Before January 1, 2025, I had never seen a DNS (Did Not Start) next to my name in race results. I’ve had to switch distances before and even had a few DNFs (Did Not Finish) due to missing cut-off times, but I always made it to the start line—until this year.
This past weekend, I was supposed to run the Irish Double at the Bay City St. Patrick’s Day races. Instead of celebrating with friends, a medal, and post-race treats, I was home, sick and resting. It was my second DNS of the year, but surprisingly, I’m not upset about it.
In fact, I’m proud of myself for listening to my body and making the right call. Missing a race used to feel like letting myself down and wasting money. Now, I see it differently—it’s not quitting, it’s taking care of myself so I can keep running for the long haul.
My first DNS came on New Year’s Day. A friend and I had run the Out With the Old 5k on December 31st and planned to run the In With the New 5k on January 1st (it’s the same course but you run it backwards on the second day). Unfortunately, my friend got sick, and I didn’t have a reliable car at that moment, so we both Did Not Start that race. Of course we were bummed to not get our connecting medals and to not start off the year with a fun race, but it was the right decision for us so that my friend could recover from her illness. Plus, one missed race wasn’t going to make or break our year of running.
Then I came down with some nasty virus this past weekend, the weekend of the St. Pat’s Irish Double. By Saturday afternoon, between my symptoms not getting any better and the weather forecast looking less than desirable, I knew I had to add another DNS to my record. Years ago I might have tried to push myself to run the race, and I would’ve been miserable and possibly made my illness worse. As much as it sucked to miss out on one of my favorite races, I knew staying home and resting was the right decision.
I’ve learned over the years that taking care of my body is just as important as putting in the miles. Of course I worry about how this will affect my training for the Flying Pig Half Marathon. Getting two DNS isn’t going to slow me down. In fact, they’re proof that I’m making smart, long-term decisions that will help me show up stronger and healthier for the races that matter most.
So to my fellow runners who have had to face a DNS, don’t beat yourself up. Be proud of yourself for putting your physical and mental health first. Running isn’t just about finish lines, it’s about the journey and who is there with you. Sometimes the best way to move forward is to take a step back and rest when needed.
Have you ever had a DNS? How did you handle it? Let’s chat in the comments!
RD on the Run 