Here's a short RR from my DNF at Wasatch and the abrupt end to my Grand Slam effort. Thanks for reading.

http://www.slippingslowlyintopain.com/2015/09/2015-wasatch-front-100.html

Thanks for the RR Kelly.  I think I had similar DNF feelings that you describe when I DNFed Hardrock a year ago.  It just 'was what it was...' I was totally invested in it and looking forward to 'getting it done', but then when I DNFed it was just kind of a dud, no fanfare, no high or low, just a fading off into the sunset. I don't think it was 'burnout' with me, and I don't think it is with you either.  I think it's more of a case of experience and knowing when to 'pull the plug and call it'.

Now just go out and enjoy the rest of your 2015 racing plans.  I hope you have more beer miles planned.

Sorry about the and results but on the upside you got to run with Jason...even if you didn't talk. He's easy on the eyes.  

You put up a good fight, what else can one do?  I can sympathize with your struggle with the heat- I'm going to try and do some heat conditioning next year.  Easy to say, much harder to do- we'll see.

I think you have the right attitude, no reason to anguish over a dnf where you gave it your best shot; it is after all just running.

Mike

Thank you for the insightful RR, Kelly. In a way, I can relate to your mental indifference to the DNF. I get that way when the expectations that I and others put on me are too much, especially because I always strive to fulfill, or better exceed them. When I don't have the capacity to manage those expectations any more, the result does not matter. It's the finalization of the "project" that is important, because, as you say, this is the only thing that lifts the restrictions and opens up new opportunities that make me happy again. What this finalization eventually looks like is not nearly as important as just the fact that the pressure from expectations, whether self-imposed, or imposed by others, has ended.

I felt similar after ES100 last year. I finished, but way below my own expectations, and I did not really care. I was just happy to now have more time for my family again, and to have that pressure relieved.

I hope you'll find your "spark" and spirit soon again to run more great miles, but if you're into other endeavors now, that's great, too.

On the physical side of your difficulty of running in the heat now: It can take months to recover from heat exhaustion. You had a serious case of heat exhaustion and dehydration just recently, and I am not surprised to hear that running in heat is now much more difficult. Organs do suffer damage from heat overexposure, and your rhabdomyolysis definitely did not help, either. Everything will recover, but it takes time. With your newly found patience  try to give yourself some time (read: months) to get over this. With winter coming, things hopefully will improve, too.

Sorry for your DNF, but this does not take away any from you being an exceptional and most inspiring runner!

Good read as always - insight into your experiences.  You could DNF every future race and I would still admire you greatly.  Your passion for running and heart come through in your writing and they are infectious.  Thanks again and I hope you "enjoy running" the rest of the year.

A very thoughtful report.

The Grand Slam strikes me as a somewhat unique pursuit, one I imagine you were encouraged to do given your familiarity with the races (except WS) and your ability to recover. I personally would love to see you sub-24 WS and Leadville, maybe in the same year Vermont? Ughhh

Also, I am interested in how you approach the heat issue going forward. Have you done a sweat test? That can reveal shortcomings in your electrolyte strategy that may not be otherwise apparent, although puking is generally a pretty good clue something is amiss ....