Thursday, 15 April 2010

Have you ever had a DNS (did not start)?

This post is in response to Christina’s Running Question Challenge?

Question:
Have you ever had a DNS (did not start)?

Answer:
I’ve had a few DNS’s over the years. In fact, I’ll be having one this Saturday. I’ve decided that I’m not ready for a 50km at the moment since I missed a few long training runs when I had a stomach bug and then the flu. I decided to be careful and rather sit this one out. There will be plenty more. So I’ll have a DNS at the 2010 Loskop 50km.

I suppose a DNS is when you don’t start a race that you entered earlier. I’ve had a few of those (not sure how many) and also some where entries are only taken on the day of the race. Do those count as well? I planned a half marathon in March but missed it because I was down with a stomach bug. I would have entered on the morning of the race but didn’t go, so I suppose it is a DNS as well.


There was a 15km race in the middle of winter in 1995 where I went to the race with a friend in the morning and we entered. It was very cold, -7°C (19.4°F). We bought coffee after we entered and went to sit in the car to drink it. We never got out to start the race and went to a nearby mall for breakfast instead.

Another DNS was a night race (10km) where we entered and then it started to rain. We found shelter at a local restaurant and just stayed there for dinner and drinks!

Happy running everyone!

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6 comments:

  1. misszippy15 April 2010 at 15:21

    I've also had a few DNS's over the years, for various reasons. I think you are smart to sit this one out if you don't feel prepared...pushing through in a case like that often leads to injury or disappointing results. Not worth it!

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  2. Anne15 April 2010 at 19:23

    I love your attitude...there will always be other races! Rain at night...ugh...much better to go for dinner and drinks! :)

    Although I admit that if for some reason I can't do my first half-marathon...I'll be quite disappointed.

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  3. Julie15 April 2010 at 19:52

    Hi Johann,
    I have never had a DNS race yet, but I have only been competing for one year:) I think the reasons that I would not be able to start a race would be if I were ill or injured. Oh, and there is also the possibility of not finding the race:) I am terrible with directions:)

    Have a good one Johann!

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  4. Jameson16 April 2010 at 02:16

    I had a did not start in track because my "friend" gave me a roundhouse hurricane punch to the mouth beforehand. Truthfully I exagerated the pain because I didn't feel like running.

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  5. Christina16 April 2010 at 06:46

    I think I would feel very guilty enjoying a meal instead of running a race. It sounds though like it was very enjoyable and well worth missing the race.

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  6. Giorgio18 April 2010 at 18:43

    Interesting post Johann. I agree with this. I had a DNR twice when I didn't feel good (the first time) and the climate condition weren't good. Before I started the races I had always chosen what to do.

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