She Runs Ultras

We're officially halfway through the year...so how's your training going?

Whether your goal race is just around the corner or still months away, now is the perfect time to pause and check in. In this episode, I'm sharing a simple mindset shift that has completely changed the way I approach ultra training—and it's one I think every runner needs to hear.

If you've been waiting for the "perfect" stretch of training with no aches, no schedule conflicts, and no life interruptions...you're going to be waiting forever.

Because here's the truth:

Last weekend, I headed to Arizona to crew and coach a handful of She Runs Ultras athletes at the Hypnosis Night Race - an overnight trail event put on Aravaipa Running.

The conditions were brutal: triple-digit temperatures, relentless wind, blowing sand, and miles of technical desert terrain in the dark.

In this episode, we're talking about:

In this episode, I'm sharing my 10 Training Plan Commandments.  The rules I've learned after years of coaching athletes and watching the same training mistakes show up over and over again.

In this episode, we'll cover:

Most runners think they need more motivation, discipline, or a better training plan.

But what if the bigger factor is the environment you're training in?

In this episode, Meghan explores how the people around you, the content you consume, and the systems you've built into your life can either support your ultra goals or make them harder than they need to be.

In this episode:

• How the people around you shape what feels possible
• Why consistency has more to do with environment than motivation
• The hidden impact of soc...

A lot of runners (especially first-time 50k runners) feel like they need to run the full race distance before race day just to prove they can do it.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why I don’t recommend that approach… but also sharing how I’d coach someone through it if they were absolutely dead set on doing it anyway 🙃

We’re talking about:

In this episode, I'm sharing some behind-the-scenes coaching with one of my long term clients and the way that she made the decision about whether or not to enter the Cocodona 250 lottery for 2027. 

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📝 IF I HELPED YOU RUN YOUR FIRST ULTRA, FILL OUT THIS FORM



 
 
 
 

Caught up in the excitement of the coverage and impulsively signed up for an ultra? 😅

You are definitely not alone.

In this episode I’m talking about the very real “OH SH*T” moment that can happen after the adrenaline wears off and the reality of training starts to sink in.

We’ll walk through 6 important things to think about before you panic-cancel your race registration — including timelines, training readiness, schedule realities, fears, mindset, and why that spark of inspiration matters more than you think.

If you recently signed up for your first ul...

In this episode, I’m talking about something a lot of runners believe and that is you only “earn” the right to wear race gear if you finish.

After my DNF at the Moab 240 in 2025, I couldn’t bring myself to wear the hoodie I bought at the race. It sat in my closet for months because, in my mind, I hadn’t “earned” it.

But over time, my perspective shifted.

This episode is about what that hoodie represents now.

More importantly, I talk about:

With races like the Arizona Monster and Cocodona 250 bringing overnight running into focus, this episode tackles a common question: should you train for sleep deprivation?

Short answer: no.

Sleep deprivation isn’t a trainable skill. It doesn’t improve performance and it comes with real downsides like poor decision-making, slower reaction time, increased injury risk, and reduced recovery.

Instead, focus on what does help:

What would your training look like if you didn’t have access to social media, Google, podcasts…or even this one?

In this episode, we explore what “old school” training might teach you about consistency, confidence, and actually making progress without all the noise. From learning to trust your body to stepping away from constant comparison, this is a conversation about simplifying your approach so you can focus on what really matters.

You’ll hear a real client story about what happened when she took a break from scrolling and why less input might be t...

What happens to all the gear you don’t use anymore?

In this episode, I’m talking with Jes Parker, founder of Take 2 Trail - a platform built to give trail running gear a second life.

We talk about the real cost of this sport, the amount of waste most runners don’t think about, and how rehoming gear can make trail running more accessible for everyone.

In This Episode, We Cover:

Ever get to a point in your training where you have so much on your plate that you're not sure you'll be able to continue?   Yeah, me too.  And that's what we're going to talk about today.  Plus - bonus tips on how to cultivate mental toughness for ultra running and I guarantee you - I'm not gonna say what you *think* I'm gonna say. 

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...

In this episode, I'm chatting with Badwater 135 finisher, Peggy Ward.  Peggy has an impressive ultra resume including multiple 50 & 100 mile races where she has placed overall or in her age group.  One of the most exciting things about Peggy, at least in my opinion, is that she didn't start running ultras until she was 42 years old.  So for any of you that think you're "too old" to run an ultra, think again!!!  

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📸 ...

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m too slow… too old… not cut out for this…” — this episode is going to hit close to home. 

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most common (and most toxic) patterns I see in runners: negative self-talk that sabotages your training before you ever get to race day.

After reading through recent coaching applications, so many women are holding themselves back not because of their training…but because of the story they’re telling themselves about their abilities. 

We’ll talk about:

When you think about “successful” ultra training…your brain probably goes straight to outcomes.

Finishing. PRs. Going farther than you ever have before.

But here’s the problem…That’s not where success actually lives.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why successful ultra training is process-based not outcome-based and why focusing only on the end result is the fastest way to stall your progress.

We’ll talk about:

Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the right things…reading the articles, trying the plans, tweaking your training and yet somehow your progress feels stalled?

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most common ways runners unknowingly sabotage their training especially in the age of social media and endless online advice.

When you’re not sure what to do, it’s easy to start grabbing ideas from everywhere:
a training plan here, a workout there, a tip from someone in a Facebook group…

Before long you’re...

Somewhere along the way, a lot of women start downplaying their running goals.

“It’s just a 50K.”
“I mean… there are people running way farther than me.”

In this episode, I’m stepping in as the 🧚 Permission Fairy 🧚 and officially giving you permission to want what you want when it comes to running your first or farthest ultra.

We’ll talk about why so many women hesitate to go after bigger running goals, the subtle ways we minimize our own ambitions, and why giving yourself permission is often the...

In this episode, I’m talking honestly about what it feels like when your body stops responding the way it used to and how perimenopause has shifted my experience as both an athlete and a coach.

This is not a deep dive into hormone science.

Instead, this is a conversation about:

We talk about what happens when:

In this episode, I’m sharing a recent conversation with one of my 1:1 clients who’s training for 100 miles.

She listed everything she’s juggling — work, family, aging parents, social media, world events, health concerns — and then said:

“I just don’t know how I’m going to do it.”

And that’s the point.

Sometimes it’s not your fitness.
It’s not your plan.
It’s not your long run.

It’s the mental load.

When everything feels urgent and important, your attention gets split.

This year, I’m taking a few things off the table when it comes to my running.

First: I’m done calling runs “bad.”
Hard? Sure. Uncomfortable? Absolutely.
But “bad” doesn’t actually tell us anything useful—and it usually creates more noise than clarity.

Second: I’m not overreacting to one data point.
One tough run. One off week. One moment of doubt.
None of those define your training—or your potential.

In this episode, I talk about why these two decisions matter, how they’ve changed the way I appr...

In this episode I'm chatting with my friend and licensed psychologist, Dr. Alison Roy.  She's been a guest on the show before, way back in 2023 - episode 171.  This time around, I wanted to explore the topic of trauma and why she thinks there are so many people in the sport of ultras that have experienced trauma. During this episode we also touch on being an adaptive athlete & some real-time skills that you can use out there on the trails if you're looking to improve your mental resilience. 

Follow Dr. Alison Roy's professional account on Instagram here

F...

You guys know that one of my main missions is to get more women into the sport of ultras, so when my friend Meredith reached out to me and said: "What do you think about THIS?"  I said: "I think you should come on the podcast to talk about it!"   And here we are!  Meredith is the Medical Director for The Huron 100 in Michigan and they're offering scholarships for the race - specifically for women!   

💻 Click here to apply for The Huron 100 scholarship 

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In this episode I'm chatting with my friend and fellow ultra runner, Caryn Lamphier.  If you remember back in my Moab 240 recap episode, I mention running with a group of people on day / night one...Caryn is one of those people.  I wanted to get her perspective on how the race went after we parted ways...here's what she had to say!  

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📝 IF I HELPED YOU RUN Y...

Every once in a while, I get a message from someone who’s just discovered the podcast and tells me they’re starting from episode one.

And every time…I cringe a little.

Not because I’m embarrassed (okay, maybe a little).
But because that version of me isn’t who I am anymore.

In this episode, I talk about why that cringe actually matters—and why it’s a good thing.

If you’re not uncomfortable with your past work, past decisions, or past version of yourself…there’s a good chance you ha...

We love to talk about grit in ultrarunning. Toughness. Digging deep. Pushing through.  But in most cases…you don’t DNF because you’re not tough enough.

You DNF because of  small decisions made when fatigue, stress, and emotion start running the show.

In this episode, I’m pulling lessons from the book Where You’ll Find Me by Ty Gagne — a powerful exploration of risk, decision-making, and how experience can sometimes work against us in high-stakes environments.

In this episode, we talk about:

In this episode, I’m talking about the part of training that no spreadsheet can prepare you for — the blank space between the lines of your plan where uncertainty, second guessing, and mental load tend to creep in.

We’ll dig into:

If you’ve ever felt like you were doing...

Procrastination isn’t a motivation problem.  It’s a timing problem.

In this episode, I’m breaking down a simple rule that helps you stop overthinking, stop negotiating with yourself, and start actually doing the things you say you want to do—whether that’s drinking more water, getting more steps, starting strength work, or training for an ultra.

