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
31 Episodes
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Every ultra runner knows that point in the race when the pain feels like it might stop you. But this moment isn’t really about pain…and you have the power to control it. In this episode, I break down how to separate pain from discomfort. We’ll talk about the mental shift that helps you stop fearing pain and start managing discomfort with confidence. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/30Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
If you’ve ever crossed the finish line barely ahead of cutoff, you know that stress can feel like it’s chasing you all race long. In this episode, I explore what’s really happening when cutoff becomes the center of your focus, and how small shifts in where you put your attention can completely change how you race. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/29 Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
When you’re worried you won’t make cutoff, it fundamentally changes how you race. In this episode, I'll share the three-question strategy that's helped me through countless tight cutoff situations, including making a critical cutoff at Massanutten 100 with just 15 minutes to spare. These questions work because they redirect your mind from catastrophizing to concrete actions you can control right now. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/28Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
What's harder than running a hundred miles? Spending hours convinced you're letting everyone down. In this episode, I'm diving deep into one of the most destructive mental patterns in ultra running: the overwhelming guilt of disappointing your crew, pacers, and volunteers when your race isn't going as planned. I'm sharing why this guilt trap is so insidious, how it makes dropping out feel like the "right" thing to do, and the crucial mental shifts you need to reclaim your race.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/27Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Just do it scared.” But pretending fear isn’t there or trying to push it away only adds more pressure. In this episode, I break down a smarter way to actually “do it scared.” By changing how you think about fear, noticing it, and using it as a guide instead of an obstacle, you can show up mentally stronger and run with confidence - even when your nerves are at their peak.For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/26Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly
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
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