The Rambling Runner

Big news: We are launching our first mini-series! The Marathon Milestone mini-series featuring Alexis McCoy. Alexis McCoy is a dedicated amateur runner who is taking a big leap this fall. She is running the Boston, New York, and California International Marathons. Not only that, we will be following her every step of the way. In this episode, Alexis sets the stage for her audacious fall by talking about her rise in mileage, introducing doubles into her schedule, lifting heavy, and working with podcast favorite Sarah Bishop to make the most of this awesome adventure. Tune-in to Alexis's first appearance on the show by downloading episode #269. Sponsors: Breo is on a mission to make self care accessible for all. Their products are designed to meet the highest standards, ensuring quality relaxation for years to come. Breo's ergonomic design blends with outstanding massage technology to help people bring sustainable self-care to their daily routine. My two favorite products are their mini-massage gun and the foo

Marathon season is a about to begin. That means for runners all over the world it's also fueling season! In this episode Lisa Braden, RD is here to give us all the information we need fuel or long run training and marathons so we can perform at our best and enhance our fitness/potential. Lisa is a Registered Dietitian and runner dedicated to helping people improve their lives and athletic performance through the foods they eat. By early morning, she is training for races, and by day she is balancing several roles as a mother, functional health RD, and running specialist. Her passion grew from combining her two biggest passions - running and food - in order to help others reach their goals. From a modest start helping friends eat well to train well, the need has grown, and LB the RD was born. She earned an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Oklahoma and went on to earn a Master of Science in Nutrition. Lisa has been a Registered Dietitian for over 10 years. Lisa has been running for ove

Mike "Kofuzi" Ko entered 2021 with a simple and fantastic idea: go after all of the races and adventures on his bucket list. As 2020 taught all of us, deferring our intentions to an undetermined future can leave us wanting. Instead, Mike completed his first trail ultramarathon, steeplechase, Falmouth Road Race, and triathlon. He will also be running the Chicago and California International Marathons. In this episode we dive into all of these experiences and, of course, running shoes. The Kofuzi YouTube channel is one of the best in the running community featuring shoe review, daily livestreams, run motivation, and much more. Watch the Kofuzi YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/kofuzi. Sponsor: The VCU Health Richmond Marathon returns to downtown Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday, November 13th. Whether you take part in the marathon, CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, or Allianz Partners 8k, Richmond provides phenomenal course support, great fall scenery, and awesome finisher swag. The marathon is a top 25 Boston

Races are upon us and there is no better way to prepare for the mental rigors that come with pushing our ourselves to the limit than to learn from Roisin “Ro” McGettigan-Dumas (LMHC)! Ro is a sports psychology coach, licensed mental health counselor and Olympian from Wicklow, Ireland (now based in Providence, RI). She competed at Providence College and then professionally with the "RunProvidence" group under the tutelage of Ray Treacy. Ro is an Olympic finalist ('08) and is the Irish record holder in the steeplechase as well as a European Medallist in the 1500m. Her two passions are track+field and psychology and, since retiring from professional running, she is focusing on helping athletes achieve their goals in sport and life. Ro knows first hand the powerful effect of mental preparation for performance, overcoming disappointments, and life beyond sport. She’s the co-author of the Believe Training Journal series (Velopress), is piloting a goal-setting workshop for athletes to use in schools called "Dare to

In today's episode we are putting out a conversation that I had with Jason Fitzgerald for episode 204 of his very popular Strength Running Podcast. Jason's show is one of the most popular running podcasts in the world. He also consistently puts out great information on becoming a better runner on YouTube, his website, and his newsletter. Strength Running: https://strengthrunning.com. Strength Running podcast: https://strengthrunning.com/podcast. Here are the show-notes he wrote-up for that episode: Can we “life hack” our way in running? Shortcut the workouts, skip the warm-ups, and ignore the rest of the training? No! Like it or not, running well requires effort outside of the actual runs. The dynamic warm-ups and post-run workouts, referred to as the sandwich method, are key to your running longevity. So is strength training, recovery, and sleep. And those are just the physical aspects. Running is really a lot more than just the run. If you want to continue progressing in the sport, you can’t hack your

