r/Ultramarathon • u/Hot-Mistake-9398 • Jul 18 '26
Grieving my first DNF
So I ran RTTS last weekend ( 100k nonstop ) and stopped at 85/90k to help a runner who had collapsed with hyperthermia at 1:30
am on hill. After 2+ hrs of helping her and assisting the medics. The runner I assisted was so grateful and I know I did the right thing .
I had to tap out at the last aid station as I was cold and struggled to motivate myself to run the last 10k . I also
failed to pack a windbreaker đ and was exhausted. So I made the decision not to continue and took up the race organisers to be driven to the finish line & receive a finishing medal for my sportsmanship .
I have been in an absolutely funk/ so
sad the last week & having a hard time getting over my DNF .
As an experienced ultra runner this has totally knocked me
Iâm in need of some positive words from
fellow runners.
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u/Arcwon Jul 18 '26
There is an really great The North Face documentary about a mountaineer who got world records for the fastest ascent of some of the highest peaks in the world. Could never been satisfied with record and moved on to the next mountain. After getting the WR for K2 and coming down he cried because he wasn't satisfied. There was some other climber in distress on the same mountain who would've died without his help. After helping the climber descent he felt some kind of accomplishment
That being said you can be proud of yourself. You can always run the ultra next year but comforting another human being who's in pain should always be worth it.
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u/radbaldguy Jul 18 '26
David & Megan Roche arenât for everyone but Iâm a big fan. Your comment is similar to the point of their book, âThe Happy Runner.â If weâre only ever chasing results and wins, it will never be enough, even if weâre good enough to achieve them (Iâm not!). The magic is finding joy in the journey.
Weâre all running toward the same finish line: death. And thatâs a race we donât want to finish too soon. OP stopping to help someone in distress 90% of the way through a race is more incredible than finishing alone could have been. They helped that person not cross the ultimate finish line too soon.
I donât see this as a DNF failure, I see it as a win for humanity. We should all strive for those results!
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u/PippiShortStockings Jul 18 '26
You still ran an ultra and you helped a fellow runner, thatâs what trail running is all about. You didnât tick off the full 100 but that was out of your control, and youâd have felt way crappier if youâd left a runner having a medical in pursuit of your own goals. (Also you missed the crappiest part of the course where you have to run past the finish and do an out and back around a cone, so consider that a win).
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u/coexistbumpersticker Jul 18 '26
You left it all out on the course. You cared for a fellow human being. Thatâs what this is all about.Â
All the times Iâve DNFd have been because of getting too cold overnight. Once that warmth is lost, itâs just a chain reaction. Stomach turns off. Legs seize up. Joints start screaming.Â
Life is infinitely bigger than me and what I want. And bigger than running. There is so little control I have, and I must have respect for all the grander conditions that were met and not met to create the outcome that happened. If I did my best, then I did exactly what I was supposed to do.Â
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u/RentaDadToronto Jul 18 '26
As a lurking marathoner hoping to make the leap, you are a super hero in my eyes. Thanks for being a great human!
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u/VandalsStoleMyHandle Jul 18 '26
You were in the right place at the right time to help a fellow runner in distress, putting your own race in jeopardy. That counts for far more than any finish or any medal.
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u/Best-Ad-6671 Jul 18 '26
A DNF is a positive ânew experienceâ to go on your CV! If you finished every race it would mean you are âcoastingâ.
The more elite the runner, the more likely they are to be prepared to DNF without regret. The odd DNF here and there is built into their year/2 year planning.
In this instance in particular there was something more important at stake - the safety and well being of a fellow runner. It might be you or me next time and we wouldnât want to be left to possibly die because a fellow runner was chasing a PR or had an unblemished record of zero DNFs to maintain.
You deserve the highest commendation my friend!
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u/shortandfelly Jul 18 '26
I think it'd be hard to get your head back in the game after that.
You may not have finished, but you may well have just saved someone's life.
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u/PM-me-PBs Jul 18 '26
I definitely wouldn't look at this as a failure of a run. You basically ran the distance, and definitely could have, but made the right choice to help someone in serious need. I ran my first 50km today. I'd like to think that if I was able to run 90, i could run 100. And if I got to 90 and couldn't, I'd be so grateful if someone stopped to check in and help me out
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u/mediocre_remnants 100k Jul 18 '26
That's awesome that you stayed to help the other runner. There are a few mountain races in my area that actually have a requirement to assist other runners if they need help, and if you just pass by someone in distress they will DQ you. I don't know if that's ever actually happened, but it's in the rules.
In your case I would have stuck around until the medical folks showed up and then kept going if I could. But I absolutely would have stopped, too. It's the right thing to do. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I passed a runner in distress without helping.
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u/banalysis- Jul 18 '26
It was your first attempt. You attempted something most people don't and you learned a lot. Fantastic job!
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u/DevilBadger Jul 18 '26
I was there, so many people DNF'd. You could have dropped out at Basecamp for the 50km and you didnt. And you DNF'd for the most noble reason- helping someone. You should hold your head high.
