DNS

I've heard, and even feared, a DNF but I have never heard of a DNS until today at the North East run.

Preparations went as well as they could have gone. I got in my long runs and came through ok. My mileage built up looked decent. Even the taper did not object. I got up on raceday on time, had my pre-race snack and arrived at the venue 25min before the start. So far so good.

What stymied me was the bloody parking. I could not find a parking space and after going through 3 multi-storied car parks that were full, the race had started. To rub it all in, as I came out of the third carpark, the last runners were already running out, together with the ladies (who had a later start). This is what rule based Singapore and poor anticipation is all about. We are only allowed to park at carparks and not along the roads. No one wants to risk a $300 summons for a Sunday morning race. The problem is that land scarce Singapore needs to hold races in residential areas and the carparks were filled with the cars of residents who live in the housing estate. No resident would be leaving and vacating his lot at the crack of dawn for a runner. So there you go. It was total disappointment to have missed the first race of the season. Nisa was surprised I returned so early; and I don't think she was surprised when I said we would run the majority of our races in Malaysia.

DNS means "did not start".


Post-note: it's now late afternoon and I'm still feeling disappointed. My colleague, D, finished with a great time though.