My INDIANA TRAIL 100 Story 2021 - Not Over Yet

[@jeffmullaney8281]

I’ve had a really tough time watching this video. Six months ago, I was on a simple 10K training run, on a trail I’ve run countless times, and on a slight downhill I missed a root and ended up flying forward, landing squarely on my right shoulder; ending up with a grade 5 AC tear and surgery to repair the damage. It was during my recovery and frankly low point in my PT that I came across your channel. You inspired me to not only double down on my recovery but to make the leap from marathons to ultras. I was eagerly awaiting to hear how you did in the IT100 and I know this sounds weird, but it was like a gut punch to hear you had fallen. I’m again inspired by your attitude, resilience is a part of this sport and you’ve got it in spades.

[@UltraDad]

Great film man. Sorry I couldn’t provide more footage but I’ll be there next time! Heal up!

[@robertwhite7338]

Thanks Ryan for not shutting the camera off. This video was so down to earth. Showing us the good and the bad. Hope you get well soon.

[@alesiabock9305]

Acceptance is the key. Ultra running is so unpredictable…: glad you listened to your body. You will be back. ❤️🎯

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Yes! Thank you! It is so unpredictable for sure. And I will be back soon!

[@tipshikes3682]

I’m 44 and ever since my brother passed away I’ve been obsessed,now I’m on this 100mile ultra journey but I can’t get enough running I’ve even pushed myself through covid to test my mind.

[@brandonrager8919]

Haha, I hit a 7 mile run on day 5 of having Covid and that was rough. Everyone around me was so upset, but I completely get what you’re saying here. We need this. We crave the challenges

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Hope you are good now and not having any complications from Covid. Take care and stay hungry!! You’ll be out there in no time and crushing a 100 miler of your own!

[@platzs33]

While this isn’t the story you wanted to tell, you did an amazing job telling the story. My heart was breaking for you watching this, knowing all the hard work that went into preparing for this race. I can’t wait to see you get redemption at the IT100.

[@jp05598]

After putting in all that work and something seemingly so trivial keeping you back I’m sure it really stings but that’s life. You controlled every single thing you could possibly control but we’re only human and a lot is out of our control. Great job showing some grit. Your training won’t go to waste, next time may luck be in your favor

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you, it’s so true about not being able to control everything. I’ll be back at this soon!

[@youtube_and_chill]

The honesty in your video is both inspiring and helpful. Thank you for sharing your journey (and you're right, its not over!)

[@dallenricks]

Best video yet. Such authenticity. I really felt your emotions. No doubt you’ll be back to finish it next year!

[@marysalmon2367]

oh man this made me cry. i feel ya. so much time training and effort. i just dnf'd a 50k, just leg cramps i could not overcome within the cut off time. felt so bad on the ride from mile 18 to the start line and then seeing the runner's coming in looking so strong just killed me. I mean I was happy for them but that's the feeling I wanted! kudos for a wise decision, take care of yourself. you are a great runner, nothing to prove, but i know, this was not the plan. feel better soon.

[@Michael-hc3ft]

From a story telling aspect, this is some of your best work. I know it was an emotional, frustrating day and then to relive it during editing could not have been easy; however, your ability to bring us along with you is second to none. Hope you heal quickly.

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you so much Michael! It surely was not easy to sit and watch/edit all this. But glad I did and glad you enjoyed it! I’ll be back out there soon!!

[@HardTravelin464]

Absolutely heartbreaking to watch knowing how hard you worked for this. But for what it’s worth, the grace you’ve shown during this setback says 100x more about you as a person than any buckle could.

[@SeeChadRun]

Chin up Ryan! Great run and a solid effort, even if you had to end it early. Thanks for sharing this with us, for your honesty, and the video!

[@Sanko1960]

There is nothing worse (relatively speaking, you know what I mean) than injury, especially freak accident injury. You work so hard, things are going well, and then a huge set back. But I've seen you come back before from injury, and you sharing your highs and lows has certainly helped me weather my lows. Congratulations on a solid effort and making the right call, and thank you.

[@xorina123]

Omg take time to heal. You’re amazing and inspiring to me!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you Sandy, that means so much to me. I’ll definitely make sure I’m good to go before I start doing too much. Thanks again!

[@Ultrarunningamber]

Oh Ryan I feel so very bad. The thing in Ultras is that you have it in your blood and you will be back again. Heal up and you will get back at it again. You are an inspiration.

