Have you ever finished DFL? In any part or in whole tri? (Page 2)

My DFL was actually the race I am most proud of.

Doing Wilmington last Sept. and suffered cramps in both legs 400 yards into a 1500 yard swim.  Went kyak to kyak (each about 100 yrds. apart) until I made the dock.  I remember swim caps from 5 later heats passing me.  Suffered through the bike and had an OK run.

When the times were posted I finished DFL in the swim and 3rd from DFL for the entire race.  But I was very proud of the mental toughness I was able to draw on.  This is something that I knew was there but have never had to reach that deep before.


Steve

Definitely all in how you look at it.  Finished MOP of my age group last month in my first tri in 22 years.  MOP on Swim, MOP on bike, DFL on the run.  Simply tells me where I need to focus my efforts.  I immediately signed up for a half marathon in October and started a training plan for that to increase my run fitness.  Asked some questions here and was advised to work on my bike fitness as well so as to run better off the bike.  Next sprint is in 10 days.  Hope to be MOP all the way around but if not, at least see some improvement in the run especially.  I don't care where I finish overall, but I love the breakdown of the events compared to others in my age group so I can focus my efforts.

I have never been DFL overall, but have several lasts in my AG/division. My theory is - someone has to be last, and we all are out here for different reasons. I know I never am going to be on the podium, but I still have my own individual goals for each race (which have nothing to do with my placement overall in the race.) I am more concerned about those goals than where I place overall.

My first XTERRA I finished last. Kept working at it and last season I was regional champion.

yes, I was the last female out of the water at Nathans Olympic in 2007....

I finished DFL in my first half ironman, but I did get second in my age group.

No, but I DNF'd in my first Ultramarathon almost 2 years ago and would trade anything for it to be a DFL.  No question about it. 

I was voluntering in a Woman's race about 3 weeks ago and I was on the bike course on a tough hill and towards the end of the race a woman was struggling and I told her great job....she said..."But I think I am in last place."  I said, that's ok, 99% of america is still in bed.  She gave a big smile.  Pretty cool.

I haven't been DFL in a tri, but I was in a run only race.  It was a local community race so everyone was supportive and it wasn't a big deal.  Also, ironically, for this race the final standings are written based on improvement over previous times on the same course.  So, while losing, I almost won! lol  (It's easy to shave a lot off your time when it takes you over a half hour to run two miles....a lot harder for those poor folks who do it in 10 minutes! )

I was DFL on my first race. Fortunately, they were running concurrent sprint and olympic distances on the course, so I wasn't the last person in. It stung a little, but mostly I was just proud that I went out and did it.

Yep, in my first tri (and so far only), I was DFL in my age group (40-44).  My closest competition was 14 minutes ahead of me.

Sure, it bugged me a little -- especially when I saw them pulling up the cones as I was finishing the run.  But I soon forgot about that, and just remain very proud for attempting and completing it!

I've been DFL in the swim for my AG in my last two oly races. But a strong bike and a below avg run made up for my overall standing. I improved my time by 45mins from my first oly 2 months ago.

Read Yanti's RR. You will be begging to be DFL in your next race!

Finishing last is better than not finishing or not trying.

If you did your best, what more can you ask for??

Yep, I was DFL on my first triathlon (HIM). I was not far behind, but still I was the last. They were removing the running track while I was on my last loop and almost every spectator had left.

I was bugged by it a lot. It still bothers me (2 years from that!). It doesn't matter that everyone said I did great, I was last and I HATED it. But, then again, someone has to be last!

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yes i am pretty certain i was DFL either in AG or overall for one of the three disciplines in one of if not both of my first two tri's. No shame in that, i cheer ya just as hard as the guys/gals who podium, if not a little harder!!!

Thanks for the replies, everyone!! I truly am proud of myself for registering and training in the first place, and I truly believe I WILL FINISH. If I can make that happen I will start worrying about times on my second tri.

Great idea!!!!!

A couple years ago, I finished dead last at a long course duathlon. Like, by over 30 minutes. I was DFL for both runs and overall.

Turns out the race was a qualifier for Team USA for the ITU Duathlon Long Course World Championships. Not very many entered, and even though I was last, I finished. I ended up getting a roll-down spot for Team USA. I went to Worlds and represented the USA. Definitely one to remember.

I have DFLed the run once in an Oly race -1:17! I had to stop and sit down for about 15 minutes because I had heat exhaustion. But, there is hope -I have also finished first overall a few times

Well, let's see. My first tri was a sprint in June. I was seriously unprepared for the open water swim and the hills on the bike. I live in a pretty flat area, tri was in Asheville NC mountains. Almost quit in the swim. Almost quit on the bike. Said to myself that I might not finish, but they'd have to carry me off the course. I finished in front of 5 people total out of around 250. I'm very proud that I finished and that I refused to quit.

Next tri is Saturday. It's an Olympic. I figure that I'll be able to beat the time cutoff and finish by 20-30 minutes. I really don't care where I finish relative to others. I'm way ahead of where I was a year ago when I smoked a pack a day and weighed 50 pounds more.

The only person I have to satisfy is me. If I go the distance and do my best, I win.  But overall I'm been very happy with the triathlon community. They are just supportive people. I had so many people comment on my 'race'. Nothing negative. Just awesome people that I'm glad to be around.

Go for it. Surprise yourself with what you can do!!!!

Edited by gtkelly 2009-07-30 4:12 PM

Still, a half ironman is no joke.  DFL in a half is still better than what percent of the rest of the country?  It has to be 99.999% or something?