"I really believe anyone can run 100 miles if they do it with grit and grace."

Sally McRae

"I really believe anyone can run 100 miles if they do it with grit and grace."

Sally McRae

Setting the Pace

Ultramarathoner and Southern California native Sally McRae is making a name for herself and inspiring others around the world - one mile at a time.


It’s safe to call long distance runner Sally McRae superhuman. After all, the Costa Mesa, California native, and Nike Trail athlete travels the world to compete in 100-mile races consisting of steep, rocky terrain spanning mountain ranges such as the prestigious Western States 100-mile Endurance Run from Squaw Valley to Auburn.

But the former soccer player at Biola University and now a mother of two didn’t always think she would become a ultramarathoner. She grew up the middle of five children and initially dreamed of a career as a professional soccer player. “I was so passionate about soccer, and if I had any free time at all, I would go out in the backyard and juggle,” says Sally, who took up running seriously after college.

We sat down with her and learned what a typical day is like, why hydration (and one of her staples, Liquid I.V.) is so important, what it takes to train for a 100-mile race, and what advice she has for runners of any level.

When did you first get into running?
When I was little, I loved anything that involved running, like tag and all of that. My parents signed me up for small city races, and later I made it to state. That was the start, but I don’t think I understood racing and I didn’t find it as exciting as soccer. I dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player.

After college I went to China teach English. We had to teach 14 hours a day. I love traveling and culture, and in the early mornings I would choose a direction and run for an hour, or an hour-and-a-half, to see the city. After doing that for five weeks straight, I came back and told my family, ‘I think I’m going to start running.’

Describe a typical day.
Because I juggle being a mommy, wife and homemaker with being a professional athlete, I have learned to approach every day with grace, knowing that at any moment my schedule could be flipped around. However this has also taught me to be more disciplined with my time. There are daily tasks that need to be accomplished, and my day starts early.

4:30-5 a.m.: wake-up call and 1st workout
6:15-6:30 a.m.: laundry, dishes, pack lunches
6:45-7 a.m.: kids up, make breakfast
7:45 a.m.: walk to school
8 a.m.: Pack training bag and drive to strength and conditioning session
8:30-10:30 a.m.: strength and conditioning at ProStack Sports Performance with Coach Steve Newman
10:30-11:00 a.m.: drive home, refuel in the car
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: home, shower, laundry, house chores, return emails, write, sometimes a quick power nap, and fuel up for next workout
1:00-3:00 p.m.: run, usually somewhere on the trails, beach, or track workout
3:00-8:00 p.m.: kids home from school, sports practice, homework, make dinner, house chores, family time, kids’ bedtime
8:00-9:30 p.m.: return emails, read, tea with hubby
9:30-10:00 p.m.: bedtime

How do you train for Western States 100?
I LOVE 100 mile training, particularly because of the weekly long runs where I’ll spend anywhere from five to nine hours in the mountains. I train very race-specific, so the way I train for one 100-mile race will look different from how I train for other 100-mile races- all depending on the course details: altitude, elevation gain, weather, and trail technicality.

Why is hydration so important?
Hydration is important because it’s necessary. Athletes who become dehydrated during the race start to slow down, and their overall performance begins to suffer. The #1 reason why ultrarunners drop out of a race is because they didn’t get their hydration and nutrition right. If you want to compete, you gotta be well hydrated.

How do you use Liquid I.V., and how has it made a difference in your running and workouts?
I take Liquid I.V. daily just to make sure I start my day hydrated. It’s key to having strong workouts and for my recovery. Three to four days a week, I’ll be in the mountains for long periods of time, so I will take a few single-serving packs with me. They’re easy to stash in the pockets, so when I’m done drinking one I can quickly break open another pack, fill my bottle and keep running. During long runs I’ll drink one to two packs of Liquid I.V.

What is your weekly regimen/mileage?
My peak weeks of running top out at 115 to 125 miles per week, but on average I like to stay at 70 to 85 miles per week, with additional sessions on the ElliptiGo, bike, stairmill and hiking, and then 10 to 15 hours a week of gym work.

Your fitness routine outside of running?
4 sessions/8-10 hours with strength and conditioning coach
2-4 sessions on ElliptiGo totaling 3-7 hours
2-4 sessions in gym: bike, stair mill, stretching, totaling 3-7 hours

How important is nutrition, and what are the best foods to consider for running?
Nutrition can make or break your race, so I practice different nutrition strategies throughout the season to make sure I’m confident and that my body is prepped for race day. Thankfully I have a strong belly, so I can eat mostly everything in an aid station if needed during a race (potatoes, watermelon, bananas). I like to use Whenever Bars, UCAN Generation nutrition drink mix, dried fruit and if needed, I’ll take in some gels and, of course, Liquid I.V.

 

What does it take to run 100 miles?
Commitment to the training. Support from family, friends and coaches. Discipline to do the training, and to eat right and to take care of your body. One of the greatest obstacles is getting to the start line healthy. And, of course, a whole lot of grit and grace. I really believe ANYONE can run 100 miles if they do it with grit and grace.

Your best advice for runners?
Learn to fall in love with it. Take it slowly. Discover different places to run. Find the joy in it. Allow your body to get strong graciously. Don’t rush it, and then never, ever quit.

Your go-to meals pre-race or pre-run?
Pre-race meal: The night before a race, I keep it simple and typically bland, ranging from brown rice pasta with red sauce and some bread, or just peanut butter sandwiches. Sometimes I’ll throw in a few ounces of hard cheese. And hours before a race, I’ll eat a Pro Meal Bar and a banana.
Pre-run meal: coffee, eggs, toast or just a Pro Meal bar.

When was your first marathon?
In 2008. The Los Angeles Marathon. I finished with a terrible time and bloody feet.

How did you decide to do ultramarathons?
I was reading Runner’s World about ultrarunning, 50- and 100-mile races, and I was s fascinated by these. I thought, ‘I want to try that!’ I love challenges, and I thought, ‘I’m going to do that.’ I started training for one in 2009, when my kids were really young, and I trained mostly on a treadmill. In April 2010 I did my first one, the American River 50. I did three 50-mile races within five weeks, and I think that got the competitive juices flowing again.

What’s your favorite aspect of running?
I love running at its core and love that it’s been able to take me around the world and to inspire people generally. Running has allowed me to travel to places that I have only dreamed of and see parts of the world that are so beautiful, and to connect with people. That’s the most important thing to me.
On June 25th, 2016, Sally completed her third 100-mile Western States Race. Sallymcrae.com.

Hydration Station

HYDRATION MULTIPLIER
Açaí Berry

HYDRATION MULTIPLIER
Lemon Lime

HYDRATION MULTIPLIER
Açaí + Lemon Lime

Hydration Station

HYDRATION MULTIPLIER
Açaí Berry

HYDRATION MULTIPLIER
Lemon Lime

HYDRATION MULTIPLIER
Açaí + Lemon Lime


Sally McRae

Ultarunner, Mom, Coach


Sally McRae is an elite professional trail runner, writer, podcaster and speaker. She owns a coaching business for runners and maintains her own rigorous training schedule… when she’s not helping her two young children with their homework.