
Sally McRae on Cocodona, Mindset, and What Actually Matters in Ultras
From Free Outside by Jeff Garmire
April 27, 2026 · 1h 23m
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
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