Sally McRae on Cocodona, Mindset, and What Actually Matters in Ultras

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 running Cocodona, thinking about a 200-miler, or just trying to figure out how to get better without burning out, this episode will hit.

Support our Sponsors:

Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/

Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726

CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee

Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at [email protected]

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure