Coming back after a break in your training can feel like staring up at an impossible mountain. Whether it’s from the holidays or life getting in the way, the first run back can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, I tackle the mental hurdle of returning to training after time off. A lot of runners fear they’re starting from scratch, but that mindset keeps you stuck. I’ll break down three common thought errors that make it harder than it needs to be. You’ll learn why your pre-break fitness wasn’t actually your peak and how your experience can help you come back stronger and smarter.

For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/37

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If you’re ready to stop fighting your own mind and start racing to your potential, listen in. I walk you through three common self-sabotage patterns ultra runners fall into and the specific tools you can use to turn each one around. You’ll learn how to stop taking every negative thought as fact, how to trust yourself without needing certainty, and how to move out of research mode and into confident execution when it matters most.

For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/36

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In this episode, I’ll share how you can stop procrastinating and start running. This doesn’t rely on motivation or guilt. It’s a surprisingly simple mindset shift that makes procrastination lose its power.

Discover how to build trust with yourself, create consistency without needing to feel motivated, and become the kind of runner who gets out the door - no matter the conditions.

For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/35

Connect with Susan:

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Want to run faster? There's a mental power tool you're probably not using to its full strength, one that can make you faster but is instead slowing you down.

The power tool we're talking about is your attention. It's one of the most important tools in your mental toolbox, and right now it might be working against you. So this week, you'll learn three specific skills for managing your attention that will help you run faster without increasing your leg speed.

For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/34

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So many ultra runners believe that mental strength is a shield against failure or a way to avoid the disappointment of a DNF. But what if that belief is the very thing holding you back? In this episode, we’ll talk about the real purpose of mental strength and why it’s far more valuable than a clean race record or a perfect finish.

For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/33

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What if you could carry a ton of doubt all the way to the finish line of your next ultramarathon and still have the race of a lifetime? In this episode, I’m sharing the one percent rule: a game-changing mindset shift that will change how you think about doubt forever. Instead of trying to feel perfectly confident, you’ll learn what actually matters when your brain starts questioning whether you can keep going.

For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/32

Connect with Susan:

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Most runners carry a secret fantasy race script in their heads: how things are “supposed” to go for the day to be a success. In this episode, I’m breaking down how that hidden fantasy race gets created, how it quietly sabotages even experienced runners, and how to keep your race from going off-script.

For full show notes, transcript PDF, and more information, visit https://www.susanidonnelly.com/31

Connect with Susan:

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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/30

Connect with Susan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanidonnelly

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanidonnelly