In Reply To:
I still can't get my mind around why people give up due to set backs.
You've done the training the preparation, you probably already have planned a recovery period, why just give up? What is there to lose from pushing through adversity and completing what you set out to do?
I've been hit by a race support car before, completely wiped out and blown a tire in the process. I could hardly move the next day but dropping out of the race didn't even cross my mind, I repaired the puncture, got back on my bike one legged the rest of the ride and hopped / limped to the finish line. My times where crap compared to normal but I still consider that one of my better races because no matter what happened I would not give up. The only races I'll not finish are when they carry me off the course!
I think you miss the point. It's not giving up, it's living to fight another day. At the sprint and oly distance, there's always another race next weekend so you can bag one in favor of the next. Going all out wire to wire is what some people set out to do. A stop for a flat ends that. In fact, picking back up after a flat could prevent someone from really bouncing back to 'race' the following weekend.
As for "completing what you set out to do", you really miss the point here. For some, "what they set out to do" is win. Or hit a PR. Once you've flatted, that becomes impossible (assuming you're at the point where gains are marginal). The
ability to finish is a known quantity and presents no challenge to these athletes. Finishing in a certain place or time is what trips their trigger.
You have the 'finish or else' mentality. They have the 'win or else' mentality. Each is for a person with different athletic goals.