On December 3, 2017 Molly Friel did something that many would call impossible: she qualified for the Olympic Trrials in the marathon at age 50. At the California International Marathon she completed the race in a blistering time 2:43:57, averaging a 6:15/mi pace. Not only that, she almost even-split the course after a first-half time of 1:21:54. In this episode of the Rambling Runner Podcast, we talk about how she approached this race, executed it to perfection, and her injury plagued build-up to race day. We also discuss her amazing career, including a ten year stretch of injuries that separated her first Olympic Trials Qualifier from her latest that would have ended many athlete’s professional careers. I hope you enjoy this episode with one of America’s best, and most interesting, elite runners.

In this episode of The Rambling Runner Podcast, I speak with professional runner Kaitlin Gregg Goodman. Kaitlin set her 10K, half marathon, and marathon personal records in 2017. We dive into those experiences as well as how she bounced back from her disappointing performance at the USATF Outdoor Track Championships. Lastly, we also talk about Kaitlin’s rise to prominence as a runner. She did not have the traditional accomplishments that many of her contemporaries did, like high school championships and all-american honors. Instead, Kaitlin improved year-after-year and eventually earned her place as one of the best American runners. We introduce a new feature on the podcast called “Coach’s Corner” in which I ask Kaitlin three questions that affect many dedicated amateur runners. I hope you enjoy this episode and happy running! You can learn more about Kaitlin, her blog, and her coaching services at www.trainingjoyfully.com.

“When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this positive energy. It’s very simple.” - Paulo Coelho Tiffany James progressed from a 4:29 marathon in 2014 to a Boston Marathon qualifying time of 3:27 in 2017. Not bad for someone who used to skip-out on high school gym class. In this episode, Tiffany talks about her progression from occasional athlete, to runner, to running enthusiast and professional running marketer. She also details how she bounced back from barely missing her goal of qualifying for Boston, and all of the emotions wrapped up in that near miss, to set a PR in her next marathon. Finally, Tiffany, whose website is www.runningforcarbs.com, and I talk about our favorite thing - carbs! I hope you enjoy this episode and happy running!

In 2017, Nick Symmonds chose to transform from one of running's most recognizable professionals (with two Olympic appearances and a silver medal at the World Championships in the 800m) to an amatuer attempting his first marathon. Not only that, but he did it in typical Nick Symmonds fashion - by being as transparent as possible every step of the way. In this episode of the Rambling Running Podcast, we talk about Nick's recent announcement that he will be running the Eugene Marathon, his previous and upcoming marathon training, and how he'd compare the pain of a marathon to the agony of a lactic acid producing 800m race. Nick also details how and why he started Run Gum and what his role as CEO entails. Enter to win a 4-Day, 3-Night Ultimate Running Experience capped with running the 2018 Eugene Marathon with Nick Symmonds by going to www.rungum.com.

“Stay true to yourself. An original is worth more than a copy.” - Suzy Kassem Patrick Cutter may be the most unique dedicated amateur runner I have interviewed on the show. Last week at the Chevron Houston Marathon he set a personal record by running to 2:35.23. However, if you ever see a picture of Patrick during that race you would never guess he was that level of runner. At 5’10” and 180 pounds he looks more like a star football player than a sub-elite marathoner. In this episode, we break down his most recent performance and talk about how his training has evolved in recent years - including how he prepared for 16 marathons in the last five years despite having a limited running background prior to 2012. Patrick also discusses his weightlifting routine and why he prioritizes strength training in a way that is at odds with conventional wisdom. You can follow Patrick’s running updates at www.instagram.com/irun26point2__.

“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” - Napoleon Hill   As the owner the Strength2Run and the Athlete Factory, Christina Wood lives the words of her business. However, as physically strong as she is, her mental and emotional strength is what allows her to do amazing things. In this episode, Christina talks about overcoming her father’s cancer diagnosis, and passing, in her early 20’s. She turned to running in the midst of that pain and sorrow and has never looked back. Today she is marathoner, triathlete, and coach. Beyond that, she has shown that by continually moving forward you can overcome and achieve. Learn more about Christina’s coaching service at www.strength2run.com.

