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★★★★★

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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

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Check latest episodes from Unstoppable Ultra Runner podcast

80. The Post-Race Blues: Why You Feel Empty After an Ultra

2026/10/21

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/80 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

79. Race Crafting: Plan Your Ultra with Confidence

2026/10/14

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/79 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

Race Crafting: How to Build Your Ultramarathon Plan Before Race Day

2026/10/12

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 Here I can't wait to work with you!

78. How to Make the Leap from 50 to 100 Miles

2026/10/07

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/78 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

77. Why “Go Out Slow” Isn't a Race Plan

2026/09/30

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/77 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

76. “I Don't Want to Be Here”: How to Stay in the Race When You Want Out

2026/09/23

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/76 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

75. Why a Bad Stretch Doesn't Mean Your Race Is Over

2026/09/16

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/75 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

74. Your GPS Watch Is Lying to You

2026/09/09

Your GPS watch gives you pace, distance, heart rate, location, and more data than you could ever need during an ultra. But what happens when those numbers aren’t as accurate as you think they are, or when your brain interprets them in a way that sends you straight into panic? In this episode, I’m exploring why your GPS watch isn’t an infallible source of truth and why more data doesn’t necessarily lead to better decisions on race day. I show you where inaccuracies can creep into your watch data, how your brain turns neutral numbers into potential threats, and why reacting to those numbers without questioning them costs so many ultra runners their confidence, race goals, and even their finish. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/74 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

73. Training Plan Entitlement: The Trap That Can Cost You Your Race

2026/09/02

Training plan entitlement is the belief that choosing and completing the right training plan means you’re owed a good race. In this episode, I’ll show you why this thinking can undermine your self-trust, how handing your decisions and expectations over to a training plan can actually work against you, and what to do instead so you’re prepared to handle whatever happens on race day. Discover how to use your training plan as a tool without letting it make your decisions for you and learn how to build the kind of self-trust that doesn’t depend on having an easy race, but on knowing you can handle a hard one. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/73 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

72. The Top 3 Distractions Stealing Time From Your Race

2026/08/26

If you're constantly worried about cutoff, it's easy to assume you need to train harder or run faster. But you may already have more time available than you realize. The problem is that without noticing it, you could be giving that time away mile after mile to distractions that have nothing to do with getting you to the finish line. In this episode, I share the top three distractions I see stealing runners' attention and valuable race time, and explain how each one pulls your focus away from what you need to be doing right now, whether that's maintaining your pace, fueling consistently, or simply paying attention to the trail in front of you. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/72 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

71. The Infinite Game: A Better Way to Approach Your Ultra Running

2026/08/19

In this episode, I introduce one of the core philosophies behind my coaching: the concept of the infinite game. I explain why viewing ultra running as one long game, rather than a series of make-or-break races, changes everything. No single race can ever be a verdict on your ability, and changing your mindset on this lowers the fear of failure, and helps you race with more confidence, freedom, and enjoyment. When you stop treating every race like the final exam of your ultra running, you free yourself to learn from every experience, and keep growing for years to come. This episode will show you how embracing the infinite game can help you let go of unnecessary pressure, and enjoy the challenge of becoming a better ultra runner one race at a time. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/71 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

70. What Coaching Really Gives You as an Ultrarunner

2026/08/12

We often think coaching is about learning mental skills, improving race execution, or building better plans. But this week, I explain why some of the biggest breakthroughs in ultrarunning come from something much harder to measure: having someone who helps you stop holding yourself back, and gives you permission to chase the goals you really want. Whether you're preparing for your first ultra, returning from a setback, or wondering what's missing in your running, this episode will show you what coaching really gives you as an ultrarunner. I share what my own recovery taught me about the value of coaching, and explain why belief, permission, and consistent support can change far more than your race results. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/70 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

69. "My Body Betrayed Me" (The Poisonous Thought Hurting Your Ultrarunning)