Brian Schroy is on the show and what a fascinating guy! When Brian was a snowboarder growing up and even went to a ski/snowboarding focused high school. He’s now a member of the Boulder Underground and has run a 2:30:14 marathon. He ran his first marathon in 3:18 just four years ago and improved remarkably fast from there. Since then he’s had a bevy of amazing experiences including pacing the mile that pitted Chris Chavez against Malcolm Gladwell. He is now working his way towards his goal of an OTQ for 2024. Follow Brian on Instagram at www.instagram.com/schroy. You can hear Brian's episode with Chris Chavez on the Citius Mag podcast here: https://citiusmag.com/podcast/citius-mag-podcast-brian-schroy. Follow Matt: Instagram - @rambling_runner Twitter - @rambling_runner Rambling Runner Podcast Community Corner private Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/125544686229661 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we welcome my friend and constant source of inspiration, both as an athlete and as a person, Carolyn Su to the show. First, Carolyn is a force of nature who has made an indelible impression on the running community through Diverse we Run and her ever-present championing of runners of color and folks from marginalized communities. She is also one of the nicest people I've ever met. In this episode we focus specifically on her journey from consistent and annoying foot injuries to the to Trans Rockies Run. If you have ever considered doing something amazing but felt discouraged then this episode is for you! Carolyn and I discuss recovering from injury and coming back stronger, taking on a challenge that was far beyond her previous endeavors, making space for people of all backgrounds and heritages, and pushing past limits. You can follow Carolyn at www.instagram.com/irunfortheglory and Diverse we Run at www.instagram.com/diversewerun. Sponsors: Breo is on a mission to make self care accessible for all. Th

Shannon Booker, a living and breathing lighthouse, is on the show! Shannon came to running several years ago as a way of deal with depression and anxiety. He found success at a spontaneous 5k after having successful high school track career. After going all in on running he realized that he was merely running away from his problems which exasperated the situation. Shortly thereafter, Shannon moved to Atlanta and his approach to running and the running community completely changed. Instead of running for himself Shannon embraced the thriving Atlanta running community. Today, Shannon is a leader in his community and a true inspiration. He helped lead the ‘ATL Justice + Equality Run,’ an 8.46-mile route around north Atlanta. The 8.46-miles represented the 8 minutes and 46 seconds a now-former Minneapolis police officer held his knee on George Floyd’s neck, who later died. Shannon also helped start the Juneteenth run, the movement Social Fitness ATL, and works actively with Black Men Run. You can follow Shannon a

Brodie Sharpe is on the show and he brings his years of running physio experience with him! The host of the Run Smarter podcast, Australian native, and an experienced physio with a running specialty, Brodie is well positioned to give us all advice on how we can be healthier and smarter runners. In this episode, Brodie and I discuss what new runners need to know, working through injuries without pausing our running for an extended period of time, the fine line between discomfort and injury, and proactive ways to stay healthy. As promised at the end of the episode, here is the sign-up link to get free access to both volume 1 and 2 of Brodie's e-book: https://mailchi.mp/runsmarter/e-book-sign-up-vol-1-2. Here is a link to Brodie's Run Smarter podcast: https://playpodca.st/runsmarter. You can follow Brodie on Instagram at www.instagram.com/runsmarterseries. Sponsors: Breo is on a mission to make self care accessible for all. Their products are designed to meet the highest standards, ensuring quality relaxation f

In this episode of the podcast we connect with Jon Levitt of InsideTracker and the For the Long Run podcast. I was so excited to talk with Jon about moving to Boulder, CO and training on some of the best trails in the country. Especially since Jon used to live in Metro Boston and train almost exclusively on the roads. We take a deep dive into the that conversion, how his training has changed in recent years, how he has been able to tackle some amazing adventures, and much more. You can learn more about Jon and the For the Long Run podcast at https://forthelong.run. Sponsors: Previnex is a supplement brand that I trust, use, and have greatly benefited from. They source the highest quality ingredients in the most clinically effective and beneficial forms. Previnex manufactures to the highest standards possible, testing every ingredient, every step of production and every finished product. I've used their Joint Health Plus for over a year and I'm sold on this amazing supplement. Visit www.previnex.com and use c

