The Rambling Runner

This episode is a collaboration with my friend Kimberly Chanelle Clark where we explore our experiences in self-experimentation. Kim is constantly looking for various ways to improve her performance it was great to hear what has worked for her. The topics we discuss are sugar, sleep, caffeine, supplements, alternative races, etc. Kim also talks about how she prepared for the San Diego Rock n' Roll Half Marathon after coming down with the flu two weeks before the race after a tremendous build-up. You can follow Kim's running journey at https://www.instagram.com/trackclubbabe. Thank you, Mercury Mile for sponsoring this episode. You can learn more about this amazing box service at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using promo code "ramblingrunner10". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Nothing will work unless you do.” — Maya Angelou. What did Laura Anderson do in her first postpartum marathon? She won it, that's what! This amazing woman has progressed from a college track All-American who hated anything longer than 800m, to a 3:47 marathoner, to winning the 2018 Buffalo Marathon in a time of 2:57. Her progression is extraordinary. Once you realize that she also works two jobs and is raising a toddler, Laura's story becomes truly incredible. In this episode, we discuss those topics as well as her ideas on goal setting, embracing the little victories, her decision to be a "low-mileage" runner, and how she balances her crazy schedule while striving for athletic success. You can follow Laura at www.instagram.com/losingrace and www.twitter.com/losingrace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first three person interview I speak with accomplished runners, and creators of the Run Strong Project, Amy Haenick and Sara Plumstead. These two amazing women have a long history of running success while overcoming challenging situations in their personal lives. Their dedication to a sport they love, and each other, is deeply inspiring. You can follow Amy at https://www.instagram.com/amyrunsdetroit; Sara at https://www.instagram.com/michiganmarathoner; and the Run Strong Project at https://www.instagram.com/runstrongproject. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way." - Robert Kiyosaki Kimberlie McBride was living the dream. A year into her re-dedication to running she was nailing her workouts and improving at a rapid rate. With her sights set on the Fargo Marathon, she even set a half marathon PR in the middle of a training block. Then, shockingly, it all came crashing down. In this episode, Kimberlie details her running journey and how it felt when her marathon dreams were dashed. She expresses her thoughts and emotions after the race with her trademark energy and enthusiasm. You can follow Kimberlie at www.instagram.com/my.runstagram.life. This episode is brought to you by one of my favorite things - Mercury Mile. You can learn more about this amazing box service that provides top of the line gear and accessories at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using promo code "ramblingrunner10" at checkout. Learn more about your ad c

The foundation of the Rambling Runner Podcast is balancing running with the life's necessities. This is exactly what Jessica Rinehart has done so well. With a full-time job and a thriving online coaching business and blog, Jessica was able to put in months of high mileage training. This work culminated in a personal best of 3:07 at the Eugene Marathon. In this episode Jessica talks about how she gets running in, her less than stellar build-up to Eugene (and her shocking result), and her dedication to yearly goals. You can learn more about Jessica at www.sugarruns.com and www.instagram.com/sugarruns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"When I started running after college I ran away from all things. Expectations, healthy relationships (people, myself, food), mother's brain cancer and death, and infertility. When I picked-up running two years ago it was to run towards something." - Amanda Ghent. In this episode, Amanda Ghent goes deep into why running is such a big part of her life. Not only that, she provides color and context for how she grappled with an eating disorder earlier in her life. We also talk about her recent 5k PR and the two half marathons that preceded it. You can follow Amanda at www.instagram.com/amandaghent and www.therunningsenora.wordpress.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Nicole Wade uses her expertise as a holistic health and wellness coach to give me a mini-counseling session as I try to kick my sugar addiction. We also discuss our shared experiences with self-sabotage, her start in running, how she transformed into a 3:35 marathoner, and her 2018 Boston Marathon experience. You can learn more about at Nicole at www.heartandsolerunning.com and follow her at www.instagram.com/heartnsolerunning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot. Jonathan Greenwald is a 3:11 marathoner who qualified for the Boston Marathon in his forties. Those two facts alone are remarkable. Throw in the fact that he started running at age 40 and it becomes even more amazing. In this episode, Jonathan discusses why he started running late in life, the role of running groups in his rapid improvement, and his quest for Boston. You can follow Jonathan's running journey at www.instagram.com/runthesix and https://brooklyn2boston.