How to Empty the Tank in an Ultramarathon Without Blowing Up

What does it actually mean to leave it all out there in an ultramarathon? And how do you do it without going all-in too early and completely blowing up your race?

In this episode of the Everyday Ultra Podcast, I break down how to truly empty the tank on race day — not just by “trying harder,” but by making smarter decisions, pushing at the right moments, and learning how to override the voice in your head that tells you to slow down, sit down, or play it safe when you still have more to give.

This episode was recorded from one of our Everyday Ultra athlete coaching calls, where I shared lessons from Western States, Cocodona 250, Javelina Jundred, and Tahoe 200 to explain how to push to your absolute limit while still racing smart.

In this episode, we cover:

• What “emptying the tank” actually means in an ultra
• Why most runners have more left than they think
• How to separate pain from danger during a race
• When to push harder based on effort, RPE, and race distance
• Why aid stations can destroy your momentum if you’re not careful
• How carbs can help you push harder when things get tough
• How to use past races where you didn’t empty the tank as fuel for your next breakthrough

If you want to run your best ultra, finish with no regrets, and prove to yourself that you can keep pushing when it gets hard, this episode will show you how to drain the tank the right way.

SHOW LINKS:

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