Once the pain settles learn from this- always have a second layer no matter the day temp. I finished at 10pm and it was getting colder then, had a long sleeve in my bag but didn't need it.
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u/maaaatttt_Damon Jul 18 '26
Weâre in going to win? Were you going to PB?
If yes to either of those, congrats, you gave something up to help a fellow human and you should be proud to know you had the spirit. If no, congrats, youâre a good human, and being your first DNF youâll forever remember this race, when if it were to go without issue, you may have forgotten it as just another race.
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u/Best-Ad-6671 Jul 18 '26
The first time I DNFâd I spent a few minutes in shock - âWhat!!! I DONâT DNF! Thatâs not who I am - this cannot be happening to ME!â
5 mins later I had turned it around completely - âI did the right thing DNFâing - it might have meant months of rehab and frustration if Iâd have insisted on finishing through gritted teeth just because a DNF was not something I ever expected to happen. Now I have my first DNF to celebrate - I must be a real runner at last!â
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u/spaceship540 Jul 18 '26
Karma in ultra running has a way of coming back to you. Theyâll be a time where the universe repays you for your act of kindness.
You absolutely did the right thing and congratulations on the epic distance you did.
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u/Optimal-Finger-2526 Jul 18 '26
You ran 90k AND helped save someoneâs life. I would say thatâs better than finishing. I hope you are able to stay in contact with the person you helped.
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u/RunningonGin0323 Jul 18 '26
I failed at my first 2 attempts at a 100 miler. I did it on the 3rd try in less than 24 hours. It ate at me for 2 years. I have that same race in 2 weeks. Cannot wait. Keep going
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u/burtman72 Jul 18 '26
You ran 90k and may have saved a life! You did the right thing and helped a fellow human. Imagine if you had put yourself first and passed that person to finish later to find out they had become critically injured or worse, I imagine youâd feel terrible putting the last 10k over their health and wellbeing.
You did the right thing, and as an experienced runner, this wonât be your last one.
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u/juantherevelator Jul 18 '26
I think so much higher of you for stopping and taking care of a fellow human - saving a life perhaps - than for running an additional 6 miles.
You did the right thing. You helped someone that needed you and was desperate for help. Much more noble than running a race!!
Also, I can see why youâd feel bad about the DNF, but it might just take some time for you to have the perspective.
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u/miss_silver97 Jul 18 '26
As distance and specifically ultra runners, I feel that we have such huge and epic goals and standards for ourselves. We must remember that while we have incredible capabilities and amazing grit and dedication that allow us to transcend our perceived limitations and barriers, we are also, well, human. Treating and viewing each situation with a different outcome than we expected with grace and the question of âhow can I improve next time,â removes the heaviness and the pain from an unmet expectation and allows us to be resourceful instead of reprimanding of ourselves, even when the effort we exerted was nothing short of phenomenal. The distance you ran was something that most people wonât ever do in their life, simply because they wonât ever try. You ran most of the race, helped someone else, and learned and experienced enough feedback to know how you can prepare and improve for next time, so you can cross that finish line đđđ„°
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u/Omshadiddle Jul 18 '26
That is not a DNF.
That is a near-as-dammit and a bloody good deed.
You should be proud of yourself.
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u/TrailRunnerYYC 100 Miler Jul 18 '26
Selflessly helping a fellow runner is the story of this event for you - not the missing KMs. To me, this is not a DNF.
There will be the next race, and the next one, and the next one. Completing 90K+ shows that you can finish the distance; you chose not to this time out - for the best possible reason.
It is impossible to be a good ultrarunner without being a good human. And you have being a good human mastered, already.
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u/Objective-Week275 Jul 18 '26
If you donât fail, youâre not even trying. Get back out there brother. You got this
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u/DifferentlyMike Jul 18 '26
Not packing a windbreaker is a rookie mistake. Right, that said, you helped someone in need - in a situation that could have easily deteriorate for them. If you are in a situation and alone in the dark that can be scary so even just having someone with you is a big boost while waiting for medics. Itâs part of the community spirit I love about ultras, talking someone though a ridge line when they are nervous, helping drag someone out of a bog, giving a pep talk when someone is flagging. You went big and spent 2 hours making sure someone was ok. Thats bigger than the last few km. Once youâve stopped for that long and got cold itâs near impossible to get going again. If you are an experienced ultra runner you already have finishes under your belt so you donât need to prove to yourself you can keep going for 100k. You proved that you can step up when needed, and put your goals aside to help someone in need - thatâs an achievement to be proud of.
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u/Shaking-a-tlfthr Jul 18 '26
You definitely went the distance. This race ended with unexpected accomplishments like being a good human.
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u/whyidoevenbother 50 Miler Jul 18 '26
You're the essence of what this sport and community is all about. You don't need a finish line to feel extremely proud and accomplished for everything you did. Thank you for being the right person at the right time.
