• Blog
  • Outrun Todd
  • Race Journal
  • Ultra-couching
  • Infographics
  • Presentations
  • Free Resources
  • Observation Paper
  • Contact Me
  • Bio
  • Japan
  • Etiquette
  • Menu

Todd Chandler

Infinite Improvement
  • Blog
  • Outrun Todd
  • Race Journal
  • Ultra-couching
  • Infographics
  • Presentations
  • Free Resources
  • Observation Paper
  • Contact Me
  • Bio
  • Japan
  • Etiquette
Graphic showing the ups and downs of my attempt to run the Potawatomi 200 trail race

Shape of My Potawatomi 200 DNF

April 18, 2022

Full size PDF of graphic to better see the details.

This is my greatest DNF, Did Not Finish, yet. I was in high spirits throughout, I ran farther than I've ever run before, and I was surrounded by awesome, supportive friends. I had four downward movements:

  • 90-100 miles: I was tired and the trails were getting very slick, but my legs and body felt the strongest they ever have at this distance.
  • 100-110 miles: I started this lap feeling super strong, then ran out of energy around mile 7. A bowl of potato soup with extra salt put me back on track.
  • 120-130 miles: that's when the knee pain came. Sudden and intense.
  • 130-140 miles: dealing with the reality that I couldn't finish at the pace I was going, and the knee pain meant I was compensating in such a way that my back and ankle started to hurt.

I had a ton of upward movements:

  • Starting was exciting.
  • I ran 10 out 14 laps with a pacer - four great guys and I loved every mile with them.
  • Fixing my sloshy stomach by drinking less and eating more real food.
  • Peter delaying his race by 30 minutes to run with me.
  • The FOOD! An awesome bacon, egg and potato quesadilla; breakfast casserole; pizza rolls; pizza; and meatballs!
  • The music! I had two new playlists gift me by my friends.
  • Naps. Sleeping worked really well. In fact, hindsight, I would have slept some Thursday night after 40 miles.
  • Miles 110-120! I felt like a million bucks!

Overall, I'm proud of the new distance and the learning that came with it. I'm at the beginning of this journey for 200.

Prev / Next
How many times can you cut a stick of butter in half?