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.