The Rambling Runner

Today we are fortunate to have Sarah Gearheart who has just published a truly amazing running book - We Share the Sun: The Journey of Kenya's Legendary Running Coach Patrick Sang and the Fastest Runners on Earth. We Share the Sun takes us behind the scenes into the lives of Kenya’s fastest runners and their coach—one of the greatest and least-heralded coaches in the sport—Patrick Sang. At a secluded training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya, a small town nearly 8,000 feet above sea level in the Great Rift Valley, three-dozen world-class runners, including Olympic champions, world record holders and the fastest marathoner of all-time, share simple dormitory-style rooms and endure grueling workouts six days a week. These determined, devoted, and selfless runners are who they are because of a man named Patrick Sang, who is described by his athletes as a “life coach.” In We Share the Sun, we are immersed in Sang’s remarkable story, from his college days in the US to winning an Olympic medal in the steeplechase, and his jo

This episode of the podcast is with a longtime friend of the show, Jean Mike Remy. Remy was first on the show in episode 86 when he detailed is fantastic transformation into an endurance athlete. This episode is a far cry from that one. Yesterday Remy was part of a viewing party at the top of Heartbreak Hill on the Boston Marathon course doing what he loves: cheering and supporting fellow amateur endurance athletes. Then he and his viewing party, organized by the Pioneers and TrailblazHers running clubs and primarily consisting of BIPOC athletes, was targeted and surrounded by over a dozen police officers. Video of the experience went viral and many in the running community were aghast at the display. In this episode, Remy details his lifelong connection to Boston and the marathon, what happened that day, and his perspective on the intersection of the two. Follow Remy on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_mr1derful Watch Remy's YouTube Channel and watch the video we discuss in this episode: www.youtube.com/@RemyB

The magic of the 2020 Olympic Trials we more than just race itself. It was also in the journey to that day. The years of training and leading to America's best runners putting it on the line to qualify for the trials. With that in mind we are introducing a new race hoping to help America's best reach their full potential. The Bakline's McKirdy Micro!  The vision for this marathon is to be an OTQ/Olympic Standard marathon event. The course - Rockland Lake State Park is a truly flat and fast course. Newly paved... the surface is incredibly quick. It will also have a clearly marked tangent line along the ENTIRE 2.945 mile loop.  Certification - The event is currently USATF certified and USATF Sanctioned. The World Athletics certification is in processing and is a mere formality. For any athletes looking for an Olympic Standard (American or international) this race will count for that achievement and for world rankings. Pacers:  2:07:30 2:10:00 (if needed/requested) 2:17:59 2:26:00 (if needed/requested) 2:30

Last Monday we had our inaugural Training Talk LIVE call on Relay and it was everything we hoped it would be! More specifically, it was a space for Relay subscribers and creators to have an informal chat about our training, racing, goals, and challenges with plenty of fun randomness thrown into the mix. We will be doing this every Monday at 2pm est so come join us! Relay is a collaborative of elite runners and running content creators publishing high-end writing, audio/podcasts, and video. These pieces provide insight, knowledge, and entertainment to dedicated runners. Relay has some of the most collaborative and creative work in the running industry that is sure to impact runners of all abilities. The Relay team consists of amazing people like Kara Goucher, Peter Bromka, Mike "Kofuzi" Ko, Stefanie Flippin, Lindsey Hein, and Marcus Brown. In addition to great content, Relay also provides full financial transparency. For $9 a month subscribers get the most creative and collaborative running content on the int

Cole Crosby recently completed something that has never been done - a solo run on the original relay route (OG route) from LA to Vegas as part of The Speed Project. TSP is typically reserved for team efforts but Cole wanted more. Much more. After years of testing his limits, including the Cocodona 250 last spring, he had his sights set on Vegas. Cole puts it best in his Instagram post from March 29: "The TSP solo adventure was earth-shattering. Mother Nature threw everything at us: rain, sleet, wind, sand storms, heat, sun, mud, and yet we never faltered. I finally showed what I am capable of as an athlete. 346 miles averaging paces between 10-13 minute miles, tackling whatever obstacle was in our way. Our team grew stronger and deeper as the journey went on until the last 5,000 foot climb and the sprint downhill into Vegas. This journey to me is what an OG stands for. It’s not about taking the shortest route but rather the longest. It’s about fighting adversity and not showing weakness. It’s about gaining th

