The ultra running world is evolving rapidly. At major races like Western States, Cocodona, and Moab, we're witnessing the rise of elaborate crew villages, multiple pacers working in shifts, and support systems that rival military operations. This transformation prompts a critical question: are we creating two distinct versions of our beloved sport?

As someone who typically races without crew support, I've always found the magic of ultra running in those raw moments of solitude – when it's just me, my mind, and the trail having a conversation that can't be interrupted. There's something profoundly transformative about facing a 100+ mile journey alone, solving problems on the fly, and discovering who you become when everything falls apart at mile 70, 100, or beyond. That struggle between breaking down and finding a way forward has always been the heart of what makes this sport special to me.

Yet I recognize the immense value crews and pacers bring. They can be literal lifesavers in dangerous conditions, catching signs of deterioration a depleted runner might miss. There's undeniable power in sharing these epic journeys with others, creating bonds through shared suffering and triumph. For those chasing specific time goals or competitive placements, a well-coordinated crew becomes an essential part of the performance equation. Different approaches serve different purposes, and there's no single "right way" to experience ultra running.

What matters most is finding meaning in your miles, whatever that looks like for you. Whether you're drawn to the solitary challenge of self-reliance or the shared adventure with supporters, the essential question remains: what transformation are you seeking on the trail? I'd love to hear your experiences with crews, pacers, or solo adventures. Have you found that sweet spot between support and self-discovery? Subscribe now and join our growing community of non-elite runners who choose to endure, wherever and however you find yourself on this amazing ultra journey.

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Hey everyone!

As you’re hearing this, I’m currently out on the trails attempting to complete the Cocodona 250 — a 250-mile journey across Arizona from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff.  Bib #184 if you want to follow/cheer along!!

Since I couldn’t record a fresh episode this week (for obvious reasons!), I’m bringing back one of my favorite conversations from last year: my chat with Christy Krchnavy about her 2024 Cocodona experience.

Christy shared some incredible insights about the mental, physical, and emotional challenges of tackling Cocodona, and her words are just as powerful today as they were then.

Whether you’re dreaming about running Cocodona someday or just curious about what it’s like to take on a 250-miler, I hope you enjoy this special rebroadcast.

Thank you so much for continuing to support the show — I’ll be back soon with brand-new episodes once the adventure wraps up!

Until then, run long, run strong, and keep Choosing to Endure.

- Richard

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Discover why finishing last might be the greatest victory in ultrarunning. The Golden Hour—that final stretch before race cutoff—represents a magical convergence of determination, community support, and raw emotion that captures the true essence of our sport.

What does it really mean to be a DFL (Dead Freaking Last) finisher? Far from failure, crossing the line in the final moments before cutoff demonstrates extraordinary resilience and heart. While front-runners showcase incredible athletic talent, back-of-pack runners reveal something equally powerful: the unwavering commitment to continue when every reason exists to quit.

My own experience finishing a Peak District 100-miler with just 14 minutes to spare stands as one of my most treasured ultrarunning memories. Running through the town of Buxton after 33+ hours on trail created a profound contrast—ordinary citizens going about their day had no idea of the extraordinary journey I was completing as the last - and only - person still on the course. That sensation of quiet accomplishment embodies why many of us are drawn to this sport.

The finish line during Golden Hour often witnesses the most emotional scenes in ultrarunning. Crowds gather, volunteers cheer, and fellow runners return to welcome the final finishers. Watch the last hour of Western States or any major ultra, and you'll witness the hairs-standing-up-on-your-neck magic as runners cross with seconds remaining on the clock.

For back-of-pack runners, embrace your journey. Chat with volunteers, appreciate the scenery, and when you approach that finish line—no matter how exhausted—find that last burst of energy for a strong finish. Your DFL achievement may inspire someone else to believe they can accomplish something extraordinary too.

What's your Golden Hour story? Share it with our community and help celebrate those who embody what ultrarunning is truly about: perseverance, heart, and crossing that finish line on your own terms. Follow Choose to Endure and join our growing community of back-of-the-pack heroes.

