For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Erika Kemp is a pro runner who was born in Japan, born in South Jersey, now living and training in Boston, MA for the BAA High Performance Team. In this episode we talked about: -coffee, as she’s a formally trained barista -her entry into running -the recruiting process onto the BAA High Performance Team -what it felt like to have someone believe in her and her future skills -the Boston running community -training in 2020 -shifting goalposts with the Olympic Track Trials -racing the mile and 5k -failure -where she sees herself in 10+ years -what she’s most proud of -some reflections on consistent answers from other pros -her psychology background -and much more! Follow along with Erika’s training and adventures at instagram.com/imtinyrik and twitter.com/imtinyrik  Thanks to Janji for sponsoring this episode. As a runner you know the importance of hydration, but you might not know that almost 800 million people lack access to drinking water. By working together, we can create viable solutions and collectively, we can have a greater impact.    The Janji Collective is one way to do that. It's a membership that earns you tons of perks like discounts on gear and first access to new collections. It's also a community of adventurous runners around the world. 100% of the membership fee goes towards supporting clean water programs    I’m a member and enjoy knowing that it is a small step that each of us can take that when pooled together, can have quite an impact.     If you use the code FTLR, you can join the Janji collective for $50. You’ll receive a free singlet as well as a special members only discount for life. Every dollar from that will go towards supporting clean water programs. 

This episode is with Mike Burnstein, one of the co-founders of Janji. Mike lives and runs in Cambridge, MA. In this episode, we talked about:  -joining the cross country team to try and make the basketball team -running in college and the team aspect that he loved -the D3 championships and how it led to the initial idea of creating Janji -starting a business as a college student -how Ben Rosario’s guidance played a factor  -taking a huge risk and where it led -coming away from The Running Event with 30 buyers for a product that didn’t fully exist yet -travel and community focus -a look into startup life -growth as a business -how the running apparel industry works -how 2020 has impacted how they operate -biggest lessons learned -balance -and much more! Follow along with Mike and Janji at instagram.com/runjanji! Thanks to Janji for sponsoring this episode. As a runner you know the importance of hydration, but you might not know that almost 800 million people lack access to drinking water. By working together, we can create viable solutions and collectively, we can have a greater impact.    The Janji Collective is one way to do that. It's a membership that earns you tons of perks like discounts on gear and first access to new collections. It's also a community of adventurous runners around the world. 100% of the membership fee goes towards supporting clean water programs    I’m a member and enjoy knowing that it is a small step that each of us can take that when pooled together, can have quite an impact.     If you use the code FTLR, you can join the Janji collective for $50. You’ll receive a free singlet as well as a special members only discount for life. Every dollar from that will go towards supporting clean water programs.

Klodian Mitri is a triathlete turned trail runner now living in Utah, born and raised in Albania who came to the US in the late 90’s.  In this episode we talked about: -being a parent in the time of COVID -traveling -living in Utah -going from being a triathlete to more of a dedicated runner -going from his first sprint tri on three days notice to Ironman Kona -the best “borrowing a wetsuit story” ever -his marathon goals -his community -his yearly bagel consumption -what he’s scared of Follow along with Klodian’s adventures and quest to meet Ryan Gosling at instagram.com/klodiangosling This podcast is sponsored by RAD Boulder. RAD stands for Real Athlete Diets, and is a Boulder based small business that supports a ton of amazing runners in the trail community. I’ve used their meal prep services for events in Colorado and the food is absolutely incredible.  They now offer a box available anywhere in the US that has some of their favorites, including a seed mix, an amazing vinaigrette, and if you’re still looking for a sour dough starter, you’ll find one in there too. They’re also donating 10% of all sales from this box to National Black Food Justice Alliance, which is focused on building and organizing for food sovereignty, land and justice. Head to RADBoulder.com to learn more!

Courtney Dauwalter is a trail and ultra runner from Golden, Colorado.  In this episode, we talked about: -her first run -diving right into her Why -what keeps her going -the Colorado Trail adventure -how and when she decided to seek medical assistance -hallucinations on the trail -trust in her crew -guidance on how to be a helpful crew member -going really long and why she likes the challenge -what she’s scared of -intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation -figuring out puzzle pieces -community -and so much more! This episode is sponsored by Addaday. I’ve been loving their BioZoom, a portable, myoacial release device, essentially a massage therapy gun.  In these times when I’m not able to see my chiropractor for ART and other manual therapies, the BioZoom definitely hits the spot… pun intended of course. BioZoom is designed to help with recovery and can target specific areas of the body in different ways with one of the five attachments designed for tissue specific treatments.  Quieter than the other therapy guns out there, I love using mine while sitting on the couch relaxing, or honestly, even while on a Zoom call.  You can get your own at Addaday.com and use the code FTLR15 to save 15% off.