[@justinturnbow371]

even though its not the ending you wanted or we hoped for understand with out any doubt. You are incredible and with all my heart thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey. As i worked the Pumkin Holler 100 I met one of your runners at my aid station. He was in good spirits and in a good place we knew each other because of you. So remember you are touching more lives than you can see. again thank you and there will be another day and because you listened to your body that day will be sooner than later. Love and prayers brother speedy return.

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you so much Justin, the community we have there is incredible! So crazy that you met someone else who watches!! Thanks again for the encouragement and support, it really means a lot to me!

[@brandonrager8919]

Success wouldn’t mean so much if pain/failure didn’t hurt so bad. God bless man, can’t wait to see you kick ass at your next run.

[@christopherbrand5360]

You are awesome! Get yourself healed up. This made Cruel Jewel look easy :) I am glad you got so much love and support and that it doesn’t seem like you have a longer-term injury. I just did a 50 miler and went down hard on a downhill switchback turn at about mile 14. Split my brow open on a rock. My vision went blurry for a few seconds and I thought my race might be over. I ended up OK and finished the race, but what you said about things we can’t control is so true. A good race is really a million bad things that didn’t happen :)

[@Joeely618]

Great story telling, Ryan, and no, it's not over. Hope your continued reflection is adding insight. Great shots of a beautiful park...I've run it for the past ten years and it's a gem. That collection of pines on either side of the Rally Camp is truly beautiful and you captured it. The scenes along and across Sand Lake are awesome. Thanks. Hang in there, man...you'll be back.

[@cyclox73]

Such a bummer but your base is insanely strong with all of the training you have been doing that it won’t surprise me that you bounce back relatively quickly and you’ll have another 100 on your calendar. btw your 50 miler with an injured knee is amazing. Your time was beyond respectable considering the circumstances. Thank you for telling your story.

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you Bernard, I’ll bounce back soon and this base fitness will be so beneficial. And thanks for the kudos, thankful I could make it around on that second loop!

[@brinsur]

can't wait to see what you decide to run next. freak accidents happen and you did what you had to do in order to not injure yourself further. as someone who has yet to run his first race, your videos are incredibly inspiring. keep up the good work!

[@alichambers6024]

Just watched the video Ryan,got a lump in the throat mate,hope you’re doing ok,take things steady 👍🤝

[@sherrycammack2052]

So raw, loved this story. Hope you heal quickly.

[@andreafennessey7975]

Beautifully raw. You are amazing and will be crushing it again soon! 🌟

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you Andrea!! That means a lot to me and I’ll be back out there soon!!

[@susanwiggins6309]

Sorry that your race day did not go as planned or hoped. Amazing that you still continued to film and bring us along on the journey!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you Susan!

[@motivationtheoryrunning]

That tough spot....was there in Belmote this year in my first DNF(injury, same spot as you) at mile 38, could not run down hill at all in a mountain race, so that was all she wrote...its real hard to explain the feeling, but us that know...know. I have a video on that race...crazy how similar it was to this feeling wise

[@clintisatallrunner]

Great video! I feel like running tries to teach us things all the time, just have to listen. 50 miles on that trail still seems like quite an accomplishment!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

For sure, you are right about that, definitely able to pull some positives from this run even if the ultimate goal was not hit. Thank you!

[@samcantrell7057]

Ryan, I am inspired by this video. You’ve got grit. And determination. Like Doc Hudson said, “You’ve got a lot of stuff, kid. “ 😁 thanks for sharing your experience.

[@Tylerhas_theruns]

Thanks for being so open with all of us. Great video!

[@mummypaige]

You took this with grace and gratitude You will be back and it will fuel you Hope thé knee is recovering

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you, it was tough to handle, but there is so much to be thankful through it all!

[@carlosfg21]

Hi Ryan. That second loop must been extremely hard to finish, very few will be able to do that, and I’m sure that editing this video was hard also to relieve all that experience Thank you for sharing with us. You helped us become better runner by sharing your ups and especially your down moments. Thank you brother.

[@walterhogie]

How frustrating! Thanks for sharing the trials as well as the tribulations. Hope you heal up quickly! What fails to kill you only makes you stronger.

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you Terri! I’ll be back stronger for sure!

[@mattyicecards5730]

I know exactly what you were feeling there. We fell at the same spot, I'm kicking myself for not doing the second 25 but im sure I would have done more damage.. awesome video - it really captured the amazingness of this race!

[@retrospectologyrunner]

💚 hope you get better 💪. This was an amazing journey thank you for sharing this powerful experience.

[@agamemnonroumeliotis5511]

So inspired by your story!! So inspired by you!! Wishing you to be back the soonest, so as for us to witness your adventures!!!