In 2013 Natalie Hopkins was hit by a car while riding her bike. This accident left her with numerous screws, and a couple of plates, in her leg as well as a significant brain injury. Yet, exactly one year later she was at the starting line of the Boston Marathon and ran it 12 seconds faster than she had two years earlier. In this episode, Natalie talks about that experience as well as her background as a Division I swimmer at Syracuse and how she overcame depression through running after her swimming career came to an end. 2017 was a breakout year for Natalie. We discuss her unique training methods that allowed her to run the 2017 Marine Corps marathon in 3:05 and how self-reflection put her in the right state of mind to capitalize on her increased fitness. As you’ll here, Natalie is a ball of energy and it’s easy to see why she can balance her training with her career as a fitness professional. You can learn more about Natalie on her website www.betterstrongertougher.com.

In this episode of the Rambling Runner Podcast I am privileged to be joined by the best endurance sport author of this generation - Matt Fitzgerald. Matt has written dozens of influential books including two of my favorites “How Bad Do You Want It“ and “Iron War.“ We dive into each of those books as well as his fascinating experience training full-time with the NAZ Elite running team before setting a PR, and finishing top-5 in his age group, at the Chicago Marathon. You can read his blog detailing that experience and his current training at http://finalsurge.com/seriouslyamateur. Also check out Matt’s new home on the internet http://8020endurance.com.

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which [s]he has overcome.” - Booker T. Washington I can’t think of a better quote that encapsulates Liz Ferro’s rise and her impact on others. After going through the foster care system as a toddler Liz was sexually assaulted as an 8 year old. The trauma she experienced led her to create the non-profit Girls With Sole. This wonderful organization, which has been chronicled by USA Today and the Today Show, helps girls ages 9-18 overcome abuse through exercise and community. Liz has completed marathons in all 50 states, completed four Ironman triathlons, and run on the Great Wall of China. In other words, she walks-the-walk. I hope you enjoy this inspiring episode with one of the most special people I have ever met. Learn more about Liz and Girls With Sole at www.girlswithsole.org.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” according to Roman philosopher Seneca. If you want to know the meaning of bad luck ask Scott Littleton (www.instagram.com/chaoticscott). Scott took up running three years ago and quickly progressed to a borderline Boston Marathon qualifier, despite the fact that he made every rookie mistake in his first six months. With enviable persistence, and some high-quality coaching, he made rapid improvements. During his marathon build-up this fall, Scott PR’d at several distances and appeared to have a BQ in sight. Then it all came crashing down. Learn how Scott persevered by showing superhuman grit and determination. Many of us runners have had the rug pulled out from under us at crucial times - listen to how Scott dealt with that challenge and came out the other side better for the experience.

“If your goals don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough!“ Those words are the foundation on which Amanda Cruise (www.instagram.com/run2pr) has built her running career. After giving birth to her twin boys a little over five years ago, Amanda started her running journey with a 35:00 5K. Since then, her amazing progression enabled her to run an Olympic trials qualifying time of 2:44 at the California international Marathon. This inspiring and motivating episode with Amanda illustrates that if you work hard enough, and want something bad enough, you can achieve great things. Learn more about Amanda on her website: www.run2pr.com.

I’ve never met anyone with as many captivating running stories as Lori Mitchener (www.instagram.com/flatlori). Her stories range from the incredible to the irreverent to the tragic. In this episode, Lori details a running career that you will not believe – and she is just getting started. From being badly injured in her early 20’s, running a marathon with multiple lower-leg and foot fractures, running to the hospital to give birth, and being at the finish line during the Boston Marathon bombing – Lori tells each story with endearing humbleness and honesty. If you have ever fought through pain or struggles you’ll want to listen to this episode.

Have you ever run across a country? Esther Park has, and she's about to do it again! (www.instagram.com/estherp1e) After losing her mom to cancer when she was in her early 20s, Esther turned to running. Since then she has become an ultramarathoner and devoted her running life to improving the lives of others (in addition to being a mom and a doctor). I hope you enjoy this inspirational episode. If you do, please consider supporting Esther by visiting her donation page here: https://www.crowdrise.com/esthers-run-across-haiti-2018/fundraiser/estherpark26

In this episode, I am joined by marathoner Alissa Coffman (www.instagram.com/alissamwc). Alissa set a 15 minute PR by running 3:04 at the California International Marathon on December 3! She accomplished this amazing feat after running the New York City Marathon five weeks earlier - setting another personal best in the process. 2017 wasn't always as kind to Alissa. After a great marathon build-up she endured a femoral stress fracture that left her hobbled for the Boston Marathon and forced her into a two month break over the summer. Listen to how she recovered from that disappointment to come back stronger than before and show the kind of toughness that all runners aspire to.

Kim Chanelle Clark Underwood (www. Instagram.com/trackclubbabe) has had remarkable ups-and-downs in her 15 year running career - including a 10 year hiatus. In this episode, we talk about her PR breaking build-up to the California International Marathon, her early struggles with maintaining running consistency, and all of the things she continues to learn, and share, about her running. Some of these include falling into the "comparison trap," overcoming celiac disease, and what she learned from her four experiences at the Kara Goucher Podium Retreat. I hope you enjoy this episode with Kim as much as I did recording it!

We all marvel at the amateur runners who compete with some of the best in the sport. How do these runners who start competing in their twenties reach that level so quickly? In this episode, Maria Betancourth (www.instagram.com/negativesplitspositivevibes) talks about how she did just that. She also gives a detailed description of her training leading up to the California International Marathon on December 3, including her 1:23 half marathon PR that she set in October without a taper, where she will compete with many of the best marathoners in the country.

It is easy to get swept up in the exploits of Shalane Flanagan, Ben True, and other elite runners, but the triumphs and struggles of everyday runners can be just as inspirational. In thiIt is easy to get swept up in the exploits of Shalane Flanagan, Ben True, and other elite runners, but the triumphs and struggles of everyday runners can be just as inspirational. In this episode of the Rambling Runner Podcast, Kristen D'Almeida (www.instagram.com/kdalmeida) talks about her journey from trying to avoid the mile run in high school gym class to running 35 races, including seven half marathons, in three short years. Along the way she discovered the positive mental and emotional effects of running as she dealt with her father's cancer diagnosis.

Mike Sheehy makes the extraordinary sound so simple. He has set the world record for most miles run in a week (408 miles), run 500 miles from San Diego to Phoenix, completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2017, was on pace to do the same in 2012 before the New York Marathon was cancelled to due Hurricane Sandy, survived Army Ranger School, attended West Point, and run races of all distances. But, as you'll hear in this episode, Mike considers himself an ordinary guy with the simple gift of being able to persevere through pain. I think he is far more gifted than that - but you can judge for yourself in this episode of the Rambling Runner Podcast. You can follow Mike's running exploits at www.instagram.com/mikewmm.

Maurice Lowman, www.instagram.com/marathonpandamaurice, channeled his alcohol and drug addiction into running with amazing results. 20 marathons and a 655 day run streak, and counting, are among them.

In three years Alana Kopelson (IG: @alanaruns26.2) went from occasional runner to a sub-3:00 marathoner. In this episode, we talk about her path from a 3:35 marathon at age 20 to her 2:59 at Chicago.

Brian set the World Record for fastest marathon while dribbling a soccer ball on October 8, 2017! We talk about his prep, race day logistics, and why would someone want to do this?

David is an elite amateur runner (2:42 marathon, 1:16 half-marathon, 17:02 5k) and the father of one of the best H.S. runners in the class of 2017. We discussed his training and parenting styles.

Jen Rhines discusses how she went from reluctant HS miler to 2x NY State Champ, how fast elite runners do mile repeats/tempo runs/easy runs, low-carb dieting, and her burgeoning coaching career.

Amber Schriner is a woman of many talents. Endurance athlete (despite starting only nine years ago), high school principal, wife, and mother of two teenagers. www.instagram.com/runningwithmoxie

Dave Schaad is a Rhode Island road running legend. I first heard about Dave while in middle school! Hear about his incredible quest to run in 1,000 races and what he has learned along the way.