<p>Megan is a legend. She was the 2016 USATF Trail Runner of the Year at the ultra and sub-ultra distances. She is a five-time national champion, the North American Mountain Running Champion, and a six-time member of Team USA. She graduated from Duke University, where she played field hockey before running cross country for one year, with a degree in Neuroscience and received her M.D. from Stanford Medical School.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Megan started coaching with Some Work All Play in 2016 with the premise that she could help athletes learn to love the process of training, embrace their inner ninja, and recover using a Taco Tuesday approach.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In this episode, Megan discusses many things, including: The mind-body connection, power of genetics, what is talent, not taking your physical gifts too seriously, bouncing back from injury better than before, the paradox of goalsetting, and embracing life in the short term and long term.</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p>

TCS New York City Marathon week is upon us and it is sure to be an amazing race. In this episode we hear from Kellyn Taylor, Roberta Groner, Jared Ward, John Raneri, and Lou Serafini. Each of them discuss their current fitness level, injury status, mental and emotional frame of mind, mantras and motivations, and goals for the race.

<p>Rachel Brenke had a newborn son, her husband was just deployed, and she wanted more. Next step: law school and entrepreneurship! 10 years later she faced a similar situation. Two degrees, five kids, and zero time for herself. Next step: become a triathlete! Rachel not only knows the legal ins-and-outs of running a business but she has a pulse on the industry as an athlete herself.</p> <p><br></p> <p>With an impressive list of accomplishments such as:</p> <p><br></p> <ul> <li>Team USA ’17 &amp; ’18, competed in ITU World Championships Aquathlon (ranked #10 in 2017 &amp; #12 in 2018)</li> <li>Ironman World Championships ’18</li> <li>Ironman Maryland Ambassador ’18,</li> <li>1st of 6 World Major Stars at NYC ’18</li> <li>USAT Ambassador ’17, ’18, ’19</li> </ul> <p><br></p> <p>In this episode, Rachel discusses how all of this is possible for all of us and the time, effort, and belief it took for her to create this life. You can learn more about Rachel at <a href="https://www.fitlegally.com">www.fitlegally.com</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p>

<p>I was so exited to get Alissa Kolarik on the show because I can’t get enough of comeback stories. In the same vein, I also love stories about people who buck conventional wisdom and find a better path for them. Alissa embodied both of these ideas on her way to a huge PR of 3:05:20 at the Berlin Marathon. In this episode, Alissa discusses her winding running journey, choices she’s made to improve her running, and her ability to work through, and past, setbacks.</p> <p><br></p>

<p>Kyle Merber is a professional runner specializing in the mile and the race director of the Long Island Mile - one of the most unique track meets in the country. In this episode we talk about the how he created an elite event featuring some of the nations best runners (Emma Coburn, Molly Huddle, Emily Sisson, Cory McGee, Nikki Hiltz, Brenda Martinez, Emily Infeld, Ben Blankenship, Ben Flanagan, and many others) at a nondescript Long Island high school, connecting dedicated amateur runners to the professionals, and the elements of a track meet that can me made more fan friendly and exciting.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p>

<p>Within three years of starting running Hannah Johnson has improved by leaps and bounds. From breaking the 30 minutes in the 5k to cranking out a 1:38 in the half marathon this fall. All the while, raising a one and three year old and teaching at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. She even worked through a stress reaction during her first marathon and still finished in 8:30 pace. In this episode we talk about her low mileage training plans, learning how to think of herself as an athlete, and how she works around early morning training.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p>

<p>In this episode Julie Sapper talks about something that affects us all - bouncing back from injury. We discuss all things about mindset, planning and execution that got Julie back on the road very quickly. In the spring Julie tore her meniscus as she was preparing for the Boston Marathon. Then, Julie hit the comeback trail in time for a Last Chance BQ marathon. Julie and her friend Lisa Reichmann have been operating their Run Farther and Faster program for years and have helped many runners go through similar situations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p>

<p>People like Aly Groft was the reason &nbsp;the Rambling Runner Podcast was created. At the Erie Marathon last week Aly got her fourth consecutive Boston qualifying time. Thankfully, it was her first time getting far enough under the qualifying time to run the race. That’s right, she had three straight BQ’s but none fast enough to register. Her commitment and determination are matched only by her optimism. With four kids under the age of eight, and a job as a first grade teacher, Aly is surrounded by little ones begging for her attention. In this episode we talk about maintaining a positive mindset, achieving goals, working with kids while planning training around your own, and so much more.</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p>

<p>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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p>

<p>Whether it was as a Marine, Spartan Death Race finisher, or an ultra&nbsp;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. &nbsp;You can learn more about him in the money he is raising at &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://diem.life/billy100">https://diem.life/billy100</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p>

<p>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 &nbsp;Alison‘s running, coaching, and media history. All of these layers of contributed to the formation of a wonderful&nbsp;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.”</p> <p><br></p> <p>Newsletter: <a href="http://www.fast-women.org/">www.fast-women.org</a>. You can support Alison’s great work at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/fastwomen">https://www.patreon.com/fastwomen</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p>

<p>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 <a href="https://instagram.com/ultrarunnersd">www.instagram.com/ultrarunnersd</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p>

<p>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.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p>

<p>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.</p> <p><br></p> <p>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.</p> <p><br></p> <p>“I’m honored to lead such a unique, dynamic and growing organization,” said Katy. “You don’t have to be a marathoner or even a 5K runner, to feel the power of what we do on the morning runs – the community we build for individuals experiencing homelessness is the critical missing link and the reason why we’ve had such huge success in enabling our members to transition out of homelessness and maintain that transition.”</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p>

<p>“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 <a href="https://www.themorningcoffeerun.com">www.themorningcoffeerun.com</a>. James has completed six ultras, 20 &nbsp;marathons, and 20 half-marathons.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;</p>

<p>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 <a href="https://www.tempojournal.com">www.tempojournal.com</a>, follow him at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timrossi">www.instagram.com/timrossi</a>, and his team at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lostboystrackclub">www.instagram.com/lostboystrackclub</a>.</p> <p><br></p>

<p>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 &nbsp;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 <a href="https://www.wambas.com">www.wambas.com</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p>

<p>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 <a href="https://milesbymolly.com/">https://milesbymolly.com</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p>

<p>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: <a href="https://pages.lightthenight.org/rm/DenverL19/TransRockiesforaCure">https://pages.lightthenight.org/rm/DenverL19/TransRockiesforaCure</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is with immense excitement and gratitude that I announce the newest addition to the Rambling Runner Podcast Network - the <strong>Road to the Olympics Trials</strong> 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!</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Podcast Links </strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/road-to-the-olympic-trials/id1468827005">Apple Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0pA3UnOu4o44zhHz5qObtt">Spotify</a></li> <li><a href="https://overcast.fm/itunes1468827005/road-to-the-olympic-trials">Overcast</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9iYmEwNDY4L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz">Google Podcasts</a></li> </ul> <p><br></p>

<p>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 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lindsayhannah3/">www.instagram.com/lindsayhannah3</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>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 <a href="https://www.nazelite.com/">www.nazelite.com</a>.</p> <p><br></p>

<p>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.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p>

<p>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. &nbsp;From there, she was hooked. &nbsp;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 <a href="https://www.runnergirlnatalie.com/"><strong>www.runnergirlnatalie.com.</strong></a></p> <p><br></p>

<p>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.</p> <p><br></p>