Coach Tip Tuesday: It’s Okay if You Don’t Do That Race You Signed Up For

Posted On:
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Updated On:
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Stream On:
Apple PodcastsSpotifyBuzzsproutiHeart RadioiHeart RadioPocketCasts
A photo from a day when I didn't do the race I signed up for.  A happy side effect was that I got to be there to give a hug to Yvonne Brown.

Whether it’s in my interactions with my family, friends, or clients, I always aim to be honest; I personally don’t think that dishonesty ever serves anyone well.  This week’s conversation is a dose of brutal honesty:

It’s okay if you don’t do the race that you signed up for.

Yes, even if you paid money for it.

Yes, even if you paid a lot of money for it.

Yes, even if you’ve invested a lot of money into the preparation for it (equipment, training plans, coaching, etc.).

Yes, even if you said you were going to do it.

Yes, even if you’ve been posting about doing it on social media.

Yes, even if your friends are racing this same race.

Yes, even if your family and friends have been supporting you throughout your training thus far.

Things Change, and You Should Change With Them

Things change; it’s truly one of the only certainties we have in life.  With that, our emotions and feelings can change.  What seemed exciting and like a good idea when we signed up may no longer be that.  Sometimes we suffer a tremendous personal loss.  Sometimes our financial situations change.  Other times, our schedules might change in a way that makes including a given race complicated and/or impossible.  Sometimes we just don’t feel like it anymore.  And you know what?  All of this is okay.

One of the saddest things for me to hear an athlete say is “I can’t wait to be done with [insert race here]” or “I just want to get through [insert race here]” or “I can’t wait until [insert race here] is over,” or any other variation of this idea.  For 99% of you reading this, endurance sports is not your full-time job that you need to make money to survive or support your family.  It is something you engage with and participate in in your leisure time.  Do not force yourself to do something that is your hobby.  Do not force yourself into spending your limited and valuable free time on something that doesn’t feel good or exciting to you.

How to Determine if Not Doing the Race is the Right Choice

Whether we go to a race or not, the money is spent.  If the idea of doing the race is causing stress and/or angst and/or indifference, doing the race doesn’t change the fact that the money is spent.  So doing it or not doing it: I encourage you to choose the pathway that sparks more joy.

Unpopular opinion warning: If you cannot afford to “lose” the race entry fee you paid, you may not be able to afford to race.  If losing the race entry fee makes that significant of an impact on your financial life, that is something that needs to be evaluated and perhaps approached differently.  Don’t cause yourself additional stress and/or an unpleasant experience for the sake of money.  Money isn’t worth that.

If you feel relief at the idea of not doing the race, that is how you know you should not be doing it.  If you’re feeling that sense of relief, what you’re actually feeling is a sense of peace.  Choose peace in your life; don’t choose stress and angst.  

I’m not just preaching about this; I’ve lived it and am living it.  To date, I’ve chosen not to do five A-Races that I signed up for and invested a lot into preparing for: an IRONMAN, two IRONMAN 70.3s, and two marathons (including a World Marathon Major).  I’ve experienced first-hand the challenge of letting something that was important to me go.  I’ve also experienced the relief and benefit (especially long-term benefit) that came from making that choice.

The Bottom Line

As a coach, I’ve counseled the athletes I work with to do the same if the situation warrants it.  (I’ve actually done this as recently as three weeks ago.)  In my opinion, quality coaching is about encouraging what is best for the athlete, whether that means doing or not doing a race and even if what is best for the athlete ultimately involves me or not.  Sometimes, athletes need “permission” not to do something they said they were going to do.  I’m here to give all of your reading this permission not to if it’s what you feel in your heart is not right or best for you.

Truly.  It’s okay if you don’t do that race you signed up for.

Previous post

There is no previous post
Back to all posts

Next post

There is no next post
Back to all posts

What to Ask Instead of “Can I Accomplish This Goal?” - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Waterman’s Triathlon & The Bear Chase

Required "current" page

How Do Long Runs & Long Rides Work & Benefit Endurance Athletes? - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

How Masters Endurance Athletes Show Us How We Can All Thrive in Endurance Sports and in Life - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: IRONMAN 70.3 Cozumel & IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: USA Triathlon Olympic Distance National Championship

Required "current" page

Being Hard on Yourself?  Try This Instead. - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Littlefoot Triathlon & Erie Marathon

Required "current" page

How Doing Something New Can Help You Achieve Your Endurance Sports Goals - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Why It’s Important to Look for Lessons Even When Race Day Goes Well - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Why Disappointment on Race Day Leads to Greater Success - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

How Much Does it Cost to Train for an IRONMAN 70.3? - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Coeur Outdoor Divas Sprint Triathlon & Peasantman Steel Distance Triathlon

Required "current" page

How Much Does it Cost to Train for an IRONMAN? - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Max Performance Sharon Triathlon

Required "current" page

How Much Does it Cost to Train for a Half Marathon? - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: 174th Attack Wing Runway 5K

Required "current" page

Athelte Race Recap: IRONMAN 70.3 Maine & Donner Lake Triathlon

Required "current" page

How Much Does it Cost to Train for a Marathon? - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Tri Boulder, IRONMAN Lake Placid, & IRONMAN 70.3 Ohio

