Addie J. Bracy - Mental Training for Ultrarunning

1. Understand the importance of finding your mental weaknesses, and develop the skills to make them a strength.
2. Identify your values and build a deeper, more sustainable connection to running.
3. Learn to control your nerves and respond appropriately to outside stimuli to feel confident, calm, and collected.
4. Embrace the discomfort of running long distances and overcome the mental and emotional toll of such difficult challenges.
5. Focus on what you can influence, stay in the present, and avoid getting distracted by possible outcomes.
6. Prioritize your behaviors to find motivation and consistency over the long haul.
7. Learn how to problem solve and cope with adversity.
8. Approach challenges with an open mind and be able to relinquish control.
9. Manage doubts and control negative self-talk to find confidence and belief in what you can accomplish.
10. Respond to setbacks and roadblocks such as injuries and DNFs with a positive, action-oriented approach.

In the fall of 2016, I was racing the Moab Trail Marathon. I was in the front pack, cruising across slickrock and dusty singletrack. To my surprise, a woman flew by us wearing a bulky hydration pack and the extra-short spandex shorts track runners wear. Who is that? I thought. After I huffed across the finish, I looked her up. Her name was Addie Bracy. She was a three-time Olympic Trials qualifier, once in the 10,000 meters and twice in the marathon, with a 2:35 PR. Despite her attire and track and road background, she won the race in Moab, adding to her ever-growing list of wins at national trail championships.

Over the next few years, Addie and I would race against each other often. Id sign up for a race and see her on the list of entrants. Id breathe deeply. This wont be easy, Id tell myself. Despite our rivalry, we would chat while racing. And after we learned we both lived on the Front Range in Colorado, we started training together.

Weve run hundreds of miles together in the past year, laughing and problem-solving. The more I get to know Addie, the more I realize how little I know about my own mind. Addies the opposite of pedantic. When it comes to talking about psychology, which she knows a lot about, shes kind and never judgmental. She listens well and is quick to share her own stories, full of humility and her trademark dry humor. Addies good at describing a complex topic by using layperson terms, citing a podcast, or telling a funny story. In our countless runs together, shes helped me confront fundamental questions about why I do what I do.

But its hard keeping up with Addie and her mileage. Fortunately, you dont have to. You have this book. After reading it, I feel like I just ran thousands of miles with her and had multiple therapy sessions. I now feel more capable and confident in my ability to run an ultra and also to tackle dreams outside of running.

One of my favorite chapters is on vulnerability and curiosity (). Addie spells out things I already know: I need to be vulnerable to take on the risks of seeking big goals. But she takes it one step further by encouraging me to share my running and life goals with my closest family and friendsto not fear failure. Go figure.

As you read this book, I bet you, too, will feel like youre running with Addie. Shell ask you personal questions: Why are you so attached to those prerace superstitions? Why does seeing a rival on a start line prompt overwhelming anxiety? Addie has created a beautiful collection of the best takeaways in the field of sport psychology, explaining how we can be our best selves.

I love that this book acknowledges that our brains are in fact the most important muscles in our bodiesno matter how chiseled our quads are. Were all fortunate to have Addie in our corner. Now lets get after it!

Clare Gallagher

Winner of the Leadville 100 and the Western States 100

Climate Justice Advocate