The Rambling Runner

Dr. Anh Bui ran in high school and at the collegiate level where she found herself injured often. She grew up in San Leandro, CA and was raised in a first-generation immigrant family. San Leandro was a melting pot of low-to-median income households with pockets of crime, and under-resourced and underprivileged youth. Dr. Bui recalls few resources being available to her to manage running injuries and was always in the position to run through pain or sit out and “rest” the entire season. She competed in cross country and track at UC San Diego where her injuries continued to manifest, and while she had access to athletic trainers, she was never exposed to physical therapists for long-term injury prevention. While studying abroad at the Australian Institute of Sport—the Aussie equivalent of US Olympic Training Centers—she became interested in physiology, human performance and biomechanics. While studying under world-renowned exercise physiologists, Dr. Bui knew right away that she wanted to work with endurance at

In this episode we welcome Whitney Heins, the founder of The Mother Runners, a VDOT-O2 certified running coach, 2:56 marathoner, freelance writer, a former award-winning TV news journalist…& most importantly, a mom of two beautiful, crazy kids. She has been featured in Runner’s World, The Huffington Post, US News & World Report, & more. Running is such an individual sport but when you become a mother, it can require a whole team of people and major schedule finessing to help you get out the door. It can require countless times of crying babies being pulled off you and pre-pre-dawn wake-ups to ensure it happens before the day’s craziness sets in. At The Mother Runners, you’ll find information for all things at the intersection of running and motherhood brought to you by those with personal experiences and research, and conversations with other Mother Runners and experts. Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Four Sigmatic, a wellness company that mixes mushrooms and adaptogens with coffee, cacao, latte,

Bryan Green is on the podcast he brings an incredible amount of hard earned knowledge that all runners can benefit from. His new book, Make the Leap, is absolutely tremendous and is a must read for runners who know they can improve and are looking to tap into their potential. In this episode Bryan and I dive into his book and have an engaging conversation about several of the primary topics in his work. We end the show with an enlightening conversation about Japanese running culture (Bryan lives in Japan) and how it is one of the top running countries in the world - a fact that may surprise many U.S. running fans. Praise for Bryan Green and Make the Leap: "Make the Leap will transform how you think about your training, which in turn will transform your entire running experience. If you feel you have untapped potential, read this book." - Matt Fitzgerald, Author of 80/20 Running and Chasing the Dream "If Make the Leap had been available I would have strongly encouraged the athletes I've coached over the years

It is great to get professional triathlete, OTQ marathoner, and accomplished coach Sarah Bishop back on the show for Coach's Corner. Sarah and I talk about the importance of racing, practicing that skill set, how to approach the starting line and pacing plan with control and excitement, and an open discussion about the long layoff from races that most people have had and how it could affect them in their fall racing.  Sarah joined the McKirdy Trained staff in 2018 and has been helping runners and mothers like herself reach their running goals ever since. As a wife and mother of four young children, she understands how overwhelming life can be, and the importance of making time for yourself. Channeling this stress into daily running and training goals not only made her a better mother, wife, and coach, but also led to her to accomplishing things she never thought possible. McKirdy Trained - www.mckirdytrained.com. Sponsor: The VCU Health Richmond Marathon returns to downtown Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday, N

It is an honor to have Amy Natalini back on the show! I couldn't wait to have her back on to talk about her remarkable past year. Especially her work on combat motivation and how it can relate to those in civilian life. To quote Amy: "Over the last eleven months, I’ve been working towards my third Masters degree, reading a book a day, writing papers for finals exams, spending hours arguing/defending/listening/learning from my classmates. And writing a thesis on motivation. Combat motivation, to be precise. My research concluded that it’s not the work done on the battlefield or in the moment that creates motivation, but the influence of training that fosters the willingness to take action. Read that again. Motivation is built and cultivated DURING TRAINING... (t)he last 11 months of studies: 10 courses; 136 books; 8 papers; 2 projects; an 85 page thesis; a comprehensive oral exam and a partridge in a pear tree. All in the pursuit of a Master’s in Philosophy. I also certified as a USATF coach and earned a cert

