Missing Big Goals: Lessons from Tough Races and DNFs

As a runner and the owner of Run 619 insoles, pushing my limits through tough races is what keeps me going. This year, I took on some of the hardest events out there: the Brazil 135, Arrowhead 135, Beyond Limits 100, Leona Divide 100K, and Bigfoot 200. Finishing any one or two of these in a single year is an accomplishment, and looking back, I’m incredibly grateful to my body for carrying me through each finish. But alongside these victories, I also faced two DNFs (Did Not Finish) at the San Diego 100 and Badwater 135. These moments were tough to process, but they’ve left me with invaluable lessons.

The San Diego 100: A Hard-Hitting Reality Check

My DNF at the San Diego 100 was especially hard to accept because I went into it feeling prepared. I’d completed long training runs, spent nearly a month heat training daily in a sauna, and, for once, had a crew by my side—a rare choice, as I typically run solo. But despite these preparations, race day didn’t go as planned. Early on, heat exhaustion forced me to slow down significantly. As night fell and temperatures cooled, I started to make a comeback, pushing myself to cover the time I’d lost. Yet, by mile 65 at the Meadows aid station around 3 a.m., I ran out of time and missed the cutoff. The race was over, and I had to accept that no amount of preparation can fully control race-day conditions.

Badwater 135: A Lesson in Strategy

Then came Badwater 135, one of the toughest races on the planet. This time, my pacing strategy was my downfall. I decided to start slow, thinking it would conserve energy for later, believing this approach would help me handle the desert’s extreme heat. But I underestimated how much time I’d need to make up in the second half of the race, especially as I dealt with vomiting—a common issue in this race—that further slowed me down.

In hindsight, a slight change in pace could have made all the difference. If I had increased my pace by just a minute per mile in the first marathon, I might have made up enough time to hit the checkpoint at mile 52, Towne Pass, before the cutoff. Had I done that, the required pace would have eased from 14.5 minutes per mile to 25 minutes per mile. But that strategic error in the early miles cost me, and I ultimately missed the cutoff.

Processing the DNFs: From Discouragement to Gratitude and Growth

Despite the sting of these DNFs, I’m filled with gratitude for what my body did accomplish this year. Completing the Brazil 135, Arrowhead 135, Beyond Limits 100, Leona Divide 100K, and Bigfoot 200 in a single year is a feat, and I’m grateful for every finish line crossed. These DNFs serve as a reminder of how much my body has given, not just in endurance but in resilience. DNFs may feel like setbacks, but they’re also stepping stones that teach us resilience and the importance of smart decision-making on the course.

Refocusing on the Hardest Goals

These experiences have shifted my approach to future races. Moving forward, I’m narrowing my race schedule to focus on only the events that align with my ultimate goal: tackling the hardest foot races on earth. With a more strategic approach to pacing and planning, I hope to make every race count while giving my body the time it needs to recover and grow stronger.

Looking Ahead: Embracing the Journey in 2025

With these lessons in mind, I’m ready to tackle new challenges in 2025, embracing every starting line with a renewed sense of purpose. For anyone who’s faced a big setback: DNFs don’t define us. They’re reminders of how far we’ve come and how much further we’re capable of going. Here’s to every finish, every lesson learned, and every new journey waiting ahead.