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

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/free-outside-6909507/sally-mcrae-on-cocodona-mindset-and-what-actually-matters-in-ultras
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/free-outside-6909507/sally-mcrae-on-cocodona-mindset-and-what-actually-matters-in-ultras.md
Podcast: [Free Outside](https://stenobird.com/podcast/free-outside-6909507)
Published: 2026-04-27T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeoutside/episodes/Sally-McRae-on-Cocodona--Mindset--and-What-Actually-Matters-in-Ultras-e3igq8i
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/eaf7016c/podcast/play/119088850/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-3-27%2F422932075-44100-2-4e46a21f58f91.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/free-outside-6909507/episodes/sally-mcrae-on-cocodona-mindset-and-what-actually-matters-in-ultras
Duration seconds: 4964

## Resource

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 jeff@freeoutside.com Watch…

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