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Unstoppable Ultra Runner - Podcast

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.

Follow now and start training the one thing that’s been holding you back.

You can connect with Susan at www.susanidonnelly.com

Self-Improvement Education Fitness Health & Fitness Sports Running
Update frequency
every 6 days
Average duration
13 minutes
Episodes
22
Years Active
2025
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21. How Spotting a Low Early Can Save Your Ultra

21. How Spotting a Low Early Can Save Your Ultra

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 norm…

00:10:00  |   Wed 03 Sep 2025
20. The Simple Training Plan for the Mental Side of Ultra Running

20. The Simple Training Plan for the Mental Side of Ultra Running

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…

00:15:19  |   Wed 27 Aug 2025
19. Why Ultra Running Isn’t Selfish

19. Why Ultra Running Isn’t Selfish

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 a…

00:14:22  |   Wed 20 Aug 2025
18. The Power of Momentum: Why One Decision Doesn’t Define Your Race

18. The Power of Momentum: Why One Decision Doesn’t Define Your Race

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 base…

00:11:22  |   Wed 13 Aug 2025
17. 6 Mindset Shifts to Overcome Cutoff Stress

17. 6 Mindset Shifts to Overcome Cutoff Stress

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 …

00:17:03  |   Wed 06 Aug 2025
16. Why Saying “I’m Slow” Holds You Back

16. Why Saying “I’m Slow” Holds You Back

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 w…

00:11:39  |   Wed 30 Jul 2025
15. The Hidden 5-Step Process Behind Every Ultra Drop

15. The Hidden 5-Step Process Behind Every Ultra Drop

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 …

00:11:24  |   Wed 23 Jul 2025
14. What If It's Easier Than You Think?

14. What If It's Easier Than You Think?

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 fo…

00:17:36  |   Wed 16 Jul 2025
13. How Planned Breaks Prevent Burnout

13. How Planned Breaks Prevent Burnout

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 …

00:11:06  |   Wed 09 Jul 2025
12. Burnout Isn’t What You Think: Recognize the Real Signs

12. Burnout Isn’t What You Think: Recognize the Real Signs

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…

00:15:39  |   Wed 02 Jul 2025
11. Why Can’t I Finish? The DNF Question That Holds You Back

11. Why Can’t I Finish? The DNF Question That Holds You Back

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 a…

00:16:47  |   Wed 25 Jun 2025
10. Build a Cushion on Cutoff: Race Strategy

10. Build a Cushion on Cutoff: Race Strategy

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…

00:14:40  |   Wed 18 Jun 2025
9. How to Recover from a Disappointing Race

9. How to Recover from a Disappointing Race

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 val…

00:16:40  |   Wed 11 Jun 2025
8. What to Focus on When Things Get Hard

8. What to Focus on When Things Get Hard

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 alo…

00:16:45  |   Wed 04 Jun 2025
7. How to Stay In the Race When Things Get Hard

7. How to Stay In the Race When Things Get Hard

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 pow…

00:11:40  |   Wed 28 May 2025
6. Train Your Brain Like You Train Your Body

6. Train Your Brain Like You Train Your Body

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 get…

00:17:10  |   Wed 21 May 2025
5. Why Ultrarunning Goals Feel Hard

5. Why Ultrarunning Goals Feel Hard

Find out why your big goals aren’t supposed to feel easy. Whether you're training for your first ultra, or setting yourself a target that stretches you, what I share today will help you see setbacks …

00:11:19  |   Wed 14 May 2025
4. How To Manage Pre-Race Anxiety

4. How To Manage Pre-Race Anxiety

Is your upcoming race filling you with that familiar knot of anxiety? Tune in this week to discover the simple, practical three-step process that will transform your relationship with pre-race anxiet…

00:16:39  |   Wed 07 May 2025
3. The Real Risk Isn’t Ambition - It’s Holding Back

3. The Real Risk Isn’t Ambition - It’s Holding Back

A practical five-step framework to make ambition feel safe, so you can chase those big, bold goals without apology. Because ultra running isn't about certainty or perfection—it's about guts, resilien…

00:13:13  |   Wed 30 Apr 2025
2. How to Stay in the Race When Your Brain Wants Out

2. How to Stay in the Race When Your Brain Wants Out

How ultrarunners can tap into their powerful "why" – not just as a concept, but as a feeling that can become stronger than the urge to quit. When you master this, you don't just finish races – you be…

00:12:44  |   Wed 30 Apr 2025
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