In endurance sports, we spend a lot of time talking about grit, toughness, and pushing through hard things.

But what happens when the smartest decision is not starting the race at all?

In this episode, I talk about when ultra runners should seriously consider pulling the plug before race day. We discuss injuries, training setbacks, burnout, life stress, the sunk-cost trap, and why a smart DNS is sometimes far better than forcing your way into a DNF.

I also share some of my own recent experiences navigating injury, chasing a big goal, and learning how difficult it can be to stay objective when a race means a lot to you.

Because sometimes the strongest decision an athlete can make is protecting their future instead of forcing one race.

Interested in one-on-one ultra running coaching? Learn more and apply at https://www.theultranurse.com/coaching.

Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theultranurse/

Thanks for listening.

Episode 16 of The UltraNurse Podcast is with special guest Luke Guyton.

Luke is a former paramedic, firefighter, and police officer with over 10 years in emergency services who has since become a gym owner, trainer, professional gravel bike racer, and founder of the Do Hard Things Project — a nonprofit focused on men’s mental health.

We talked about endurance sports, suffering, resilience, emergency services culture, health, nutrition, burnout, and the importance of community. We also got into gravel racing, altitude training, ultra running, and how hard things can shape people in really positive ways.

I used to work with Luke years ago at Medic EMS, so it was great catching up and hearing more about what he’s building now. Really good conversation with a smart, driven guy who’s doing meaningful work.

https://www.dohardthingsproject.org

https://www.instagram.com/dohardthingsproject/

https://www.instagram.com/lukeguyton__/

https://www.instagram.com/bear_river_ultra/

Thanks for listening.
Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.

Episode 15 of The UltraNurse Podcast is with special guest Nico Steinbrunner.

Nico is an incredible ultra runner, cardiac tech, and just finished his third Cocodona 250 finish after taking another hour off his PR. We also talk about him recently ripping the Boston Marathon, running 200 milers, learning through the sport, and a whole lot more.

Really fun conversation with a super genuine dude who’s put in a ton of work in this sport.

Thanks for listening.
Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.

AI is everywhere in running right now.

Training plans, nutrition tracking, race research, gear comparisons, recovery advice… you can basically build an entire ultra running framework from your phone now.

In this episode, I talk about where I think AI is actually useful for runners, where it completely falls apart, and how I personally use it for things like nutrition, gear research, race prep, and organizing training ideas.

We also get into custom GPTs, uploading PDFs and race guides into AI, AI coaching platforms like Rana, and why I still think human coaching and real human connection matter more than ever.

AI can be an incredible tool if you understand its limits.

Thanks for listening.
Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.

What should runners focus on when they can’t run the way they want to?

A lot of athletes get injured, cut their mileage, and then let nutrition slide too. That can be a mistake.

In this episode, I talk about why recovery takes energy, why calories still matter, the importance of protein and quality food, and how I’m approaching nutrition during my own injury right now.

I also share how I’m tracking food, setting goals, trying to maintain fitness, and treating recovery like the training block it is.

If you’re hurt right now—or coming back from something—this one should help.

Thanks for listening.
Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.

When you know something feels off… but you keep running anyway.

A lot of runners know that cycle. You convince yourself it’ll warm up, settle down, or go away after a few easy days. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t.

In this episode, I talk about the last few months dealing with a foot injury, chasing answers, trying to train through it, and finally getting forced to slow down.

We also get into the difference between toughness and stubbornness, why healthcare workers often bring the “push through it” mindset into training, and what my plan looks like moving forward.

If you’ve ever known you should pull back… but didn’t, this one will probably hit home.

Thanks for listening.
Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.

Why do so many runners end up burned out?

Not because they’re weak. Not because they don’t love running. Usually it’s from trying to force training on top of an already stressful life.

In this episode, I talk about how burnout builds slowly in running, and why it can hit even harder for people working in healthcare, EMS, nursing, and shift work.

We get into fatigue, guilt, chasing perfect training weeks, and how running can start feeling like another job if you’re not careful.

If running has felt heavier lately, this one might hit home.

Thanks for listening.
Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.

Talking about the Mines of Spain 100.

The race, the course, the people behind it, and why it keeps pulling runners back every year.

I’ve been around this one since the beginning. Ran the 100K, ran the 100 miler, spent time out there volunteering. It’s a course I’ve come back to over and over, and it’s shown me a lot of different versions of myself.

This episode is just that.

What it’s like to grow up on a race like this, and how it changes you over time if you keep showing up.

Thanks for listening.
Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.

I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a runner.

Some of them cost me races.
Some of them cost me months.
And most of them… I knew better.

In this episode of the UltraNurse Podcast, I break down some of the dumbest mistakes I’ve made as a mid-pack ultra runner — from running through injuries, to bad fueling, to going out too fast, and even the mental side of things like negative self-talk and surrounding yourself with the wrong people.

Because if you’re in this sport long enough… you’re going to make mistakes.

The goal is to learn from them before they cost you more than they should.

Thanks for listening.

Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.

Most runners either don’t think about first aid at all… or they way overthink it.

And both of those are a problem.

In this episode of the UltraNurse Podcast, I talk about what first aid actually looks like during an ultra — from the perspective of a flight nurse and paramedic. We break down what actually happens out there, what really matters when something goes wrong, and why you don’t need a giant medical kit to stay safe.

I also go into medications — why I don’t recommend things like NSAIDs, Benadryl, or even Tylenol during races, and what to think about if you’re considering using something like Zofran.

Because at the end of the day, you’re not out there to fix everything — you’re out there to manage yourself, stay safe, and keep moving.

Thanks for listening.

Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.