For a race I DNF’d, I sure have a lot to say! I’m going to start off with the story of Jonathan.
For this race, we had to park at the finish and take a shuttle to the start. That bus ride to the start was almost thirty minutes long, and I sat next to a young man named Jonathan. I’ll say he’s 23 years old, because he told me he went into the military right out of high school, and has been in for five years.
Jonathan was terrified. He told me he wasn’t really a runner, that he didn’t even like running, and had signed up for the 50 mile race because his friends convinced him. He told me the farthest he had ever run was 20 miles, and he didn’t know if he could complete the 50.
I told him he absolutely could do it, and we discussed fueling strategies- he said he was so nervous he hadn’t eaten anything yet that day- and mental strategies we could use to get through the race. He kept saying things like “We have three hours to make it to the first aid station, and that’s ten miles- I know I can at least do that!” He had a piece of paper with all the cutoff times written on it.
Finally we got there, I wished him good luck, and the race started. I saw him twice on the course-once I passed him, waved and gave him a thumbs up, and then when I was walking he passed me. At that point he said his hips hurt, but he was running and he looked good. Go Jonathan!
After that I dropped out, so I didn’t see any more of him. The next day I checked the results. For the 50 mile race, there were 109 finishers, 16 DNF’s (sigh) and 14 DNS (Did Not Start.) I scanned the list of finishers, looking for Jonathan’s name. My eyes went down… and down… and there, at the very bottom, the last finisher was Jonathan. JONATHAN!!!
He FINISHED! He was DFL- Dead Freaking Last- which in ultra running is a sort of honor. The DFL is the one out there the longest and presumably had to fight the hardest to get to the finish. Jonathan’s finish time was 15:40, twenty minutes before cutoff. When I think of what he must have gone through, out in the cold, rain, mud, for almost sixteen hours… the last four or five in the dark…I can only imagine this was a life-changing experience for him. My eyes well up with tears every time I picture him crossing the finish line.
So… what’s next? As soon as she found out what happened, Darlene sent me a text: “50 miler near my friend in April. Maybe you will heal quick.” Yep… she gets me. Darlene was referring to a Florida race in early April, and there’s another 50 miler at the end of April that I’ve had my eye on. I’m thinking about doing one of those, but it all depends on how fast my ankle heals.
The good news is, I think it’s a mild sprain. I can walk on it, slowly. It’s hard to move it side to side, but the discoloration is already fading. There’s still a lot of swelling, but it already feels better than it did a few days ago. I’m hopeful. An ultra in April is possible, but I’m not signing up for anything yet.
My daughter said she think my injured foot looks better than the other one, because the non-injured one is so “boney and veiny.” I believe this is what’s known as adding insult to injury.
And, what about Forgotten Florida? You might remember they had announced this was the last year this race would be held, which is one of the reasons I wanted to do it so badly. Apparently another group held an event in this area and left behind a lot of trash (WHO WOULD DO THAT?) so they said no more events. But…
This race director donates a lot of money to the Florida Trail, and does a lot of work maintaining the trail system. Governor DeSantis intervened on his behalf, and convinced the powers-that-be to allow the race to be held again next year. I’m pretty sure I’ve never said this before but- thank you, Ron DeSantis!
So….. will I try again? Honestly, right now I’m still trying to shake off some PTSD (the mud… the cold…) but in a few months I’ll probably be ready for redemption.
Who wants to come down and run it with me next year??? – I’ll bring the rain ponchos.
55 Responses
I’m glad you’re feeling better already! Wishing you continued healing.
Wow Jonathan, from 10 miles to 50? That’s incredible.
I know- he did an amazing thing that day. Thanks for the healing thoughts! Let’s hurry this ankle along.
What a wonderful example of perseverance, Jenny! Thank you for sharing Jonathan’s story.
Your ankle looks so much better, and I hope it heals rapidly so you can get back to running!
Thanks Suzanne! Rapid healing is the hope.
Oh wow, GO JONATHAN! So much courage and grit!