Dr. Duane Scotti, DPT, PhD, OCS is a running physical therapist, run coach, host of the Healthy Runner podcast, and founding owner of SPARK Physical Therapy and has been a leader in the rehab and running community for over 18 years. He is passionate about helping runners feel strong and confident so they can stay healthy and become a lifelong injury free runner! Dr. Duane truly believes that anyone can run and that all runners should be treating differently as athletes. He is on a mission to change the traditional thinking that running causes “overuse injuries” and you must “take a break” in order to get better. Through run specific training (exercises and running progression) you can build your body to be a strong resilient runner and stay active, stay healthy, and just keep running! Through his programs, coaching, and virtual rehab, Duane has successfully helped thousands of runners crush their running goals, hitting personal bests over the years. He has a passion for helping runners of all abilities stay h

Noah Droddy, from Indianapolis, Indiana, never qualified for the state meet in high school but decided to continue his running career at Division III DePauw University anyway. He ran well but was no collegiate star. After a few years of soul-searching post grad, Noah moved to Boulder, Colorado to pursue becoming a professional distance runner. Since doing so, he has improved vastly in distances from 5k to the marathon. So much so that he is now one of the top 10 marathoners in American history. It's an amazing journey that we can all learn from. Outside of running, Noah plays guitar in a band called Bury Mia, hosts a podcast called D3 Glory Days, and spends his day hanging out with his fiancée Emma and their two rescue dogs Sarah and Chandler. Checkout Noah's new entrepreneurial venture PWURE at www.pwure.com and you can use Noah15 to save 15% at checkout on personalized pre and post-workout nutrition. Sponsor: The VCU Health Richmond Marathon returns to downtown Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday, November 13t

Sometimes the road to the Olympic Trials takes a detour and that is exactly what has happened for Keira D'Amato. Keira, one of the favorites in the 10k at the start of 2021, has been battling a hamstring injury for a few months. That injury seemed to be a minor hiccup - until it wasn't. Ultimately, it simply wouldn't allow Keira to do the hard training necessary to compete at the highest level. In this episode Keira opens us about injury, her thought process over the last six weeks, what it feels like to have a dream taken away when it felt so close, and her vision for the future. We also talk about the upcoming Olympic Trials and the two heat system that the USATF has chosen to use with the abundance of women who have qualified for the 10k. 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 Learn more about your ad choices.

Resilience can present itself in many forms and situations. It's a quality that is necessary to achieve great things. Or sometimes even the most mundane. Sarah Wiliarty is overflowing with this essential quality. Sarah started running after giving birth to her two children. Like so many of us, she quickly eyed the marathon and, despite it's challenges, fell in love with the sport and the distance. After one fateful race she headed to Germany as part of her work as a college professor. While there she racked up the miles in some beat-up daily trainers on the rugged Berlin cobblestones. Her enjoyment was short-lived as she developed a nasty case of the dreaded plantar fasciitis. The "vampire bite" of running injuries sunk it's teeth deep into her feet. The injury lead of a year long odyssey of treatments and gadgets as well as nine months of non-running. After all was said and done, the injury returned nearly as quickly as it had disappeared. In this episode Sarah and I dive into injury recovery, the mental/phy

Steve Kirkwood is here and he has an amazing story to tell. A self-described food addict, Steve had always been a bigger guy. Type 2 diabetes started to affect him at an early age his friends did what they could to help him turn it around be couldn’t seem to change his ways. At a high of 360 pounds Steve knew he needed a change. As a pastor, it’s fitting that he found the light on a Sunday at church. In this episode you will learn about his incredible transformation into a avid runner, how he shed nearly 200 pounds and has kept it off, facing fears and the unkind words of others, imposter syndrome, an so much more. You can follow Steve at www.Instagram.com/stevekirkwood. 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 special offer for the Rambling Runner audience. Receive 10% off your Four Sigmatic order. Just go to www.foursigmatic.com/RAMBLINGRUNNER or enter code RAMBLINGRUNNER at check

