Worst Top 20 Excuses in Track and Field

Let’s face it, we all had bad races.  I know, I’ve had my fair share.

But the variety of excuses is incredible.  So I compiled a list of excuses my athletes have used, as well as those from Olympic and Elite athletes.  In fact, I have used some of these myself… several of them.

So the drumroll please….

Worst Top 20 Excuses in Track and Field

1. I got a cramp in my legs
2. I didn’t hear the gun (though, I do accept this excuse for the 4x400m Lane 8 runners)
3. I didn’t see the finish line (or confused with Mile start line 9 meters back!)
4. I dipped too early
5. I didn’t dip because I thought I won (Amantle Montsho?)
6. I haven’t done speedwork all year 
7. I’m (still) recovering from an injury
8. I was saving myself for the Finals.  Don’t believe me? Read my story here.
9. My spikes were too tight (or too loose)… or my laces got undone.
10. The starting blocks didn’t feel right.  Even Usain Bolt mentioned how the blocks gave him a hard time at Beijing 2015 WC.
11. I had a bad lane (Lane 1 200m & Lane 8 400m)
12. I didn’t have my usual 2 cans of RedBull before the race
13. The sun was in my eyes
14. I have a blister, and couldn’t push off properly
15. I got spiked (800m and up)
16. Someone stepped in my lane and cut me off (usually for 800m and up, though this happened in a 200m QF with VCB!  See photo below…)
17. Someone elbowed me and threw my rhythm off (800m and up)
18. I’m really not supposed to compete on Sundays (Jonathan Edwards?)
19. It’s that time of the month 
20. “I’m saving myself for Zurich” (SFH after her DNF at the 2000 Olympic Final)

 Other honourable mentions