We’ll talk about:

I watched a guy at my gym casually drink raw egg whites straight from the carton.  No shame. No hesitation. Zero concern for what anyone else thought.

Was it gross? Yes.
Was it also kind of impressive? Also yes.

And weirdly enough… it’s the perfect metaphor for ultra training.

In this episode, we’re talking about why the “weird” things you do in training often make complete sense for your goals—even if they look ridiculous to everyone else. Because ultra training isn’t about looking normal...

In this episode, I'm chatting with Mamba 100 Race Director, James Boler.  This is your deep dive into everything you want & need to know before hitting that sign up button.  Links to all the websites and groups James mentions in the show are linked below.  

Join the Mamba Trail Runners Facebook Group

Sign up for Mamba 100 on UltraSignUp

Check out the Mamba Trail Runners Website 

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We’re doing something really fun next year and you’re invited!

In this episode, I’m spilling the details on the two destination races the She Runs Ultras crew will be tackling together in 2026: the Hypnosis Night Runs in Arizona 🌵 and The Mamba in Tennessee 🐍.

These races are all about adventure, community, and options — whether you’re going short, long, or somewhere in between. You’ll get to train alongside an amazing group of women, build your confidence (yes, even at night!), and cross that finish line knowing you had support ev...

In this episode, I answer a great question from listener (and She Runs Ultras member) Kierstin:

How do you train mental toughness and resiliency when the moments you need it don’t show up until 12+ hours into a race?  And how do you practice that in everyday life without recreating 20 hours of race fatigue?

Here’s the truth: you’re practicing mental toughness 24/7, whether you realize it or not.  It doesn’t start with huge, heroic efforts. It starts with the small, uncomfortable, inconvenient stuff you’d rath...

If you’ve ever tried using RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) and thought:

“Am I doing this right?”
“Why does this feel harder today than last week?”
“Is this even working?”

…this episode is for you!

Today we’re breaking down effort-based training — what it is, why it matters, and how it can totally change the way you approach running, especially if you're a woman in your 40s (and beyond) who wants to run longer, stronger, and yes… get faster on the trails.

Spoiler: RPE isn’t woo-woo.
It’s not gu...

If you’re in your off-season and thinking about what 2026’s training is going to look like…this episode is for you.

I’m walking you through a concept I use with all my athletes this time of year: Minimum Effective Dose.  AKA: What’s the smallest amount of training you can do and still get the result you want?  (Not just any result — the desired result.)

In this episode we cover:

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the Top 10 Reasons Midlife Women Are Built for Ultramarathons — and trust me, once you hear this list, you’ll never look at your 40s, 50s, or even 60s the same way again.

We’re talking about the real strengths women develop through decades of life experience — the grit, the patience, the emotional resilience, the ability to problem-solve in chaos, and the deep understanding of their own bodies. These aren’t just nice-to-have traits… they’re the exact skills that ultrarunning demands.

Whether you're training for your first 50k, th...

What's the most unhinged race you've ever done?  Well, for me and my guest, Jess Greene, it's the 2025 Moab 240.  In this episode, we dissect the race and talk about just how challenging it was this year. 

📷 Click here to follow Jess on Instagram

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📝 IF I HELPED YOU RUN YOUR FIRST ULTRA, FILL OUT THIS FORM



 
 
 
 

Ever gone out too fast and spent the rest of the race wondering what was I thinking ?  You’re not alone.

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the hardest - and most important - skills in ultrarunning: racing your own race.

We’ll dig into:
🏃‍♀️ How to tune out shiny PRs, social pressure, and other runners’ paces
⚡ Real strategies for pacing yourself in training and on race day
🧠 Mental tools for staying present and making smart decisions mid-run
🎯 Why individualized pacing and realistic race goals matter more than finish time fant...

As we wrap up another big year of racing, a lot of runners are asking the same question:

👉 “What do I do now that I’m done racing for the year?”
👉 “How do I keep my fitness without losing everything I worked so hard for?”
👉 “What if I take time off and can’t get it back?”

If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

Today, we’re talking about why it’s not only okay to let some fitness go — it’s actually a smart move.

Because here’s the truth: that...

Spoiler Alert 🚨 I DNF'd...but I've still got lots of stories & lessons to share.  

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📝 IF I HELPED YOU RUN YOUR FIRST ULTRA, FILL OUT THIS FORM



 
 
 
 

Out on a long run? In the middle of your race? Or maybe just stuck in a tough training day? This episode is for the moments when you’re questioning yourself, fighting off the comparison demons, or wondering if you can really keep going.

I’ll remind you of:

If you need a boost, press play...

In this episode, I’m sharing why running isn’t selfish—it’s survival.

I talk about:

This one’s about giving yourself permission to go after what you want—without guilt, without apology.

👉 Sign up for my free November workshop...