What happens when the motivation dies?

🧭 Episode Summary

In this solo episode, I delve into the quieter, often unspoken side of ultrarunning: what happens when motivation fades?

No injuries. No illness. Just a deep, unsettling disinterest in running. Right in the middle of peak racing season, this conversation is for anyone who's ever felt burnt out, disconnected, or unsure of their "why."

🗣️ What You'll Hear

• Why motivation fades — and why it’s normal
• The emotional and physiological toll of training overload
• Life stress and post-race blues
• Losing your “why” and identity as a runner
• Personal reflections from my own journey
• Signs you might be in a slump
• What helps (and what doesn’t) when the spark disappears
• The science behind sustainable motivation

🧠 Key Takeaways

✅ Give yourself permission to pause

✅ Move without pressure or metrics

✅ Reframe your identity beyond running

✅ Talk to someone — vulnerability builds resilience

✅ Focus on intrinsic goals like joy, solitude, and connection to nature

❌ Don’t force it

❌ Avoid signing up for races out of guilt

❌ Stop comparing yourself to your past self

🔗 Resources & Mentions

• Self-Determination Theory in sport psychology
• David’s reflections post-US 100 - Episodes 11 and 12
• Previous episodes on post-race recovery and identity

📬 Connect with David

If this episode resonated with you, David would love to hear your story.

📸 Instagram: @davidultrarunner

💬 Share your burnout experience or how you found your way back

🙌 Support the Show

If this episode helped you, consider:

⭐ Leaving a review

📤 Sharing it with a friend

📩 Sending it to your past self as a reminder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.