I like boney and veiny – it looks so athletic. Good to know your foot is on the mend!
An ultra in April sounds like the perfect redemption race. Go for it, Jenny!
Okay, next time my daughter makes a snarky comment about my feet I’ll tell her they’re “athletic.”
I want to sign up for that April race right now!!! But I’m still waiting to make sure the ankle is okay. It’s so hard to wait!
I love the story about Jonathan, so inspiring! that’s one reason I love about running, those stories warm my heart.
glad to hear that your ankle is healing well. hopefully ready for the next race soon.
Yes, I love stories like that too. People are incredible. I’m hoping for another race soon… heal up fast, ankle!
My daughter said she think my injured foot looks better than the other one, because the non-injured one is so “boney and veiny.” I believe this is what’s known as adding insult to injury. LOL LOL LOL. Teens are the best.
Also LOL DeSantis, but YAY that you can run it again. And your ankle really does look much better already!
Er, yes, they’re “the best.” Or the most aggravating, take your pick! At least she’s amusing.
That story about Jonathon is exactly the kind of story you hear over and over in ultra. Every time I think that I cannot do something I pull one of these stories out of my head and remember that I can do it because all of these other people have done it. They have struggled and they have made it. It is so inspiring! I knew you would be starting to look at races again soon! Yay! I hope that your ankle heals fast and you can be back on the trail in no time.
I’ll bet everyone who finished that day has an inspiring story to tell about it! Yep- I’ll be ready to get back out there soon, at least mentally. HOpefully physically as well.
I love Jonathan’s story, especially because that was me in my first two ultras! Yep, I finished DFL in my distance both times and I can say, especially in my October 50K, that it was a hard-fought finish. In that one, I was really hoping not to be DFL again but after feeling really good for the first 20 miles, it all went downhill (also literally haha, the last section was basically a long rocky descent) and I was in sooooooo much pain that slowed me down a lot that I was just super happy to make it to the finish. And I always remember that I’d rather be DFL than not finish, I’d possible!
I’m so glad your ankle is doing better already and I hope you can do an April race! You have enough training that I think even taking some time off to let your ankle fully heal and then doing a few more long runs, you’d be ready!
Ashley, after this experience I have a whole new perspective. I’m going to write about it on the blog (because I STILL have more things to share) but in my 50k I was so afraid of being DFL. Now that I know what it feels like to DNF, I would be thrilled with DFL. Oh, and running downhill, especially if it’s rocky, is REALLY HARD. I can only imagine how painful that must have been!
Wow, yay for Jonathan!!! I love that so much.
I hope your ankle heals really quickly, Jenny. And yay for it not being the last one. Who knows, maybe next year!
Yes, maybe next year! If Jonathan can do it, I can do it.
Love this story – what an accomplishment for Jonathan, and I bet it was your words of encouragement that made all the difference of him making it before the cutoff.
Ouch – that ankle looks so painful. I am beyond excited that you’re already considering another ultra. Go you.
Sigh. Teens (or tweens) can be merciless.
I hope I helped Jonathan, but I’ll bet he would have finished even without me. I think he finished because of mental strength that was already in him.
Yes, the ankle still hurts. It’s better in so many ways that I’m a little surprised when I step down and feel pain- oh yes, i forgot I injured this ankle five days ago!
How nice that you could be a supporting voice for him – I feel like you kind of did finish the race, in the way that baseball players get Runs Batted In stats even if they didn’t actually run home themselves.
Hope the ankle heals quickly! Hope your teenager recovers from the butt-kicking she must have gotten for that comment – or maybe that has to wait until the ankle heals too, lol.
Hahahaha…. yes, there will be no butt kicking until the ankle is healed. AND, I’ll take the RBI credit!!!
Yay, Jonathan, I know you helped him along the way. I’ve come DFL in a cross country league race AND fainted across the line …
WOW- that must have been a dramatic finish!!! I wish I could have seen it, just like I wish I could have seen Jonathan finish this race.
