This week we are talking about something that really sucks. The Did Not Start (DNS) and Did Not Finish (DNF) experience.
Tuesdays on the Run this week: tell us about your DNS or DNF.
Did you have an injury? An illness? Or maybe just changed your mind about a race? Or maybe mid-race something happens- and you have to pull out. We’d love to hear how you deal with situations that affect runners like this.
Link up with Erika, Marcia and me for this week’s Tuesdays on the Run!
That Hurts: DNS
I’m thankful that I don’t have too much experience in these categories. I can’t remember many races where I didn’t start or finish.
Oh, there were races I wish I hadn’t started. Ha. And there are races where I certainly came in so slowly it was close to a DNF. Sometimes it was the same race.
Was not a fan of running on this day! Considered a DNF around mile 4.
But so far I’ve got a decent track record. Knock on wood for staying healthy during races!
My biggest DNS heartbreak happened around this time last year.
I made the decision to defer my Walt Disney World Marathon Goofy bib. I was completely A-OK with the decision at the time. No regrets at all.
But then… I was at home watching my friends run and suffered total FOMO. I wasn’t alone since another friend had to defer as well. I remember texting back and forth our disappointment for not being there.
We were stuck watching from the sidelines on social media as our closest running friends completed their first marathons.
BRF Julie from runwalkrepeat.com finishing her first marathon! I had major regrets not running this with her.
I had my reasons, and they held true through race day.
I didn’t want to run a marathon at that time. And I wasn’t ready. And one of my children was having a hard time with separation, so it was the best choice to stay close to home and the family.
But.
It still made that DNS hurt.
Especially as the friends battled through injury and nerves and rocked all their races.
And most importantly: they had the best time ever doing it!
I died when I saw this! I want to ride Everest in the middle of a marathon someday. Go Wendy & Amy!
Have you ever changed your plans for a race and later had FOMO (fear of missing out) regrets?
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Patty Holliday has been running Disney since 2011. She knows just about every tip, trick, and hack there is to cover the runDisney Magical Miles at Disney World and Disneyland. She knows every mile isn’t *always* magical- but with training, tips, and a little bit of pixie dust, they can be a lot of fun! You can also find her at noguiltlife.com and noguiltfangirl.com
Coco
Tuesday 15th of December 2015
I DNS'd when a race ended up being the same day as my son's HS graduation. I had a bit of FOMO when the weather was perfect for running, but that didn't last long!
Marcia
Tuesday 15th of December 2015
Boo. I totally understand your feelings of missing out. The struggle is certainly real. Here's to a 2016 filled with racing fun!
HoHo Runs
Tuesday 15th of December 2015
It is hard to sit on the sidelines and watch others having fun, whether you are forced to due to injury or just thought it was best the decision at the time. My biggest DNS was Chicago because of injury. No DNFs yet.
Jessica S
Tuesday 15th of December 2015
I haven't DNS or DNF'd yet, but can imagine it would be really hard to watch your friends run without you, no matter how much you told yourself it was the right choice. Especially when they got on the ride without you!
Rachel
Tuesday 15th of December 2015
I've never had regrets about a DNS only because I was injured so I really had no choice. Plus I still got to go and cheer my friends on. I've never DNFed but should have for my full marathon because I was also really injured but stubbornly kept running!