Not the race I was hoping for... 50 Mile DNF Lessons Learned

[@thebeardedmother1535]

Cheers for the earnest breakdown of the run. Simply not enough vlogs where folk discuss their DNFs....kind of get hidden like its embarrassing or such but there's so much material to discern from them. Thank you!!! At the end of the day there is always 'another run' in the future and having the wisdom to not trash yourself on a trail for the sake of your ego is a valuable life lesson. All the best.

[@garyparkerson9527]

An introductory chapter in the second book of the trilogy that will be your long life story, made all the more engaging by the humanity it revealed. But also, a day outside immersed in nature amid kindred spirits. That, as you acknowledged, is a day well spent. Thank you for sharing it here.

[@matthewmackay3354]

Refreshing to see a real runner in real life juggling choices and commitments. In life we learn more from our lows than our highs. Those mountains will be there next year.

[@blueraiden6617]

Without an occasional bad run, you wouldn’t know what a good run feels like. Great learning experience 21 miles is nothing to sneeze at.

[@fitgearhunter]

Such a tough decision in the middle I'm sure. You are the man for sharing about it all! Excellent video.

[@huubdrums]

You are human and we can’t control everything man, you rock and you know it 💪🏻👍🏻 Dave Nice Fella 🤗

[@zack54white]

Thanks for giving an honest breakdown! I have started training for my first Ultra and I think these will be some helpful tips for when the day comes!

[@mlegrand]

Gorgeous running footage is always nice to see. Glad to see you post this. Seems like you made the smart call on the day. 👍

[@eriktred]

I would argue a DNF is better than a DNS. I have done more than one DNS for fear of being undertrained for the event. I've regretted it. I don't think I would regret DNF, meaning you gave it your best. Really brave of you to share this video as it is a real part of running races.

[@Kelly_Ben]

Some of my best experiences were for races i was grossly undertrained for, and second guessed showing up for. Now, unless I have a serious injury, I figure if I've paid for it and can finish safely/slowly, I might as well look at it as fun time on feet/ training, and maybe be pleasantly surprised by my performance!

[@scriptosaurusrex]

You SHOULD be proud of the decision. Knowing when something is not right and making smart calls is definitely a better way to go about things than putting your life in danger because you are stranded with no ride and not well.

[@mateuszwardzynski]

I imagine it wasn't a pleasant decision to make. You made a wise and mature choice. It's just a race. Pleanty of these before you! Thx for sharing. My first ultra (just 50km but still) comes in October. Makes me little anxious and excited at the same time.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Good luck!

[@Kelly_Ben]

Good luck!! You've got plenty of time, just don't let that nervousness push you into overtraining.

[@nickthompson4036]

A DNF is always tough mentally, but it seemed like the right thing. You’re responsible for yourself as a runner, and had you gone back out you’d have potentially put yourself AND the race staff in a tough spot. Thanks for the video, better races ahead for sure!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Yup, I think that’s what really drove the decision. I’d hate to have race volunteers dragging me out!

[@adamkreuz9068]

Good call on stopping when you did. It's just a race, no need to put yourself in danger

[@ferencantal708]

Do not worry about your DNF, Dave. These situations make people harder. You are a great guy in my eyes (not in the wrong sense), this man, who shares his running experiences I wanna be, still far away from that. So don`t be dissapointed, next time will be better. Cheers

[@chrisking6448]

Congratulations on your efforts Dave. You are an amazing person with incredible drive & determination. Never forget the enjoyment of running!! Well done!

[@rob_langer]

Love that you not only put out content of your successes but also your failures and how to learn from them. You will get it next year! Best.

[@iterato1]

Good lessons! Great effort, and agree with you making the safe choice of dropping at the turnaround.

[@warriorrunning254]

This video will do alot of good thank you for being able to put yourself out there and making an example for us to listen too. Even the best have bad days but I know you will bounce back and be better next time. Your channel is great keep doing hard things.

[@garyweiss1876]

Good attitude even in a disappointing situation. Looked like a nice trail.

[@leonidasleontis]

Hi Dave, all good, I think all of us that do trail running have had DNFs. Myself, in April, I got out of the Beijing "Three peaks cross country marathon" (42km/4,264m) in 28K (2,212m) due to intense quad muscle cramps, a wise decision that made me avoid any injury that day. Since then I have run another three 25K trail races with 1300m-1900m without even getting too much fatigued. Just take a step back and give your body the time to prepare better. You can retry the 50M soon. Take care.

[@Jinx-ig1fz]

I totally understand how you feel but you made the right choice. No need to push when your mind/body is saying no more. If you would have picked up an injury you could have been out of running for a long time. Props to making it up that hill at mile 17. Most people wouldn't have made it up that hill.

[@andrewpalmblade8646]

I was out there that day. I did the 21.5 mile version. I did and thought the exact same thing with the hydration mix. I had my own with me and I like a stronger concentrate but went with theirs at the first stop out of convenience and noticed it was really weak. Had stomach issues later. Props to knowing it wasn't your day and pulling the plug. Beats a possible trip to the hospital.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Thanks! Hope your race went well!

[@DrewK9121]

Thank you for making this video and sharing your experience! You should definitely be proud of going for it as well as proud of your ability to make a tough decision in the moment. Keep up the great work!

[@SeeChadRun]

I just finished my first 50 mile trail race (with 11,000 ft vert)... The Quad Rock 50. Luckily, I didn't make all the same mistakes that you did ;-) hehe. Although I did go out FAST for the first half. LOL! I created a video on my channel of that race. Great job at least attempting to finish the race Dave! 50 miles is no joke!