Becky Vander Heiden is a busy mother runner of two wild boys, a nurse, military vet, and sub-3:00 marathoner. She has been an LPN for 18 years and just finished up her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Before that, she served as a medic in the Army National Guard for eight years. Becky has been running since high school then continued running to stay in shape and relieve stress. She didn't start racing for fun again until she was in her 30's. Becky ran her first marathon in 2016 (when I was 37) and qualified for the Boston Marathon. Since then she has stepped up her game in many ways with the finishing times to prove it. Since then, she has also battles injuries and found a way to get through it and is back to crushing some 2021 goals. You can learn more about Becky at www.instagram.com/run.with.beckyvh. Follow Matt: Instagram - @rambling_runner Twitter - @rambling_runner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Road to the Trials recaps continue with the extraordinary Olivia Baker. Olivia didn't have the lead-up to the Trials that she had hoped for but was holding out hope that it would all come together in Eugene. The women's 800m was maybe the deepest event at the entire meet and it was amazing to witness each round. Unfortunately, Olivia was unable to make the final after running well in a stacked opening heat. After the Trials Olivia stayed in racing condition and finished second at a loaded 800m race last week. This result has led to a series of decisions that Olivia must make in the coming days as she weighs her professional running future and a career in medicine. She shares her thought process about everything that has happened over the past six months and how she will make her next huge decision. *Podcast photo credit to Chuck Utash* Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Four Sigmatic, a wellness company that mixes mushrooms and adaptogens with coffee, cacao, latte, protein powder. They have a spe

After months of following along with eight athletes as they prepared for the Olympic Trials, we are rounding out the series with recap episodes. First up - Frank Lara. Frank competed in the 10k gunning for top three and the Olympic standard. It was a daring run and one that showed the grit and toughness for which Frank is known. Since the Trials, Frank has stayed in top form. He just got runner-up in a stacked field at the Bix 7 Miler. An effort that showed, once again, that Frank Lara is just getting started and will be a force in American running for years to come. Follow Matt: Instagram - @rambling_runner Twitter - @rambling_runner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley Paulson is an accomplished ultrarunner, triathlete, and marathon runner who is a favorite among iFit members on both treadmill and stationary bike workouts. She is also one of most energetic and positive people every to be on the show! Paulson has won over 20 marathons, has been a professional triathlete for five years, and placed first in an Ultra Ironman—twice the distance of a standard Ironman—breaking the course record by more than six hours. She also finished 44th at the Olympic Marathon Trials! At 39 years old (Ashley turns 40 in two weeks) and a mother of four, Paulson’s ability to balance a successful fitness career with a busy family life has been a source of inspiration to so many athletes in the running, ultra, triathlon, an iFit communities. You can learn more about Ashley at www.instagram.com/ashkickn. Follow Matt: Instagram - @rambling_runner Twitter - @rambling_runner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andi and Zach are a West Michigan couple who love coffee, lawn games, adventuring, family, and…. running. Zach's career highlights include the US Road Racing Championships, being part of Team USA running cross country in Jamaica, and running at the US Olympic Trials Marathon. Andi recently ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:43:41 which qualified her for her first-ever Olympic Trials Marathon. They pass on advice we’ve been given, strategies on balancing life and running, tips and tricks, and some encouragement to have running be a healthy contributor to mind, body, and spirit in their fantastic A to Z Running Podcast - www.atozrunning.com. In this episode we discuss how they became one of the fastest couples in the country, how they got to this point, hurdles they've overcome, and what they've learned from some of their amazing podcast guests. Follow Matt: Instagram - @rambling_runner Twitter - @rambling_runner Rambling Runner Podcast Community Corner private Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/1255446862296

