Minute 3: Even endurance legends know you can’t finish every race

When an endurance titan like Courtney Dauwalter cashes in her chips mid-race, it’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, not finishing is the smartest way to end your race: "Courtney Dauwalter Drops Out of Cocodona 250 at Mile 108." Dauwalter explained it herself in an Instagram post, writing: “Total body shutdown stopped us early this time but feeling grateful to have experienced those first sections of the Cocodona course...”

So, if it happens to the best, what does a DNF really mean for the rest of us? "What Is A DNF In Running And How You Can Learn From It" by Run Republic says a DNF occurs when your plans deviate due to circumstances either within or beyond your control. Mid-race injuries or missing cutoff times are the common culprits. Oftentimes, they occur when a runner makes a leap up to a greater distance or harder race than they’re used to, and that’s partly why they’re not all bad. A DNF helps you determine your physical limits so you can plan accordingly in the future. It’s also an opportunity to develop your resilience and foster a growth mindset. You can use the experience to reframe a DNF into a stepping stone toward future success. Whether you’re a first time racer or seasoned vet, sometimes you've got to lose the battle to win the war, and that’s why not all DNFs are failures.