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"We must meet the challenge rather than wish it were not before us." - William J. Brennan, Jr., Former Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In matter of 2:49:50 Becky Snelson went from successful amateur runner to the talk of the running community. Her 14th place finish at the 2018 Boston Marathon, in a personal best time, set off a bit of a controversy. Becky didn't initially receive prize money because she didn't start with the elite women. This remarkable achievement was a testament to her hard work, toughness in training, and successful race strategy. In addition to her elite running ability, Becky also has a full-time job as an engineer and is in grad school. A true dedicated amateur runner in every sense. You can read Becky's account of her Boston Marathon experience on her blog www.beckyontherun.wordpress.com and follow her at www.instagram.com/bsnelson0411. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The good side of mental fortitude gets lauded in the press, but we don't talk about the other side enough without making it sound like weakness." - Marcus Brown. In this episode of the Rambling Runner podcast I am joined by world marathon major six star finisher Marcus Brown. Marcus completed the series at the 2018 Boston Marathon where he also, ahem, set a new PR. Shortly thereafter, improbably, Marcus toed the line of the London Marathon. We talk about all of this but, before we do, Marcus and I talk about his mission to raise awareness for those experiencing mental challenges in the United Kingdom. We discuss this issue generally before Marcus shares his own experiences with openness and candor. You can learn more about Marcus by following him at www.instagram.com/themarathonmarcus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results." - Wade Boggs. It is great to have Maurice Lowman back on the show. If you want to hear Maurice's full and amazing back story check out episode 12. In this episode, Maurice and I discuss he recent Boston Marathon experience, how to keep a positive attitude despite difficult circumstances, and the power of positivity. Maurice also talks about how he talks to fellow addicts who are struggling with the daily challenges of sobriety. You can follow Maurice's running journey at www.instagram.com/marathonpandamaurice. This episode is brought you by C3fit high performance sportswear. Their high performance compression tights and arch support socks are tremendous and I cannot recommend them highly enough. You can learn more about them at www.c3fit.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do." - Lucille Ball. A doctor of speech pathology, nutrition coach, mother of three, and marathoner - Melissa Malani is one busy woman. Despite that, or maybe because of it, she is able to cram an awful lot into one day. In this episode we discuss how and why she does it, her preparation for, and performance in, the 2018 Boston marathon, and her internal drive that propels her to achieve. Melissa also shares how a mentally and emotionally abusive first marriage caused her to stop running. She picked it back up for the best possible reason - because it was something she, she alone, wanted to do. You can follow Melissa at www.instagram.com/isamarathoner.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to help you discover who you are." - Bernice Johnson Reagon In 2001, Jacky Hunt-Broersma had the lower part of her left leg amputated after a sarcoma tumor was found above her left foot. From that point on she used her strong will and determination to live the life she chose and not one she was forced into. 15 years later she started running. She increased her mileage so quickly that she ran her first marathon a year later and is currently training for ultras. In this episode, Jacky discusses her running background, the logistics of being an amputee runner, and her recent experience running the Boston Marathon. You can follow Jacky at www.instagram.com/ncrunnerjacky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first Boston Marathon review episode we hear from James McKirdy from McKirdy Trained. We talk about the race, how he and his fellow coaches prepared their athletes for the race, and how runners can be prepared for conditions they have have never experienced in training. After our Boston conversation we dive the history behind McKirdy trained and why, how, and when it was started. James and I finish up with a Coach's Corner segment that includes when runners shouldn't wear a watch during a race, fighting through discomfort, James's opinions on marathon predictor workouts. You can learn more about James and McKirdy Trained at mckirdytrained.com and www.instagram.com/mckirdytrained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." - Coretta Scott King Carlos