It was really nice yesterday (going to be nice for a bit!) and I ran OUTSIDE! It was 46 degrees and sunny and perfect and I was chuckling thinking about how 46 is perfect weather for me. If it were 46 in August, I’d be complaining about how cold it is, but it’s all relative, right? You would have been utterly embarrassed by how slow I was going, but I was running for you since your ankle is all sore. I’m glad it’s doing better, though! Are you able to work on it?
Thanks for putting in some miles for me! It’s funny how relative the weather is- I would think 46 and sunny was beautiful running weather (so why was 60 and rainy SO COLD???)
Yes, I went to work for the first time yesterday and I was really nervous about how I was going to manage it- but I can do it. Phew! That would be the final straw, if I had to take UNPAID days off on top of everything else.
Jonathan rocks! I hope he knows what an honor the DFL title is.
Go Gov Santis! Maybe he’d like to do the race next year????????????????? Listen, I’m not a fan but I believe in shouting it out when people do good things.
Tell your daughter that she’ll see exactly the same view of her own feet in 30-some years – or don’t tell her and just take satisfaction in knowing that it’s true;-)
Here’s to the healing and future plans!
Ha- I don’t want to scare and depress my daughter, so I keep those thoughts to myself.
Yes, maybe Ron and I can run together. It just goes to show you- no one is ALL bad. He’s done a couple good things here and there.
I’ll be there but that race and any trail race is a BIG NO!!!! LOL
Dollar General… knees socks and cut off the end for your arms… cheap gloves. You can toss both is not needed or carry.
I can’t wait to see which one you choose. My friends are coming back up north that weekend unfortunately.
Your ankle looks so much better than mine and I was running 10 miles in 6 weeks.
Okay, good to know Darlene!!!
That’s exactly what I had in my drop bag- homemade arm warmers and cheap gloves (plus a hat.) Should have carried them with me from the start!
I LOVE the story about Jonathan, and I love the fact that DFL is an honour! It’s so fantastic to see it like that and it is true! All kudos to Jonathan and I hope you’ll give the race another go.. and maybe the one in April too?
If I can do it, I’ll do one of those April races. I figure I’ll know soon if my ankle is going to be healed up in time to start training again. I’m sure it will be fine by the end of April, but I do have to do some running between now and then if I’m going to attempt 50 miles again!
50 miles – let’s do it!! JK. I cannot. Maybe when G is in high school I can enter the ultra phase of my life – right now 26.2 is a HARD limit (and even that’s pushing it, lolol). I KNOW you will get back out there though. Heal ankle heal!!!!
Thank you SHU! Yes, send all the healing vibes to my ankle.
Oh, your poor ankle! I hope it heals quick and you can keep going for big goals (in April or other times)! I am so glad Jonathan finished – what a story he must have to tell of the experience… I am still working on run/walking one mile (and then hopefully 3.1, haha), but your consistency and dedication inspires me up here!
Lindsey, everyone is in their own place. Consistency is key, and your goal of 3.1 isn’t any less of a goal than mine or Jonathan’s! You can do it- just keep at it.
I love the Jonathon story! What a trooper! He is such a brave soul to take on that challenge – as are you! I was never tempted to try an ultra. A marathon was as much as I had to give!
I am glad your ankle is feeling better. But oh Angie – don’t kick your mother while she’s down! But that is teen girls for you!
I do hope my work travels bring me to your neck of the woods so I can meet you!!
Oh, that would be fun!!!!! Yes, it’s much more likely for you to come down here than it is for me to go to Minnesota.
The ankle is better every day- soon the injured one will be boney and veiny once again!
I just caught up reading your blog all in one swoop and it’s been gripping! I’m so sorry that the race did not go as you had originally wanted – what a disappointment! But still, I find reading about your race, and also everything leading up to the race, and your reflections after so so so inspiring. Also you recap everything with such honesty and humour. Like walking seven miles on an injured ankle and then having to wait at that aid station for THREE HOURS before being able to go back to your car … that’s amazing and awesome in it’s own way. And I love reading about how you connected with so many people along the way. And Jonathan!!! And you seem to be giving yourself a lot of grace, and that’s such an important skill to have too when you are doing hard things.