I love following Natacha Scherf's running journey. She is pure excitement and enthusiasm. For running. For others. For the running community at large. For the possibility of improvement and continuing to get better and better. Natacha started running three years ago and promptly fell in love with a sport that she used to hate. She didn't merely love running but also the feeling of accomplishment that running gave her.  In this episode Natacha puts her enthusiasm on display. We talk about how she approached running with an open mind and how she grew to love it, finding joy in celebrating others, attaching goals with energy, and much more. You can follow Natacha at www.instagram.com/runningfrenchipino. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With running on the shelf since February 9 (except for a brief two week return that was quickly discontinued) it is time to do a full review of the first 10 months of Mastering 40. I didn't pull any punches in this solo episode. Fist we go through things that I feel good about that happened this year. Then we dive into the many things that I don't feel good about. I'm categorizing them that way on purpose. I don't want to say things went well or poorly - no need to judge, just here for the learning and growing. Lord knows, there is plenty of growing and learning that needs to be done. 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

Sleep. We all need and most of want (read: need) more of it. That's why I was eager to speak with Dr. Shelby Harris. She is board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM) by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and treats a wide variety of sleep disorders (insomnia, nightmares, circadian rhythm disorders, narcolepsy, apnea treatment noncompliance) using evidence-based non-pharmacological treatments. Before going into private practice, Dr. Harris was the longstanding director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Harris currently holds a dual academic senior-level appointment as Clinical Associate Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in both the Neurology and Psychiatry Departments. Dr. Harris has published and presented research on the neuropsychological effects of insomnia in older adults as well as behavioral treatments for insomnia, parasomnias, narcolepsy, and excessive daytime sleepiness.  Dr. Harris has been an

I'm elated to welcome elite professional runner Taylor Ward to the show. One of the main reasons I love having pro's on the show is when they can share info about topics that directly relate to amateur runners. With that in mind, I was eager to speak with Taylor about her recovery from hip surgery that sidelined her for months something she continues to rehabilitate. Recovering from injury is something that nearly every runner has, or will, experience. The road back to health is almost never a straight line. In addition to twists and turns there can be plenty of dead-ends and cul-de-sacs that can test a person's will, confidence, and optimism.  A little about Taylor. She is: 2:30:14 Marathoner 3 x Top 10 at Chicago Marathon 2 x Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier Winner of the Philadelphia Marathon In a addition to her impressive running resume, Taylor is also an assistant professor of radiologic science at Weber State University.  Sponsors: Are you looking to reach your short-term and long-term running

Rhandi Orme is back. Get your pen and pad out and be ready to take plenty of notes. As you may have heard in Rhandi's previous appearances on the show (episodes 35 and 112) she is a serious badass with five kids in tow. A year ago Rhandi gave birth to baby number five. After deliberately progressing through her post-partum life Rhandi was ready to try one of the only challenges she had yet to tackle - a 100 mile race. She had already completed an IRONMAN, a 24 OCR race, marathons, ultras, and so much more. So how did the 100 miler go? Unbelievably well. Rhandi dipped under the 24 hour mark and finished on the podium. In this episode Rhandi let's loose an hour's worth of tips for anyone looking to return from injury, pregnancy, and achieve the remarkable no matter the circumstances.  You can follow Rhandi at www.instagram.com/run_rhandi_run/ and visit her website at www.rhandi.com. Sponsors: Are you looking to reach your short-term and long-term running goals while enjoying the sport you love? Then McKirdy Tr

