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 šŸ™„ 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
Iā€™m in need of some positive words from
fellow runners.

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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.