{"id":3318,"date":"2026-10-28T08:08:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T23:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/?p=3318"},"modified":"2026-10-28T08:08:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T23:08:04","slug":"marathon-dnf-race-day-preparation-lessons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/?p=3318","title":{"rendered":"I Didn\u2019t Finish My Full or Half Marathon: 6 Things I\u2019m Rethinking Before My Next Race"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e<\/a> \/ English<\/strong><\/p>

\u2190 English journal<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\"Me
A race-day memory. The photos in this article are from Saitama Stadium 2002; they do not document both races discussed below.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

I stopped my full marathon at 30 km, four hours after starting. In a half marathon, I stopped at 18 km after two hours and 15 minutes. Neither was a finish.<\/p>

Before another attempt, I want to turn those experiences into more useful preparation. Training matters, but I also wish I had thought more carefully about food, what I carried, and the event\u2019s time limits.<\/p>

These are personal reflections from a runner still working towards a finish, rather than a proven plan for completing a marathon.<\/p>

Two races I did not finish<\/h2>

Full marathon:<\/strong> stopped at 30 km after 4 hours.
Half marathon:<\/strong> stopped at 18 km after 2 hours 15 minutes. These are stopping points and elapsed times, not finish times.<\/p>

\"Entrance
Arriving at the venue.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

1. Plan food and fuel before race day<\/h2>

I felt as though I ran out of energy after eating too little. Running without carrying anything also left me thinking I should have prepared differently.<\/p>

That does not establish food as the sole reason I stopped. It is one part of my preparation I want to revisit. Next time, I want to consider meals and what to carry during training, rather than deciding everything on the day.<\/p>

2. Test what you carry while actually running<\/h2>

Putting things in my pockets seemed simple, but they bounced when I ran. Fitting into a pocket and feeling comfortable there are different things.<\/p>

For my next event, I want to try the actual load in training and check both movement and access. I do not want to solve every problem by buying more gear.<\/p>

I have written separately about a vest I use for ordinary runs: my Salomon ADV SKIN 12 review, including fit and whether 12 litres is more than you need<\/a>. It is a gear review, not a claim that the vest will prevent a DNF.<\/p>

\"A
A photo together at the venue.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

3. Include the small inconveniences<\/h2>

A runny nose was another thing I remember. I had thought about larger items, but not as much about small annoyances like this.<\/p>

Next time I want to consider whether to carry tissues, where to put them, and whether I can reach them easily. A useful checklist should reflect what actually bothered me.<\/p>

\"Participants
The event area outside the stadium.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

4. Compare the cut-offs with your preparation<\/h2>

I found a race with a four-and-a-half-hour limit difficult without enough training. That limit belongs to an event I experienced; it is not a rule for all races.<\/p>

Before another start, I want to read the participant guide for the total time limit, intermediate cut-offs and how the clock is measured. Then I can compare those conditions with my own training, rather than entering on enthusiasm alone.<\/p>

\"Runners
Participants gathering before the event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

5. Decide how to start before the excitement takes over<\/h2>

Starting too fast is something I want to avoid next time. I want to choose an opening pace based on my training, the distance and the event\u2019s conditions, instead of letting the atmosphere decide for me.<\/p>

I am not giving a target pace here: that decision still needs to match the race and my preparation.<\/p>

6. Check the small details as well as shoes<\/h2>

I want to check my shoes, clothing, toenails and smaller items ahead of the next event. I am not saying my toenails caused either DNF. This is about leaving enough time to notice details before race day.<\/p>

Before buying more running gear<\/h2>

The questions below are planning prompts, not a comparison based on testing every type of running belt or vest.<\/p>