Nigel Mcgregor is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. Not merely in running, but in all areas of life. 14 years ago, Nigel ran is first marathon in 5:21 and it was a huge accomplishment. In the preceding years Nigel worked full-time driving a delivery truck while going to night-school in a full-time capacity to become an engineer. After the job and the school work Nigel would head out on his nightly run. Those runs would often end at or after midnight. This man was dedicated to his goals - no question about that. Today, Nigel is a masters runner with marathon PR of 2:56. He has run dozens and dozens of marathons and "marathon runner" is a part of his identity he embraces and cultivates. In this episode we talk about his amazing journey and finish with a fun conversation about his beloved Boston Marathon (he's about to run his fourth!). You can follow Nigel at www.instagram.com/nmarvelous212. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by UCAN nutrition which is powered to deliver steady, long lastin

Percell Dugger is a NYC-based wellness consultant, certified strength coach, and NIKE running coach. The founder of GOODWRK, Percell helps athletes of all abilities reach their potential, creates thriving spaces that celebrate movement, and champion health equity. Percell's sprint to share his message of health equity has since turned into a marathon. He recently trained actor Winston Duke for his role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and he launched Fit For Us, a wellness-focused creative agency that aims to create equitable health and wealth outcomes for the historically marginalized. In this episode, Percell shares his thoughts on internal vs. external motivation, why improving the aerobic system can take longer than people think, and how our mental game can impact our daily training and longer term goals. You can follow Percell at www.instagram.com/goodwrk. Sponsors: Thank you to Lagoon for sponsoring this episode and for their truly amazing pillows! Take their two minute quiz and learn which pillow is

Spring is now here and with it comes in an increase in running, outdoor fun, and marathon training. Fueling our longer efforts can provide several challenges. That is especially true for those of us who are preparing for a marathon by stacking up some serious long runs. With that in mind, Holley Samuel RD, CPT, is here to guide us through the process. 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 make sure we are at our best.  Learn more about Holley at @holleyfuelednutrition and website is www.holleyfuelednutrition.com.

In our second conversation with Nico Montañez on the Road to the Trials Podcast, Nico shares an amazing amount about training and racing. First, Nico does a nearly 30 minute breakdown of his recent training heading into the United Airlines NYC Half and the upcoming Boston Marathon. In the second half of the podcast Nico discusses his 7th place performance, and 2nd U.S. finisher, at the stacked United Airlines NYC Half. It was a freezing day in which Nico ran well against some of the world's best. It was a clear sign that his fitness is trending well for Boston. Finally, we end with a little shoe talk and Nico shares which Asics shoes he uses for various runs and races. Sponsors: Thank you to Lagoon for sponsoring this episode and for their truly amazing pillows! Take their two minute quiz and learn which pillow is perfect for you and the way you sleep at https://lagoonsleep.com/rambling and save 15% by using code RAMBLING at checkout. Vacation Races is a running and travel company that helps people expl

We are re-releasing our conversation with Andrea Pomaranski from October, 2021 after she finished as the 10th American woman at the Boston Marathon at the age of 39 because Andrea is at it again! She just won the 50K national title along with setting a new American masters record at the distance. Andrea's story is much more than merely running well as a masters athlete. Here is her post after the 2021 Boston Marathon that puts her accomplishments into the context of her life: "My heart is so full of gratitude …..10th American in the Boston Marathon in my very first pro start at a major marathon at the age of 39, which to be honest is the least of why I couldn’t stop smiling through the streets of Boston yesterday. Every step felt like such a celebration….8 years ago this week I had just given birth to severely premature twins and spent every single day for the next 5 months in a hospital room for hours upon hours until we eventually lost both of our sons. 11 years ago this week, doctors told me I’d never run