Can you imagine turning your 5K racing speed into your half marathon speed? How about finally mastering the marathon after you’ve given birth to two kids? What about becoming the runner you always wanted to become despite having a family and a challenging full-time job? Katie Rey has been able to all of this, and more. Not only that, she is one of the most supportive members of the running community that I’ve ever met. Today I’m so excited to share this conversation with a person I’ve admired for some time.  You can follow Katie on Instagram at www.instagram.com/babiestoboston. Sponsors: Are you looking to reach your short-term and long-term running goals while enjoying the sport you love? Then McKirdy Trained is for you. As a coach on this esteemed roster I'd love to work with you as you set the biggest goals you can imagine and have fun doing it. Learn more at https://mckirdytrained.com/get-trained/. Follow Matt: Instagram - @rambling_runner Twitter - @rambling_runner Rambling Runner Podcast Community Corn

Lauren Antonucci, RDN, CSSD, CDE, CDN, is the owner and director of Nutrition Energy, where she creates individualized plans that fit the lifestyle of each client, helps them develop a healthy relationship with food and their bodies, and guides them to reach their nutrition and health goals. She is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), is certified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD), and is certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators as a diabetes educator (CDE). Antonucci has been running, swimming, and cycling for as long as she can remember and has completed 13 marathons (PR 3:09), three Ironman Triathlons, and countless other running and triathlon races. She is a sought-after presenter on the topic of sports nutrition and hydration, and she has presented at many professional conferences, including American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), USA Triathlon International Coaching Symposium, the Greater New York Dietetic Associat

Claire Bartholic wasn’t always a runner. She started running in her mid-30s simply to get in shape for her high school reunion. It wasn’t about getting faster or racing; it was, to be honest, mainly about vanity. But something changed in her as the miles slowly added up. The reunion came and went and she kept running. Already plant based, she finished her first marathon at age 38 in 4:02 and was immediately hooked. She became a student of the marathon using Jeff Gaudette’s training philosophy and RunnersConnect coaching. With dedicated coaching and training, she successfully shaved more than 30 minutes off her half marathon time and lowered her marathon PR to 2:58, remarkably without injury, and entirely plant-based. Claire is a multiple-time Boston Marathon qualifier and competitive Master’s athlete. Claire is also the host of one of the most popular running podcasts, The Run to the Top. With over 5 million downloads, thousands of runners listen to Claire interview the best in the sport each week! Learn more

In our last Mastering 40 episode (ep. 12) my conversation with my running coach and sports psychologist were overwhelmingly positive. It appeared as though I had finally gotten my left knee healthy and was running again. All that changed a few days after that episode was published. The knee pain returned just as suddenly as it mysteriously arrived in the first place.  In this episode Adrienne Langelier and I have a full therapy session on dealing with my worst inner dialogue and where I go from here mentally and emotionally.  Mastering 40: I had just completed the worst athletic year of my life. One beset by injuries and a 25 lb. weight gain. Finally, I decided enough was enough. With the help of a professional coach - James McKirdy and sport psychologist - Adrienne Langelier, I am determined to have the best athletic year of my life. One that will end, hopefully, with a sub-40:00 10k. This is a huge stretch goal and I am determined to get it done. Over the course of this year I will also be turning 40 years

Stefanie Flippin is back and, my goodness, what a return. I'll simply quote her Strava page as it says it all: Going home with the US 100 Mile National Title! 14:35:21: 1st woman, 3rd OA, 40 minute CR, 6th fastest all-time 100 mile for an American woman and the race of a lifetime. This was an hour and twenty minute PR for me, with 20 minute 50 mile and 100k PRs along the way. The field was the deepest pro field I've ever had the honor of lining up with. I got the absolute best out of myself by putting myself in the arena and that was the goal all along. The win was icing on the cake. So grateful!! Thank you for all the cheers!! The day was truly electrifying and I had the time of my life. It's an honor to get to know Stefanie over the last few years and this is a conversation I will never forget. You can follow Stefanie at www.instagram.com/stefanieannflippin. In our Friday "Running Between the Lines" segment we are joined by Ashley Mateo. She wrote a great piece for Women's Running entitled, "All Runners Sho