In this episode of Human Being School, Nick and Forest unpack a marathon that didn’t go to plan.

Forest reflects on his race at the Valencia Marathon, where things began to unravel around the 28km mark after severe stomach issues forced him into survival mode. What follows is an honest conversation about the physical breakdown, the mental negotiation to keep going, and how the definition of success changes when the original goal disappears.

Nick also shares a brief reflection on his own 2XU 10K, using it as a contrast to highlight how different race distances create different forms of discomfort — but often teach the same lessons.

Together, they explore:

• What to do when a race falls apart mid-run

• The mental toll of endurance sport and decision-making under fatigue

• Control vs acceptance on tough race days

• How athletes redefine success when the plan no longer applies

• Why difficult races often leave the deepest lessons

They finish with their regular segments — Book of the Moment, Podcast of the Moment, and Quote of the Moment — tying the conversation back to growth, perspective, and long-term development.

This episode isn’t about perfect performances. It’s about resilience, reflection, and what endurance sport reveals when things don’t go your way.