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She Runs Ultras
She Runs Ultras
Author: Meghan Gould
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© 2026 She Runs Ultras
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She Runs Ultras is about (yup, you guessed it) running ultras. Lots of other running podcasts out there are full of gear & race reviews and interviews with the experts telling unrelatable stories about their record breaking times and super human feats. Now…don’t get me wrong, I’ve learned some great stuff from those podcasts...But what about those of us that aren’t getting paid to do this?Those of us that are mid to back of the pack runners?And those of us that have never won a damn thing? What was out there for us? Yeah, I couldn’t find it - so I decided to make it! And it just so happens that I’m getting geared up to start training for some races in 2021. So throughout this series, I’ll share what really happens when a typical, non-professional runner takes on the challenge of running an ultra. Got some races planned for this year? Let’s train together.From the emotional & physical ups and downs, to the details of my actual training plan, and the excitement (not to mention nerves) that build as race day gets closer...I promise not to hold anything back. So whether you’re already a member of the ultra community or if you’re just ultra curious...Hit subscribe and let’s do this!
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Somewhere along the way, a lot of women start downplaying their running goals. “It’s just a 50K.” “I mean… there are people running way farther than me.” In this episode, I’m stepping in as the 🧚 Permission Fairy 🧚 and officially giving you permission to want what you want when it comes to running your first or farthest ultra. We’ll talk about why so many women hesitate to go after bigger running goals, the subtle ways we minimize our own ambitions, and why giving yourself permissio...
In this episode, I’m talking honestly about what it feels like when your body stops responding the way it used to and how perimenopause has shifted my experience as both an athlete and a coach. This is not a deep dive into hormone science. Instead, this is a conversation about: Sleep changesWeight fluctuationsMood shifts (and yes…rage 😅)Random joint achesFocus + memory issuesNausea, dizziness, and fatigueAnd the mental side of feeling like you can’t “control” outcomes the way you used toWe ta...
In this episode, I’m sharing a recent conversation with one of my 1:1 clients who’s training for 100 miles. She listed everything she’s juggling — work, family, aging parents, social media, world events, health concerns — and then said: “I just don’t know how I’m going to do it.” And that’s the point. Sometimes it’s not your fitness. It’s not your plan. It’s not your long run. It’s the mental load. When everything feels urgent and important, your attention gets split. And when your attention ...
This year, I’m taking a few things off the table when it comes to my running. First: I’m done calling runs “bad.” Hard? Sure. Uncomfortable? Absolutely. But “bad” doesn’t actually tell us anything useful—and it usually creates more noise than clarity. Second: I’m not overreacting to one data point. One tough run. One off week. One moment of doubt. None of those define your training—or your potential. In this episode, I talk about why these two decisions matter, how they’ve changed the way I a...
In this episode I'm chatting with my friend and licensed psychologist, Dr. Alison Roy. She's been a guest on the show before, way back in 2023 - episode 171. This time around, I wanted to explore the topic of trauma and why she thinks there are so many people in the sport of ultras that have experienced trauma. During this episode we also touch on being an adaptive athlete & some real-time skills that you can use out there on the trails if you're looking to improve your mental...
You guys know that one of my main missions is to get more women into the sport of ultras, so when my friend Meredith reached out to me and said: "What do you think about THIS?" I said: "I think you should come on the podcast to talk about it!" And here we are! Meredith is the Medical Director for The Huron 100 in Michigan and they're offering scholarships for the race - specifically for women! 💻 Click here to apply for The Huron 100 scholarship 🔥 JOIN T...
In this episode I'm chatting with my friend and fellow ultra runner, Caryn Lamphier. If you remember back in my Moab 240 recap episode, I mention running with a group of people on day / night one...Caryn is one of those people. I wanted to get her perspective on how the race went after we parted ways...here's what she had to say! 🔥 JOIN THE MOBILITY INTENSIVE ⭐️ GET THE FREE ULTIMATE 50K TRAINING TOOLKIT ➡️ CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP 📸 FOLLOW ME ON INST...
Every once in a while, I get a message from someone who’s just discovered the podcast and tells me they’re starting from episode one. And every time…I cringe a little. Not because I’m embarrassed (okay, maybe a little). But because that version of me isn’t who I am anymore. In this episode, I talk about why that cringe actually matters—and why it’s a good thing. If you’re not uncomfortable with your past work, past decisions, or past version of yourself…there’s a good chance you haven’t grown...
We love to talk about grit in ultrarunning. Toughness. Digging deep. Pushing through. But in most cases…you don’t DNF because you’re not tough enough. You DNF because of small decisions made when fatigue, stress, and emotion start running the show. In this episode, I’m pulling lessons from the book Where You’ll Find Me by Ty Gagne — a powerful exploration of risk, decision-making, and how experience can sometimes work against us in high-stakes environments. In this episode, we tal...
