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You are here: Home / half marathons / DFL > DNF > DNS > sitting on the couch

DFL > DNF > DNS > sitting on the couch

December 15, 2015 by MCM Mama 22 Comments

DFL: Dead F%^%ing Last

DNF: Did Not Finish

DNS: Did Not Start

Pretty sure I don’t need to explain “sitting on the couch.

No matter how slow

The topic today on Tuesdays on the Run is DNF or DNS. Have you done it? What were your reasons? Did you regret your choice?

Tuesdays on the Run

I’m not sure I agree with much of the title of this post, except that any of the acronyms is better than never trying. If you get off the couch and move, at whatever speed, for whatever distance, you are succeeding.

As far as the other options go, there are always times that they are warranted. I’ve been nearly DFL twice at small races where only the fast kids did the longer distance. And I’m not one of the fast kids.

 

I’ve never DNF’d, but I’ve had two races where I probably would have if the opportunity had presented itself. My first half marathon was so hot and I was so dehydrated that I was pretty much a mess by mile 9. I think if I could have figured out a way to quit, I would have.

Zooma2008

I also seriously considered it when I ran the Nike Women’s Half Marathon, mostly because I should have fueled better. And I’ll be the first to admit that I had DNFing in my hip pocket (along with my metro card) when I ran Marine Corps this fall. I’m a big believer in living to run another day.

DNS, ah well, that one I’ve done a few times but oddly enough only short distance races. I’ve missed a 5 miler due to a cough so bad I couldn’t catch my breathe when I wasn’t running. And I missed a 5K and a 4 miler when I messed up my calf. Seems odd that I’ve never bailed on a half marathon and I’ve run 46 of those…

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In mostly unrelated news, last night I signed up for 7 half marathons in 7 days in 7 states – and all of them are new states! Yeah, that’s going a long ways towards my total number of states.

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Comments

  1. Karen @ Fit in France says

    December 15, 2015 at 1:55 am

    I completely agree with your post title ! LOL
    Karen @ Fit in France recently posted…I Did Not Start… by choiceMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Kelli says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:14 am

    Wow, good luck with the 7/7/7! Hopefully the running gods will smile upon you so you are healthy and can start them all!
    Kelli recently posted…Keep your eyes on the prizeMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:41 am

    I can totally relate to a race that “only the fast kids run”. We have a local race here in the fall and about 90 percent of the participants are kids from on the track and cross country teams! Good thing i’m not in there age group..lol

    Reply
  4. Marcia says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:59 am

    The 7 halfs thing blows my mind. Logistically how do you even? I think I’d be divorced.
    Marcia recently posted…The Agony of a DNS or DNFMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Coco says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:07 am

    I’ve only had a few DNS’s and I think they’ve all been the Lawyer’s Have Heart. I wanted to DNF the USTAF 12K, but reminded myself that walking back would take longer!
    Coco recently posted…Fending Off The Holiday Feeding FrenzyMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:33 am

    Ugh, right now I’m sitting on the couch and staring a DNS in the face. But if I don’t sit on the couch, I could be looking at DNS’s for a lot longer…. DAMN YOU SACRUM

    Reply
  7. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:40 am

    This is really a great topic! I’ve never finished a race DFL, but when I ran a 5K a couple of years ago, everyone was really really fast! It seemed like everyone was well-rested by the time I made it to the finish!
    Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…DNS a Race? 8 Tips for Moving OnMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Annette @ Sweating Through Life says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:06 am

    DFL. Hahaha. I only laugh, because I’ve only heard fellow hashers use this term before….
    In any case, I’ve DNS before. I’ve wanted to DNF, but pushed through it. I don’t know that I’ve DFL in a race…but I’ve come really really close to it. Which doesn’t bother me, because like you said, I’m not on the couch.
    Annette @ Sweating Through Life recently posted…Weekly Update and GIVEAWAY!My Profile

    Reply
  9. Lesley says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:30 am

    I’m a firm believer in get out there and move. I do sit on the couch at times, but usually after I’ve run. Like you, I DNS’d a smaller race and not any big race. My injury had settled in with a vengeance, and I knew even trying to run would do more damage and leave me even more frustrated.
    Lesley recently posted…That DNSMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Alison says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:10 am

    Agree, all of these are better than sitting on the couch! I’ve only had 2 races so far (knock on wood) that I didn’t start – one just due to a scheduling snafu, another because of an injury that I was still nursing. I was supposed to run a half that day, and I still ended up running 6 miles – just not at the race!

    Reply
  11. Patty says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:12 am

    7 in 7… you are a crazy beast. I love it. For you, ha ha , not for me! 😉
    Patty recently posted…That Hurts: DNS | Tuesdays on the RunMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Leana says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:29 am

    I have DNS’d a few races…mostly because I was injured or a few times because I hadn’t trained enough to know I could do the race without hurting myself. Luckily I don’t make a habit of this! I have never DNF’d a race…knock on wood. I have had a few DFL’s at smaller, cross country races but that doesn’t bother me. Those race are hard!!
    Leana recently posted…Highlights of 2015My Profile

    Reply
  13. Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    December 15, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    I had a few too many dns this past year but I hope that 2016 is a much better year! Fun post
    Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Holiday Funfetti RiceMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Rachel says

    December 15, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Holy moly! Congrats on your 7-7-7! What a crazy awesome adventure!!
    Rachel recently posted…Race Recap: Run Santa Run 5KMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      December 18, 2015 at 12:34 am

      Yeah, I know I’m crazy. But it’s so much fun!

      Reply
  15. Krystal says

    December 15, 2015 at 1:53 pm

    Haha! Love the title of your post! I wish this could have been the topic of choice last week, as I almost DNS and DNF my half this past Sunday. The experience alone was a learning lesson!

    Congrats on registering for the 7/7/7, I’m in awe! I followed you on social media and recaps when you did it this year and am looking forward to following you as complete it again. Best of luck to you!
    Krystal recently posted…Florida Holiday Halfathon Training Recap: Week 12My Profile

    Reply
  16. HoHo Runs says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    Ahh…how wonderful. 7 halfs in 7 days. I would LOVE that. You are my hero!
    HoHo Runs recently posted…DNS? Oh, yes!My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      December 18, 2015 at 12:26 am

      I can’t wait – it’s so much fun!

      Reply
  17. CARLA says

    December 16, 2015 at 5:53 am

    I stilllll cannot believe the seven halfs thing.
    YOU ARE MY HEROINE.
    Now
    do one in AUSTIN!!!
    CARLA recently posted…4 reasons Im jealous of the Cone of Shame.My Profile

    Reply
  18. Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    December 16, 2015 at 7:29 am

    I missed a lot of spring races last year due to my foot injury it’s not fun at all! I am hoping for a strong injury free 2016 for all of us
    Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…My Year Of Running 2015My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      December 18, 2015 at 12:16 am

      All is going well now, right?

      Reply
  19. Jessica S says

    December 22, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    I can see where it is harder mentally to DNS a long race – there’s usually a lot more mentally committed to those than shorter runs. I’ve had the same temptation to quit the local races that “only the fast kids run” but have resisted the urge so far. You’re right that no matter how we’re moving, at least we ARE!
    Jessica S recently posted…Weekly Wrap-Up: Fell off the wagon a bitMy Profile

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

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