What a DNF Can Teach You + Finding Purpose, New Record, and Race Blunders

Founder of Run Tri Bike Jason Bahamundi shares a lesson from endurance sports, plus defining Running Lifestyle’s purpose, and more.

Feb 28, 2025

Life feels extra heavy lately. A few recent runs have left me with more anger and sadness instead of less — and questioning whether what I’m doing has any meaning in this chaotic world.

I launched Running Lifestyle after back-to-back layoffs in the media and tech industries. Building this brand allowed me to pave my own path. I get to write stories about people I believe deserve to be in the spotlight; inspire runners to train, travel, and race; and own my content rather than pouring my soul into a company that could erase my work at any moment.

What’s driven me is that I truly believe in my mission to lift up the running industry — running stores, run clubs, entrepreneurs, coaches, and more — while connecting runners with resources and inspiration for wherever they are in their running journeys.

But lately, it’s difficult to see the meaning in it.

Inundated with news headlines each day, the anger and uncertainty is overwhelming. It makes what I’m doing feel small, irrelevant, unnecessary.

What purpose can Running Lifestyle possibly serve amid all of this?

I’ve been reflecting on this question quite a bit over the past few weeks, and where I’ve landed is this: I want Running Lifestyle to be a welcomed retreat from the chaos.

> A place where you can escape from the news headlines and lean into your passion.

> A place of inspiration to explore running destinations and learn from running coaches.

> A place where you can read about really amazing people in the running community.

I hope the content I publish helps you feel a sense of lightness in this otherwise heavy world. If I can achieve that for my fellow runners, then I’ll know what I’m doing has a purpose.

On that note, this week’s featured Q&A is fitting. Jason Bahamundi launched the new media company Run Tri Bike five years ago, and it’s become a platform on which endurance athletes connect, share stories, and find belonging.

Jason shares in his Q&A how Run Tri Bike came together as a business and how lessons from endurance sports have driven his approach to life. You’ll find one of those lessons in the bonus excerpt below.

- Kimberly, founder & editor

What a DNF Can Teach You

What drives you to take risks in life? Do you consider yourself risk-adverse? In my opinion, all runners are willing to bet on themselves at least a little — otherwise, we probably wouldn’t be runners. But sometimes, we steer clear of the bigger risks. In running, that might mean not signing up for a longer distance race. In life, maybe it’s not launching that business you’ve always dreamed of.

Jason Bahamundi, founder of Run Tri Bike, has been competing in endurance sports for nearly two decades, and he’s carried the lessons learned from his experiences into other areas of life. During a recent interview, I asked Jason if he could recall a pivotal moment in his running journey, and here’s what he shared.

“It’s interesting. There are a couple of different moments, and they’re both DNFs. I think we learn from those moments.
I remember my first DNF. I was racing Possum Kingdom …. I was exhausted, it was hot, it was awful, and I tripped a number of times, and I was just covered in sand. It was a beachy type area around a lake, and I got to the start/finish line to go back out for the second loop. A few weeks later, I was going to start training for Ironman Chattanooga, so I sat there at the start line thinking, ‘Do I really want to do this second loop?’
The race director came over. His name is Rob Goyen, and he’s like, ‘You okay?’ He thought I might have been injured or whatever. And I said, ‘I’m perfectly fine. I’m just wondering if it’s worth it.’ And he’s like, ‘Well, why would it not be?’
I said, ‘Well, I have training that’s going to start in a couple of weeks for Ironman Chattanooga, which is, sorry, Rob, more important than this race.’ And he just said, ‘Go sit down. Don’t worry about this. None of this is going to make or break your day.’
The permission I needed and the perspective I gained from DNF-ing that day has been amazing for me.
To be able to think, ‘This stuff is hard. If you’re able to get through it, congratulations. If you don’t get through it, for whatever reason, the world doesn’t stop spinning.’
That allowed me to have more enjoyment in running because it allowed me to take risks, and bigger risks, and do things that scared me. I knew that if I didn’t make the goal, it wasn’t the end of it, that I could keep trying and keep going after the next finish line.
I’ve DNF’d Ironman Wisconsin…I had a DNF at Canyons 100-miler a couple of years ago. The car picked me up, drove me to the start/finish line. My pacer Aum was there, and my wife Lori was there, and they’re like, ‘Are you okay? Are you okay?’
I just said, ‘You know what, eating pizza with you guys and laughing is going to be far more enjoyable than me trying to make it through…the next 69, 70 miles of that race, being just miserable. This is more fun, having pizza, telling stories, and hanging out.’
I think you get to gain perspective from a DNF. And for me, anyway, I’m able to go and look at other events that I want to now try because I know that the DNF isn’t going to be the end of the world.” – Jason Bahamundi

Read the full Q&A on Running Lifestyle to find out what other lessons Jason has learned through running and his mission to connect endurance athletes through his media company Run Tri Bike.

New on Running Lifestyle

Four running coaches offered tips for runners preparing for a destination race. On the list: pack your running gear in your carry-on bag, try to arrive at least two nights before the race, and check in-country restrictions if bringing your race nutrition.

Two new destination running guides were published this month, developed in collaboration with Charm City Run: Baltimore and Frederick, Maryland.

The Phoenix City Guide, developed in collaboration with Sole Sports, got an annual update: more races, more running stores.

Partners & Promotions

Affiliate partner of Running Lifestyle, Skratch Labs is offering 20% off your online order with the discount code: RUNNINGLIFESTYLE20
Run the scenic South Platte River in Littleton, Colorado at the Platte River Half Marathon & Relay on Sunday, April 13. Stick around for the epic post-race party at Breckinridge Brewery, which includes free food and beer! (Use coupon code RL10 for $10 off when registering online.)
The Colorado Marathon on May 4 is one of the state’s most scenic races and takes place on a fast, downhill course. Spend the weekend in Fort Collins, and race the marathon, half marathon, 10K, or 5K. (Use coupon code RL10 for $10 off when registering online.)

What I’m Listening to, Reading, and Watching

Jonathan Levitt chatted with Tucker Grose on the “For the Long Run” podcast about riding the waves in your running journey, varying your distances and terrain in training and racing, and making sustainable decisions as a runner.

If you’re struggling with the psychological side of a DNF, here’s a good article to read. (Ultra Running Magazine)

Apparently, it’s world record season in running! Jacob Kiplimo set the world record in the half marathon earlier this month with a time of 56:41. 😲 (Citius Mag)

Winner of the 2025 USATF 100 Mile Road Championships was disqualified for racing in illegal shoes — the HOKA Skyward X has a 48mm heel stack. (Marathon Handbook)

A bib-swap mishap led to four runners disqualified in a Hong Kong road race, including first- and second-place runners in the half marathon and the second-place runner in the 10K. (Canadian Running)

How would you feel if a prankster rerouted your 10K with a 1.5-mile detour? That recently happened in Glasgow. (BBC)

Over on Instagram…

Cannot get enough of @runninwithnelly’s 17-mile training run. Everyone needs a grandpa like hers!

runninwithnelly