My sense from reading about your daughter is that she isn’t anything if not honest.
Yes- even though I DNF’d the race I still feel like i experienced it. It was an adventure- not the one I wanted, but it was still an adventure.
My daughter is brutally honest. She recently told a classmate that she had bad breath and offered her a piece of gum. The girl started to cry and my daughter was seriously confused- she was just trying to help! I need to talk to her about tempering the honesty with a little more kindness. But- if you want someone to tell you the truth, my daughter is that person.
I hope you heal as quickly as possible!
Thank you Jamie!!!! So do I- I’m optimistic so far.
I love this story of Jonathan! And I love Darlene! Good friends get you back out there when they know you have it in you. I am proud of you, even with the disappointments you are finding the positives. And you are a true trail runner… the ones who already have their eye on another race when one didn’t go as expected, lol!
Ha, thanks Melodie. Yes, most runners have that little tinge of craziness- “That was terrible! When can I do it again?”
I hope you do try it (if a similar race again) because I know you can do it!
Thank you Deborah! I’m going to keep trying, for sure.
I love your story of Jonathan! That’s so great that he finished. I hope his friend cheered him on.
Argh on your daughter adding insult to injury — kids are skilled at that.
Racing again in April seems doable. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Thank you Coco! I have my fingers crossed too- it’s definitely doable.
I’m so glad the ankle is a mild sprain! What a relief. And I love you are ALREADY eyeing April races. You are TRULY a runner, Jenny. Truly, truly.
The story about Jonathan is so cool. What an awesome achievement for him!
Yes, I’m still smiling with I think of Jonathan. Thanks for your kind words and support Stephany!
I LOVE THAT STORY!! Seriously, that’s just so cool. He probably sort of looked to you as a bit of a little mother-figure there, helping to ease his nerves before the race, so you very well may have played a role in helping him to get to the finish, too. I also love that you already have your eye on the next race. Obviously you need to heel up, but it should be the sort of injury that once it’s healed, there shouldn’t really be any big, lasting effects, you know? So that’s one perk I guess? And I have the vein-iest feet EVER. Seriously, they’re gross. Like my feet are really skinny/ flat, if that makes sense (not “plump”) and that makes the veins show more… I actually avoid wearing sandals or dress shoes that are just all open on the top because of it! (I prefer flip flops or anything with some straps to sort of cover part of the top of my foot.) Haha
Okay, well that makes me feel better! I never really thought about my feet being veiny until my daughter said that, and now I can’t un-see it.
I definitely hope I helped Jonathan, but he did it all himself with mental strength he had in him, all along.
So glad to hear your are doing much better. And I am sorry to say: you are crazy… already thinking about the next race. but maybe only runner can understand that. And I am definitely not one of them.
“I believe this is what’s known as adding insult to injury.”
This really made me laugh.
Congratulations to Jonathan! Don’t you wish you could see him again and give him a hug?
It’s good to hear that you’re already looking ahead to your next ultra, your redemption race!
That’s amazing for Jonathan!
I will never run 50, but happy to be your crew.
Haha, I love it. I would have totally checked for Jonathan’s finish time… that’s amazing that he was the DLF. but he made it!!
I am glad you’re already focusing on the future and not dwell on the past… I am sure you’ll run another 50 miler soon!
Oh, man. Now I want to know what Jonathan thinks! Is he completely over running? Did this make him a True Believer in running – and ultras, in particular? I know you shouldn’t stalk people, but geez, it would be SO COOL if he found you and gave you an update! (I know this won’t happen, but it would be super-cool…)
Focus forward, for sure. You are going to get there and it is going to be EPIC when you cross that finish line. Maybe your daughter will actually cheer. LOL. (Ah, teen girls…)