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.

Choose to Endure:
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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==

Choose to Endure:
Email:
info@choosetoendure.com

Website:
https://www.choosetoendure.com/

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https://instagram.com/choose_to_endure?utm_source=qr

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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 info@choosetoendure.com to share your own volunteering stories or suggest future topics.

Choose to Endure:
Email:
info@choosetoendure.com

Website:
https://www.choosetoendure.com/

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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.

Choose to Endure:
Email:
info@choosetoendure.com

Website:
https://www.choosetoendure.com/

YouTube:
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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

Choose to Endure:
Email:
info@choosetoendure.com

Website:
https://www.choosetoendure.com/

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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

Choose to Endure:
Email:
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Website:
https://www.choosetoendure.com/

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Ever found yourself lost in the darkness during an ultra run, questioning why you ever started this crazy journey? Let me take you on a personal adventure through the moonlit trails where perspectives shift, and challenges morph into serene experiences. Discover how the tranquility of running under a starlit sky can transform a daunting obstacle into one of the most beautiful parts of your ultra running journey. In this episode, I share how breaking the long nights into manageable segments helps in maintaining focus and positivity, along with personal stories from races like the Peak District 100 that turned the night into a canvas of cherished memories.

We get into:
• Shifting focus from darkness as an obstacle to an adventure
• Breaking the night into smaller, manageable goals
• Utilizing music and treats to keep spirits high
• Connecting with fellow runners and volunteers for support

Don't forget to subscribe to the show here, and that way you'll get notified each time a new episode drops.

Choose to Endure:
Email:
info@choosetoendure.com

Website:
https://www.choosetoendure.com/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ChoosetoEndure

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What if the true magic of ultra running isn't crossing the finish line first, but the friendships formed along the way? Join me, Richard Gleave, as I share the heartwarming tales and connections that flourish at the back of the pack. While the front runners might chase the clock, we savor each grueling mile, the camaraderie, and the shared struggle that transforms strangers into lifelong trail buddies. From cherishing aid station snacks together to conquering brutal climbs, these experiences create bonds you won't find anywhere else. Discover practical tips to break the ice with fellow runners and learn how these friendships can make the miles fly by with motivation and support.

We get into:

• Emphasizing the back of the pack as a perfect environment for connection
• Simple strategies for breaking the ice in conversations
• Importance of motivation and support from trail friends
• Maintaining connections post-race for long-lasting friendships
• 4 Key takeaways for creating effective partnerships on the trail

Choose to Endure:
Email:
info@choosetoendure.com

Website:
https://www.choosetoendure.com/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ChoosetoEndure

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https://instagram.com/choose_to_endure?utm_source=qr

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552757049526