Choose Strong

Sally knew as she hit the "SUBMIT REGISTRATION" button that Leadville 100 would be especially challenging for her as an athlete. This 100 mile, extreme high altitude race already poses a challenge for anyone not acclimated to altitude, and with Sally's lifelong issues with being able to breathe in and out fully, this course would undoubtedly test her mentally to keep going even when she didn't feel strong.

In this episode, we detail Sally's prep going into the race; how her team kept her moving; the mental tricks and wisdom Sally applied during crucial situations; and why this race was strategically put as #3 of 6 in The Choose Strong Project. The episode wraps up with some firm and encouraging advice to listeners to look their struggles square in the eye and embrace them.

We want to personally thank you for choosing to download and listen to our podcast. We greatly appreciate this community and love hearing from you! Thanks for the incredible reviews!

If you're interested in supporting the podcast and helping us continue to put out content more frequently, please consider becoming a monthly contributor OR please download Sally's Strength App: https://sallymcrae.app

Thank you for being here; KEEP CHOOSING STRONG!

The World's Toughest Footrace starts at Badwater Basin in California, 282 feet below sea level and travels 135 miles, over 3 mountain passes; ending at Mount Whitney Portal (the entrance to the tallest mountain in the lower 48 States). The race is known for it's extreme heat and harsh conditions with temperatures reaching close to 130F. Over a decade ago, Sally crafted a goal for herself to win the race, which she did after her second attempt in 2021. In 2018 and 2021, Sally endured constant challenges and setbacks throughout the race, which she often describes as "lessons in strength training." Having achieved her goal in 2021, Sally decided to head back to the race with a goal greater than a podium finish.

In this podcast, Sally and I sit down to break down her reason for returning to Badwater; the role the race played in the Choose Strong Project; and how after 3 finishes, the race continues to not only humble her as an athlete but reveal to her what she is capable of accomplishing despite discomfort and setbacks.

We dive into the lead up to the race; her training; goals; and the glimmer of hope she held after the first 50 miles of the race to run the course faster than her two previous attempts. We talk about the surprising, unique challenge that popped up in the race and how she handled it and we discuss the overwhelming realization of walking the final 70 miles to get to the Finish line in 35 hours.

We want to thank YOU our listener for taking the time to hang out with us, please consider supporting our work by downloading Sally's Strength and Running app which we discuss at the beginning of the podcast: https://sallymcrae.app 

You can also contact us directly about the podcast or speaking inquires at [email protected] or by visiting the website: sallymcrae.com 

You can follow and get to know Sally's Badwater Crew at:

Colin Cooley @runwicked

David Daley @daviddaley74

Sarah Attar @sarahattar

Eddie McRae @mobampin 

Choose Strong Project @choosestrongproject 

TO WATCH THIS PODCAST ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, Check out the CHOOSESTRONGPODCAST CHANNEL and Subscribe!

In this episode Sally shares about a challenging project she has been quietly working toward and how YOU can join!

+Intro to the Choose Strong Project

+The 6 races totaling 500+ miles that Sally will be racing in the next 5 months

+The reason why 2022 is the year Sally has been anticipating for more than half her life.

+How the community and how people have already been sharing their Choose Strong stories.

+Run, Hike, Ride, or Lift on July 11th as Sally tackles her 3rd Badwater 135. Do 135 miles, km, minutes, reps, etc. You pick your challenge and join Sally. Take a pic and share your story. Use hashtag #choosestrongproject #choosestrong22

Show links and Sponsors

Sally's Run and Strength App is the sponsor of this podcast. You can sign up for the first month for only $1 and gain access to 100s of Sally's workouts; her Strength Community and much more ! Download her app here: https://sallymcrae.app

Follow our Social Media accounts:

CHOOSE STRONG PODCAST: @choosestrongpodcast on IG and 

CHOOSE STRONG PROJECT: @choosestrongproject on IG

YELLOWRUNNER: @yellowrunner on IG

SALLY'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Sally McRae 

In this episode I sit down with Deb Hamberlin, as she recaps her first try at the 200 mile distance. She finished 19th woman at COCODONA 250. I coached Deb for 4 years and this was my first time carving out a training plan for this distance. Deb is one of the kindest and most helpful runners in the ultra community and so to see her accomplish this incredible feat brought me great joy!

During our conversation we discuss:

+Deb's background as an athlete and her humble start in sports in school and how the single decision of just "choosing to try" running and different distances led her to believe she could run a 250 mile race.

+Training, workouts, and preparation to make her body strong and injury free for race day.

+What she did outside of training to ensure she would be ready for any scenario during the several days she was on the course.

+How Deb managed to overcome everything from nausea, a brush with Rhabdo; nerve pain; blisters; sleep deprivation and much more.

If you're considering one of these 200+ mile races you will find a wealth of knowledge and insight to help you in your journey; but even if you're not training for an ultra, the lessons discussed in this podcast will undoubtedly encourage you to Keep Choosing Strong in all you do!

Links and Sponsors:

You can follow Deb Hamberlin on Instagram & Twitter @debrunsfar

You can follow the podcast on YouTube & Instagram @choosestrongpodcast

To help support the podcast and Sally's work in both speaking and coaching, please consider downloading her app at this link: https://sallymcrae.app and gain access to hundreds of Sally's customized strength, running, and mobility workouts!

You'll want to save and share this episode because it's FULL of real-life experiences Sally has had in her 20 years as an endurance runner. In this episode, Sally is joined by Eddie as she discusses some of her biggest fears when she first started running, especially on the trails and how she overcame them. She offers advice, tips, and a good dose of FIRM responses that women can used when being harassed while out on a run or when threatened. 

Topics Covered:

-Being stalked and followed on road and trails.

-Being harassed in remote areas.

-Encounters with coyotes, bears, rattlesnakes, and bobcats.

-Making a terrible rookie mistake in the mountains as a pro. 

-Important gear and safety measures before heading out on the roads or trails alone.

-The importance of understanding the difference between the fear that paralyzes you and the fear that keeps you safe.

-Choosing the Strong Mindset

We want to thank you in advance for giving a rating and a review and for all your support of the podcast and the app! It is our goal to continue putting out content more frequently and we appreciate your belief in us! Thank you! 

To download Sally's Run and Strength app, visit: https://sallymcrae.app

In the final episode of The Body Series, I address the questions YOU sent me- which are some of the most popular I receive on a weekly basis. We discuss food, strength training while running, motivation, and how to approach running with a healthy mindset.

I am joined in this episode by the ever patient Eddie McRae; my best friend and husband.

For the links I discuss in the episode, you can check out:

My Strength Training and Running app:  https://sallymcrae.app

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us directly at [email protected] we LOVE hearing from our audience.

If you are interested in supporting my podcast so I can begin putting out episodes more frequently, please consider becoming a monthly subscriber. Thank you to all who have signed up!

Follow my training, racing, and life adventures and thoughts on my Instagram: @yellowrunner and be sure to follow the podcast profile too @choosestrongpodcast 

In this 3 part Body series, I answer questions from listeners about issues surrounding body image and address some of the common comments I have gotten over the years regarding my own body. My desire is to encourage others to focus on what the body can DO rather than focusing on criticisms or beliefs that we need to change our bodies in order to do what we love. This is one of my favorite topics to talk about so I am breaking it up into 3 parts. 

I am joined by my husband Eddie McRae, who kindly reads through the questions with me; and YES, we will hear more from him in the future.

And a special thanks to my NEW supporters. Your donations allow me to continue to produce content- which I am most passionate about. For those of you interested in supporting my work, you can do so here or by downloading my Sally McRae Strength App at https://linktr.ee/yellowrunner