Pain vs. Injury: What to Do When It Hurts During an Ultra

In this episode, we tackle the most critical question in any long-distance race: is this pain a harmless sensation or a sign of an impending injury? Your handy-dandy running injury expert breaks down the "rules of thumb" to help you, your coaches, and your crew make the right call in the heat of the moment. This episode is a must-listen for ultra-athletes and their support staff. We provide a simple, three-part framework for assessing pain on the course, from the nagging ache that's likely just sensitivity to the red flags that signal it's time to absolutely stop. We also discuss the specific responsibilities of the crew and coaches—your level-headed support system—and where you should turn for a professional diagnosis. We'll cover: The framework for identifying harmless pain versus a true injury. The critical assessments you and your crew can perform during a race. How to prevent a small issue from becoming a race-ending one. Why your crew is your most valuable asset when dealing with pain. And as always, our discussion is a general overview. Always consult a medical professional or the medical staff at the aid station. For a more detailed look at these assessments, reach out for our exclusive handout for coaches. Contact Information: 714-502-4243 | Costa Mesa, CA | Book a Discovery Session/Consultation to see if we can help (virtually or in-person).

You can listen to Pain vs. Injury: What to Do When It Hurts During an Ultra online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Pain vs. Injury: What to Do When It Hurts During an Ultra is an episode from Performance Place Sports Care Podcast by Sebastian.

This episode is 18:00 long.

This episode was published on Feb 2, 2026.

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