The Story of Withdrawals During an Ultra-Trail Running Race: A Qualitative Investigation of Runners’ Courses of Experience

Abstract

International audienceWe analyzed the courses of experience of 10 runners who volunteered to describe their experiences of withdrawal during an ultra-trail race. Data collected contained traces of past activities elicited in self-confrontation interviews. Data were coded and compared with identify structures in common sequences. Seven representative sequences were identified: feeling pain; putting meaning to those feelings; adjusting one’s running style; attempting to overcome the problem; other runners’ influences; assessing the situation; and deciding to withdraw. Results showed that disruptive events could cause progressive, cumulative, and varied transformations in runners’ courses of experience that led inevitably to withdrawal. Practical implications for mental preparation and race management are proposed

Effects of a Motivational Self-Talk Intervention for Endurance Athletes Completing an Ultramarathon

“…These stressors include gastrointestinal problems, thoughts about quitting, and adverse weather and conditions (Antonini Philippe et al, 2016;Holt et al, 2014). In the present study, navigating in the dark was a key stressor experienced by runners.…”

“…Although research has shed light on the experiences of ultramarathon runners and the coping strategies ultramarathon runners use (Acevedo, Dzewaltowski, Gill, & Noble, 1992;Antonini Philippe et al, 2016;Holt et al, 2014;Simpson et al, 2014), no published studies have examined the effects of PST on performance in an ultramarathon. Further, no studies have examined the effects of PST on performance in longdistance running events of at least half-marathon distance (McCormick et al, 2015).…”

“…"Effects of a Motivational Self-Talk Intervention for Endurance Athletes Completing an Ultramarathon" by McCormick A, Meijen C, Marcora S The Sport Psychologist © 2017 Human Kinetics, Inc. they need to carefully pace themselves to meet cut-off times whilst avoiding premature exhaustion (Antonini Philippe, Rochat, Vauthier, & Hauw, 2016;Holt, Lee, Kim, & Klein, 2014;Simpson et al, 2014). As the ultramarathon in the present study was completed overnight, additional event-specific stressors include navigation in the dark and sleep deprivation.…”

The Relationship between Trail Running Withdrawals and Race Topography

“…A growing amount of recent research in sport psychology has focused on trying to understand withdrawals from such ultra-races [3,4,5,6,7]. Two distinct bodies of research can be identified.…”

“…The results showed the importance of maintaining an SVP in this kind of race, particularly at the beginning, and of adapting one’s running activity after a difficult section of trail in order to seek relative physical preservation and the ability to complete the race. Focusing on a qualitative understanding of withdrawals, Antonini Philippe et al [3] analysed the experience of ten runners who withdrew during the ultra-trail race on the island of Réunion. Using self-confrontation interviews, they reconstructed the dynamics of their successive psychological states and the activities that led to withdrawal.…”