Train Your Mind and Go the Distance.

THE UNSTOPPABLE ULTRA RUNNER PODCAST

Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

22. What It Means to Give Your All in a Race

In this episode, I’m exploring what it really means to give your all in a race. Once you understand how to define your all for yourself, you can stop second-guessing every mile and start building the confidence that comes from knowing you’ve given your best.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

21. How Spotting a Low Early Can Save Your Ultra

The difference between finishing and dropping isn’t avoiding lows. It’s spotting them early and responding. In this episode, I break down what a low is, why it happens, and how runners often mistake it for the end of the race. I’ll also guide you through the signs to watch for so you can recognize a low before it takes control.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

20. The Simple Training Plan for the Mental Side of Ultra Running

In this episode, I’m breaking down a simple, effective 5-step training plan specifically designed for the mental side of ultra running. I’ll show you how to shift your focus from “just surviving” the mental hurdles to actively building mental resilience, confidence, and race-day strategies that work.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

19. Why Ultra Running Isn’t Selfish

In this episode, I share my own journey of letting go of the fear of being selfish and giving myself permission to run as much as I wanted. I talk about the ways this fear shows up and why it often costs us energy, results, and joy. Most importantly, I’ll help you rethink what it really means to be selfish and show you why your ultra running is not only okay; it’s a vital part of your life.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

18. The Power of Momentum: Why One Decision Doesn’t Define Your Race

An ultra isn’t made up of a few big decisions. It’s the millions of micro decisions you make throughout the race. In this episode, I’ll explore why the "make-or-break" moment isn’t as dramatic as it seems and walk you through why extraordinary willpower isn’t necessary when you’ve already been practicing the right habits and decisions.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

17. 6 Mindset Shifts to Overcome Cutoff Stress

In this episode, I'm tackling cutoff prediction stress, which happens when you imagine being close to cutoff at some future point. Worrying about something that’s not happening yet feels necessary, but it's actually making things worse. Through six powerful mindset shifts, I'll show you how to stop this pattern before it wears you out.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

16. Why Saying “I’m Slow” Holds You Back

In this episode, I’ll share how saying “I’m slow” created a self-imposed limit and influenced the way I viewed myself as a runner. Discover how changing the way you talk about your pace can transform your mindset - and your results.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

15. The Hidden 5-Step Process Behind Every Ultra Drop

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the five-step process that leads to every ultra drop. Because while dropping might feel like a single moment of weakness, it’s actually a five-step process that begins long before you reach that aid station.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

14. What If It's Easier Than You Think?

In this episode, I share how believing your race could go better than expected isn't naive or arrogant - it's a legitimate possibility that changes everything. You'll discover why the hardest part isn't the running itself, but letting yourself believe things could go well. You’ll also learn practical tools to shift from constantly anticipating disaster to actually noticing what's going right, transforming not just your results but your entire race experience.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

13. How Planned Breaks Prevent Burnout

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most effective strategies for avoiding burnout: the planned break. Many runners fear taking a break, believing they’ll lose fitness or fall off track. But in reality, taking a break with purpose is essential for sustaining your passion and energy for the long haul. Without intentional breaks, you risk burnout, which can derail your progress and motivation.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

12. Burnout Isn’t What You Think: Recognize the Real Signs

Think you're burned out? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what burnout is and, more importantly, what it isn’t. You'll learn to distinguish real burnout from its common impersonators and discover why thinking everything is burnout can keep you stuck. You’ll also learn how to recognize when you’re really on the edge of burnout, so you can take action before it takes over.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

11. Why Can’t I Finish? The DNF Question That Holds You Back

Dropping out of races creates a particular kind of shame that goes beyond simple disappointment. But "What's wrong with me?" after DNFs keeps you stuck in shame and poor performance. Discover a simple three-column process to turn painful race experiences into actionable solutions and how to separate race outcomes from your worth.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

10. Build a Cushion on Cutoff: Race Strategy

You want to build a cushion on cutoff… what’s your strategy? Discover a new, patient approach that transforms the race from a survival battle into a controlled, strategic effort where you finish strong instead of just hanging on.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

9. How to Recover from a Disappointing Race

I'll walk through the three essential steps for mental recovery after a challenging race and, through a real client example, I'll demonstrate how this process can turn a devastating DNF into the foundation for eventual 100-mile success.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

8. What to Focus on When Things Get Hard

Instead of simply trying to stay present or push harder, I share a powerful alternative approach. By ruthlessly filtering every thought and decision through the lens of "Does this help me get to the finish?", we can cut through mental clutter and make clear, efficient choices. This method doesn't require feeling confident or strong - it just requires disciplined attention to what truly matters.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

7. How to Stay In the Race When Things Get Hard

How to spot the signs that you're mentally checking out, why your “why” might not be helping, and what to do instead. I’ll share how to turn a distant goal into something emotionally powerful and actionable—so you’re not relying on willpower alone. If you’re ready to fight for your race when it gets hard, this is where you start.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

6. Train Your Brain Like You Train Your Body

Five essential truths that completely reframe how you should approach mental training. I'll walk you through common misconceptions, share stories from my own racing experience (including multiple DNFs), and introduce practical tools you can start using immediately.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

5. Why Ultrarunning Goals Feel Hard

Find out why your big goals aren’t supposed to feel easy. Whether you're training for your first ultra, or setting yourself a target that stretches you, what I share today will help you see setbacks in a new light, while helping you build the mindset that gets you to the finish line every time. 

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

4. How To Manage Pre-Race Anxiety

Discover the simple, practical three-step process that will transform your relationship with pre-race anxiety and ultimately get you to the finish line. This isn't about eliminating anxiety (that's impossible) or forcing positivity (that's exhausting). It's about learning how to acknowledge your anxiety, so you can return to calm and refocus on what matters most.

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Susan Donnelly Susan Donnelly

3. The Real Risk Isn’t Ambition - It’s Holding Back

A practical five-step framework to make ambition feel safe, so you can chase those big, bold goals without apology. Because ultra running isn't about certainty or perfection—it's about guts, resilience, and taking leaps of faith in yourself when the outcome isn't guaranteed.

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