The Rambling Runner

Aaron Truesdale has gone from a self-described “band geek“ to a sub elite marathoner in five short years. This amazing transformation needs to be heard to be believed. Even with his lightning fast speed, what really moves Aaron is the connection to others that he gets through running in his native San Diego.  One of those connections is with his mother. When she was diagnosed breast cancer her goal was to run with her son - and that’s exactly what she did.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether it was as a Marine, Spartan Death Race finisher, or an ultra marathoner, Billy Richards is the personification of persistence. In 2019 he embarked on a new mission: Break the world record for most 100-mile races in a calendar year. The current record is 41 and Billy is well on his way. He‘s completed 25 which means he has 17 to go - with 17 weeks left in the year. If you love following David Goggins then you’ll really enjoy listening to Billy‘s story.  You can learn more about him in the money he is raising at   https://diem.life/billy100.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alison Wade is single-handedly improving the running community. Her Fast Women newsletter is a staple of any running fan’s weekly reading. In this episode we dive into  Alison‘s running, coaching, and media history. All of these layers of contributed to the formation of a wonderful person who is doing amazing things. Here is a description of her work in her own words, “As a lifelong fan of women’s distance running, I’ve always wished that I could nerd out with more people over the latest news in the sport. Through this newsletter, I hope to find the existing running nerds, and help convert more of you. (Don’t worry, it’s a good thing, I promise!) When the runners in the pack learn about the runners up front, they can glean information they can apply to their own running, get a big dose of inspiration, and they often learn that they have more in common with the pros than they imagined.” Newsletter: www.fast-women.org. You can support Alison’s great work at https://www.patreon.com/fastwomen.  Learn mo

Roughly 3,300 days ago Sean Nakamura started running and he‘s still going strong. His 3,200+ day run streak is incredible, as is his transition from two miles a day to owner of one of the most brutal race schedules in the country. This year he will run the Great Eight (the original 100 mile races) plus UTMB, Tahoe 200, and the Big Backyard Ultra. Wow! In addition to this amazing string of races, Sean works full-time as the head of IT in a company where he has worked for 16 years. This guy has mastered the long term power of consistency and positivity. You can follow Sean’s journey at www.instagram.com/ultrarunnersd.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I absolutely loved this conversation with Liz Camy. Her running career at Cal St. Northridge was curtailed by persistent race anxiety. Those feelings continued after graduation before she was finally able to put them behind her and begin running marathons. She progressed from a 4:08 marathon to the cusp of an OTQ before the 2016 Olympic Trials. She clocked a 2:46 in the heat of Los Angeles, just missing her goals. She clawed her way back and claimed her OTQ at CIM in 2017 with a 2:43. She got there while raising two young children, working as an educator in elementary special education, and finishing her doctorate.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katy Sherratt leads Back on My Feet as Chief Executive Officer. An award winning social innovation leader, Katy has been instrumental in increasing Back on My Feet’s programmatic impact by over 75% and introduced new and important measures to demonstrate the holistic impact of the program. Under her tenure, Back on My Feet has gone from early stage startup to sustainable organization and is now a leader in the homelessness services space nationwide. Funding has increased by over 50% thanks to the growth of existing, and cultivation of new, partnerships and fundraising streams and the geographic expansion of operations along the East and West coasts. Katy has been recognized across multiple media and news outlets including by The Economist’s Philanthrocapitalism program as a leader in social innovation and cutting edge non-profit management. In 2016 she was also named among Women’s Running Magazine’s “Top 20 Gamechangers” and most recently a winner at the Philadelphia Social Innovation Awards. “I’m honor

