off on things I can make any day and was standing taking rests at the top of hills wondering why I was so stupid. I got to the neutral water at mile 21 area and pulled the plug. I still had 8-9 miles to go (not sure how accurate my Garmin is) and one more pretty technical section. My first lap took two hours, the first 6 or so miles to the water on the second lap took 1.5 hours. My pace was only going to go down and the stress on my body with it.

This race was contested at Palo Duro Canyon, although it was only upper 70's it felt much warmer, the air is drier and it is about 2,000 feet higher than my home elevation. We think the canyon landscape made the heat seem more intense but it could have been our perception. My teammates and husband said I did the right thing, if I had gone into full dehydration I might have injured myself on trail. Could I have continued? Maybe, I don't know my body that great yet. My longest race to date was 10 miles, so this was a huge challenge. I am disappointed but not defeated, I am hoping to learn from this.

I think I went out too hard on the first lap, didn't eat enough and didn't drink enough. Maybe colder water would have helped. I probably should have drank more the days before the race. I got excellent sleep the night before but was having trouble getting breakfast in, I think it was nerves. The course was made scary by a mass start of hundreds of riders, I am used to wave starts. So I need to remember with the start and the pace to ride my race, what others are doing I can't change. I feel like I quit but I know I did the safe thing, there will be other races and this should be a tool for future success!

Sorry about the DNF, but you did the right thing. I've run the Palo Duro trail race, but never the mountain bike race. That's a tough place to compete for sure!!!
Rest up and don't be too hard on yourself. Next year you'll kill the competition!!!:D

Bummer about the DNF, but you are totally taking the right outlook on it. Live to race another day, learn from what went wrong. I call that a successful race even with the huge disappointment of a DNF. ;)

I don't know what your base training elevation is so its hard for me to say. All I know is that from sea level to 2,000 feet elevation isn't too bad. But from 3,000 feet elevation to 5,000 is a pretty big change and you will be exerting a lot more than you think. Also the thinner air will cause you to dehydrate much faster.

And this gets worse if you were to go from 5,000 feet to 7,000 feet.

We all have our share of DNFs so don't beat yourself up. It happens to pro riders too. It's just a fact of racing.

I agree that it was a smart move for you to call it quits. It's not worth getting seriously injured.

There will always be next time,

Good call. I lived through my first ever DNF this season as well - went so hard on the first lap that I literally had to pull over to chuck my breakfast. NOT a good way to race. Like you, my lap time for the second lap was so much slower than the first, and I still had one more to go.

Dehydration is not trivial. You DID THE RIGHT THING! I know your disappointment, but imagine how disappointed you would be if you were currently in the hospital ...

Keep your good attitude and the perspective. Next year, pre-hydrate and get plenty of rest. Did you taper for the event? That could help also.

Let me repeat, YOU DID THE RIGHT THING!

SheFly

Thanks for the encouragement, I am new to racing and never sagged out of a charity ride even through some grueling centuries so I felt bummed. But racing is a different world and mountain biking is different too.

Smilingcat - I live at 1,100 feet but I get altitude illness at as low as 4,200 feet. I also live in a humid area and this is a very dry area of the state, so I think it was a combination of slightly higher elevation and dry air. Just was a different feeling when exerting myself.

She Fly- I know I did the right thing and have learned a lot for my next race. Other than some short track this was only my 5th race. So I can learn from it. I still feel a little let down personally that I did have to DNF but then am proud I had the courage to say it was what I needed to do.

Yeah, I feel you about a DNF. But you made a judgment call that would let you stay well enough to race more races in the future. IMO, the hardest part of racing is not in the finishing, its doing the right thing when you know you should not start or finish even though your ego is screaming at you to go on and just do it, to h*ll with all consequences.

Someone recently shared some advice on drinks during hot weather, apparently, slushies are more effective than just chilled drinks when racing or training in the heat. If you ever manage the logistics for that, it might be a good thing to try. =) Here's to plenty more terrific races in the future!!

Polly-Anna here...
A DNF/DFL can be a great thing. It can wake you up to some bad habits, some need for smarter training, a need to include recovery into your season. Plus it can give you motivation.
I say...EMBRACE THE DNF ! It can make you stronger. :)