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Unstoppable Ultra Runner: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Susan Donnelly
Your body isn’t the problem—your mind is. Ultra runners don’t stop because they’re too tired. They stop because doubt, fear, and hesitation convince them to quit. You’ve trained your legs, lungs, and endurance, but when things get tough, does your mindset hold up? True mental toughness isn’t about being fearless. It’s about knowing—deep down—that no matter what happens on race day, you have the resilience, grit, and mental strength to keep moving forward. Unstoppable Ultra Runner is for you if you’re asking: *Why do I lose my confidence when a race gets hard?* Learn how to trust yourself and stay mentally strong when it matters most. *How do I stop second-guessing myself before a big race?* Develop an unshakable belief in your training and your ability to finish. *What’s the secret to pushing through when it seems impossible?* Master the mindset shifts that separate those who stop from those who keep going. *How do I handle setbacks without falling apart?* Turn challenges into fuel, so you come back stronger every time. *Why do I always play it safe instead of going after big goals?* Break free from self-doubt and run with the confidence to chase what you really want. Hosted by Susan Donnelly, a veteran ultra runner with over 150 100-mile ultra finishes, Unstoppable Ultra Runner gives you the mindset focus you need to run your best races. As a coach, Susan has helped ultra runners of all levels—beginners to veterans—build confidence, increase performance, and go after big goals with a mental game that matches their physical training. Whether you’re aiming for your first finish or your fastest time, she’ll help you develop the mental strength to push past limits and run races you’re truly proud of.
Latest Episodes
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- 6 days ago23 min
81. The Power of Facing Your Worst-Case Scenario
What's the one thing you're most afraid of happening in your next ultra? Maybe it's missing a cutoff, getting injured, or wanting to quit when things get tough. Whatever your worst-case scenario is, you probably do everything you can to avoid thinking about it. But what if avoiding that fear is actually giving it more control over your race?Deliberately facing your worst-case scenario can be one of the most powerful things you do to prepare for an ultra. Join me this week to discover how to take the power away from your biggest race fear and approach the starting line with greater confidence. I share how I help ultra runners examine their worst-case scenarios and make a plan for handling them, so they can stop worrying about what might happen and focus on running their best race.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/81Connect with Susan:Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnellyFacebook: facebook.com/susanidonnellyMentioned in this episode:Do you have a big race coming up?I can help you make the most of all that training. My signature, proven process for planning a race is now open for registration. It’s called Race Crafting and it gives you four one-on-one coaching sessions with me. Go to https://unstoppable-ultra-runner.captivate.fm/race-crafting to learn more. Register and Learn More About Race Crafting Here
- 1 weeks ago20 min
80. The Post-Race Blues: Why You Feel Empty After an Ultra
The post-race blues are something many ultrarunners experience, but most of us simply push through them or sign up for another race to get excited again. The problem is that chasing your next goal doesn't necessarily fix what's missing. In this episode, I'm exploring why that empty feeling happens, how it can affect your motivation for future races, and why the way you celebrate your accomplishments matters more than you might think.Discover how to move past the post-race blues without rushing into your next challenge. I share practical ways to reflect on your race, recognize the wins you might have overlooked, and fully appreciate what you've accomplished so you can carry that confidence into whatever comes next.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/80Connect with Susan:Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnellyFacebook: facebook.com/susanidonnellyMentioned in this episode:Do you have a big race coming up?I can help you make the most of all that training. My signature, proven process for planning a race is now open for registration. It’s called Race Crafting and it gives you four one-on-one coaching sessions with me. Go to https://unstoppable-ultra-runner.captivate.fm/race-crafting to learn more. Register and Learn More About Race Crafting Here
- 2 weeks ago23 min
79. Race Crafting: Plan Your Ultra with Confidence
Knowing your cutoff times, organizing drop bags, and arranging crew support isn’t the same as having a complete race plan. You also need to know how you’ll handle challenges, make decisions under pressure, and adapt when things don’t go as expected. In this episode, I’m introducing Race Crafting, the race-planning process I’ve developed through more than 150 100-mile finishes and years of coaching other ultrarunners.I share how Race Crafting helped one of my clients finally finish Superior 100 on her fourth attempt after three DNFs, and why having a plan can make such a difference. You’ll discover how to replace race anxiety with confidence, prepare for the unexpected, and arrive at the starting line knowing exactly how you intend to run your race.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/79Connect with Susan:Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnellyFacebook: facebook.com/susanidonnellyMentioned in this episode:Do you have a big race coming up?I can help you make the most of all that training. My signature, proven process for planning a race is now open for registration. It’s called Race Crafting and it gives you four one-on-one coaching sessions with me. Go to https://unstoppable-ultra-runner.captivate.fm/race-crafting to learn more. Register and Learn More About Race Crafting Here
- 3 weeks ago4 min
Race Crafting: How to Build Your Ultramarathon Plan Before Race Day
You’ve trained for months, prepared your gear, and mapped out your nutrition and aid station strategy. But have you actually planned how you’re going to run your race?In this episode, I’m introducing Race Crafting, my signature process for building a complete ultramarathon race plan. Through this coaching package, we’ll create your pacing strategy, map out your course, prepare for challenges, and build a mental plan for the moments when things get hard. You’ll leave with a roadmap for your race and a clearer understanding of the decisions you’ll make along the way.Register and Learn More About Race Crafting HereI can't wait to work with you!
