The Western States 100: Anatomy of a DNF 

I enjoyed this a lot, not the DNF, that hurts, but it was just a real not ever produced account of events for you and I loved watching it....and those added last min finishers almost made me tear up. Thank you.

I am amazed by your video documentations. Not sure how you can keep pulling out the camera and documenting everything... Everyone else is focused on the race and you find additional energy to document.So nice to see all those races up close.Google should develop a special camera for you that is part of your headlamp and your sunglasses.Great video as always!

Tough race. DNFs are hard to swallow, but are definitely part of the sport.

Yep, thanks for sharing, it is so pure and honest. Loved it, you can always find victory in defeat

I really liked this video. I ran the race 2 years ago and volunteered at Devil's Thumb last year, and you did a great job capturing the experience to Foresthill. A couple thoughts, which may not be helpful and might be annoying. First (and I wasn't there and I could be 100% wrong on this), I'm thinking you didn't have to drop. I think if you had to drop, you would have known a week later. If you aren't sure, then it probably was more fear about what might happen than reality at that moment in time. Again, it might be the best decision you ever made - maybe your hip was getting worse fast and you already on the edge of cutoffs. On the other hand, maybe you were feeling some discomfort that you knew was likely before you started, and unnecessarily called it a day even though the race was going as expected. I've found there are always GREAT reasons to drop, especially at a place like Foresthill where it's 18 miles to another great place to drop. Your decision is obviously the right one in the grand scheme of things, but sometimes you are close enough to that coveted finish that you have ignore the grand scheme of things for a little while and just deal with the stuff you expected before the race started. My second thought, even though I liked the video, is that you should have left the camera at home - slightly less weight, a little less time in the aid stations, a tiny bit more margin vs. the cutoffs when you knew it would be a tough day. I get it - once in a lifetime experience and all that, and you want to capture it. But it was an extra thing between you and finishing, especially when your body/training wasn't perfect. (I speak from experience - I started with a GoPro in the Tahoe 200 and put it in the first drop bag because it was getting in the way - a small part of me is bummed I don't have the video but most of me knows that it was one of many decisions that helped me get to the finish.) I don't have an issue with you starting in spite of your issues, but it seems like you were committed more to a Western States experience (including documenting it) than a WS finish. You couldn't know beforehand, and I'm only saying this stuff now on the off chance that it helps you learn a little more from the experience and maybe do something different in the future. Oh, and one more (surprising) place you can put ice is in arm sleeves. I was very apprehensive the first time I tried that, but the ice on your wrists is awesome and if you pack it in, it will sometimes last to the next aid station. Anyway, heal up, good luck with your other races, I hope you get another shot at a WS buckle, and maybe we'll meet each other out there.

Thanks for sharing your experience ... the mud was quite amazing, I nearly lost a shoe on multiple occasions. The volunteers were the tops ... best I have seen on any race.... and the ice was essential. I am glad that they had plenty of it. Cheers to a return to rapid return to your next big race.

Thanks for sharing. My friends and I were volunteering at the El Dorado aid station so we had heard how terrible the snow, ice, and mud were from all the runners but now at least I have a better sense for it. Great job getting as far as you did!

Thanks for this, Eric. I timed out on the way to Robinson due to quads cramping. Hope we can get another try. Happy trails!

Live to fight another day Mr. Eric. I watch your Leadville videos over and over for motivation and entertainment. You introduced me to Nine Pound Hammer by Muskateer Gripweed. Keep hammering.

man thanks for sharing this. I came out at Foresthill and still am upset about it. I was so disappointed in the so called trail that didn't exist for the first 16 miles... I appreciate you taking the time to make this...I felt like I was in the scene from the never ending story where Atreyu loses his horse

Thanks for sharing! A WS100 start is better than watching a WS100 DNF on RU-vid! Cheers!

Great effort. I know the feeling of DNF in heat. Javelina destroyed me last year. I dropped at mile 70. What you did is far, far more impressive. Tip of hat.

You're a better man than me. I couldn't bring myself to record that first section of SUCK! It was hard enough just keeping upright.

Thanks for sharing. That was pretty brutal (I had to drastically alter my goals as well). Good luck at the next one!

Is using ice on your various body parts a common practice for most runners? Thank you for the insight you gave from a regular guys view. I found it awesome!

Sorry about the DNF. Everyone who had the guts to put in the months of training and line up at the start is a winner. I'm sure you'll be back stronger in the future

Just keep running! I've lied to myself too but I always come back.

..living an epic life. i often reflect on your experiences and proverbs when digging deep #respect

Great video man. I'd be happy with just getting to experience it, finishing or not.

"We're pulling into last chance, I'm not sure I like the sound of that" hahaha

Thanks for sharing! Reality...

Wow the minute of this vid!

This video is painful to watch. It took me three tries to finally finish. The first two tries were fails. this is a pass/fail experience and I failed the first two times. I never quit, I ran out of time. I learned the hard way that cardio preparation can be supplemented by swimming, cross country skiing and biking. Think of Western States as 3 fifty mile runs or 8 marathons based on time to complete.

Way to rep MO!

No one said it would be easy!

Has anyone ever done this without registering no t shirt no record of doing it?

No number no support Just do it?