How Jess Donohue Turned a Tough Race into a 2:34 OTQ

Jess Donohue shares her powerful journey from overcoming a severe eating disorder and years of injury setbacks to achieving a 2:34:40 Olympic Trials Qualifying (OTQ) time at the McCurdy Micro Marathon. Having previously struggled with a 2:44 performance at the Marathon Project, Jess used that disappointment as fuel to rebuild her confidence and mental resilience. She credits her breakthrough to working with coach Jack Polrecci, who helped her increase mileage and introduce advanced workouts like double threshold sessions, while also emphasizing the importance of strength training, recovery, and a balanced life beyond running. Jess reflects on how stepping away from running during her recovery allowed her to rebuild her self-worth independently of performance, a crucial step in sustaining long-term health and success. Her mental approach—focusing on growth over fear, embracing the possibility of failure, and staying present—was key to her success. Now, with her OTQ secured, Jess is excited to pursue a sub-2:30 marathon, with the CIM and Indy Half among her next targets, while maintaining her passion for running as her core identity. The episode highlights the emotional and psychological dimensions of elite running, showing how mental health, support systems, and intentional recovery are just as vital as physical training. Jess’s story is a testament to resilience, self-compassion, and the transformative power of redefining one’s relationship with movement, fuel, and self-worth. Her candid discussion of therapy, family support, and the ongoing work of recovery offers hope and practical insight for athletes navigating similar challenges.