2026/08/05

After a disappointing race, it's easy to look for someone or something to blame. You trained hard. You followed the plan. You did everything you could. So when your race falls apart, the thought, "My body betrayed me," can feel completely justified. But what if that seemingly harmless thought is quietly damaging your confidence, your motivation, and your future as an ultrarunner? This week, discover how to evaluate a disappointing race without turning against yourself, why taking responsibility gives you more control instead of less, and how building trust with your body can help you race with more confidence for years to come. If you've ever walked away from a race feeling like your body let you down, this episode will give you a healthier, stronger way to move forward. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/69 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

68. The Goal That Feels Safe vs. The Goal You Want

2026/07/29

There's a moment before every race where you make a bet on yourself, and most runners don't realize they're making it. Do you go after the goal you really want, knowing you might not achieve it? Or do you choose the goal that feels safer because you're afraid of falling short? That one decision shapes how you approach your race before you ever reach the starting line and says far more about what you believe you're capable of than most ultra runners realize. In this episode, I explore why so many ultra runners hold themselves back before the race even begins. I break down the hidden cost of choosing the safe goal, why fear often disguises itself as being realistic, and how the goal you choose influences your race strategy, your confidence, and the relationship you build with yourself as an ultra runner. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/68 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

67. There Is No Right Way to Do Ultrarunning

2026/07/22

What if the biggest thing holding you back in ultrarunning isn't your fitness, your training, or your mindset, but a set of rules you never consciously agreed to? Many of us unknowingly carry beliefs about what an ultrarunner is supposed to do, what races we're supposed to run, how much we're supposed to suffer, or what success is supposed to look like. Over time, those expectations can quietly turn a sport we love into something that feels heavy. In this episode, hear some of the most common assumptions in ultrarunning that may be stealing your enjoyment of the sport, and discover what becomes possible when you stop chasing someone else's version of ultrarunning and start defining your own. For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://susanidonnelly.com/67 Connect with Susan: Instagram: instagram.com/susanidonnelly Facebook: facebook.com/susanidonnelly Mentioned 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

Podcast reviews

Read Unstoppable Ultra Runner podcast reviews

5 out of 5

53 reviews

★★★★★

DogRoco 2026/08/23

Enlightening and Helpful

Susan provides well considered advice and suggestions that give you food for thought about ultrarunning and capabilities. I also have takeaways from ...

★★★★★

Ouachitarunner 2026/06/04

Your gift of encouragement appreciated

You have provided so much encouragement to me at exactly the right times. I hope your are encouraged through your recovery journey. Stay focused stay ...

★★★★★

AngelaT! 2026/05/02

Love this podcast!

Always great information. I find myself taking notes! I listen to each podcast twice. I always find something the second time around that I didn’t ca...

★★★★★

FerlinghettiGirl 2026/04/22

Thank you!!!

I’m training for my first ultra 50 miles for 50 years around the sun, and this podcast has been such an inspiration and so often a relief to hear I’m ...

★★★★★

alexinohio88 2025/08/03

Best Running Podcast

This is the best running podcast I’ve found! I check daily for new episodes and connect so well to all of them. Susan has a way to cut the fluff and g...

★★★★★

HardRockMom21 2025/05/19

Practical advise

Easy to listen to and understand. Good advice for all of life’s problems.

★★★★★

Caligirl5683 2025/05/03

It’s your mind!

I am not an ultra runner-yet! I have aspirations of doing this. I have ran several marathons-some great and some not so great. I have always had the a...

★★★★★

Cowbell Fever 2025/05/02

Become the Version of me that Finishes, Wins!

Only three episodes in and I’m already thankful to have Susan’s words echoing in my mind. I have had a couple of DNSes for my very favorite races late...

★★★★★

@scottykummer 2025/05/02

Great Idea

This is so great. I’m glad you are sharing your infinite wisdom with this in podcast form. Excited to follow on your podcast journey!!

★★★★★

CN from SF 2025/05/02

Celebrating!

I love the way Susan's stories are so relatable. She boldy talks about tough momemts in ultrarunning, and shares her wisdom. Her podcast gives practic...

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