True or false: For most, DNF (Did Not Finish) is preferable to DFL. Certainly that’s the case at the U.S. Olympic Trials

actually most of us would probably be ok with DFL at such a prestigious race

I feel that the correct answer is, almost objectively, that a DNF is preferable.

Because the trials is a qualifying race.

All but the best in the race should go out in the slowest conceivable qualifying time pace.

Then, people will start DNFing around 15 miles, but at least they can say they were in contention.

I get that it is the big show for a 218 guy and that is really cool. But the 2:13 guys that were never “in it,” and finished, they never even tasted the possibility.

Y'all don't even want to know which part of my anatomy I would gleefully slice off to get a DFL.

Great to see Dennis up and at 'em again. I miss his musk.

Neither true nor false, as it's matter of opinion. But here's this: David Moorcraft was the world record holder in the 5k circa 1982. He ran 13:00.41 without the aid of pacers.

Then he got injured and just barely made the 5k final in the 1984 Olympics. Where he finished DFL in 14:16. When asked why he didn't drop out, he explained, "I've never dropped out of a race, because then I feel like I'd be giving myself an option for the future." He was almost lapped in that race, but never gave up.

Credit to him. There is always honor in finishing the race. There is never honor in quitting. DFL FTW.

With any marathon, IMHO, DNF so that you can run another one within a few weeks.

For a pro trudging through and just finishing isn't preferable to winning money somewhere else.

what does DFL mean

Probably:

Did Finish Last

Democratic-Farmer-Labor party in Minnesota. The article features politicians who ended up DFL.

Seriously though, the definition is in the second F-ing paragraph of the article.

What do you think?

Open image

PS. It's Dead Fuck*** Last

The question is simple for me.

If you're a pro, then DNF is better. Live to race another day on the track at the trials or a spring marathon or something.

If you're a hobby jogger, then DFL is better. Within reason. Don't do anything that will compromise your long term health, or result in a broken bone or something on the course. But pushing through and finishing is better.

Dead Fu**ing Last

Chris Barnicle was DFL and was damn proud of it:

npr.org

'World's Fastest Stoner' Finishes Last In Olympic Marathon Trials

Chris Barnicle, a former professional runner who now works as a distributor for medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles, finished the race in 3:45:34.

Open link

In most circumstances when you DNF, you let race and distance beat you.

If you're DFL, you still beat the race/distance as well as the poor souls who gave up (for whatever reason). It's obviously not the best result, but there is some pride in this.

Why did you censor the -ing, but leave the the actual profane word visible?

Why in the fµck would you censor the "ing" part of that term?

Proud to say I'm 1-0 lifetime against Lance Armstrong. Only time we were in the same race was the 1989 US Triathlon Championships. He got DQ'd for drafting on the bike. I might be slow but I don't cheat.

If only people who ever finished DFL buy the T-shirt, there won't be many buyers on LRC