I learned a new acronym a couple of days ago. DFL is short for “dead last.” In a sentence, I can say, “I finished DFL in that 5km on Sunday.” Would the past tense verb form be DFLed?
DFL was associated with a meme posted on a Facebook Group of experienced (old) runners. The meme’s punchline was, “what do you mean you finished first in your age group? You were the only runner in the age group.”
It’s good to know I can still run 6 miles without stopping. Not just one time and done, but on a regular routine basis.
In the 2020 census, about 80 million people in the United States were older than 59 years old. 1% of 80 million is 800,000 people. What percentage of people over 59 do you think can run 6 miles on a regular routine basis? Initially, I thought 1%. I may be high (not a Griner reference). Is it closer to 1 in 1000 or .1%?
In recent months, I finished DFL in a marathon where I was the only runner older than 49. Yes, I won my age group. And I finished DFL before the time limit in another marathon. Oh, I was second in my age group.
I could tell the aid station people in both races to clean up, “I’m the tail end or two more behind me.”
Then there was the July 4, 1976 race. I finished DFL.
I would have been 19. I probably didn’t win my age group.
Not that I’m shooting for more DFL finishes. Still, running beats the alternative, no matter the distance, pace or place.