Chasing a DNF

DNF: Did-Not-Finish. The mar on every endurance runner’s record. But what does that really mean? I can only tell you what it means to me and why, counter to anything that makes sense, I have spent my time chasing one. Bald Eagle mountain and boulder field leg of a trail race as viewed from the finish line. 2017 Boulder Beast, Lock Haven, PA I don’t know anybody that loves endurance running. I’m talking about the actual act of endurance running.   “Actually, I hate having toe nails, and I love blisters, torn muscles, vomiting, and exhaustion. Endurance running is so fun.”                 -Nobody. Ever. So why do people do it? Why do I do it? Wait, what the hell am I actually doing? The definition of an endurance run, or long-distance run, is a continuous run over a distance of at least five miles (mi)/eight kilometers (km or k as its usually referred to in the running world). Don’t believe me, you can check it out here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-distance_