About this episode

Sally McRae discusses her experiences and insights on ultra running, particularly focusing on Cocodona 250 and the mindset needed for long races.

I sit down with Sally McRae to talk about Cocodona 250, 200-mile racing, her career, and what actually matters in running. We get into why Sally is coming back to Cocodona, what went wrong the first time, and how she’s approaching it differently this year. From dialing in gear and nutrition to cutting time at aid stations, this is a real look at what makes a difference in long races and what doesn’t. We also talk about the evolution of the sport. From early blog days to the current boom in gear, content, and sponsorships, and why it can feel harder than ever to find something real in it. Sally shares what she’s learned after years in the sport, including: Why efficiency and organization matter more than fitness in 200s The mindset it takes to keep moving when everything hurts How to think about gear without overcomplicating it Why most runners are focusing on the wrong things What actually improves performance over long distances We also get into body image in endurance sports, fueling, durability, and why being strong might matter more than being light. This one is part philosophy, part race strategy, and part reality check for anyone chasing big goals in ultras. If you’re…

People in this episode

Host: Jeff Garmire

Guest: Sally McRae

Topics covered

• Cocodona 250
• ultra running
• mindset
• race strategy
• body image
• performance

Keywords

• Cocodona 250
• ultra running
• mindset
• race strategy
• performance
• body image
• nutrition
• gear

Sponsors

Sawyer, Janji, CS Coffee, Garage Grown Gear

More episodes of Free Outside

• Cocodona 250 History: The Stories Beneath the Miles · April 24, 2026 · 1h 28m
• What You Become Before the Finish Line · April 23, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Go Two More · April 20, 2026 · 55 min
• Vibe. Grind. Shine. (And Don’t Fall). Carb Maxing to run for Team USA · April 17, 2026 · 1h 7m
• Heritage Square Bound: Cocodona 250 Strategy · April 13, 2026 · 1h 3m
• Salty Boy Training Camp · April 7, 2026 · 24 min

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