Kim Levinsky has one of the most unique running-related stories and lives that we've every learned about on the Rambling Runner Podcast. She is the owner and race director for Sassquad Trail Running, a running community based in NJ/NY. Kim has helped elevate trail running in that area by providing month "trail parties" while fostering an atmosphere of fun and inclusion that make Sassquad events enjoyable and challenging. Kim is also an exceptional athlete. She played both basketball and softball in college before coaching college softball for a handful of years after graduation. Kim has also completed races all the way up to 200 miles and has set numerous FKTs, both supported and unsupported. She has also worked through depression with a multifaceted approach that required more than just running. As we discuss in this episode: running is therapeutic, not therapy. Finally, later this year Kim will attempting the Long Path (358 miles from Albany to Manhattan) - Here are the two fundraising links she is using to

I am now an ultramarathoner! On Saturday I competed in the Squatchapple 33 miler at the South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, NJ. It was a muddy and glorious experience that I will remember forever. In this episode, my good friend and fellow Relay contributor Peter Bromka helps me analyze the experience. We discuss the distance, hills, mindset, running vs walking, and the mud. Oh the mud!!! Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by UCAN nutrition which is powered to deliver steady, long lasting energy without the spike and crash. Add in UCAN Hydrate to get those electrolytes that you need to stay hydrated. Finally, you've got to try the award winning Edge energy gels - they are my go-to on the run. You will get 20% of all of your orders at ucan.co with code RAMBLING. _ _ _ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Cunningham has quietly become one of the best running coaches in the America over the past 20 years. The native Texan coaches some of the best athletes in the country (including recent guest Mitch Ammons) and those aspiring to complete their first marathon, or even 5k. In this episode we have a wide-ranging conversation about how he got into coaching after running at Baylor University, principles that can help runners of all abilities and backgrounds, the definition of "talent", and so much more. Sponsors: Thank you to Lagoon for sponsoring this episode and for their truly amazing pillows! Take their two minute quiz and learn which pillow is perfect for you and the way you sleep at https://lagoonsleep.com/rambling and save 15% by using code RAMBLING at checkout. --- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jereny started running in 2015 and ran her first marathon in 5 hours and 25 minutes. Since then, she's lost over 50 lbs. and knocked 2.5+ hours off her time. Last month she ran a 2:47 in Houston and she has been smashing several shorter races in-and-around her local Orlando running scene. Jereny is in a similar position to where Stefanie Flippin was in season one of Road to the Trials - her big stretch goal is to qualify for the trials. An enormous feet and one that will require all of Jereny's considerable will and drive. In this episode Jereny details why this goal is so important for her, how she intends to give herself a chance to reach it, and why she is excited to share the entire process in a public way. Most of all, this episode really show's Jereny's incredible intelligence, will to succeed, and openness that will be a joy to follow over the next year. You can learn more about Jereny's back story in episodes 276 and 417 of the Rambling Runner Podcast. Follow Jereny on Instagram: www.instagram.com/lol

I love all the interviews I've done on the Rambling Runner but this one may have have been one of the most fun. Chris Mancini is former college acquaintance of mine who is now preparing after for the Boston Marathon. He is a man of many passions including performing music, theater, running, his non-profit work, and his family. Above all, he is a joyous human being who goes after his goals with passion, vigor, and a sense of wonder. I'm in awe of Chris Mancini, and after you hear this episode you will be, too. You can learn more about his the non-profit he runs and discusses at the end of the episode at www.savetheharbor.org. Sponsors: Thank you to Lagoon for sponsoring this episode and for their truly amazing pillows! Take their two minute quiz and learn which pillow is perfect for you and the way you sleep at https://lagoonsleep.com/rambling and save 15% by using code RAMBLING at checkout. --- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Rambling Runner Podcast we are introducing a new kind of episode that will become part of our normal rotation: Sport Science Corner. These episodes will feature a prominent guest who will walk us through some of the significant research that can effect many amateur runners. Our guest in this episode is Christine Yu. Christine is an award-winning journalist. She writes about sports, science, and health. She especially love telling stories about the intersection of sports science and women athletes and wrote a book about it. UP TO SPEED: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes, will be published on May 16, 2023 (I've pre-ordered my copy and you should do the same!). Christine's reported features, profiles, and essays have appeared in The Washington Post, Outside Magazine, Runner's World, Family Circle, SELF, Eating Well, VICE, and espnW, among others. Here are the research papers we discuss in this episode: Preventing bone stress injuries in runners with optimal workload: https://www.ncbi.nlm

