Lindsay Phenix - Ultra Running, 100-Mile Races & The Power of Mental Strength

Lindsay Phenix is an ultra runner and run coach based in Los Angeles, California, who has completed more than 140 marathons and ultramarathons combined.

In this episode, Lindsay shares her journey from running with her family as a child to taking on some of the toughest endurance events in the world, including the legendary Badwater 135 in Death Valley. She explains how she progressed from running one marathon a year to discovering her love for 100-mile races, and why endurance, patience and mental strength are key to success.

We dive into the mental side of ultrarunning, exploring how to stay present over 100 miles, maintain focus, adapt when things go wrong and manage the physical and psychological challenges of running through the night. Lindsay also shares practical advice on pacing, nutrition, fuelling, sleep, strength training, recovery and running during your menstrual cycle.

We discuss some of her toughest racing experiences, including the Hurt 100 in Hawaii, breaking her tailbone, and her dreams of taking on iconic events such as Western States 100, Hardrock 100, UTMB and the Tor des Géants.

As a coach, Lindsay explains why the best training plan is the one you can consistently follow, why running needs to be a progression, and how she helps others work towards their own goals.

This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for runners of all abilities. Lindsay also shares her thoughts on making running more inclusive and offers encouragement for women and girls who are ready to take a leap of faith and discover what they're capable of.

Listen in to learn more about:

• Building up to ultramarathons and 100-mile races
• Developing the mental strength to keep going
• Pacing, fuelling and managing the unknowns of endurance racing
• Balancing training, strength work, sleep and recovery
• Learning from tough races and setbacks
• Finding the right training approach for you
• Taking a leap of faith and believing in yourself

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Show notes

• Who is Lindsay
• Being based in Los Angles, California
• Originally from Texas
• Being a runner her whole life
• Running with her Dad, brother and cousins on a regular basis
• Why running was a blessing 
• Running for her dad's love?
• Why running and sports was a joy
• Never suffering from burnout from running
• Being gracious with herself 
• Taking time of from running after races
• Not seeing runnin