- 3 weeks ago17 min
78. How to Make the Leap from 50 to 100 Miles
You’ve finished 50 miles, and now you can’t stop thinking about 100. But doubling the distance brings a whole new level of uncertainty. Do you need to run a 100K first? Are you really ready for 100 miles? And how do you prepare for a distance you’ve never experienced before?In this episode, I’m sharing the five things I would focus on if I were making my own leap from 50 to 100 miles again. I show you how to prepare for the challenges ahead so you can make strong decisions, adapt when things don’t go to plan, and give yourself the best chance of running a race you’re proud of. You only get one first 100, and the goal is to make it a triumphant adventure while laying a strong foundation for the 100s still to come.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/78Connect with Susan:Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnellyFacebook: facebook.com/susanidonnellyMentioned in this episode:Get The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template Today!Every race gives you experience. Few runners turn that into improvement. The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template helps you evaluate your races like experienced ultrarunners do - identifying what worked, what didn’t work, and what to do differently next time. Use it after races or key training runs to turn every effort into better performance. To download yours, go to: https://unstoppable-ultra-runner.captivate.fm/mastery-debrief-templateGet The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template Here!
- Sep 30, 202615 min
77. Why “Go Out Slow” Isn't a Race Plan
You promised yourself you’d go out slow. And then the race starts. Everyone around you takes off, and suddenly you’re running faster than you planned because you don’t want to get stuck behind slower runners or feel like you’re already falling behind. Before you know it, the race strategy you meant to follow has disappeared in the first few miles. In this episode, I break down why telling yourself to “go out slow” isn’t enough to keep you from getting swept up in the chaos at the start of an ultra. You’ll learn how to plan for the pressures you’ll face when everyone else takes off, make intentional decisions instead of reacting to the runners around you, and start running your own race from the very first step. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/77Connect with Susan:Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnellyFacebook: facebook.com/susanidonnellyMentioned in this episode:Get The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template Today!Every race gives you experience. Few runners turn that into improvement. The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template helps you evaluate your races like experienced ultrarunners do - identifying what worked, what didn’t work, and what to do differently next time. Use it after races or key training runs to turn every effort into better performance. To download yours, go to: https://unstoppable-ultra-runner.captivate.fm/mastery-debrief-templateGet The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template Here!
- Sep 23, 202616 min
76. “I Don't Want to Be Here”: How to Stay in the Race When You Want Out
There comes a point in some races when you just don’t want to be there anymore. The miles feel monotonous, you desperately want them to be over, and suddenly being anywhere but where you are feels like the only thing you want.In this episode, I share why the urge to escape can become a real problem in an ultra. I explain why wanting out isn’t actually the problem, what the problem really is, and how learning to tolerate those uncomfortable feelings can help you stay in your race, be present even when you’re not having fun, and build the mental strength to keep going when your goal is still miles away.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/76Connect with Susan:Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnellyFacebook: facebook.com/susanidonnellyMentioned in this episode:Get The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template Today!Every race gives you experience. Few runners turn that into improvement. The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template helps you evaluate your races like experienced ultrarunners do - identifying what worked, what didn’t work, and what to do differently next time. Use it after races or key training runs to turn every effort into better performance. To download yours, go to: https://unstoppable-ultra-runner.captivate.fm/mastery-debrief-templateGet The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template Here!
- Sep 16, 202617 min
75. Why a Bad Stretch Doesn't Mean Your Race Is Over
In this episode, I’m breaking down the belief that once your race starts going downhill, it will keep getting worse. I explain why a few difficult miles aren’t enough to predict the rest of your race, why the lows you experience aren’t necessarily the start of a steady decline, and how this assumption can convince you that your race is over before it actually is.Learn how to replace “How am I going to do 40 more miles?” with a much more useful question: “What haven’t I tried yet?” so you can give yourself the chance to climb out of a low, keep moving forward, and discover what you’re actually capable of as an ultra runner.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/75Connect with Susan:Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnellyFacebook: facebook.com/susanidonnellyMentioned in this episode:Get The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template Today!Every race gives you experience. Few runners turn that into improvement. The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template helps you evaluate your races like experienced ultrarunners do - identifying what worked, what didn’t work, and what to do differently next time. Use it after races or key training runs to turn every effort into better performance. To download yours, go to: https://unstoppable-ultra-runner.captivate.fm/mastery-debrief-templateGet The Ultrarunner’s Mastery Debrief Template Here!
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About Unstoppable Ultra Runner
Your body isn’t the problem—your mind is. Ultra runners don’t stop because they’re too tired. They stop because doubt, fear, and hesitation convince them to quit. You’ve trained your legs, lungs, and endurance, but when things get tough, does your mindset hold up? True mental toughness isn’t about being fearless. It’s about knowing—deep down—that no matter what happens on race day, you have the resilience, grit, and mental strength to keep moving forward. Unstoppable Ultra Runner is for you if you’re asking: *Why do I lose my confidence when a race gets hard?* Learn how to trust yourself and stay mentally strong when it matters most. *How do I stop second-guessing myself before a big race?* Develop an unshakable belief in your training and your ability to finish. *What’s the secret to pushing through when it seems impossible?* Master the mindset shifts that separate those who stop from those who keep going. *How do I handle setbacks without falling apart?* Turn challenges into fuel, so you come back stronger every time. *Why do I always play it safe instead of going after big goals?* Break free from self-doubt and run with the confidence to chase what you really want. Hosted by Susan Donnelly, a veteran ultra runner with over 150 100-mile ultra finishes, Unstoppable Ultra Runner gives you the mindset focus you need to run your best races. As a coach, Susan has helped ultra runners of all levels—beginners to veterans—build confidence, increase performance, and go after big goals with a mental game that matches their physical training. Whether you’re aiming for your first finish or your fastest time, she’ll help you develop the mental strength to push past limits and run races you’re truly proud of.
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