Del Pino was born in the outskirts of Tampico, Tamaulipas, México. As a growing boy, his passion turned to running. Once in the United States he began making friends in the local running scene. Carlos's community building was just getting started. To this day, Carlos has developed a wonderful running community that includes people from across the world. The symbiotic relationship between this group has allowed all of them, Carlos included, to achieve great running feats. Carlos discusses all of these topics in addition to becoming the "King of Treadmills," an ultramarathoner, and more in this episode of the Rambling Runner Podcast. You can learn more about Carlos at www.carlostherunner.com and www.instagram.com/carlostherunner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Turn your setbacks into comebacks.” - Anonymous Over the course of her running career Jessica Tondre cameback from many physical setbacks that have also challenged her mentally and emotionally. From serious leg injuries to a kidney disease, unfortunately there has been no shortage of comeback opportunities for Jess. Despite those issues, she continues to exhibit a contagious positive attitude. We also discuss fear of failure, coaching kids, and her goals for 2018. If you want to get new, high-quality, running gear sent to your home then check out our sponsor Mercury Mile. You can learn more at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using promo code "ramblingrunner10.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"If laughter cannot solve your problems, it will definitely dissolve your problems; so that you can think clearly what to do about them." – Dr. Madan Kataria In this episode, I was joined by my co-host for the Funny Stories Part I episode Laura Pierce. Laura will be running the Boston Marathon next week after putting together an amazing training cycle. As good as that cycle was, it was the result of a challenging and exciting 2017 that included five, yes five, marathons. We also discuss how she has used running as a form of therapy throughout her life, including after her mother's passed away a year after being diagnosed with ALS. The memory of her mother continues to inspire Laura as she focuses on the mantra "Because I Can," which is a reminder to maximize her physical capabilities. If you want to get new, high-quality, running gear sent to your home then check out our sponsor Mercury Mile. You can learn more at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using code "ramblingrunner10." Learn more about your ad

At this time last year Rachel Davis ran her dream race at the 2017 Boston Marathon. She exceeded her goal by seven minutes and ran a six minute and negative split despite in unusually high temperatures. In this episode of the podcast, Rachel and I talk about her 2017 race, the injuries and over-training that followed, and how she made the transition from 800m runner to marathoner. We also take a deep dive into nutrition. Rachel is a Ph.D candidate in nutrition sciences at the University of Alabama Birmingham. We talk about several practical things that affect many runners no matter their running level. You can learn more about Rachel, her running, and her nutrition expertise at http://fuelbyracheldavis.com. If you want to get new, high-quality, running gear sent to your home then check out our sponsor Mercury Mile. You can learn more at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using promo code "ramblingrunner10." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Vis

Sometimes you need to fight through discomfort to achieve your goals. Then, other times, you need to change course and find a new challenge. Audrey Springer has taken both roads and found success at the end of each. In this episode we talk about her college running experience that included her scholarship being revoked before she finished with successful senior year. We also discuss her recent half marathon PR, overcoming challenges, and working through burnout. You can learn more about Audrey at www.runningthealley.com. and www.instagram.com/runningthealley This episode is brought to you by one of my favorite things - Mercury Mile. You can learn more about this amazing box service that provides top of the line gear and accessories at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using promo code "ramblingrunner10" at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Haden is a LinkedIn Influencer, ghostwriter, speaker, and Inc. magazine contributing editor. In 2017, his online articles for Inc. attracted more than 20 million readers. Not only that, he is also a dedicated amateur athlete. In his book, "The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win," Jeff states that motivation is not the catalyst of achievement but, rather, the result of small and consistent successes that build upon one another. We discuss the easy wins that can lead to increased motivation, the best ways to increase willpower, and how to organize your life so you don't have to use it. You can learn more about Jeff at www.jeffhaden.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices