DFL BEFORE DNF | An ultrarunning documentary

DFL Before DNF - How do you keep going in a 100 mile race after the finish line has been torn down?
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Ending song:
Long Enough by Josh Rosenthal - music.apple.com/us/album/long...
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We technically call it a race, but it’s really an allotted time to work through our demons.
If we only cared about fitness, we’d run 5k or 10k.
But we do it to be alone on the trail trail against the backdrop of immense human support.
In our heads we are the myth of the cowboy but the truth is that we’re far from it.
We are completely alone with our fitness, lost in our minds, and at the same time we’re surrounded by the most supportive community in sports.
It’s just me and the mountains and my will juxtaposed against the reality that we can’t do it without others.
In 2019, Jeremy Cox set out on the Buffalo 100 on Antelope Island only to finish dead last making us wonder how does anyone keep going after the finish line has been torn down.
#trailrun #ultrarunning #running

[@chiromatt87]

As a guy that finished a 100 miler minutes before the cutoff, and 2 failures before that finish…I love this dude! Inspiring stuff!

[@borderlandstr]

Wow, thanks!

[@indigoiis]

Thank you for sharing your story. Having DNF'd my first attempt at a hundred, it makes me want to try again. You have good friends to have helped you through it!

[@borderlandstr]

You can do it!

[@brianhapeman9262]

Try again. Even if you DNF again, you’ll always come out of it a different person. P.S. I’m 0-3 with 100 mile attempts.

[@borderlandstr]

I am 1 for 9 on 100 mile attempts. Trying again next year.

[@Run_forrester_run]

I’ve been there, DFL. My first half marathon in Casper Wyoming. Dead F#%£*

[@borderlandstr]

I love it! Thanks for sharing. We're out there for ourselves. An in-tact finish line is nice, but not mission critical.

[@horsebattery9243]

For anyone wondering, like I was, DFL is short for "dead last" finisher. And DNF is "did not finish". Keeping going as the support structure is dismantled is all fine and dandy as long as there's no unexpected medical emergency. If there was extra first aid on standby for duration of the race and they've been let go home to sleep, and then you're trying to raise them, might be a problem, but if you can self support then you didn't need the race infrastructure to keep you safe and could have gone for a 100 mile run anytime and saved yourself the cost of the entry fee...

[@borderlandstr]

Runners who toe the starting line don’t plan to come in after the finish line is torn down. They do it because everything about the community effort is good. The starting line, aid stations, pacers, etc. the energy is irreplaceable. It’s more than just moving your body 100 miles. If you can run 100 miles at an established race, yes you can do it anytime. But that’s not the point.

[@horsebattery9243]

@@borderlandstr This is a poor response. You're attributing motives to strangers, in ways you can't possibly know. How can you know what's in the mind of every runner on a start line? And you end with half a statement telling me what something isn't, but not what it is. But then you're a sponsored promotional effort on behalf of Merrell so maybe I shouldn't expect too much.

[@dlynn1960]

I loved the comparison of a trail race/ultra to a marathon…the trail/ultra community is awesome…and while I’ve never been DFL, I have DNF’d. This was a great reminder that it’s against our minds and that it’s really mind over matter!

[@borderlandstr]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@born2boogie]

Awesome documentary!! Complete Badass! Thank you for sharing this!!

[@borderlandstr]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jestersix3311]

Brilliant!

[@borderlandstr]

Thank you!

[@joshuaalvarez988]

I just completed my first 24hr run and this video stayed in my mind everytime I thought about quitting! Thank you for sharing such an inspirational video!!

[@borderlandstr]

Great job!

[@Jessrunning]

I appreciate these documentaries so much 😢😊

[@borderlandstr]

Thank you!!

[@iterato1]

Wait to get it done, congrats!

[@imanolmp]

This is simply great. Love the story.

[@borderlandstr]

Thank you so much!

[@infamous1329]

Great little doc…thank you for sharing with us.

[@borderlandstr]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@mikethomasa2944]

Awesome vid guys! As a back of the pack runner I can really relate to this. Nice work on finishing 👍

[@borderlandstr]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jg5555]

What an awesome story & video!

[@borderlandstr]

Thank you!!

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Amazing doc 🙌 Last song is sick also

[@borderlandstr]

THANK YOU!

[@mattjames3062]

I love the comment how we do this to be alone, but can't do it with out tremendous support. Thanks to all the volunteers at races.

[@borderlandstr]

And our crews!!

[@runmaver1ckrun929]

You are the REAL SHIT, Bro. That is so inspiring. Ive been looking for inspiration and motivation to pull me through the winter months training block, and I found it. Thank you. 🤛👍🙌

[@borderlandstr]

High praise. Thank you! Good luck.

[@fidyranaivoarivelo8575]

Always impressed By such an introduction leading to be attracted to Watch the whole doc. Congrats

[@borderlandstr]

Thanks my friend!

[@trekkin_ne]

This was absolutely fabulous and very inspiring. I hope there are many more projects like this as this area needs more attention!!!