Katie Spotz is an endurance athlete, charitable ambassador, author and world-record holder. The list of accomplishments to her name is long, and includes five Ironman triathlons, cycling across the country, a 325-mile river swim, running 100 miles nonstop in under 20 hours, and a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. But this wasn’t just any row; when Katie arrived in Guyana, South America, after 70 days at sea, she set a world record for the youngest ever solo ocean rower and the only American to row solo from Africa to South America. In 2020, Katie became the 1st person to run nonstop 138-miles nonstop across Maine in 33 hours, raising $26,000 for a clean water project in Tanzania. In preparations, Katie became the 1st woman to run nonstop across Vermont and New Hampshire. Katie was awarded the Elite Female Athlete of the Year for 2020 by the U.S. Coast Guard. Katie just completed her latest challenge, Run4Water. On June 21, Katie began her journey running 11 ultra-marathons for 11 days consecutively by runni

Molly Bookmyer is back on the show and for a great reason. During her first appearance on the show, episode 175, Molly detailed her two brain surgeries in 2015 - the first to remove a benign tumor that had grown since first diagnosed in 2013 and second to alleviate side effects that included paralysis on her left side. Then, Molly's husband, Eric, was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 two weeks after their wedding; after treatment he is cancer free. Despite all of that, she bounced back and to finish 3rd at 2019 USATF 25K Championships, her first U.S. champs race, behind only Emma Bates and Sara Hall. Shortly thereafter Molly was beset by injuries that ultimately kept her out of the U.S. Olympic Marathon trials. Her two stress fractures in seven months had her questioning her running and it's role in her life. Once she was able to put the injury behind her in the beginning of 2021 she started to recapture her 2019 fitness. This exciting development has her on the cusp of doing something special. Follow Matt: In

It's been a long year and one that also feels like it flew by (at least from a running perspective). In the final episode of the Mastering 40 series I detail the past six weeks and the ways in which I've been able to go from almost zero running for three months to quickly building up to a 40 mile week. My first in well over a year. Then the episode shifts to talking about the future, both short term and long term. Finally, I break some news about some race plans that will include some live shows. The genesis of this episode started on February 22 when I received a message from a listener that really struck a chord with me. She asked point blank, "(A)re you just interested in your goals or committed? It seems like the former. To an outsider following the podcasts of course." This quote put me on my heals. I returned to it nearly every day for three months but didn't reply with an answer. Until last week. I wrote her back and thanked her for her candor and insight. What else did I say? You'll have to listen to

Have you every met someone who seems to go full Men in Black mode by doing as much in 24 hours as you would do in 36? Jen Jordan is exactly that kind of person. And it is freaking awesome. From doing a full Ragnar event as part of two person team, to running in ultra's nearly all the time, averaging a marathon a month for an entire year, to re-making her body after all of that while still running 70 miles a week - this woman is doing it all! On top of that of that running madness, Jen works a full time job and is a single parent. Unreal. In short: You do not want to miss this episode. You can follow Jen's running journey at www.instagram.com/theginjaninja26. Sponsors: Previnex is a supplement brand that I trust, use, and have greatly benefited from. They source the highest quality ingredients in the most clinically effective and beneficial forms. Previnex manufactures to the highest standards possible, testing every ingredient, every step of production and every finished product. I've used their Joint Health

The summer is in full effect and one thing that so many of us struggle with in this season is fueling properly. Whether it's nutrition or hydration, the summer months can provide several challenges. That is especially true for those of us who are preparing for a fall marathon by stacking up some serious long runs. With that in mind, Holley Samuel RD, CPT is here to drop all sorts of knowledge on how to make sure we make the most of our summer running through proper fueling. Holley is a registered dietitian with a BS in Dietetics from the University of New Hampshire. She also has a Masters in Health Education and Promotion with an eating disorder focus from Plymouth State University. She has over four years experience working in endocrinology, weight management, bariatric surgery, sports nutrition, and prevention in wellness and clinical settings.  Holley is also a certified personal trainer through ACSM and a dedicated amateur runner.  In short, she has all of the technical and personal experience needed to m