EP161 - Elliott Waldock - Cows, Crops, and Cocodona: How Elliott Waldock Does It All

October 2, 2024·1 hr 20 min·5 clips

Elliott Waldock shares his painful struggle with Achilles tendonitis during the Flower Moon ultramarathon.

This episode features ultrarunner Elliott Waldock discussing his experiences in the sport and his broader agricultural background. Host David Terrio reconnects with Waldock, whom he first met at the 2022 Flower Moon race in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Waldock is an active competitor who manages running alongside his work in farming. The conversation details Waldock's difficult experience at the Flower Moon ultramarathon, where extreme heat was a major factor. He recounts a severe foot injury that emerged during the event, which he initially believed was a broken foot. A physical therapist later diagnosed the issue as a flare-up of Achilles tendonitis. Waldock describes the final race lap as a struggle, with each step producing a burning, hot sensation. He finished the race but then drove back to Tulsa in significant pain. The discomfort was so intense that he could not sleep at all that night. Waldock spent the entire night in a tub with ice, attempting to alleviate the unrelenting pain. A memorable insight is the sheer persistence required to finish an ultra despite debilitating injury. The episode reveals the often-grueling recovery process athletes face immediately after a hard effort. Waldock's story underscores how a race's challenges can extend far beyond the finish line. His experience highlights the fine line runners walk between toughness and potential long-term harm. The candid description of a sleepless, pain-filled night is a stark moment. This portrays the less glamorous, visceral reality of ultrarunning's physical toll. The tone is casual and conversational, marked by shared camaraderie between two runners. The style is anecdotal, focusing on personal storytelling and retrospective analysis. Ultrarunners and endurance athletes would appreciate this honest account of racing through injury. Listeners seeking a purely technical or training-focused discussion might find the scope limited.

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