Claim OwnershipUnstoppable Ultra Runner
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© Copyright 2025 Susan Donnelly
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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.
Follow now and start training the one thing that’s been holding you back.
You can connect with Susan at www.susanidonnelly.com
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.
Follow now and start training the one thing that’s been holding you back.
You can connect with Susan at www.susanidonnelly.com
26 Episodes
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The difference between dropping from an ultra and quiet quitting is profound. When you drop, at least you make a conscious decision. When you quiet quit, you keep moving through aid stations, consuming calories, going through all the motions - but mentally, you've already thrown in the towel.Tune in this week to learn four specific race strategies that will enable you to stay mentally engaged when things get tough, and discover what's actually possible when you stop writing the story before it's over.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit www.susanidonnelly.com/25Connect with Susan:Instagram: www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
Ever had worries about your next ultra derail your race prep and ruin race day? The standard advice is to not worry and think positively, but that doesn't make the worry disappear… it often makes you worry even more. Instead of telling you to just worry less, I’m introducing you this week to a counterintuitive approach called strategic pessimism. Tune in to discover the secret to turning your race-day anxiety into productive preparation, leaving you ready to handle anything your next race throws at you.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/24Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
In this episode, I share a story about a snake, termites, and the mindset shift that can transform how you approach challenges on the trail. When you start seeing your race as a series of problems to navigate rather than a perfect path to the finish, everything changes. You’ll leave doubt behind, build confidence, and approach every ultra knowing that success is about what you do with the challenges that come your way.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/23Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
Most of us don’t know what “giving it our all” looks like. We think we’ll recognize it when we see it in others, but when it comes to our own performance, we’re left guessing. That uncertainty can leave even a strong race feeling unfinished. 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.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/22Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
We've all been there. Miles into a race, everything feels harder than it should, energy tanks, and it feels like your race is over. But that moment isn’t the end. It’s a low, and it’s completely normal. 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. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/21Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
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. You won’t need to be a mental toughness expert to execute these steps. They’re practical, repeatable tools that you can start using right away to improve your mindset.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/20Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
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 of being selfish shows up and why it often costs us energy, results, and joy. Through practical examples, questions for reflection, and personal stories, I’ll guide you to examine the beliefs you’ve absorbed about selfishness, understand what it’s truly costing you, and discover how to embrace your running - and your dreams - without guilt. For full show notes (including the questions to help you let go of feeling selfish), transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/19Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
Are you scared that your entire race will come down to one defining moment? That you’ll be exhausted or in pain, and you’ll fall apart and quit? This fear is common among ultra runners, but it’s based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what an ultra truly is. In this episode, we’ll explore why the "make-or-break" moment isn’t as dramatic as it seems and how your choices throughout the race build momentum. By shifting your focus from a single decision to the thousands of successful choices you’ve already made, you’ll approach your race with more confidence.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/18Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
Cutoff stress can be the difference between crossing the finish line and dropping out of a race. 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.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/17Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
For years, I prefaced every race conversation by saying, “I’m slow.” I thought I was just being honest about my pace. But the way we talk about ourselves has a profound impact on how we perform and what we believe is possible. In this episode, I’ll explain how shifting your language can open up new possibilities for how you approach races, how you see yourself in the ultra running community, and ultimately, how you start to take ownership of your potential. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/16Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
We’ve all faced that moment of hearing ourselves say, “I’m done.” Even as those words leave your mouth, part of you feels like it’s not the right call. So how did you get there? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the 5-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. By recognizing these five steps early, you can break the cycle and stay in the race.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/15Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
Most runners approach ultras braced for the worst, convinced that earning a buckle requires matching the course difficulty with an equal amount of misery. But this mindset trap doesn't prepare you for the race - it just weighs you down before you even reach the starting line. 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.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/14Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
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. Discover how you can incorporate these breaks into your training schedule, making them a powerful tool for long-term success.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/13Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
Most ultra runners who feel exhausted or unmotivated actually aren’t experiencing true burnout. Instead, you might be dealing with fatigue, stress, or temporary dips in motivation. 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.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/12Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
Dropping out of races creates a particular kind of shame that goes beyond simple disappointment. In this episode, I break down why asking "What's wrong with me?" after DNFs keeps you stuck in shame and poor performance. You’ll learn a simple three-column process to turn painful race experiences into actionable solutions and how to separate race outcomes from your worth, allowing you to race from possibility, not fear.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/11Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
You want to build a cushion on cutoff… what’s your strategy? Most runners sprint off the line, trying to build a buffer early, but end up trashed in an aid station. What if you had the mindset tools to let the pack get ahead, then slowly start passing people, one after another? Tune in this week for a new strategy for building a cushion on cutoff. This patient approach transforms the race from a survival battle into a controlled, strategic effort where you finish strong instead of just hanging on.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/10Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
A disappointing race result can leave us confused, gutted, and questioning everything about our training and abilities. Today, I'm sharing how to transform that disappointing race experience into valuable data that will make you stronger. 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.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/9Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
When races get difficult, our brains flood us with worst-case scenarios and reasons to quit. While staying present and focusing on the next step ahead can help calm racing thoughts, this approach alone isn't always enough. Sometimes it can actually prevent us from thinking strategically and managing our race effectively. Today, I share my strategy for what to actually focus on when things get hard.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/8Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
You’ll learn 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.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/7Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
You’ve probably heard that ultra running is 90% mental, yet most of us were never taught how to properly train our brains. We try random mental tricks or repeat mantras that crumble when the race gets difficult. The truth is, mental training isn't about motivational quotes or occasional pep talks—it's a systematic approach that requires consistent practice, just like building physical endurance and strength.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/6Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
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