Required "current" page

Are You on Track to Reach Your Goals?  The Value of a Mid-Season Athletic Performance Review

Required "current" page

Why You Shouldn't Wear a Wetsuit in Triathlons and Open Water Swimming

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: The Best Way to Avoid Injury

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Freedom 4th Eagle Firecracker Run

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: A Longer Goal Isn't a Better Goal

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Relay for Life of Southeastern Connecticut, Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon, & Cohasset Triathlon

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Why Race Execution Matters

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: The Best Thing for Beginner Endurance Athletes to Do

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: IRONMAN 70.3 Western Massachusetts & IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: How to Train and Perform Well in the Heat

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Bass Lake Yosemite Triathlon, Silver Serpent Multisport Festival, & Rock Hall Triathlons

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: The Three Best Things Endurance Athletes Can Do for Training and Performance

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Using All of Your Senses in Workouts

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Are Morning or Evening Workouts Better?‍

Required "current" page

How to Train for a Sprint Triathlon

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: You Don’t Always Need to Do The Hardest or The Most

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Greenland Trail Race & Upstate Orthopedics Mountain Goat Run‍

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: How to Handle The Transition From Indoor to Outdoor Training

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: XTERRA New Jersey

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: What if You Fly?

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Carson Canyons Super-K Trail Runs & Delaware Half Marathon

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: The Case for Walking

Required "current" page

How to Handle Training When You Get Sick

Required "current" page

The Dangers of Social Media for Endurance Athletes

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Coastal Delaware Running Festival 9K & Zoo Run Run

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Seek Out Awe & Enchantment

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Smithfield Sprint Triathlon & Run as One 4M

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Negative Splits are Positive Things

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Multisport Transitions Explained

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Alpha Win Ocala

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Don't Pull Up on Your Bicycle Pedals

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Pace & Effort are NOT the Same Thing

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Demystifying Foam Rolling

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: What Stretching Actually Is

Required "current" page

Cycling Cadence Matters

Required "current" page

How to Properly Conduct a Functional Threshold Power (FTP) Test - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Lake Effect Quarter Marathon

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Face the Discomfort Dragon

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Love Can Be Cold

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Live to Climb Another Day

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Is AI Coaching & Sports Training Software Actually Intelligent?

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Strength Training as a Backbone

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Town of Celebration Half Marathon

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Resolute Runner 5K

Required "current" page

My Top 10 Nonfiction Books of 2023

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: How Do You Answer “What’s Next?”

Required "current" page

My Top 8 Fiction Books of 2023

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: The Next Big Thing

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: What is Preventing You from Reaching Your Goals?

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: What Does It Mean to Set a Goal?

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: It’s A Wonderful Run & Run with Rudolph

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: 2023 Thanksgiving Day Races

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: You Must Unlearn What You Have Learned

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: EOD Warrior Dash

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Exercise is Not a Punishment for What You Ate

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Include Buffers in Your Training

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Lights on the Lake 5K

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Pause Before Assessing

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Cold Turkey Run & The Burn Run

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Set Authentic Goals

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: What Can Be Measured Isn’t What is Most Important

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Don’t Complain About the Wind.  Embrace It.

Required "current" page

Avoid Doubling Up to Make Up

Required "current" page

What to Consider When Purchasing a New Bicycle - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Foxy’s Fall Century, Spooktacular Stroll 5K, & Eastwood 5-Mile Run

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: How to Plan a Season

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Lake Placid Classic & Army Ten-Miler

Required "current" page

What Are Training Phases? - Coach Tip Tuesday

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Last Call Triathlon, Waterman’s Triathlon, & Wineglass Marathon

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Bear Chase 10K & IRONMAN Chattanooga

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: When is it Time to Say Goodbye to Gear?

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: Get Into a Different Headspace

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: It’s Okay if You Don’t Do That Race You Signed Up For

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Philadelphia Distance Run

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: 174th Attack Wing Runway 5K, Littlefoot Triathlon, Finger Lakes Triathlon, & IRONMAN Wisconsin

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: Alpha Win Lake George

Required "current" page

Coach Tip Tuesday: The Best Way to Plan Training

Required "current" page

Athlete Race Recap: IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, Granite Bay Triathlon, & Tri Grace

Required "current" page

About

Coach Laura Henry

Laura Henry is a Syracuse, NY-based coach who is a USA Triathlon Level II Long Course and Level II Paratriathlon Certified Coach, USA Cycling Level 2 Certified Coach, VFS Certified Bike Fitter, and has successfully completed NASM's Certified Personal Trainer course. Coach Laura is passionate about helping athletes of all ability levels reach their goals and has coached many athletes to success.

She can be reached at [email protected].

Read Biography

Check out our other
recent Blog Posts

Start Your

Coaching Today

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Start Your

Coaching Today

Have a question or ready to get your TRAINING started?

Fill out our Contact Form to the right and we will get back to you shortly!

Check - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates

Thank you

Thanks for reaching out. We will get back to you soon.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.