[@victorng1194]

Love this kind of video! No one's life is all smooth and successful, it's full of ups and downs, embrace and learn from our downs instead of hide and be ashame of it is how we improve and move forward as a better person!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@RRP3168]

Do not feel disappointed. You are a great runner and you did a great job, inspite of the accident. Next time you will nail it!

[@michaelr.8402]

thanks a lot for this video! 💪😊 You are on a right way, i think. sending you best wishes from berlin/germany...for your knee & soul, michael

[@Bensalami69]

Lots of love for you Ryan. Rooting for you to come back & kick ass ! ✨✨✨

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thanks Jon!!! Definitely coming back!

[@RunDaddyO]

Well done sir. You made the tough choice, but it certainly sounds like it was the right one. You'll be back out there again. Rest up and get well!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you so much!! I'll be back out there soon!

[@MatthewBell0310]

So so real, what a great video! Sorry it didn't go your way but you will come back stronger!! Thanks for such an open, real video!!

[@MihaiGoRunning]

You told the story of the race from the "battlefield" so good... I'm so sorry you fell! 😕 Really beautiful trails, but so difficult the terrain in the race... Passed through water, rain, uhh... You delivered your feeling so well from the race... Congrats for the 50 miles! 👏

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you Mihai, that is so awesome to hear!

[@MarkyMark167]

Great job going as far as you did. For my first 100K, I stepped on a rock under leaves at mile 4 and never got back on track. You were a lot tougher than I was / I only made it 36 miles that day. You will beat that course next year!

[@MangoRunner]

Accidents happen, There are things we can control and things we can't. Great job for grinding to the 50 miles. Giving it all on that particular day is all you can ask for. I hope your recovery is going well and no doubt you will crush it next year! Great video!

[@TheAaronthenia]

An honest and emotional look at your race, way to grind through the pain, that took a lot of guts. On a filmmaking note, great video and I particularly thought the score cues / choices were very well done and reflected the scenes perfectly. You'll crush the next one!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you so much Aaron, that is great to hear! I spend so much time on the music, it's awesome when someone notices it!

[@chosenscv]

Heart breaks for ya man...hits ya right in the feels. You'll be back. IT is one of those courses that is deceptively tough, not necessarily for the vertical (though it's a UTMB qualifier??), but more so for the off camber, weather/mud/water. You'll be back at it man. Much love.

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

That’s for sure, it’s so runnable but little things can get you on these trails. Or big things like weather that seems to hit every year! But I’ll be back out there for sure

[@mlegrand]

Such an amazing film Ryan! I still feel very strongly that you're super fit and ready for a big PR. Hope the knee has started feeling better over the past few days. Swelling around that IT band / knee bursitis area is so painful. Wishing you a quick recovery buddy!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you so much Matt, so happy you liked this one. I’ll bounce back soon I can feel it. Hungrier than ever now too!!

[@darinhorton7957]

Next year!!!!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Absolutely!!

[@Fherrunalot]

Amazing video RYAN!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you Fernando!

[@pieterOD]

Shit Ryan this was heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing this... Dang i feel for you.. Bad luck and flippen youll get it next time hot damn...

[@michelleharnett1351]

A brave and raw video.

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you Michelle!

[@wam6465]

Where did this race take place? I just did the Hilly Hundred in Bloomington Indiana and it looks familiar?!

[@guillaumesperlich5749]

Very sorry for you, but I'm sure you will bounce back !

[@luanjot1]

Go Ryan! Things not always work out how we want them, but if they did, what would be the point of succeding at something?

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

That’s right!! Thanks!!

[@Sanchezruns]

I appreciate the courage you had to put your self out there and show us you lows. You will come back stronger!!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

thank you so much Eduardo!!

[@samwingender]

How many 100 milers have you run? It seems to be a lot. Thank you for sharing!

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

I have finished 5, tried and DNF'd 3 others. I still have a lot to learn about the distance!

[@samwingender]

@@RyanClaytonFilms I'm sure it's difficult. I'm running the Keys 100 in a week. It'll be my first 100, if I finish.

[@toddboucher3302]

Real sorry 😞 but we all been there. Next time

[@LifeInTheLongRun]

Great trails, good content, so bad you DNF on your turf in front of the locals. You should crush these race next time that will be an experience to redeem yourself.

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thank you Ruel!

[@alichambers6024]

Just watched the video Ryan,got a lump the throat mate,hope you’re doing ok,take things steady 👍🤝

[@RyanClaytonFilms]

Thanks Ali, I’m doing my best to stay home and rest 😂. I’ll be back out there on the trails soon!!