Choose Strong

Sally is out in Flagstaff, AZ this week, so we sat down to chat, virtually this episode. We spend some time talking about safety on the trail when encountering animals/snakes, Sally's un-biased & transparent honesty when reviewing shoes, and on the course Cocodona 250 training. Other episode highlights: Choose Strong listener shout-outsIf you’re on the trail, get a sharpie!Snake tips for the trailSally a free agent? HONEST reviews on trails shoes & gearNorda shoes going 1000 miles You don’t need $100 shirts...to runThe power of marketing & the ‘cool factor’ Running in Crocs?Training on the Cocodona 250 course this weekThe importance of personal consistency is key in training All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae Strength App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Podcast YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Strava Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to take advantage of the deals from the episode's sponsors!MUD/WTR: Save 43% with code STRONG at mudwtr.comiRESTORE: Get an exclusive discount on the Illumina Face Mask using code STRONG at irestore.comLAGOON SLEEP: Get 15% off with code CHOOSESTRONG at lagoonsleep.com/CHOOSESTRONGQUALIA: Get 50% off at qualialife.com/SALLY and use code SALLY for an extra 15% off.

Sally McRae, pro ultrarunner, coach, podcaster and author, reflects on a decade with Nike Trail and what changed. She recounts signing with Nike, evolving gear work, team shifts, and the moment Nike Trail was absorbed into ACG. Short stories, product memories, and a peek at what project-based partnerships might look like next.

They dig into what a champion's mindset really looks like and how it applies to training, racing, and daily life. Stories about comeback races, getting lost on course, and handling organizer mistakes bring real drama. Practical tips cover adjusting bad training days, time management, and quick mindset tricks to keep moving forward.

They dig into preemptive gut health for long races and quick fixes for nausea on the trail. They debate how many weekly strength sessions really build durable power. They explain the benefits of steady zone 2 training for a strong aerobic base. They share travel-friendly training tips and community stories that keep training consistent and fun.

Conversations about training on iconic ultra courses and visualizing race day on the Cocodona 250 and Badwater routes. Playful Winter Olympics banter highlighting moguls, biathlon, and daring comebacks. Practical talk on using a 50K as a training run, when to run on tired legs, and essential rain gear. Community shoutouts and favorite running socks make for light, relatable moments.

Andy Glaze, ultra-runner, firefighter/battalion chief, and memoir author-in-progress. He talks about brutal race conditions and unforgettable races, stacking huge mileage like 300-mile weeks, daily naps and recovery tricks, writing and recording a book while managing dyslexia, and opening up about mental health and PTSD. Short, candid, and surprisingly uplifting.

In this episode Sally breaks down the importance of strength training for runners. She shares exercises, tips, reasons why and how often you should strength train. Plus, if you stick around to the end, she gives a very 'Sally-esque' encouragement to you! Thanks for listening! Other episode highlights:Choose Strong community highlightsHips, glutes and ankles - focusSally's top 5 strength exercises Strengthening for downhill running Treating your body as an engineThe importance of bodyweight exercisesHow often should a runner strength train?Should runners lift heavy weights?Running “far” & lifting “heavy” are objective termsGet Sally's Strength App: HERE All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Podcast YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Strava Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Sponsors:iRESTORE: Unlock your best skin with @iRestorelaser and unlock exclusive savings on the iRestore Illumina Face Mask, use code STRONG at ⁠https://www.irestore.com/STRONG ⁠#irestorepod LAGOON SLEEP: Visit ⁠https://lagoonsleep.com/choosestrong⁠ for 15% off. Code: CHOOSESTRONGWILDALASKAN: Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to:  ⁠https://www.wildalaskan.com/SALLY

A runner’s return to a 100-mile race after a year away. Gear, nutrition choices, and how she managed a tender knee. Loop-by-loop race drama including nausea, night pacing, and community support. Reflections on training adjustments, travel logistics, and future race plans.

Explore the courage to pursue your goals today, as Sally shares her inspiring journey toward a long-awaited race. Listen to reflections on parenting and cherishing fleeting moments while navigating the challenges of growing kids. Embrace the wisdom of viewing failure as feedback and the importance of progressive training, even when starting from just two miles. With hints on fueling strategies and the significance of gratitude, this conversation reaffirms that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed—so start chasing those dreams now!

As Sally gears up for a challenging 100-mile race, she dives into her training strategies and the significance of living in the moment. The hosts discuss the balance between running and lifting, as well as the importance of setting bold goals. They also touch on the journey of running through grief and the positive aspects of aging in sports. Sally shares her race prep, including fueling strategies and recovery techniques post-surgery, while emphasizing adaptability and resilience in training.