Mile Markers: Did Not Finish
Last week was quite a week. The movers arrived, we finally settled into a routine and into our new apartment, and I experienced my first DNF at a race. Before that mess of a race, I did have a good week of running in the absolutely perfect fall conditions!
Monday: 5 mile easy run
I’m still exploring some new routes, especially with the new pathway system that was built since we had last lived here. I wouldn’t run Ollie along this route due to some of the intersections, but it was a really nice route for non-dog running. After the run, I squeezed in a tiny amount of core work – not too much with the race this weekend, but enough to reactivate those muscles.
Our movers arrived and spent all day long bringing our stuff up to our third floor apartment. I spent a majority of the day on my feet, unpacking boxes.
Tuesday: 2 x 10 minutes tempo
It was a blustery, chilly morning! I ran my go-to race week workout. After a 10 minute warm-up, I ran 2 x 10 minutes at half marathon effort. The first interval was at a 7:03 pace and the second one was 7:05 pace – I was genuinely surprised, given the wind and the fact that I had been on my feet most of the previous day.
Today was also my last big unpacking day, both due to work schedule and tapering for this half marathon. I am a bit compulsive when it comes to things like unpacking, but I managed to get through a majority of the boxes.
Wednesday: 4 miles easy
I split this run up, 3 miles with Ollie and 1 with Charlie. So beautiful and sunny on this run!
Thursday: Rest day
Friday: 3 miles easy
I ran Ollie for three short and easy miles today. We have a dog park on our apartment grounds, and every time we passed it, Ollie tried to run us in the direction of the dog park.
Saturday: Rest day
Saturday was the last day of the farmers market for this year, so we attended the market and enjoyed breakfast at our favorite cafe. I love how walkable everything is around here. We also toured and joined the YMCA. I’m really excited about it because it has an indoor track and Pilates reformer classes.
Sunday: 4.7 miles (DNF)
I signed up last minute to run the Valparaiso Half Marathon. It’s less than 10 minutes from our apartment and is a flat, fast course. The morning was chilly but sunny. I warmed up with a short jog and felt fine. Then, within the first 10 minutes of the race, my left foot began to hurt near where my foot and toes connect. I gave it a couple miles and it started to feel worse, so I pulled off the course at a cheer station. No race is worth injury, even though I had been holding a steady and comfortable 7:24 avg pace. After stopping, my foot seized up and I was hobbling, so I knew I made the right decision. A kind volunteer drove me back to the start/finish area. Ryan took me home and I iced and elevated my foot.
I am a bit bummed not to finish, but I also know I made the right choice. I mostly am worried about being injured! I am not sure if it’s a stress fracture or strain, since it hurts to walk but also hurts when I flex my foot and move my toes even without bearing weight. I have absolutely no idea what caused it, since I had no foot pain this week and haven’t changed shoes, training, or diet. The only thing I can think of is straining my foot while wrangling the over-eager dogs down two flights of stairs. The weather is just perfect right now and I don’t want to miss out on running and being generally active outdoors.
Are you a morning person?
Have you ever DNF’ed a race?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter
Latest posts
How Many Gels Should You Take for a Marathon?
April 23, 2025
Should You Take Advil Before Running?
April 9, 2025
How to Taper for a Marathon
April 3, 2025
Science-Based Tips to Improve Your Running Economy
March 26, 2025
How to PR in the Marathon (Tread Lightly Podcast)
March 7, 2025
20 Responses
Oh no, I’m sorry about your foot! It definitely sounds like you made the right choice. I’ve never had a DNF but I had lots of DNSs. I hope that it’s a minor injury and you can get back to running soon!
Thank you! I hope it’s minor, although I’m still not sure what it is!
I’m so sorry about the race! More than anything I hope your foot is ok. Hopefully it’s just a minor strain and attention will get rid of it. I’ve has one major DNF from an injury that happened during the race. It stinks but the damage that can happen afterwards if worth it.
Thank you! I’m really hoping it’s not badly injured and that I stopped in time.
Oh Laura that’s awful! I’m so sorry. I hope it’s nothing serious and that you can work it out quickly. Good job on making a tough decision during the race – obviously it was the right one!! Hope you are back out there again soon… And so happy everything else seems to be falling into place after the big move!
Thank you! Other than this foot issue (which I’m wondering if I hurt it while moving/unpacking?), things have been falling into place so well! It’s great to be back here.
oh no! I hope it’s ok! I didn’t even realize you were running a race this weekend! I have had a DNF, you did the right thing for sure.
Thank you! A DNF is rough, but it’s always better to be cautious!
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about your DNF this weekend, but you totally made the right decision! No need to continue on for several miles and do more damage. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious!
Thank you! I’m really hoping I stopped soon enough!
Oh no! I hope your foot is okay. Hopefully a couple days of rest and other care will be what you need. DNFing is always hard, but I agree, you made the right decision.
Thank you!
Ugh, that’s so frustrating! Especially since you had no warning signs. I’m so sorry! I’ve never had a dnf but probably should have pulled out of Boston when my knee first started to feel tweaked- i think the cold weather numbed the pain a bit until afterwards.
I hope it’s nothing too serious!
Thank you! I hope it’s not too serious either!
Having broken metatarsal bones twice, you did the right thing by stopping. I hope it is nothing serious and you’ll be OK with a few days of rest. I’ve DNS’d races but never DNF’d one. It’s wonderful you have a dog park on the grounds of your apartment complex. Do your dogs like to socialize? I hope you are feeling settled in your new home. Thanks for linking!
Thank you! I am going to have it scanned to ensure no stress fracture, but my hope was that I avoided one. The dogs love to socialize – the puggle with other dogs, and the Labraheeler with people. Thank you for hosting!
Oh no! I hope your foot feels better soon. I love how you set a great example of listening to your body in the often obsessive world of running blogs.
Thank you!!
I hope your foot heals soon! I can’t run at the moment either – definitely one of the worst times of year to be activity-limited.
Oh no! I hope your foot is feeling better. Sounds like you made the right decision to DNF. I have had one DNF and it was 2 summers ago at a 10k. I went out way too fast and by mile 4, was on fumes. Ugh. It never feels good to quit!