“I’m not crying. You’re crying! Five weeks after a DNF at Mountains 2 Beach, I had the race of my dreams this morning! What changed? I focused on having fun. Turns out that positivity really is the best performance enhancer.” - Brigitte Bradford We’ve all been there. We have all had a race that was complete disaster. The question isn’t if we will have one, but, what will we do once it occurs. Brigitte experienced her disaster race at Mountains 2 Beach this spring. She expected to set a new PR. Instead, she quit the race at mile 18. In Part I of our conversation, we discuss her strong build-up to M2B, her experience grinding through a tough marathon at Boston in 2017, and the mental approach that failed her in 2018. Next week I will release Part II of our conversation - Brigitte’s redemption.

One of the hallmarks of the dedicated amateur runner is the ups-and-downs in training that parallel our life journey. Vic has experienced this several times and has bounced back on each occasion. From a significant weight gain to a severe blood infection, his path back to peak fitness has been filled with grit and dedication. You can follow Vic’s running journey at www.instagram.com/iowarunner3.0. If you like the show, you can get even more Rambling Runner content at www.patreon.com/ramblingrunner. This episode is brought to you by Mercury Mile. You can get a box of goodies that any runner will love at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using promo code “ramblingrunner10” at checkout.

Amanda Brooks has provided as much insight for dedicated runners as anybody over the last decade. Her writing on www.runtothefinish.com spans a wide variety of topics including injury prevention, running related travel, clean eating, and much more. In this episode we touch on all of these things, as well as her writing background, and how she transitioned from a career in web development to a professional writer.

The one year anniversary of the Rambling Runner Podcast is here and we are celebrating with a pair of great guests this week. Today’s conversation is with dedicated runner and experienced coach Victoria Phillippi. Victoria has run dozens of marathons and half marathons and started the popular coaching service Run4Prs. After diving into her running and coaching background we conduct the longest Coach’s Corner segment ever. Victoria touches on a dozen topics that affect runners of all abilities and does so with enthusiasm and insight. You can learn more about Victoria at www.run4prs.co and www.instagram.com/run4prs. If you like the show, you can get even more Rambling Runner content at www.patreon.com/ramblingrunner. This episode is brought to you by Mercury Mile. You can get a box of goodies that any runner will love at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using promo code “ramblingrunner10” at checkout.

The assumption of many is that an eating disorder is about a person’s relationship with food. In this episode, Starla Garcia M.Ed, RDN, LD proves that there is much, much more to that story. Starla achieved her dream of running in college when she committed to the University of Houston. She had a successful freshman season and was poised become a team leader. When she developed an eating disorder during her sophomore season her college running dreams took a backseat. All the while Starla was studying to become a dietician and seeing the benefits of a healthy diet. Why couldn’t she put those principles to good use in her own life? We discuss that question and many others in this episode. You can learn more about Starla and read her wonderful blog posts at www.starlashines.com and www.instagram.com/starla_shines. Starla is also a contributor to www.sweat.com.

<p>In this episode, I speak with a psychologist, nationally certified counselor, and experienced runner. We discuss some common mental health challenges and how running can affect them. We also talk about finding yourself through struggle, the interplay between genetics and upbringing, and the fear of racing.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p>This episode is brought to you by Mercury Mile. You can get a box of goodies that any runner will love at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using promo code “ramblingrunner10” at checkout.</p> <p><br></p>

This episode of the Rambling Runner Podcast is a review of two products I've been eager to try - Mighty and the Topo ST-2. I've been using these two items for the past few weeks and I'm excited to share my thoughts with you. You can learn more about each at www.bemighty.com and www.topoathletic.com, respectively.

“Embrace failure. Missteps and roadblocks are inevitable but are ultimately an opportunity to learn, pivot, and go after your goals with new perspective.” - Jenny Fleiss Ever since the first day of the Rambling Runner Podcast this was an interview that I dreamed of doing. Sarah Canney is an accomplished runner, coach, snowshoerer, and running blogger. She recently came in third at the Snowshoe National Championships and set a huge PR in the race up Mt. Washington. But, between those two races Sarah was bogged down by some of the same issues that many of us face. We also talk about her amazing running and wellness retreat. You can learn more about Sarah at www.runfargirl.com and her name on every social media platform is “RunFarGirl.” This episode is brought to you by Mercury Mile. You can get a box of goodies that any runner will love at www.mercurymile.com and save $10 by using promo code “ramblingrunner10” at checkout.

It's back - Rambling Runner Funny Stories Part II. We received dozens of submissions and I want to thank everyone who sent in a story. We made a couple changes this time around. Laura Pierce and I are joined by our friend Tasha DeVita. Also, half of the stories featured are audio clips in which the stories are told by the people who lived them. Enjoy! You can learn more about Laura at https://www.instagram.com/nebraskarunner/ and Tasha at https://www.instagram.com/tash_runs26.2/.

"Failure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it." - Mia Hamm For Kindal Alysse, 2016 was a dream. She set personal bests at nearly every distanced she raced in running and triathlon. 2017, however, was exactly the opposite. In this episode, Kindal details how she was able to reach her goals and then, when she was rocked by disappointment, how she dealt with it and bounced back. You can learn more about Kindal at https://www.instagram.com/runningwithstrength/ and https://runningwithstrengthblog.wordpress.com/. 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".

This episode is a recording of a call with my coach James McKirdy in which we go over my recent performance at the Gaspee Days 5k and James's coaching philosophy. We also plan out the next few months of my training and how to get ready for races of varying lengths. Throughout the episode James brings his trademark energy, enthusiasm, and humor. This episode is one of the many types of exclusive content that will be available on my new venture www.patreon.com/ramblingrunner. If you want more of this kind of exclusive content please checkout the site. If you want to learn more about James and McKirdy trained you can visit www.mckirdytrained.com.

Elyse Garza trained for months in the run-up to the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon. She PR'd at a few races during that time and was ready to go on race day. Then she dropped a huge PR and beat her goal of a 3:20 marathon. How did she feel a few days after that major accomplishment? Crappy. In this episode, Elyse dives into the mental side of running that she has concurrently struggled with and improved on. She also details how her competitive nature fuels her to succeed, how she has battled body image issues, and the role a running group can play in helping you achieve personal and athletic goals. Lastly, Elyse details the way she structures her running schedule around her hectic life as a flight attendant. You can learn more about Elyse and follow her running journey at https://www.instagram.com/milestomedals. 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".

“When a man moves away from nature his heart becomes hard.” – Lakota. Verna Volker has the kind of passion and grit that can only lead to achievement. 10 years ago she was a non-runner. Today she is a five time marathoner and ultrarunner. Her recent 50k was held on a water logged mud path but that didn't stop Verna in her first ultra. Not only did she finish, she was first in her age group. Verna is from the Navajo tribe and grew-up on a reservation in the Four Corners area of New Mexico. In a addition to being a devoted runner, she is dedicated to increasing visibility to, and connections within, the Native American outdoor athletic community. To that end, we discuss the importance of Native American cultures and their representation in popular media. You can follow Verna at https://www.instagram.com/hozhorunner4 and https://www.instagram.com/native_women_running.

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".

“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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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/.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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