DNF and DNS: My Most Hated Acronyms

I never wanted 2012 to start this way for me, getting injured and all. But they say there's always a first in everything, and I'll just take this as another learning experience.

HK marathon is just around the corner; and at the time I should be at my training peak, I wasn't able to run. Two consecutive running events I have been anticipating have been missed - PSE Bull Run 21k last January 8, where I was one of the first 500 lucky registrants, and Go Natural Run 21k last January 15, which I heavily promoted here in my blog site.

DNF (Did Not Finish) at PSE Bull Run 21k
I was hesitant running this event since I still haven't recovered fully from Rizal Day Run 32k. The stubborn Taurean in me made me go to BGC and meet-up with FFS and Kathy, who'll be doing 10k. I managed to do a 5:45 min/km pace at the 1st kilometer, then a slower 6:10 min/km pace at the next 2 kilometers. After that, my legs felt like lead. My shins were burning like crazy and my knees were giving up. I knew right there and then that I needed to stop. I did not want to risk my HK marathon dream by pushing myself to run a 21k I knew I could not finish. At kilometer 3, I removed my bib and made a U-turn and walked back to the starting line. My first DNF.

Kathy and Me - Pre-race (My only pic from PSE Bull Run)

DNS (Did Not Start) at Go Natural Run 21k
I knew after PSE Bull Run that I needed more time to recover. I told my Team Alpha1 teammates that I wouldn't be able to run at this event. I may have missed bonding time with my teammates, but there will be more opportunities for bonding on future events anyway.

Let me leave you with one good moving-on quote by Byrd Baggett: "Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror." I came to realize these are just two missed running events. I will recover and be back on the road again soon.