In this episode, I’m talking about the part of training that no spreadsheet can prepare you for — the blank space between the lines of your plan where uncertainty, second guessing, and mental load tend to creep in. We’ll dig into: why having a solid training plan is only the starting pointwhat actually causes runners to keep searching for a “better” planwhy effort alone doesn’t resolve the discomfort that shows up in longer-distance trainingand how the human interacting with the plan matters ...
Procrastination isn’t a motivation problem. It’s a timing problem. In this episode, I’m breaking down a simple rule that helps you stop overthinking, stop negotiating with yourself, and start actually doing the things you say you want to do—whether that’s drinking more water, getting more steps, starting strength work, or training for an ultra. We’ll talk about: Why we get stuck between thinking and doingHow to close the gap before overthinking takes overWhy starting small is the secret...
I watched a guy at my gym casually drink raw egg whites straight from the carton. No shame. No hesitation. Zero concern for what anyone else thought. Was it gross? Yes. Was it also kind of impressive? Also yes. And weirdly enough… it’s the perfect metaphor for ultra training. In this episode, we’re talking about why the “weird” things you do in training often make complete sense for your goals—even if they look ridiculous to everyone else. Because ultra training isn’t about looking norm...
In this episode, I'm chatting with Mamba 100 Race Director, James Boler. This is your deep dive into everything you want & need to know before hitting that sign up button. Links to all the websites and groups James mentions in the show are linked below. Join the Mamba Trail Runners Facebook Group Sign up for Mamba 100 on UltraSignUp Check out the Mamba Trail Runners Website 🔥 JOIN THE MOBILITY INTENSIVE ⭐️ GET THE FREE ULTIMATE 50K TRAINING TOOLKIT ➡️ CLICK HERE...
We’re doing something really fun next year and you’re invited! In this episode, I’m spilling the details on the two destination races the She Runs Ultras crew will be tackling together in 2026: the Hypnosis Night Runs in Arizona 🌵 and The Mamba in Tennessee 🐍. These races are all about adventure, community, and options — whether you’re going short, long, or somewhere in between. You’ll get to train alongside an amazing group of women, build your confidence (yes, even at night!), and cross tha...
In this episode, I answer a great question from listener (and She Runs Ultras member) Kierstin: How do you train mental toughness and resiliency when the moments you need it don’t show up until 12+ hours into a race? And how do you practice that in everyday life without recreating 20 hours of race fatigue? Here’s the truth: you’re practicing mental toughness 24/7, whether you realize it or not. It doesn’t start with huge, heroic efforts. It starts with the small, uncomfortable, in...
If you’ve ever tried using RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) and thought: “Am I doing this right?” “Why does this feel harder today than last week?” “Is this even working?” …this episode is for you! Today we’re breaking down effort-based training — what it is, why it matters, and how it can totally change the way you approach running, especially if you're a woman in your 40s (and beyond) who wants to run longer, stronger, and yes… get faster on the trails. Spoiler: RPE isn’t woo-woo. It’s not ...
If you’re in your off-season and thinking about what 2026’s training is going to look like…this episode is for you. I’m walking you through a concept I use with all my athletes this time of year: Minimum Effective Dose. AKA: What’s the smallest amount of training you can do and still get the result you want? (Not just any result — the desired result.) In this episode we cover: Why doing more isn’t always better (especially for runners 40+).What makes recovery, tissue tolerance, an...
In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the Top 10 Reasons Midlife Women Are Built for Ultramarathons — and trust me, once you hear this list, you’ll never look at your 40s, 50s, or even 60s the same way again. We’re talking about the real strengths women develop through decades of life experience — the grit, the patience, the emotional resilience, the ability to problem-solve in chaos, and the deep understanding of their own bodies. These aren’t just nice-to-have traits… they’re the exact sk...
What's the most unhinged race you've ever done? Well, for me and my guest, Jess Greene, it's the 2025 Moab 240. In this episode, we dissect the race and talk about just how challenging it was this year. 📷 Click here to follow Jess on Instagram 🔥 JOIN THE MOBILITY INTENSIVE ⭐️ GET THE FREE ULTIMATE 50K TRAINING TOOLKIT ➡️ CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP 📸 FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM 📝 IF I HELPED YOU RUN YOUR FIRST ULTRA, FILL OUT THIS FORM
Ever gone out too fast and spent the rest of the race wondering what was I thinking ? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about one of the hardest - and most important - skills in ultrarunning: racing your own race. We’ll dig into: 🏃♀️ How to tune out shiny PRs, social pressure, and other runners’ paces ⚡ Real strategies for pacing yourself in training and on race day 🧠 Mental tools for staying present and making smart decisions mid-run 🎯 Why individualized pacing and real...



