From Running Burnout to Winning the Leadville 100

Burnout and injuries pushed her away from running. Years later, Jacquie Mannhard became the women’s Leadville 100 champion.

This is an honest conversation about rebuilding a relationship with running—and discovering that your best performances might still be ahead.

We explore the pressure of collegiate running, underfueling, returning to competition after children, and the confidence it takes to line up against elite ultrarunners. Hear how changes to fueling, cross-training, and mindset shaped her comeback and helped her win Leadville in 2023.

Then follow her return in 2026, when a battle through mile 95 produced a second-place finish she treasures even more than her victory.

Whether you’re recovering from a setback, considering your first ultramarathon, or trying to find joy in training again, this story will give you plenty to think about.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Meet a Leadville 100 champion

12:06 Collegiate running, underfueling, and burnout

19:53 Stepping away and rebuilding

31:52 Returning to running after children

41:47 Coaching and learning to believe

49:18 Injury recovery and rethinking fueling