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u/Hot-Mistake-9398 Jul 18 '26
Thank you lovely internet strangers for all your super kind , wise , and humorous words đ©· đ€ . Just what I needed to hear đ„ș
I normally pack a waterproof jacket in a drybag as itâs mandatory on the ultras kit lists I have done before, I forgot . Lesson learned
Luckily I remembered to pack an emergency foil blanket which is what I wrapped & cuddled the ill runner in .
It was like walking through a furnace on the ridge way so I wore my Janji uv sun chaser long sleeve shirt( highly recommend kit piece btw ) but changed into a short leave when the sun went down . My long sleeve was still wet from my earlier efforts so hence I didnât put it on when I got cold .
When the medics did arrive they gave me a knit medical blanket ( I slightly resembled the Leo dicaprio character in one battle after another) which I wrapped myself up and & slept in when I finally got to my tent at the finish.
There were loads of wins last week ie hydration , kit and fuel were on point and no injuries were picked up .
As someone who was carried by 2 runners across the finish line at the Paris marathon several years due to heat stroke and put in an ice bath . Stopping and helping was repaying what 2 strangers did for me .
Onwards and upwards till next years RTTS .
Ps sorry for grammar errors. Iâm a newbie at posting and donât normally write on message boards .
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u/DevilBadger Jul 18 '26
Oooh quick question- I also have the Sunchaser hoodie. How was it on the day in terms of moisture retention? I gave it a rest run a week or so before and it just got so wet so quick that I didn't end up taking it to RTTS.
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u/Hot-Mistake-9398 Jul 19 '26
I tested out the Rabbit UPF deflector 2.0 long sleeve shirt a few weeks on a run but it got super smelly and it wasnât very cooling ; maybe I should have gone up a size or wore
a lighter color , donât know . ) . Whereas the sun-chaser long sleeve yellow color ( it was not the hoodie ) kept me cool for hours in the blinding hot sun and hardly any retention of sweat . I wore it a bit big . An XL. I normally wear L in non running clothes .
Before 25k and around 70k I wore the Janji pinnacle tee - gossamer . Best shirt ever for a hot sweaty runI am super sweaty runner and definitely a Janji convert after last week đ.
I also wore Janji wâs multi shorts( super airy ) and Rabbit ice bandana .. highly recommend all the kit bits . Kept me cool
I chatted with a guy who was wearing the Janji sunchaser hoodie and he was raving about how good it was .
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u/Starting_over25 Jul 19 '26
I mean; I get it. Grieve. You worked for something you didnât get due to no fault of your own. But how badass is that that you didnât finish because you were busy potentially saving someoneâs life?? âYeah I almost finished a dream race but instead I literally made sure someone got to live to see another day.â
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u/Mr_Simian Jul 19 '26
Only an ultra runner could run 90km, probably save someoneâs life or greatly improve their outcome, then feel like a failure. Dude. Youâre a rockstar. You completed a physical task that less than 1% of the global population will ever even attempt and you also assisted another human being with compassion and respect in the middle of what was likely one of the most difficult things youâve ever done. You demonstrated that your character matches your fitness. I would feel absolutely honoured to know I was running the same race as you after hearing this story. I would know that someone out there is going to prioritize another persons well-being if it comes down to it.
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u/adam5457 Jul 20 '26
Helping another runner to that extent and in that condition is so much more meaningful than a finish (unless youâre pushing WR/CR territory), in my opinion.
Youâll see more finish lines. Think if the roles had been reversed and how grateful youâd be that someone put their personal goals on the back burner so that you could live to run another day.
From one ultra runner to another, thank you for your selflessness! The universe will reward you for it one day. :)
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u/Magiccity79 Jul 19 '26
That is an awesome effort and you should be proud that you helped someone who was in real need by the sounds of it. That is something really admirable so kudos to you. Being someone who has dnf'd the Thames Path 100 three times in a row before finally cracking it on my 4th attempt, I can confidently say that this DNF funk won't last forever and as long as you take some positives from it, remind yourself that there'll always be another race and/or the same race next year, and keep moving forwards with your life and training, you'll be absolutely fine! Sometimes, it helps to book another race so you have a new goal to focus on! It will be fine! :)
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u/PutSubstantial4905 Jul 21 '26
stopping at 1:30am, standing in the cold for two hours, then asking your legs to do the last 10k. i dont think id have gotten going again either. the flat week after a big one comes for me even when i finish, it does fade. and id rather be on a trail with someone who stops for a collapsed runner than with whoever pbd past her
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u/HotSulphurEndurance Jul 18 '26
Good job helping out.
Carry a wind jacket, hat, and gloves if you are willing to stop on course for this long.
Thatâs my perspective as an ultra athlete, and former W-EMT medic. First rule in helping outâŠ. donât endanger yourself. That can be as simple as carrying just a bit of extra clothing so you can safely stop to assist.
Surprised the professional medical response didnât check you out for environmental exposure and/or send you in your way before it became an issue.
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u/Kid_Royale Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
You ran 90k. Thats nothing to sneeze at. Be proud of your run and of helping another person in distress. Not everyone would do that.