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Raw, gritty, transformative—these words describe not just ultramarathons themselves, but the powerful act of pacing another runner through their darkest moments. While crossing finish lines gets the glory, it's the unseen heroes running alongside exhausted athletes who often make those finishes possible.

For aspiring pacers, preparation is everything. Understanding your runner's goals, communication preferences, and race strategy before you start makes all the difference. Should you lead from the front or follow behind? Do they need constant conversation or quiet presence? What small victories should you celebrate along the way? These details matter tremendously when the stakes are high and emotions are raw.

The beautiful paradox of pacing is how much the pacer receives while giving. Many report that helping someone push through seemingly insurmountable barriers reignited their own passion for ultrarunning during periods of waning motivation. The unique bonds formed through shared vulnerability on the trail extend far beyond race day, creating connections that enrich the entire ultrarunning community.

Ready to experience the transformative power of pacing? Find a runner who needs support, volunteer at your local ultra as an unattached pacer, or share your pacing stories with us @choosetoendure. When you help someone else choose to endure, you strengthen your own capacity to persevere through whatever challenges lie ahead on your running journey.

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Stuart Secker's return to the Choose to Endure podcast brings a remarkable story of resilience that transcends the typical ultrarunning narrative. Just eight months ago, Stuart received a prostate cancer diagnosis that would change everything. Four months ago, he underwent surgery to remove his prostate. And incredibly, just ten weeks after resuming training, he completed his 21st 100-mile race at the Daufuskie Island 100 in South Carolina.

The conversation takes us through Stuart's entire journey, beginning with that pivotal moment of diagnosis. Rather than being paralyzed by fear, Stuart immediately shifted into problem-solving mode, asking "what's next?" With characteristic British pragmatism, he made a decision that might seem unthinkable to most – to run the brutally challenging Ultra Trail Cape Town 100-mile race just two weeks before his scheduled surgery. Why? Because it might be his last opportunity to experience the profound joy and challenge of ultrarunning.

Stuart doesn't sugarcoat the recovery process. From the physical limitations of having his core muscles cut through during surgery to the psychological challenges of rebuilding his running capacity from scratch, he shares the raw truth of his comeback. His methodical approach to training – starting with short walks, progressing to gentle runs with his wife, and carefully implementing run-walk strategies – offers a masterclass in patient persistence that runners of all abilities can learn from.

What makes this story so compelling isn't just the physical achievement, but Stuart's transformation into an advocate for men's health. With staggering statistics (1 in 8 men in will develop prostate cancer, rising to 1 in 4 for Black men - UK statistics), he emphasizes the critical importance of early detection through regular PSA testing. His message is clear: cancer isn't something that "happens to other people" – it can happen to anyone, and early detection saves lives.

Subscribe now to hear this powerful conversation about what it truly means to endure, both on the trail and in life. Whether you're a back-of-the-pack hero or simply someone facing your own challenges, Stuart's journey will inspire you to keep moving forward with gratitude and determination.

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When Glenn McRill toed the starting line at Grasslands 100, he carried years of experience as a marathon runner and Director of Coaching for the San Antonio RoadRunners—but faced the daunting reality of attempting his first 100-mile race with less-than-ideal training. The journey that followed became a masterclass in perseverance, problem-solving, and finding strength beyond physical preparation.

Glenn's running journey began reluctantly. As a soccer player, he specifically chose to be a goalkeeper to minimize running. During his time at West Point and in the Army, running became mandatory rather than recreational. Gradually, this obligation transformed into a mental outlet and eventually a passion—though one firmly rooted in road running until meeting his wife Agatha, an accomplished ultrarunner.

After years of crewing and pacing Agatha through numerous ultramarathons, Glenn decided it was time to attempt his own 100-miler. The Grasslands 100, set in a Texas state park northwest of Fort Worth, presented varied terrain across four distinct loops. Despite expecting flat landscapes, he encountered surprising hills, sandy sections, and even wandering cattle on nighttime trails.