[@dickiegoodtimes]

Great learning day. Good success on your next race 🏁

[@saintsfisherman]

I find DNF videos more helpful sometimes to me, because these are things I can't find out until I run one of these races. I am working up to longer races and with my life (right now), I am only really going to be able to do 1 of these a year, so maximizing my chances of success on my limited attempts is important to me. Thanks for this video. It was very helpful.

[@maximedore3761]

That feeling when you were there and you ran into chase the summit as he was chasing the summit 😏

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Lol, good to see you out there!

[@valdius85]

Good you’ve made the video. We will all learn few lessons from it. Good luck next time 😊

[@Kelly_Ben]

It's a bummer about the DNF, but it's races like this that makes us better overall. Thank you for the honest insight... and yes... it's more entertaining to see the imperfect, realistic days, because the perfect days where everything goes right just don't happen often enough to relate to! 😆

[@jeffyen]

Thanks for the AAR. I have a marathon tomorrow. Will think about what you said.

[@delgaldo2]

Thanks for sharing, Dave!

[@JonPasq]

It was a pleasure meeting you on the trails, sorry to hear about the DNF!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Hope your race went well!

[@yuanyuanintaiwan]

Good job with that race, it must have been tough!!

[@Bhreimh]

That WSER hoodie looks super comfy!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Seriously my favorite hoodie. I’m already sad that it will eventually wear out lol

[@victoryu7820]

By sharing your humble story, you probably saved someone’s life or saved someone a very scary incident by doing the smart thing and DNFing. Thanks for sharing.

[@sagybp]

Dave, this is probably one of the most important videos you made.

[@Squee707]

Thank you!

[@Redbeardedrunner]

Never mind Dave, live to fight another day! Keep up the good work!

[@crayons987]

Nice video despite not finishing but it was the best decision for the day you were having. This happened to me once at a TARC race too, prepandemic

[@earthquakemagoon2505]

Bummer Dave! I hope in the next race you'll fair better! Have fun!

[@ZeRo-22-]

Great job Dave! Still an inspiration to all of us dad-runners out there. How’d the watches hold up this go? Or is that a future video? Also curious, were there any other Apple Watch ultras out there?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Future video for sure! I didn't see any other AWU's out there but there was a guy with a series 8 running the 50 miler!

[@Sinasi08]

Which hydration mix do you use? Great video. Thanks 😊

[@ChaseTheSummit]

My preferred product is Tailwind. Thanks for watching.

[@GoandLove]

I’d love to see a video about your first ultra!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I wish I filmed more at that race! Heck, I don't even think I have a picture at the finish line lol. Maybe a future podcast episode? Stay tuned!

[@DavidDerekh]

Hey! Just watched your AG1 video. Are you still taking it? Is it worth another review after 1y? Keep up with the great content!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I still take it... and I think my thoughts on it are still the same. I may make a follow up video soon since I have tried a number of other products in a similar category.

[@DavidDerekh]

@@ChaseTheSummit another alternatives would def be awesome!

[@douglasjames222]

Thanks Dave. Any chance your doing Chesterfield gorge again in a couple of weeks? Best wishes

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Thought about it but not sure I can commit!

[@athanasioskoultoukis551]

Δεν πειράζει, ένας μη τερματισμός είναι καλύτερος από μια μη εκκίνηση 👍 Lesson learned 😏 next time you will be 💪

[@RunnerWil]

I just went through the same Last Sat lol I'll be back lol Thanks for the great vid

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Were you at Wapack? Hope your race went well! Good luck next time!

[@RunnerWil]

@@ChaseTheSummit no my race was on long island and it went south fast lol

[@MJJodoin]

Dave , Do you find it helpful to allow for distraction while running? example running without any music verses running with a podcast/play list going?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Personal preference. I try to train without music occasionally because I don't use it at races. It's certainly a good way to tune out the pain!

[@codyjackson7355]

I mean 2 DNF's out of 40 some odd races is an amazing percentage.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Absolutely! I may not be the fastest but I tend to finish lol. Just not today.

[@mohdirwansophan78]

That rocky climb looks tough 😅

[@antoniopadilla6343]

I tried a 50 mile. I couldn’t finish because I pulled my groin because of not stretching enough. I know I have the stamina. I’m recover from this and continue competing in ultra marathon

[@ethanluther276]

What are your thoughts on David Goggins? I’m reading his book and man he’s a freak of nature with running but also just life. As always though love the videos!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

He's an interesting person. I've read portions of the book but not end to end. I think he's good motivation for some people... he's also kind of comical. I find him a little hard to listen to long form though. I think he's probably good for ultra running sport as a whole though.... Those are my thoughts lol.

[@mikesan7122]

I have a 50 miler in 36 hours! Lets goooo

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Good luck!

[@mikesan7122]

@@ChaseTheSummit AAAAND.... a DNF as well. Spent a while making excuses but in the end you just gotta learn what you can and apply it to future runs/races

[@fengcarlos]

Sorry you couldn't finish it. You used the 965?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I had the 965 and Apple Watch Ultra on for this one.

[@stevegraham3041]

Do you like the Boa’s? I love mine think I’ll use them on my 100k in August

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I do!

[@jeffreytillack4709]

It's a long run, you enjoyed the outing and DNF'd. No biggie. It's not like your life right? You win some, you lose some. Life. Congrats anyway :-)

[@MaxRothFitness]

That camera motion was terrible. Made me dizzy while watching 🙄😞

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Running with a camera is hard.

[@maxfulcom]

Thanks for also sharing the downs, happy that you're fine after all! Too bad, I was looking forward to that FR965 update for ultras! 🥲

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Lots of follow up content on the 965 coming!

[@andytv22]

i dnf'ed my first 50 miler going in without barely enough training. I happens to the best of people. Setbacks are just setups for your comebacks.🦾