02.27.08
SCCRRAAAttchh…
Commonly a sound heard in the entertainment industry when an event rudely interrupts often fun being had causing the interrupting entity to become a spectacle.
Or also found in the world of running possibly referring to the scratching of the pencil when eliminating someone’s name from the entrants list at the last minute.
This could even be synomous with the idea of failure, ruin, marring, and pain.
Even though the second definition goes more with my choices this past weekend, I think all definitions could connect.
After a very stressful week at work, continued lack of confidence in my ability to actually run a 20K with sub 6:20 miles, fitful/no sleep Friday night, and much contemplation, I at the last minute this past weekend decided to “scratch” my planned 20K race on Saturday morning. Even though, I worked on and syked myself up for it…when it came down to it, I guess I didn’t syke myself up enough.
Whatever a runner’s reasons for scratching a race whether it be accidental, injury prevention, mentally out of it, just not ready….the excuses are endless….it always is a contemplated decision and some may see it as “giving up” or failure.
I guess in certain instances I could see it that way, but I don’t normally think of like that. So, I guess I bring up this topic and in order to see what other people have to say about scratching races. What are your thoughts? Your definition? For or against? Possibly a story???
[Hopefully this post won't end up like an entertainment scratch wiyh crickets chirping in the silence.]
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Sarah Hallenbeck said,
February 28, 2008 at 7:26 am
Honestly, I think scratching, or not running a planned race, is a pretty bad habit - I choose those words carefully. A pretty bad habit. The problem is that it leads to further . . . scratching. Once you do it once, it becomes easier to do again, and then all the time. And because it is always coupled with uncomfortable “what ifs?” (at least for me), it erodes your motivation and increases unease. The more times you get through races when you aren’t feeling “psyched,” the easier it is to do. The more you allow these feelings to keep you at home, the more intimidating the prospect of racing becomes.
Sarah Hallenbeck said,
February 28, 2008 at 7:29 am
That said, one scratch is not the end of the world. The important thing is to be vigilant about not letting it become a habit!
Mimi O'Grady said,
February 28, 2008 at 10:14 am
For me, it begs the question, Who is the better athlete? The one who shows up to race on a bad day? Or the one whose ego keeps them at home in bed?
Tori said,
March 3, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I must agree that making a habit of it is bad. and for some it is the ego that keeps them at home, but is it always the ego? what if it’s not?
Is the better athlete the one that can determine what would be stepping over their injury threshold or one that just gun-hoes for everything?
I think for everyone it is different, but i do agree with both Mimi and Sarah that a habit is bad and letting your ego keep you at home is bad too. I also think that flooding the race with entries and then having them scratch is poor from and something I did. at times, encounter when in college (but not of my own accord).
Joan did you ever hear of any coaches doing that?
Tori said,
March 3, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Okay, I wrote that post before reading Tyler’s…and must retract my questions…i think the discussion on Tyler’s post answers them and what a great post!
I stand admonished.