Sunday, March 22, 2009

My First DNS

I wanted to sweep this week under the rug and pretend it never happened. But, this blog was created not only to report my progress in running, but also the lack of it. So, here I am, upholding the true spirit of blogdom.

According to plan, I should have been typing up a Race Report right about now, instead of an excuse of a report. You see, a week after I signed up for the Long Branch Half Marathon, I toyed with the idea of running a shorter race as a training run. This weekend was most convenient, so it was between the Millburn Spring Run (10K & 2 Mile) and the St. Paddy's 10 Mile & Leprechaun 5K. DH decided to do the shorter distance in either case, while I would do the longer. The more I thought about it, the more I leaned toward the 10 miler. It was a scenic route; it would mean DH could do at least 3 miles (2 miles is hardly a distance); and online registration was available. I can't imagine having to deal with the US Post Office again, after my recent ordeal. But, for some reason, I didn't register; decided to register on race day.

Believe me, I absolutely decided to go through with it.
I was pumped up about it.
I did a semi-taper (The only running I had done this week was 5 miles on Monday, 4 miles on Tuesday and 2 very easy miles yesterday).
I did not join the group on their Saturday morning run (I really missed that; it's been 2 weeks in a row now).
We regretfully declined an invitation from a friend for a dinner, drinks and movie night on Saturday, so we could crash early the night before race day.
I did a bit of carb-loading yesterday, filling up on Hyderabadi biryani (though I was not entirely sure if carb loading would help or hurt me on a 10-miler).
I checked out the race day weather (beautiful...no reason not to run) and printed out directions.
I even laid out my race clothes last night (that should have given me a hint...I never do that).

Yesterday, DH wavered. And pretty soon, instead of trying to convince him to do it, I became wishy-washy too. We postponed the decision to this morning. Bad idea! 6 am, when all you want to do is to go back to la-la land, is not the time to make a decision about a race. I mumbled that we should just go back to sleep and DH readily agreed. So, I not only DNS (Did Not Start), I DNEMITTS (Did Not Even Make It To The Start). Groan!

I awoke later, feeling guilty and ready to discharge all the carbs I had loaded last night. I printed directions to Colonial Park, where I could complete my 10 scenic miles. Just as I was heading out the door, I heard DH sniffling. He had come down with a cold. And of course, dutiful wife that I am, I felt compelled to make him cardamom tea and french onion soup. Then join him for breakfast. And by the time I was ready to run, it was too late for Colonial Park. I settled for 7 miles in the neighborhood, where I've run thousands of times before. You know you've run the same tired route too many times when the same dogs that snarled at you from the other side of a fence just eye you lazily and nod a greeting (except the Siberian husky (he sure looks like one), who I am convinced will vault over the fence one day and rip me to shreds).
So, instead of being cheered on by dozens of spectators at the race (I can dream, can't I?), the only distraction on my run was a slightly chewed-up condom decorating someone's driveway.

Hope you all had a more productive weekend! Look forward to reading about your races/long runs, Lauren, Cindy, Beachrunner, Laurel, and participants of the Hooray Spring 6 Miler.

21 comments:

teacherwoman said...

Don't be too hard on yourself. We all go through times like these. I probably would have done the same if I left the decision for the morning of the race.

Pearl said...

awww no. it's okay. sometimes life takes over, and i'm so proud of the fact that you chose to stay home and take care of your DH rather than go out and run. selfless love is so inspiring.

there are other races! and i can't wait to hear about the next one you participate in :)

Mel-2nd Chances said...

i agree with the others... DNS due to injury is worse in the sense that you can't go and do 7 miles later in the day. You stayed home to take care of hubby, and still got a run in... kudos to you. There will be other races :)

Cindy said...

cut yourself some slack, girl--you still got your run in! the race was a training run anyway. don't sweat it. cardamom tea sounds so good by the way. is that a pre made mix or do you put together the ingredients? can u post a recipe if you make it yourself? thanks!

I Run for Fun said...

Awww...thanks, you guys! You've made me feel so much better.

Cindy, it's just tea powder with ground cardamom seeds. I'll post a recipe with pics.

Erica said...

I'm with everyone else- its good to not be 100% all the time! I think a lot of us bloggers tend to expect A LOT out of ourselves, which is good, but we def have to cut ourselves some slack! Keep rocking girl- you still got a great run in today!! I hope DH feels better

Anonymous said...

You don't need a race to be productive. Way to stull get out there and run and take care of your husband.

J said...

Too bad about not racing. I hope that this week will be better for you!!

X-Country2 said...

There will be plenty more races, and you'll rock the next one.

Amy said...

Awww poor thing! You know, even though you didn't do the race, it still made for an interesting post...if that makes up for anything!

And at least you put those carbs to good use, too :) Some people might not have run at all.

Abby said...

Just think - now you'll have all sorts of pent up race energy for Jersey :)

joyRuN said...

Dang sick husbands getting in the way ;)

Great job getting the 7 miles in anyway - I know I'd rather a change of scenery sometimes too.

See you at Long Branch.

Heather said...

At least you still got the 7 miles in - and this wasn't your main event, anyhow. Hope your husband feels better!

Marlene said...

A race day decision would not have gone well for me either. Bed is so cozy! At least you got out there in the end.

Tammy said...

Aww, sorry you missed the race. But, at least you didn't skip out on running altogether.

The dogs in my hood pretty much leave me alone now, too. Sometimes, I wish they would come running out to me, just for the distraction.

Aron said...

hey it happens but you still got out there and got 7 miles in!!

lauren said...

no worries! I feel like I have been in that same position SO many times. and you still did 7 miles...so all was not lost. the condom comment made me laugh - ha.

Felice Devine said...

Oh, this post cracked me up! I've been there, too. Don't worry! You ran the 7 and now you'll just have more left in your legs for the race!

BTW -- I have a dog like that in my 'hood. He used to go bonkers when I ran past. Now, nothing.

Aileen said...

Awwww...don't beat yourself up over it! And you still ran, so that's definitely good stuff. Better than what I've done on various occasions!

Laurel said...

Oooh yeah. A chewed up condom is no substitute for a cheering crowd.

Sorry about the DNS, but you still got some decent miles in, not shabby at all.

Lindsay said...

hey at least you still got yourself out for a run! hope you enjoyed the lazy morning, try not to feel too guilty!!