Tag: DNS

DNS – A Good Decision For Once

In my last post, I lamented about straining my hamstring in my left leg and wondered if I would be healed in time to run the race I have this weekend. Well, as I did my best to let it heal, I thought that I could probably give running the 15.5 miles of trail racing a go. But yesterday, during another 5-mile walk, the short little jogging efforts I did told me I should probably not attempt racing. So, I sent the race director an email and let him know that my strained hammie was going to keep me from running his race. I got a nice note back from him, and the promise of a 50% refund to be applied to another of his races next year.

It’s rare for me to not start a race that I had already signed up for. I think that I have only done that once before, when some nasty passing thunderstorms made me turn around for home on my way to the race. I got home and regretted my decision because they just delayed the race an hour and still did it – without me. I told myself not to bail on a race ever again. But with the injury I have been trying to get over not cooperating, and the fact that I like to race as hard as I can, I knew that I was making a good decision by dropping out. I’d rather have a DNS (did not start) next to my name than a DNF (did not finish) or DSQ (disqualified).

So that will end the racing year for me. My racing had some good variety in it this year, and I think I did pretty well at all of my events. I’m already signed up for Ironman Rockford 70.3 in June, and Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra in September. I might look for something new to try between those two events.

Time to keep walking as a running substitute until the hamstring issue is over, and I will definitely get on my gravel bike for some rides as long as the weather holds out.

DNS – My First “Did Not Start”

“Well I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damn depressed, that I set my sights on Monday and I got myself undressed…”    –  America – Sister Golden Hair

I should be typing a glowing race report for the race I had signed up for today, but I’m not.  I find myself typing words of regret, because for the first time in my history of doing races, I failed to start a race I had signed up for.  A big fat DNS – Did Not Start.

I had every intention of doing the race.  I was genuinely looking forward to doing it.  ET Batavia is a sprint distance triathlon held in Batavia, IL.  It’s an easy swim in a park district swimming hole, a gently rolling ride through town and outlying farms, and a tree lined run on the Fox River Valley Trail.  I really enjoy the course and after racing it four or five times now, I was pretty familiar with it.

I set the alarm for 3:50 am and when it went off I got up with the full intention of getting ready and heading to Batavia.  I could hear that it was raining outside, so I pulled up my weather app and saw this:

IMG_0088
Lovely.  Just like the Boston Marathon in April.

 

I dressed, ate and asked a now awake Kari if she still wanted to join me for a morning standing in the rain.  Surprisingly she said “yes,” and we hopped in the car to head to the race.

I switched on the local AM radio for the weather and they were saying it was bad, and I new it wasn’t an exaggeration because it was raining hard on us.  I got about 5 miles from home when I said “What am I doing?”  I turned around and told Kari I’m pulling the plug on this one.

All things considered, as a triathlete I shouldn’t really worry about rain.  You get wet in the swim for Pete’s sake.  And I have raced two times now in heavy rain.  I joked at Leon’s Triathlon the year we did it that it was interesting how the swim portion of the race was the driest part.  It poured on us.  And the 2018 Boston Marathon was not only rainy, but throw in cold and windy as well – the whole 26.2 miles.  I wasn’t afraid of pulling out of the race because of the weather really, it just seemed ridiculous that I was about to drive 45-50 minutes to stand in the rain only to be told what my gut instinct was telling me – the race would be cancelled.

I got home and unpacked and checked Facebook for updates and there it was:  “Race start at 7:40!!”  REALLY?!?!  Now I had regret.  Knowing that I decided to pull out when others stayed with it just kills me.

Kari went back to bed.  I ate another breakfast and read the newspaper until I fell asleep.  Then I moped around the house until the skies stopped raining and I went for an 8 mile run.  I ran hard, punishing myself for skipping a race I shouldn’t have.  Oh well, I will be back next year – weather permitting.