What makes Glenn's accomplishment remarkable was completing this challenge despite limited training. Work commitments had restricted his long runs, with his longest being a disastrous marathon just weeks before race day. Yet this shortage of physical preparation was counterbalanced by mental fortitude and practical wisdom gained from supporting Agatha's ultra career—knowing when to change clothes before nightfall, how to manage nutrition consistently, which foods worked for his stomach, and how to minimize time at aid stations.

Perhaps the most tense moment came around mile 91, when his running companions warned they might miss a cutoff. Despite fatigue, they accelerated to an 11-minute mile pace, with Glenn taking a hard fall but continuing undeterred. They made the cutoff with just five minutes to spare, ultimately completing the full 100 miles.

Glenn's story reminds us that ultra running isn't just about physical capability—it's about problem-solving, adaptability, and refusing to surrender when your mind insists you should. Whether you're contemplating your first ultra or any significant challenge, remember his words: "Your biggest competition isn't other runners or even your body, it's your mind."

Have you faced a challenge that tested your mental limits more than your physical ones? We'd love to hear your story!

San Antonio RoadRunners:

https://runsignup.com/saroadrunners

https://www.facebook.com/saroadrunners/

https://www.instagram.com/san_antonio_roadrunners?igsh=MW14ZWpxcDFnbndvYg==

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Every finish line crossed, every aid station that saved your race, every perfectly marked trail section - none of it happens without volunteers. But what does volunteering at an ultra actually entail, and why should you consider giving your time?

Richard Gleave dives deep into the rewarding world of ultra running volunteerism, exploring how this often-overlooked aspect of the sport creates not just successful races but stronger communities. Drawing from personal experiences at races from 50-milers to 100+ mile events, Richard shares how volunteering transformed his relationship with ultra running and provided unexpected inspiration during periods of low motivation.

The episode walks through practical aspects of volunteering - from the various roles you might fill to tips for being an exceptional volunteer. Learn how anticipating runners' needs, maintaining a positive attitude, and being flexible can profoundly impact racers' experiences. Richard recounts a powerful moment when a simple act of kindness at an aid station became the turning point in a struggling runner's race day.

Beyond logistics, this conversation explores the deeper rewards of volunteering: the community connections formed, the race insights gained, and the renewed perspective on what makes ultra running special. Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner looking to give back or someone curious about the sport without committing to racing distances, volunteering offers a front-row seat to the determination, struggle, and triumph that define ultra running.

Ready to experience ultra running from a different angle? This episode provides everything you need to take that first step into volunteering. Connect with the podcast on social media @choose_to_endure or via email at [email protected] to share your own volunteering stories or suggest future topics.

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Recovery often becomes the forgotten pillar of ultra running performance, especially for those of us who occupy the back of the pack. After crossing the finish line of my latest 220-mile ultra adventure, I've been closely monitoring my Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to guide my recovery journey – and the insights have been too valuable not to share.

HRV measures the variation in time between each heartbeat and serves as a window into your autonomic nervous system, revealing the delicate balance between your "fight or flight" response and your "rest and digest" state. When your HRV dips low, your body is waving a red flag that you're under stress – whether from physical fatigue after a grueling race, mental pressure, inadequate sleep, or even an oncoming illness. Conversely, higher HRV readings suggest your body is recovered and ready for training stress.

What makes HRV particularly powerful for ultra runners is how it personalizes recovery. After my recent ultra, my HRV remained at rock bottom for two full weeks – a clear signal that despite my eagerness to return to training, my body needed more time. This metric has repeatedly saved me from the overtraining trap that so many endurance athletes fall into. Beyond simply tracking numbers, understanding HRV helps establish a deeper connection with your body's signals and promotes sustainable training practices that can extend your ultra running journey for years to come.

Want to improve your recovery and performance through HRV monitoring? Subscribe to Choose to Endure for more practical tips designed specifically for back-of-the-pack ultra runners. Share your own HRV experiences or recovery strategies – I'd love to hear how this tool is working for fellow endurance athletes on their ultra journeys.

