The Rambling Runner

Yes, you read that title correctly. As a teenager John Verhagen was a 300lb high school football player with an eye on playing in college. After getting recruited to several small schools in the Upper-Midwest, John was forced to give up his dream. His health was in jeopardy due to his weight and diet. Football was gone - as was the soda, pop, and many of John's staple foods. And, that's when running entered the picture. John's first marathon turned into a bit of a ordeal. He crossed the line in 5:50 and shortly thereafter made an audacious decision - "I will qualify for Boston." In order to do that John would have to cross the line in nearly half the time of his first effort. As you'll hear in this one-of-a-kind episode, that is exactly what he proceeded to do. And much, much more. Last weekend John won the McKirdy Trained Micro Marathon on Connecticut with a blazing fast 2:49:30. This eight minute PR came after a mammoth 300 mile March and a secret injury that even John's coach, Patrick Cutter, was kept in t

Cheryl Miller is one the most interesting people we've had on the show with an absolutely fascinating story. Cheryl grew up in a challenging situation with almost all of her family members dying when she was young for a variety of reasons. After relocating to Long Island to live with her grandparents she started to excel at running just when her life needed to be put on the right track. After several New York state titles she decided to run at Georgetown. She quickly moved on from running while there and decided to focus elsewhere. She graduated, entered law school, and has had a remarkably successful professional career. She is now back to running and doing so with abandon and with unique goals and challenges in mind.  In our regular Friday "Running Between the Lines" segment we are joined by Matt Fitzgerald. Last week he wrote a piece entitled, "Ethiopian Runners Train Differently. Or Do They?" for Podium Runner. It is a synthesis and brief analysis of Michael Crawley's book "Out of Thin Air" in which Crawl

Jessica Dorsey in back on the show and my goodness, she is a force of nature. When she was first on the pod, episode 181, her toughness, endurance, raw athleticism, and grit made her a listener favorite. She brought all of that, and more, to this episode mixed in with an equal amount of humility and pragmatism.  Jessica is a 2:53 marathoner who worked through some significant injuries and life changes over the past year. She rebounded and attacked a new challenge - obstacle course racing (OCR). As you'll hear. she attacked her new hobby with a fierce determination that quickly led to top five finishes in her new sport. Her quick rise is even more incredible when you consider that she is a mother of two little one while she and her husband work as entrepreneurs in their respective fields.  You can follow Jessica at www.instagram.com/mamainthefastlane. Sponsors: Do you want to run further and faster -- and recover quicker and easier? Do you want to feel healthier than you’ve ever felt before? Then give InsideT

As nearly everyone in the running world knows by now, we saw history in the making this week. Des Linden broke the world record and Nicholas Thompson set the 45-49 American record in the 50k. In addition, Adriana Nelson and Chirine Njeim raced the marathon along the semi-secret Oregon ground that has seen many top runners in the COVID era. Peter Bromka was invited to be a part of history less than 24 hours before the starting gun went off and made the most of the invite. In this episode, Peter gives us the full download what it was like to be witness history and how it felt to go from blissfully unaware to marathon pacer in less than a week. In our regular Friday "Running Between the Lines" segment we are joined by Emilia Benton. Emilia published "Here’s Why You, As a Runner, Should Sign Up to Be a Living Organ Donor" for Runner's World online and it was a fascinating read. Emilia discusses how this story came about, how it evolved into a running story, and about how so many preconceived notions regarding org

Melissa is back on the show and it is a delight hear about what she has been able to do over the past year. Like so many of us, her professional and personal life was thrown upside down. Melissa is a woman of many talents, and just as many jobs, and having to re-work them into the new paradigm was a significant challenge. Even with all of that on her plate she still managed to keep running. At first her miles were for mental and emotional preservation. Then they slowly returned to marathon building workouts. After months of slowly building she decided to enter the McKirdy Micro Marathon in South Carolina. What happened next was a shock that she could not have predicted a year earlier.  You can follow Melissa at www.instagram.com/isamarathoner. Sponsors: OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pai

In the first part of this episode we from Alex Elizabeth about her story of finding identity and healing from trauma, through running. Alex penned an extraordinarily powerful essay for Runner's World and hearing her speak about these topics made her writing even more powerful. Alex is a dedicated and successful ultra trail runner. She is also a shoe reviewer for Believe in the Run so, of course, we had to end our conversation with some shoe talk. After Years of Trauma, Running Is My Home. Here's What I'm Doing to Make It Safer - www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a35867367/how-i-make-running-safer In our new and regular Friday "Running Between the Lines" segment we talk with elite runner and writer Becky Wade Firth about her recent article in Runner,s World about how folks are approaching their return to racing in 2021.  Thinking About Racing Again? Here’s How to Approach Your Big Comeback - www.runnersworld.com/training/a36015738/how-to-return-to-racing-covid-19/ Sponsors: OS1st, a three-generation, f