Two months ago Mitch Ammons achieved the seemingly impossible. He qualified for the Olympic Trials Marathon at the California International Marathon with a time of 2:16:48. In this episode we dive into everything that went into that special day. You can hear more about Mitch's tumultuous and uplifting background in episode 456. Here is what Mitch wrote about that special day. It encapsulates his journey perfectly: "I don’t even know where to start with this one. Thanks all of y’all for the overwhelming support. After all, this is a sport that is about community and man don’t we have a great one. Five years ago almost to the day I started this running journey. I was 2 years sober; heroin and meth, on my way to changing everything about myself. I can say with confidence that running was the biggest catalyst to self improvement. It gave me motivation and drive to always become better, it’s given me a community that I call family, my best friends, girlfriend, and continued sobriety have to be credited from runni

Carolyn Su is back for our monthly For the Love of The Run feature and we are doing a follow-up to our New Years Goals show. In this episode, we talk about where we are with our running, how that relates to our 2023 running goals (and how they've already shifted a bit), and take a deep dive into our family-related goals that are already paying dividends. For the Love of the Run is presented by Tracksmith. Both Carolyn and I been wearing and loving Tracksmith for years and we couldn't think of a better brand to partner with on this endeavor. They have even have a new running shoe coming out soon called the Eliot Runner that we are very excited about! You can visit our link at www.Tracksmith.com/loveoftherun to see their new arrivals and use code LOVEOFTHERUN to receive free shipping. Also, 5% of proceeds from the use of the code will go to our charity partner the Asian Mental Health Collective - www.asianmhc.org. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by UCAN nutrition which is powered to deliver steady, long las

This episode featuring Abiye Okuchaba is perfect for runners who are trying to navigate the beginning of their running journeys and those who are trying to recapture the magical feeling that running first put into their lives. Abiye is a bright light in the Denver running community despite starting the his running journey a few years ago. In 2023 he improved his marathon time from 5:30 in May to 4:30 in December. A remarkable feet, to be sure. However, this improvement is even more noteworthy when you consider a troubling incident that happened to Abiye in October during his daily pre-dawn run. This incident, while tragic, brought Abiye and his running community even closer together with the help of his amazing coach, and recent Rambling Runner guest, Sara Manderscheid. In this episode Abiye talks about beginning his running journey after rupturing his patella, making running work even with a crazy schedule, and embracing the marathon even when he wasn't sure he'd finish. Follow Abiye here: www.instagram.com/

In this episode we are re-airing one of the best conversations in Rambling Runner history, and for good reason. Heather Knight Pech was once told that her peak was gone. It was in a class she was taking at Stanford 18 months ago. It sparked a deep conversation with her coach, James McKirdy, and her support team. Dejected, she was reminded that there's simply no chart or metric that can measure the power of the human spirit. This past weekend, just a few days before turning 61, Heather ran her second fastest half marathon. 1:27:51. A result that is a World's Best for her age group (60-64) and pending American and World Record (1:28:21). This episode was recorded last spring two weeks after she set the Boston Marathon record in the women's 60-64 age group. A record previously owned by Joan Benoit Samuelson. Below is what Heather's coach and friend James McKirdy wrote after she ran Boston in 2022. It is perfect I’ve inserted it below: ”If all we did was acknowledge the time on the clock... we'd be giving a stan