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What does it take to conquer 220 miles of beach, trail, and road when your body is actively fighting against you? David Solomon knows the answer all too well. Living with fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) hasn't stopped him from pursuing ultra endurance challenges that would break many other runners.

David's journey through the recent Swammie Shuffle 200 takes us from the beaches of North Carolina's Outer Banks through moments of profound crisis and unexpected beauty. Having been a natural distance runner since childhood, he found his spiritual home in ultrarunning after completing the JFK 50 in 2001. Years later, when FSHD began affecting his muscle groups, David refused to surrender his passion—instead adapting and persevering.

The raw emotional honesty David shares about his darkest moment during the race—sobbing in bed on day three, unsure how he could possibly continue—resonates deeply. Yet somehow, he found the strength to take that next step, then another, ultimately logging 25 miles on his worst day. His description of the mental games played by that endless Virginia Beach horizon will feel painfully familiar to anyone who's tackled long distances.

What makes David's story uniquely compelling is how he marries suffering with beauty. As a talented photographer (Beloved Peace Photography), he pauses even in the depths of exhaustion to capture breathtaking landscapes. These creative moments serve as both documentation and spiritual sustenance, grounding him in peace while his body screams for relief.

The power of friendship shines throughout, particularly when his race crew and good friend Steven Dence, along with volunteer extraordinaire Mike Horner, ran out from the finish line to join him for the final brutal miles along the beach. The unexpected jubilation of finishing in daylight to cheers from fellow runners creates a perfect culmination to days of solitary struggle.

Perhaps most astounding? Just two weeks after completing this epic journey, David is heading back to attempt the Blackbeard's Revenge 100-miler on the same course. His philosophy that the clock is ticking with his progressive condition drives him to seize every opportunity while he still can.

Want to witness how determination and spirit can transcend physical limitations? David's story will move you to reconsider what's possible in your own life, whether you're a runner or not. Check out his stunning photography on Instagram at Beloved Peace Photography and let his journey inspire your own pursuit of seemingly impossible dreams.

Beloved Peace Photography (Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/beloved_peace_photography?igsh=bGUwdW03ZmdudWto

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What makes the difference between surviving and thriving during a 200-mile ultra journey? For five back-of-the-pack runners at the 2025 Swammie Shuffle 200, the answer emerged organically when they formed what they affectionately dubbed "the Party Pack." 

This episode pulls back the curtain on an unforgettable adventure along North Carolina's Outer Banks (#OBX), where the collective energy of the group transformed individual suffering into shared triumph. Richard Gleave hosts fellow Party Pack members Stephanie Fonda, Lisa McFadden, Elizabeth Mohan and Mike Edwards as they recount their experiences tackling this challenging 220-mile journey run from Sandbridge, Virginia to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and back.

The conversation weaves through the unique challenges of winter ultrarunning on the Outer Banks – navigating long beach stretches, timing food stops when most businesses are closed, and dodging traffic on narrow highway shoulders. What emerges is a masterclass in the psychological advantage of group dynamics during extreme endurance events. As Lisa reflects, "I don't race races, I just participate" – a sentiment that perfectly captures the spirit of this back-of-the-pack adventure.

Beyond physical challenges, the group shares surprisingly humorous moments: Mike doing laundry at a KOA in a Hanes t-shirt and undies, Stephanie's excitement at finding what appeared to be $700 (which turned out to be movie prop money), and the collective obsession with securing the elusive Duck Donuts. These light-hearted stories punctuate deeper reflections on why people run such extreme distances, including connections to veterans' causes and personal redemption.

Whether you're contemplating your first ultra or already have hundreds of miles under your belt, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the power of companionship during endurance challenges. Sometimes the magic of ultrarunning happens not at the front of the pack, but among those who choose to journey together, making the impossible feel achievable through shared determination and unexpected friendship.

Swammie Shuffle 200:

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=114996

Cape Fear 24hr:

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=112156

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