Theresa Hailey, a runner for Oiselle, is well known for her positivity and strength as a runner and person. In the lead-up to the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials she fell just one second short of qualifying. Then, after a successful build-up to Boston in 2019, her race that didn't live-up to her training nor fitness. A feeling so many of us have experienced. In preparation for the 2020 Olympic Trials she prepared her body with strength training like never before. Her Marathon Olympic Trials race took her to a new level. She was ranked 375th heading into the race, PR'd by 1:26 and finished 77th in 2:42:49, smiling, pumping her arms, and making heart symbols every time she ran through cowbell corner. This is a remarkable achievement on a rugged course in challenging conditions.  In addition to being a running badass, Theresa is one in the professional world as well. She is a Tooling Engineer - Lead, for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. In this episode we discuss all of this and plenty more. You can follow Theresa at w

In this two-part episode we have a feature story with official badass Gabby Wennerstrom and we catch-up with writer/runner/coach David Roche to learn more about a recent article he wrote for Trail Runner Mag.  Gabby Wennerstrom has steadily worked her way down from a 5:40 marathon all the way down to a 3:23. A remarkable feet that required nearly a decade of work and a boat-load of optimism. Gabby was committed to her goal of getting a BQ and, as she proved, it was simply a matter of when and not if.  In the second part of the episode David Roche breaks down his recent piece, "Why Downtime May Lead To Breakthroughs: Fitness can seem to follow unpredictable patterns, with some of the biggest breakthroughs coming after layoffs. Why?" - https://trailrunnermag.com/training/why-downtime-may-lead-to-breakthroughs.html 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

Five week after my last pain free run my knee is finally in working order. It took a couple weeks of no running nor cross-training followed by three days of easy run/walks. Now I've run three days in a row and it appears as though my knee has turned the corner. Next up, doing the same thing with my training. In this episode, coach James McKirdy details what's next and addresses my concern that maybe my goal of breaking 40:00 is too tall a task. Adrienne Langelier and I talk about how the recent time away affected my mindset and general mental health.  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 wil

Michelle Baxter is a dedicated runner from Anchorage, Alaska with two young kids a drive to go sub-3:00 in the marathon. She has run 10 marathons including the Boston Marathon in 2013 and the NYC Marathon in 2018. Michelle has come a long way in just a few years, working her way up to 100 miles in a week, winning the 2013 Kenai River Marathon, placing 19th at the Twin Cities Marathon where she ran her current PR of 3:02, and placing 1st at the Moose’s Tooth Marathon at 9.5 months postpartum. You can learn more about Michelle at www.therunnersplate.com.  Sponsors: OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, shin splints and more. Used by ultra-runners (Catra Corbett, Sabrina Stanley) and new runners alike. Shop at your local independently owned r

In this two part episode we meet Kevin Duffy and speak with Sarah Lorge Butler about her recent article for Runner's World entitled Why Aren't More Female Coaches in Charge of Pro Teams?  Kevin is Fireman in Yonkers, NY, 5 x Ironman, 50 miler finisher, plant-based athlete and cook. Here's a intro to Kevin in his own words:  "For most of my life I ate the standard American diet. This typical days, weeks and years full of meat, cow’s milk, eggs, cheese, sugary cereals, too much pizza (like 3 days a week too much) and processed junk food. I live this way for 33 years. It wasn’t until 2015, when I learned what plant-based meant and decided to give it a try. I switched over to a lifestyle and a daily routine that is rich in fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains. These are the sources of energy that the earth has provided. Everything I eat started as a seed.  I've lost a total of 40 lbs. and my workouts are more effective because of an increase in energy and stamina. I also sleep more soundly because

Have you ever had a goal that you worked for years to accomplish only to fall short by the slimmest of margins time and time again? It takes a strong person with a sense of mission to keep getting up and striving for that goal instead of giving in. That is exactly what Meaghan Murray-Neuberger did when she broke the 3:00 at the Woodlands Marathon two weeks ago. Meaghan is a three-time marathon winner with a previous marathon PR of 3:00:19. At Woodlands she ran a blistering fast 2:56:33 - 6:44 pace per mile.  Besides being as tough as leather, Meaghan is also an extraordinary business woman and entrepreneur. She is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Big Run Media and Believe in the Run. Meaghan applies her vision for meaningful action and provides detailed analytics to measure marketing ROI at her companies and also at other brands including Sony Pictures, A&E, Warner Brothers and Viacom, as well as several start-up small businesses. In this episode Meaghan walks us through what she changed in this maratho

Kim Sundling is an avid marathoner, cross-trainer, pharmacist with a focus on mental health, a bundle of energy - and someone who continues to work through depression and lupus. Not only that, but she is back on the show to detail her completion of the brutal Goggins Challenge. She ran four miles every four hours for 48 hours. Kim didn't merely complete this amazing test of endurance she nearly set a 5k PR over the final three miles. I've had the privilege of coaching Kim through my work with McKirdy Trained and she is one of the most inspiring people I've every met. Kim's first appearance on the show was little over a year ago. In episode 216, Kim detailed the various aspects of her life and how she ran two marathons in the fall of 2019 before doing the Goofy Challenge in early January, 2020.  You can follow Kim at www.instagram.com/pharmdpositive. Sponsors: OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for peo

