No Business 100 DNF

This was my last race for the year, and I was excited to end a really successful year on one last high note.

I was having the race of my life. It was one of those days when your legs can do anything you ask of them, the weather was perfect, the course was beautiful, and I was so happy.

Then it was all over in an instant.

I was cruising through to the halfway point when I suddenly found myself on the ground listening to my ankle crunch.

My race was over right there. Though I didn’t want to admit it.

I knew immediately that it was broken, but I couldn’t face the truth. I tried hobbling along the course trying to convince myself it was just a bad sprain and that it would feel better in a few minutes. When hobbling didn’t work, I sat on a log and just sobbed. I knew I needed to turn around in order to find help, but I knew the moment I took that first step backwards, that my race was officially over. I soaked my foot in the cold creek water for what seemed like an eternity before finally willing myself to stand up and turn back.

I cried big fat tears as I took that first step of my DNF. Then I sobbed and ugly cried the whole (very slow) three miles back to the Duncan Hollow aid station. I was an emotional mess and I was absolutely devastated. I’ll never forget the kindness of each and every runner as we passed each other. Every single one offering to escort me back to the aid station. When I finally arrived, I found out that one of the runners had called ahead when they got to cell service, and the aid station had a ride waiting for me. I was so overwhelmed at the kindness of all these strangers willing to help another stranger. It certainly gave me a little faith in humanity that day.

Once I finally made it to safety, I promised myself I’d come back and finish what I started.