“I will run a marathon before I am 30.” With that drunken assertion, James Dunn eventually changed the course of his life. He transformed himself from 286 lbs. to completing one of the one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, the Marathon des Sables (across the Sahara desert). Last year he was warded “Best Blogs 2018” - Running Awards for www.themorningcoffeerun.com. James has completed six ultras, 20  marathons, and 20 half-marathons.  This year, take on a different running adventure. Grab some of your closest friends, grab your running shoes, and take on the challenge and conquer something BIG together.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Rossi recently wrote a column for Tempo Journal about dealing with injuries that many people, including me, immediately connected with. Tim is works for Nike as a community manager and has built himself into an accomplished runner after deciding not to run for a college team. Along the way he experienced a myriad of injuries and PR’s, including a 2:31 in the marathon. In this we discuss the high and lows that come with injuries, the nature and characteristics of talent, and the running community he has helped build in the NYC area. You can read his column mentioned above at www.tempojournal.com, follow him at www.instagram.com/timrossi, and his team at www.instagram.com/lostboystrackclub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are feeling low-energy or need a spark then this episode with Jessica Dorsey is for you. Jessica is a force of nature who's  determination in all areas is remarkable. Whether she is hauling 100 lbs stones, breaking three hours in the marathon, or starting her own EMF blocking sports bra company, Jessica is constantly on the move. We also take a deep dive into how her training has evolved over recent years. You can learn more about Jessica and her company at www.wambas.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to ambitious running challenges there aren't many greater than running across the United States. For Molly Cuevas, an All-American college field hockey player, this challenge was quite literally the beginning of her running career. Molly has been a high level athlete, first in soccer and later in field hockey, since she as little. But, she hadn't started running until she dreamed of running across the country to support others. Motivated by her belief in the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Molly trained for a year before starting her epic run. In this episode you can hear about what drove Molly, how she was able to persist, and all that goes into this challenge. You can learn more about Molly at https://milesbymolly.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret Spring has been a dedicated runner since she was kid chasing after her oldest brother. These days, people are busy trying to chase her. This remarkable woman picked up trail running five years ago. She fell head-over-heals for the sport while trying to make sure she didn't do that, literally, on the rocky and challenging downhills. A few weeks ago Margaret has a breakout performance by finishing third in her age group at the Leadville Marathon, sharing the podium with Kara Goucher. Margaret isn't just fast and tough, she is running for a purpose far greater than herself. Learn more about this, and many other topics, in this episode. You can find Margaret's TransRockies for a cure page at: https://pages.lightthenight.org/rm/DenverL19/TransRockiesforaCure.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is with immense excitement and gratitude that I announce the newest addition to the Rambling Runner Podcast Network - the Road to the Olympics Trials podcast. This new show features eight elite runners, four men and four women, who are excited about pulling back the curtain and being open and honest about their training, racing, and goals in their lead-up to the Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta on February 29, 2020. The athletes who will be sharing their journey are Jared Ward, Kellyn Taylor, Roberta Groner, Parker Stinson, Lou Serafini, Sarah Bishop, John Raneri, and Dr. Stefanie Flippin. Their varied experiences, successes, and story lines are sure to make this a podcast that all running fans will enjoy. The first episode will premiere on Monday, July 8th so be sure to subscribe today! Podcast Links   Apple Podcasts Spotify Overcast Google Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am delighted to speak with serial racer and former college basketball player Lindsay Walter. Lindsay has run 36 marathons and 83 half marathons over the last eight years. In fact, she is hoping to run 100 half marathons by this time next year. Amazing. Not only that, Lindsay has alopecia areata universalis, an autoimmune disease that causes total-body hair loss. She struggled with this condition for most of her life. Then, in a moment of of life changing clarity while doing a 20 mile run, Lindsay tore off her wig and started a new life for herself. You can follow Lindsay at www.instagram.com/lindsayhannah3.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the podcast I chat with Ben Rosario, coach of the famed NAZ Elite. His team features some of the best men and women runners in the country at various distances. We discuss late bloomers, what he thinks about when he hears the term "running talent", how he approaches coaching youth runners, and what he looks for when identifying runners for his team. You can learn more about Ben and his group at www.nazelite.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running at an elite level is hard enough when everything goes right and luck is on your side. Very few people get to that level even in the best of circumstances. For Molly Bookmyer, her running career could never be described in those terms. She has undergone two brain surgeries, hospitalized after having a seizure on a treadmill, and helped nurse her husband back to health after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer a week after they returned from their honeymoon. In the face of all that, Molly has earned an Olympic Trials qualifying time in the marathon and placed third this spring in the U.S. 25k championships.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Natalie finished with college soccer she needed something to stay active and provide a competitive outlet. On a whim, she ran a local 5k mud run and placed 2nd female overall.  From there, she was hooked.  Natalie PR’d every marathon she ran over a four year period (with a best time of 3:11) before the 2019 Boston Marathon. On that day, however, her dream race became a nightmare. In this episode she details how she dealt with that disappointment, how she overcame an eating disorder that exacerbated a pre-existing heart condition causing her to have heart surgery, and how she uses her own experiences to help influence others as an active club soccer coach in Southern California. You can learn more about Natalie at www.runnergirlnatalie.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hayley Carruthers was launched into the consciousness of most running fans when she collapsed at the finish line of the 2019 London Marathon with 2:33 on the clock. While that was an indelible moment, it does not define this remarkable woman. Hayley works full-time as a cancer research radiographer while also training full-time. She is now competing with the best runners in the world, which is an amazing feat for anyone - especially someone who ran for the first time (since grade school) in May, 2016. In this episode, Hayley breaks down the entire journey with her customary insight, candor, and humor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever met one of those people who seem to have endless energy and optimism? Tanya Carrier is one of those people. She has run 39 half marathons (PR-1:32), 14 marathons (PR-3:11), teaches first grade, and is a mom and wife.  We had a great conversation about how she has improved as a runner and maintained such an energetic and positive outlook. Tanya also revealed some of the struggles that she endured as a child that led her to being there for so many others. You can learn more about Tanya at www.instagram.com/track.tanya.run.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Often times running around on a track can serve as a metaphor for our own training. At first it may seem novel and result in fitness gains, but it can also become tiringly monotonous. Beyond that, we can also fall into a repetitive rut that finds us craving PR‘s while disengaging from the beauty of our pursuits.  This is exactly what happened to Jenny Donnelly after four years of running in college and a few more working hard for new records while working 80 hour work weeks. At the prodding of her boyfriend, she set out on a new adventure that changed everything. Running 155 miles in five days over 30,000 feet of elevation gain in New Zealand, Jenny rediscovered her love running through a paradigm shifting experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Greg Macken began running he was close to 250 pounds. He started that run by saying to himself, “Just jog to the stop sign, once you get there you can walk.” Later that year, Greg finally made the decision to get sober and, in doing so, reversed the trajectory of his life which was headed towards “prison, a psych ward, or death.” Since then, he has completed countless road races including 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and a handful of marathons. Greg recently set a new marathon PR with a smoking 3:00:50! In this episode, Greg takes a deep dive into the depths of his life and how he got himself out, all with the help of running.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices