For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Alex is a mountain athlete from the Midwest now residing in Oregon, a dog mom, and a dietitian. In this episode we talk about: -reasons to run, the good and the bad -Alex’s changing relationship with food and running -disordered eating in sport -finding joy on the run -connecting with nature -being humbled by ultra distances -opening up the mind to growth and adventure -respecting the mental side of running   -anxiety and comparison on the run and on social media -the support of therapy and coaching -belonging and being “enough” -the highs and lows of social media: an evolving relationship -handling influence and negative comments -putting yourself out there and being vulnerable -pulling back from social media for mental health -personalized nutrition -the why behind food and our related emotions -improving performance and health through nutrition -having fun with food -going after your potential with self-love and acceptance -different types of “hard” This episode is brought to you by Lyric, to help enable everybody and every body to feel better, every day. Lyric is a therapeutic massager and a home wellness companion. It’s designed for display so you won’t forget to use it, and it looks beautiful on any coffee table.  It even includes an accessory handle to find those hard to reach places, so you can massage your back, by yourself! Grab yours today for $199 at national retailers like Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, or REI, or get free shipping with the code FTLR at experiencelyric.com. This episode is also supported by beam. Did you know you can get a subscription to beam’s dream powder? It’s what I use most nights before bed to help with a refreshing night’s sleep. When you subscribe, you’ll get the dream blend with a bunch of perks like even better pricing, free shipping, a free mug, and a drink frother just for signing up. Dream helps me wind down at night and it’s made with compounds like melatonin and magnesium that support a better night’s sleep. Make sure to use code FTLR at checkout for an extra 15% off on top of the 20% discounted monthly rate!

Kyle Pietari is a competitive ultra runner working full time, husband, father of 3, and expert of the daddy miles. In this episode we talk about: -early high school athletics memories -the influence of the ultra running community -competing in 100 mile races -the ugly side to ultras -metaphors in running and life -pain and struggle -appreciating the intrinsic benefits -pushing hard when nobody is watching -making hard habitual -fitting in the training around a busy life -inspiring others to achieve -setting high expectations -making training time family time -daddy miles -identity as an ultra runner -no regrets and seizing the moment -surpassing limits and exploring potential This episode is brought to you by Lyric, to help enable everybody and every body to feel better, every day. Lyric is a therapeutic massager and a home wellness companion. It’s designed for display so you won’t forget to use it, and it looks beautiful on any coffee table.  It even includes an accessory handle to find those hard to reach places, so you can massage your back, by yourself! Grab yours today for $199 at national retailers like Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, or REI, or get free shipping with the code FTLR at experiencelyric.com. This episode is also brought to you by beam. I absolutely love beam's products, particularly the dream powder. Did you know you can get a subscription to beam’s dream powder? It’s what I use most nights before bed to help with a refreshing night’s sleep. When you subscribe, you’ll get the dream blend with a bunch of perks like even better pricing, free shipping, a free mug, and a drink frother just for signing up. Dream helps me wind down at night and it’s made with compounds like melatonin and magnesium that support a better night’s sleep. Make sure to use code FTLR at checkout for an extra 15% off on top of the 20% discounted monthly rate!

Tommie is a dad, husband, and runner, Tommie is also sober. His identity is continuing to evolve as he looks to positively influence those around him. In this episode we talked about: -Tommie’s sobriety journey -being more than just your accomplishments -taking on new challenges -falling in love with the process -finish line feelings -family and community -going all in and taking big risks -relating to others and sharing in the struggle -therapy and asking for help -how the training process parallels the work of staying sober -one thing at a time, mile by mile, step by step -lessons learnt from times of struggle and suffering -limits and doing the impossible -storytelling and influence -meditation and sitting still -freedom to live the best version of your life -Tommie’s path to veganism -run eat sleep repeat This episode is brought to you by Lyric, to help enable everybody and every body to feel better, every day. Lyric is a therapeutic massager and a home wellness companion. It’s designed for display so you won’t forget to use it, and it looks beautiful on any coffee table.  It even includes an accessory handle to find those hard to reach places, so you can massage your back, by yourself! Grab yours today for $199 at national retailers like Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, or REI, or get free shipping with the code FTLR at experiencelyric.com.

Emilia Benton is a  freelance journalist writing about running, health and fitness, an avid  runner, wife and dog mom, twin with her sister Carla, and proud Latina and Houstonian. In this episode we talked about: -the New York running scene -running her first marathon in college -getting hooked on the marathon -the goal of qualifying for Boston -appreciating opportunities -training in the heat and humidity of Houston -seeking out diverse spaces and belonging -career moves and relocating -taking the leap of going freelance -pitching to Runners World -overtraining and obsession -building relationships and relating to others -being vulnerable and sharing in the struggles -persisting in running, work, and in life -shooting your shot -overcoming imposter syndrome and self doubt -self-advocacy and knowing your own value -the power of representation in all spaces: work, athletics, academia, business, media, leadership positions, and more -highlighting untold stories -lessons from the marathon This episode is brought to you by Lyric, to help enable everybody and every body to feel better, every day. Lyric is a therapeutic massager and a home wellness companion. It’s designed for display so you won’t forget to use it, and it looks beautiful on any coffee table.  It even includes an accessory handle to find those hard to reach places, so you can massage your back, by yourself! Grab yours today for $199 at national retailers like Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, or REI, or get free shipping with the code FTLR at experiencelyric.com. This episode is also brought to you by Goodr.  Goodr has the slickest shades around, for only $25 and $35. They don’t slip or bounce, and stay on my face way better than more expensive sunglasses.  If you’d like to support me and the show, treat yourself to a pair (or two or three) of Goodr and head over to Goodr.com and get 15% off your entire order with the code FTLR. That’s 15% off at goodr.com and code FTLR. Your face will thank you.

Anthony is more than, in his words, just a regular average Joe. He is a mountain, trail and ultra runner who loves challenging races, a restaurant worker, nature lover, and member of the Boulder outdoor community. In this episode we talked about: -running long and running steep -growing up an unlikely runner -making big health and fitness changes -running for a better life -focusing on the moment -winning races -the allure of the 100mile race distance -mentorship and learning from others -goal setting -time on feet versus mileage -redefining limits and facing fears -happy running -racing Ouray 100 miler -problem solving on the run -finding success in the training process -community and spreading joy -taking pride in his Asian American identity This episode is brought to you by Lyric, to help enable everybody and every body to feel better, every day. Lyric is a therapeutic massager and a home wellness companion. It’s designed for display so you won’t forget to use it, and it looks beautiful on any coffee table.  It even includes an accessory handle to find those hard to reach places, so you can massage your back, by yourself! Grab yours today for $199 at national retailers like Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, or REI, or get free shipping with the code FTLR at experiencelyric.com.

This is a special, three part episode from Endeavorun (this is part two), a running retreat that happened in Boulder in August 2021. The panel was led by Jake Tuber, with Olympian Kate Grace, writer Matt Fitzgerald, podcaster Jason Fitzgerald, and sports dietitian Lydia Nader.  Part one of the conversation can be found on Jason’s podcast called Strength Running, and part three can be found on Matt’s podcast called 80/20 Endurance Podcast. Find part one on the Strength Running Podcast hosted by Jason Fitzgerald Find part three on the 80/20 Endurance podcast hosted by Matt Fitzgerald and Hanna Hunstad In this episode we talked about: -impactful coaching conversations -showing up, levelling up, and bouncing back -attributes of effective coaches -loving the lifestyle -the process being greater than the outcome -trusting your body in training, nutrition, and beyond -allowing yourself to succeed -facing reality is hard -doing things you’re afraid of -acceptance Thanks to GU Energy Labs for sponsoring this episode. Initially known as THE energy gel company, GU now offers several different product lines designed to meet the needs of today’s athlete. It’s not just the mid run refueling option that I love, but their post run recovery protein that mixes SO well with coffee, or even the before bed magnesium and vitamin D supplement too. No other magnesium supplement has worked as well as theirs has for me. This season of running is a great time to try something new, so why not try GU? For The Long Run listeners get 20% off anything on their site with the code FTLR at guenergy.com.

Carolyn Highland is a writer, teacher, outdoor enthusiast, trail runner, back-country skier and self-professed amateur dabbler in many things. Fun fact: Carolyn and Jonathan went to the same elementary school! In this episode we talked about: -always trying to have fun all of the time -pursing a love of the outdoors -doing things you thought you couldn’t do -pushing past limits -adventure -challenges in running preparing you for life -avoiding the comparison trap by staying present and focusing on the process -snack breaks and hill climbs -enduring in running and beyond -writing to connect with others -dialing in and slowing down for opportunities in the here and now -choosing to have fun -the practice of gratitude and staying present -therapy and mental health -overcoming disordered relationships with food and exercise   -feeling connected to your past and future selves -treating your body as a gift and not a punishment -taking things in chunks, mile by mile -easy is overrated, the lows make the highs sweeter -staying true to yourself and serving other people along the way You can find her writing at https://www.carolynhighland.com/ Thanks to GU Energy Labs for sponsoring this episode. Initially known as THE energy gel company, GU now offers several different product lines designed to meet the needs of today’s athlete.  It’s not just the mid run refueling option that I love, but their post run recovery protein that mixes SO well with coffee, or even the before bed magnesium and vitamin D supplement too. No other magnesium supplement has worked as well as theirs has for me.  This season of running is a great time to try something new, so why not try GU? For The Long Run listeners get 20% off anything on their site with the code FTLR at guenergy.com.

Molly is more than @bygolly.molly on Instagram. She is a runner, nerd, and beer-drinking friend who loves what she does. In this episode we talked about: the unimaginable hard work required to become an Olympic bronze Medallist the highest of highs and the lowest of lows learning from the lows and keeping moving forward dealing with discouragement and disappointment and staying present big risks and big rewards finding your edge and shooting your shot being a dreamer vs being dumb crushing bitches and beating people a calm mind in an active body not being okay trust, hope, and belief that hard times don’t last letting go and living failing upward Flagstaff’s best coffee shops and cafes This episode is brought to you by Goodr.  Summer is (still) here and Goodr has the slickest shades around, for only $25 and $35. They don’t slip or bounce, and stay on my face way better than more expensive sunglasses.  If you’d like to support me and the show, treat yourself to a pair (or two or three) of Goodr and head over to Goodr.com and get 15% off your entire order with the code FTLR. That’s 15% off at goodr.com and code FTLR. Your face will thank you.

Rachel is human lucky enough to live in Flagstaff, Arizona. She is a professional athlete, lover of running, Olympian, Georgetown Alum, SuperCoffee investor, and cheerleader of so many. In this episode we talked about: -listening to your heart -having a non traditional path to professional running post-college -taking days off to rejuvenate and recover -running for the love of it -liberating yourself from the outcome -the practice of keeping joy in the process -gratitude for the daily grind -slowing down and being still -disconnecting and turning inwards -investing in SuperCoffee -the evolution of brand-athlete partnerships -being more than “just an athlete” -Rachel’s approach to social media -being good at running vs good at social media -the Olympic experience -calling Flagstaff home -the energy of people pursuing excellence -a community of growth -balancing a life outside of elite running -evolving success with authenticity and connectivity -sharing the journey and bringing others along for the ride This episode is brought to you by SuperCoffee. SuperCoffee is the healthy, delicious alternative to sugary coffee drinks. Their coffees contain zero sugar and many of them contain 10g of plant based protein. They’re growing in popularity in the running community and I’m excited to share a special discount with you. They offer a 60 day money back guarantee, meaning if you don’t love it, you get your money back. No questions asked. Grab 15% off online with the code FTLR or look for them nationwide in 25,000 stores like Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, Kroger and CVS. This episode is also brought to you by beam! As the days stay warm, a cool down routine in the evening becomes even more important.  Did you know you can get a subscription to beam’s dream powder? It’s what I use most nights before bed to help with a refreshing night’s sleep. When you subscribe, you’ll get the dream blend with a bunch of perks like even better pricing, free shipping, a free mug, and a drink frother just for signing up. Dream helps me wind down at night and it’s made with compounds like melatonin and magnesium that support a better night’s sleep. Make sure to use code FTLR at checkout for an extra 15% off on top of the 20% discounted monthly rate!

Mirna Valerio is a mom, all-round outdoor enthusiast, teacher, diversity practitioner, author, and trained opera singer living in Vermont. You may recognize her social media handle The Mirnavator. In this episode we talked about: -Mirna’s introduction to sports in high school -growing up as a high level musician -how health scares led her back into running -her affinity to the great outdoors -the love of the trails and the community -type 2 fun -ultra running for happiness -influencing -traveling -a day in Mirna’s life -anxiety and overwhelm -go, go, go vs saying no -performing while being an introvert -taking up space and belonging -keep showing up -Mirna’s core values: joy, adventure, community, learning, and inclusion -seasons of life and identity This episode is brought to you by beam and SuperCoffee. As the days start to warm up and get longer, a cool down routine in the evening becomes even more important. Did you know you can get a subscription to beam’s dream powder? It’s what I use most nights before bed to help with a refreshing night’s sleep. When you subscribe, you’ll get the dream blend with a bunch of perks like even better pricing, free shipping, a free mug, and a drink frother just for signing up. Dream helps me wind down at night and it’s made with compounds like melatonin and magnesium that support a better night’s sleep. Make sure to use code FTLR at checkout for an extra 15% off on top of the 20% discounted monthly rate! This episode is also brought to you by SuperCoffee. SuperCoffee is the healthy, delicious alternative to sugary coffee drinks. Their coffees contain zero sugar and many of them contain 10g of plant based protein. They’re growing in popularity in the running community and I’m excited to share a special discount with you. They offer a 60 day money back guarantee, meaning if you don’t love it, you get your money back. No questions asked. Grab 15% off online with the code FTLR or look for them nationwide in 25,000 stores like Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, Kroger and CVS.