When I first had the idea for Mastering 40 I knew that one of the major steps I would need to take was a detailed blood analysis. A mirror, scale, and workout data can provide insight but it doesn’t tell the whole story. I needed to know my exact starting point then track my biomarkers throughout the year. I reached out to InsideTracker, the leader in this space, and they agreed to help me out. Stevie Smith MS, RDN, CSSD, CDN, a registered dietitian at InsideTracker, and ten time IRONMAN finisher, dove into my most recent tests, just like she did after my first round of testing in September, and provided loads of feedback. I have lots to work on, especially my lipid profile, and a few positive points as well. One new feature is the Inner Age metric. I am 40.1 years old - how old is my inner age? Find out in this episode.  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

Tommie Runz is making big moves with his own running and within the broader running community. Several years back Tommie was the picture of ill-health. He had an alcohol problem, was eating poorly, and was doing little exercise. They one-by-one he addressed all of these issues until he became the man and runner he is today - fast, fit, vegan, host of the Run Eat Sleep Show, and owner of Chip Time Running. A truly magnificent transformation for a man who's an even better person than he is a runner. Follow Tommie - www.instagram.com/tommie_runz Chip Time Running and Run Eat Sleep Show - https://linktr.ee/ChipTimeRunning Sponsors: OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, shin splints and more. Used by ultra-runners (Catra Corbett, Sabrina Stanle

Erica Sara discovered her passion for jewelry design at just 10 years old, using scraps of leather to craft fabulous leather pins, earrings, and hair pieces for her family and friends. Two decades later, all grown up and armed with a degree in business and years of fashion experience from Barneys NY and Coach, Erica set out to design a jewelry line for today’s modern, driven, fashion savvy, and influential woman. Erica Sara Designs was born out of a dream to help others wear their dreams. The line offers chic, luxurious, and classic pieces, semi-precious gemstones and metals, and personal engravings. All at realistic prices. Since launching, ESD has graced the pages of Shape, Women’s Health, Better Homes & Gardens, and US Weekly, just to name a few. Unique, universal and timeless, Erica’s pieces are sought out by everyone from bridal parties to marathoners, new moms, old friends, and some of the best runners in the world. When she’s not creating jewelry, Erica spends her time running, cooking, and hanging wit

Several years ago Kim had two lives. One during the day where she helped athletes reach their full potential. Another that consisted of living the kind of life that was the polar opposite of the one she preached. Then she decided enough was enough. Today she is an accomplished multisport athlete, marathoner, lifter, and all-around badass. Kim is certified physical trainers with masters degree in kinesiology. She currently the Head Athletic Trainer for a high school in Hollywood, FL and the owner of Uplift Performance Training. Her vision is to bridge the gap between performance and rehabilitative systems to provide both athletes and the general population an integrated approach to training.  In this episode we dive into her all of the areas of her transformation. We also discuss her recent marathon that she was primed to crush but that didn't quite go her way - a feeling that so many of us have experienced. You can follow Kim at www.instagram.com/kimurmaza. Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Four Si

We are back with Ramblings on the Run with Ali Feller and what a fun conversation this was. Per our usual conversation Ali, host of the amazing Ali on the Run podcast, and I start the show by discussing our current life on the run, what we are loving, and what we are excited about. In the second half of the show we try something new that we both were super excited about sharing. We each chose three TV shows that love and created a scenario for each if the cast were a running team instead of there actual fictional setting. We had a blast doing this and we'd love to hear your own creations! You can email them to me at ramblingrunnerpodcast@gmail.com and we will share some of our favorites. Also, here are some links that we promised we'd share. - The Well+Good article that Ali mentions: www.wellandgood.com/adults-living-at-home - Subscribe to Trail Mix by Emily Halnon: www.emilyhalnon.substack.com/ Sponsors: OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and c

Man, lot's of stuff going on this edition of Mastering 40. The last three weeks have seen some strong workouts, a few skipped miles, and a minor knee injury.  In this episode, run coach James McKirdy and I have a blunt conversation on my need to step up the miles from the mid to high 30's well into the 40's. In his words, "if you aren't able to do this then you will not reach your goals." Then I speak with sport psychologist Adrienne Langelier about how I have been doing the "classic Matt Chittim." By this I mean skipping cooldowns and a mile here and there. We talk discuss how to take my training up a notch and get out of the groove that has been my happy normal in previous training cycles.  To paraphrase, if I want to accomplish something I never have, I need to work harder than before to reach that new level.  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 - J

The Road to the Trials has returned for season two and we are fired up! We will be bringing you a behind the scenes look at the training and racing of some of America's best track athletes as they prepare for the Olympic Track Trials in June. Specifically, we will be following Keira D'Amato, Dana Giordano, Olivia Baker, Frank Lara, Tyler Day, and Abe Alvarado. In this episode we are joined by Lindsey Hein and Mario Fraioli, hosts of the highly rated I'll Have Another and Morning Shakeout podcasts, and we set the stage for the lead-up to the trials. We discuss the year long gap between now and the Olympic Marathon Trials, whether we thought the Olympics would even happen, our favorite Olympic track & field memories, the events and athletes we are most excited to follow this spring, and we discuss where the six athletes we will be following this season compare to their peers in the lead-up to what will be an extremely entertaining track season. Sponsors: OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North