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

Choose to Endure:
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