[@borderlandstr]

We agree! Thanks for your support!

[@amyfriesland723]

Super Inspiring!! Currently training for my first 50 miler and it’s hard!! But I am so excited to see what I am capable of. Thanks for sharing this!!

[@borderlandstr]

You got this! Good luck.

[@jimmoses6617]

The goal for me on my first 50 was to get to the starting line healthy and feeling not burned out. It worked for me. Less miles during training can be helpful. Do not overtrain. Take rest days if you feel like it. Good luck! :)

[@notsosashafierce5445]

Wow, what a remarkable highlight. I often hear of friends/coworkers working toward 100 miles, but never understood the whole process. Truly amazing, and an awesome story!

[@borderlandstr]

Glad you enjoyed it! Well said.

[@sch4565]

Awesome. Thank you!

[@borderlandstr]

You bet!

[@j_redigs6065]

Great story, thank you for sharing!

[@borderlandstr]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@martyowens]

Awesome story!

[@borderlandstr]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@krtit.4000]

Beautiful.

[@borderlandstr]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jaceskid]

I've done the 50k in the fall and have loved it. This is very well made, thanks for making and sharing this

[@borderlandstr]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@md.rezwanferdous2874]

amazing story!

[@borderlandstr]

Thank you!

[@kambeau5252]

So sick!!!

[@borderlandstr]

Thanks!

[@alanmansfield664]

Thanks folks for a great video. The landscape. I am working on a retire list of places and things to do. Just may make the list. Wow what a landscape.

[@borderlandstr]

Sounds great! You won’t regret it. It’s a super cool island.

[@andynaud8513]

Freakin' love this. Finish line taken down! and no belt buckle? OUCH. But he finished and got that DNF! So Inspiring. Also, love the support from his pacers.

[@borderlandstr]

🎉🎉🎉Thanks, Andy!

[@runningforviews]

I did the Antelope Island 50k like 10 years ago and loved it! Awesome video!

[@borderlandstr]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ryankaltenbach4798]

Jeremy is the man. Love you, brother.

[@borderlandstr]

Yes he is.

[@joshuatoledo8844]

Respect!

[@borderlandstr]

Thanks!

[@Duckling08]

Way to stick with it 👊

[@borderlandstr]

🙌🙌🙌

[@ry_head]

Jeremy, hope to see you at Wasatch 100 this year. Thank you for your sharing your story. I would be honored to shake your hand. =)

[@borderlandstr]

We’ll pass the message along to him!

[@DiegoSchmunis364]

great story and very inspiring. Just sad to hear that no one else would have finished what they set out to do just because some artificial finish line wasn’t there any longer. Jeremy set to run 100 miles. And he did. That’s the motivation. To finish what we started no matter what’s or not at the end!

[@borderlandstr]

I think those that said they wouldn’t have finished isn’t because of the finish line being torn down. It’s because when your body fails you to the degree that Jeremy’s failed him, it’s very difficult to push through. It’s really hard to know when you’re on the trail if your pain is temporary or if you’re doing long term damage. Are you thirsty or is it rhabdo, you know?

[@TheRealJavahead]

Fantastic story and video. Now a subscriber.

[@borderlandstr]

Awesome, thank you!

[@cecilevalery1149]

Man, I feel like running now 😮 Beautiful

[@borderlandstr]

You and me both! 😅

[@hadrianaugustus5712]

Start today!

[@superleo2999]

Waw awesome images! 😮

[@borderlandstr]

Thanks!

[@Ajumi-]

in my opinion this movie could've been way better, in essence just everybody says "Jeremy is a badass" (what he truely seems to be, no offense :D) BUT it would've been way better to "really" see him (for longer sequences) walking and takling the race. Oh and all the other stuff which usualy is important in those races, for example nutrition. A strategy (to survive :D)... in my opinion this is a good start, but the next badass thing Jeremy does has to be filmed more! (just more of everything except people talking about him which is nice to have but not soo exciting than to see him really be out there)

[@borderlandstr]

Thanks for the comment! We agree. We would have loved to have had a camera on him back when it actually happened!

[@ChrisSilverman]

This is great. I want to be gritty like this.

[@borderlandstr]

Thanks! Same.

[@Thecobiebryantshow]

I am fascinated by the buffalo and how they operate instinctually. I say that to say, I love this documentary already! 🐃

[@borderlandstr]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@commonkingslifts]

Awesome documentary, and I love the merch on your site. Is there a date when the "DFL Before DNF" shirts will restock?

[@borderlandstr]

Yes, we have reordered them along with new hoodies. Follow us on instagram or sign up for our email list to be notified.

[@commonkingslifts]

​@@borderlandstr Just bought some! thanks guys!

[@RiverDogLife]

cool

[@borderlandstr]

Indeed!

[@33roses]

Strokefest

[@borderlandstr]

Is that good or bad?

[@paulgoodsort1824]

The real human story is always at the back of the pack.

[@borderlandstr]

Well said.