Finding Growth in a DNF: My 2025 Barkley Fall Classic Story
The Barkley Fall Classic weekend brought nerves, unexpected life detours, and the usual mix of chasing cutoffs and camaraderie. I met new and familiar faces, shared laughs with Laz (sort of), and soaked in the atmosphere of one of trail running’s most unique events. In the end, I DNF’d again, but came away with lessons, stories, and more miles in the bank.
Background: The Barkley Fall Classic is known as the Little Barkley, giving ordinary runners a taste of the infamous Big Barkley course, which happens around April each year. But each year, Laz seems to make this BFC course tougher, leaving runners little chance to finish, or maybe just pushing us further to find our limits. Now I’m thinking this type of race may be beyond my capabilities. And this is the second time I’m doing this (first time was 2023).
Leading into the Race
I started out nervous in the days leading up to Barkley. I flew into ATL, as I usually do, to visit my sister, but at the last minute, I had to move up my trip and shift plans when she had an emergency hospital visit. I arrived Wednesday, went straight to the hospital, and ended up driving her home (she had driven herself to the ER four days earlier). Thankfully, she’s doing well now.
She and her dog were supposed to join me in the Wartburg area at a dog-friendly Airbnb, but in the end, they stayed home. I had planned to take time off work, but with pressing deadlines, I ended up working at our Atlanta office on Thursday, and now I’ll be working again on Monday. Life doesn’t pause for races, work and personal responsibilities continue, no matter what.
Race weekend itself still felt normal, low-key and friendly, just like any other trail race. I met up with a few Texans, both friends and new acquaintances from Houston and Dallas. At packet pickup, I met Jared Beasely, author of the The Endurance Artist, sign my pre-ordered book, which I read on the plane. I even had a chance to chat with Laz while he was hanging up flags. I asked him why the CA flag was next to TX, and when I mentioned I was from TX, he launched into a story that was actually a joke, I think. It was about the first 100-miler in TX that crossed into OK and thru a river. A father finished, while his wife and kid were still back in TX, and when asked why he didn’t go back for them, he said, “Because they’re Texans.” A little inside humor only TX and OK would get. He then proceeded to say that this is a true story. I will fact check later.
Afterward, Kathleen, Jeff, and I went to Tri Dog Brewery, a fun spot that welcomes dogs and even serves dog beer. We shared some artisan flatbread and their hazy IPA for a little carbo loading, and I took home a few cans of dog beer for my dogs and my sister’s dog.
The Conga Lines
At the start, I positioned myself in the back, thinking I’d find a slow group. Wrong move, I should’ve listened to Nancy and started mid-pack. From the very first steep singletrack hill, I got stuck in a slow conga line, at times even standing still on the hillside.
By the time we hit Rat Jaw, it was more of the same briars, cables, and steep terrain, slowed by another long line. I made the best of it, asked my new friend to snap a picture as we waited. Once we got to the top, the trail opened briefly before yet another line formed at the tower climb to get the first hole punch. Looking at my cheap Walmart watch (no GPS allowed), I realized I was already up against the first cutoff. I knew then I’d be chasing cutoffs all day.
No filter! I look like I have a halo, or super-imposed!
Inside the Park
I love FHSP. The shaded, well-groomed trails, tall trees, and rolling switchbacks were such a contrast to Central TX. While some runners thought it was too hot, especially up Meth Lab and Spectacle later in the day, I thought the 70-degree weather felt like a TX cold front.
Early on I picked up a stick to use as a trekking pole. It helped on the climbs, but after Rat Jaw it became more of a burden, so I ditched it. I was proud of my climbing legs, passing people on North Bird and Chimney Top, but the downhills were another story. Those same runners passed me back. More practice on steep descents is definitely needed. It took me 1.5 hours to go down Rat Jaw – which is only ~1 mile.
People on the Trails
The trail running community never disappoints. I met so many interesting people: Tom, who I photographed with Laz before the first climb; Jocelyn, who I remembered from two years ago, she had a panic attack during this race, hope she’s ok; and Pam, who is seven years older than me but shares so many of my views and goals.
Beyond that, I had small trail-side chats with countless others. I may have lost time stopping to talk, but I enjoyed every bit of it, I value the people as much as the miles.
Nutrition
I stuck to my training plan: Tailwind, Bobo bars, jerky sticks, and Huma gels I transferred into a small silicon bottle (since gel packets weren’t allowed). With aid stations offering little more than water and the occasional cookie, bringing my own nutrition was the right call. The trade-off is that my pack weighed nearly 8 pounds, felt a bit like rucking!
Learnings
- More downhill practice on steep terrain.
- Keep steady forward progress on climbs.
- Add speed training.
- Incorporate more strength work.
- Start mid-pack next time to avoid getting trapped at the back.
Closing Thoughts
Even though I didn’t finish, Barkley Fall Classic gave me exactly what I came for: a hard effort, hill training, lessons learned, and hours on my feet in one of the most unique races out there. Every DNF here still feels like growth, and I’ll carry that forward into the next challenge. I don’t know if I’ll ever finish this race, at this point, I’m hoping for a marathon finish. Till next time. Next up: redemption run at Javelina!