Sydney Gidabuday is a professional runner living in Boulder, Colorado. His bio on the Tinman Elite website says, “Once trained so hard he couldn't feel his arms and legs, now he's a Tinman running 7:30 pace on his easy days. Went on a 140 mile bike ride… to hang out with a girl. He's not afraid of commitment, ladies. Born in California, raised in Tanzania, speaks Spanish,” and in this episode we talked through all of that! We also talked about: -his first run -experience as a D2 runner -his entry into professional running -what it’s like training with Tinman Elite -Tinman being an all-male team and what’s to come -hurdles and challenges he’s experienced since going pro -group training in 2020 -goals for 2021 -lessons learned from living in many different places -balance -overtraining and how he learned to back off -what it’s like training as a pro athlete in Boulder Follow along with Sydney’s adventures at www.instagram.com/sydney_gidabuday_

Lindsay Webster is a professional obstacle course racer living in Quebec, Canada.  In this episode, we talked about: -van life -being a pro athlete couple -motivation -getting into running -balance -training in 2020 -mental training -physical training for obstacle course racing  -OCR goals vs ultra running goals -the difference in prize $ between the two  -chasing FKT’s -Grand Canyon and Pemi Loop FKT -working with sponsors as a pro athlete -use of social media -taking chances and future goals post athletics -and much more! Follow along with Lindsay’s journey at instagram.com/lindsaydawnwebster This episode is brought to you by BeetElite. I was introduced to BeetElite ahead of the Spartan World Championships in Tahoe in 2017 due to the benefit of beets when at altitude.  I had been looking for a beet product that had a good taste, and have loved BeetElite’s powder mix ever since. Beets can enhance muscle efficiency by reducing the oxygen-cost of exercise, essentially making it easier to work harder. Talk about being efficient.  They’ve even done a clinical trial on their product with interval training in cyclists and found an 18% increase in potential duration.  Try BeetElite yourself to experience the benefits of beet powered performance. Take 20% off all BeetElite products at humann.com/beetelite with the code FTLR!

Meghan Slavin is a physical therapist and ultra runner who lives in North Phoenix. In this episode we talked about: -her first run (at 18) -pacing Western States to the finish line -the energy at Western States and her love for the trail community -her evolution into ultra running -what she loves about the hundred mile distance -Hole To Hump FKT (and being the first woman to complete it) -her motivation for doing it -the logistics of starting an FKT that involves a hike down to the base of the Grand Canyon -an epic story of the actual experience -what it was like realizing she had finished the FKT and still had to come down from the top of the peak -and so much more! This episode is brought to you by BeetElite. I was introduced to BeetElite by Amelia ahead of the Spartan World Championships in Tahoe in 2017 due to the benefit of beets when at altitude. I had been looking for a beet product that had a good taste, and have loved BeetElite’s powder mix ever since. Beets can enhance muscle efficiency by reducing the oxygen-cost of exercise, essentially making it easier to work harder. Talk about being efficient. They’ve even done a clinical trial on their product with interval training in cyclists and found an 18% increase in potential duration. Try BeetElite yourself to experience the benefits of beet powered performance. Take 20% off all BeetElite products at humann.com/beetelite.

Amelia Boone returns for a highly requested second episode! Amelia is a trail runner, attorney and so much more, living in Golden, Colorado. In this episode, we talked about: -major life changes in the last couple of years -moving to Colorado during a pandemic -her love of Colorado and what has surprised her -if happiness should be the goal -“Why are you here?” -sponsors and racing decisions in 2020 -how she’d feel if races were cancelled for the foreseeable future -the “stick to running” comment  -more about her continued evolution and growth -FKT chasing -and so much more! Follow along with Amelia’s adventures at instagram.com/arboone11 and twitter.com/ameliaboone This episode is brought to you by BeetElite. I was introduced to BeetElite by Amelia ahead of the Spartan World Championships in Tahoe in 2017 due to the benefit of beets when at altitude.  I had been looking for a beet product that had a good taste, and have loved BeetElite’s powder mix ever since. Beets can enhance muscle efficiency by reducing the oxygen-cost of exercise, essentially making it easier to work harder. Talk about being efficient.  They’ve even done a clinical trial on their product with interval training in cyclists and found an 18% increase in potential duration.  Try BeetElite yourself to experience the benefits of beet powered performance. Take 20% off all BeetElite products with the code FTLR at humann.com/beetelite.

David Roche is back for his third episode, this time joined by Megan! A much more casual vibe, this episode sounded like the three of us were sitting around a table eating tacos. In this episode, we talked about: -podcasting and lessons learned -what it means to “shoot your shot” -tips for fueling and hydrating on hot runs -epidemiology (the topic of Megan’s PhD!) -comfort being “the ultimate illusion” -gravel biking -a ruptured hamstring and the recovery process (Megan) -lessons learned during COVID -a couple of spot on Kurt Vonnegut quotes -“You are always enough” -and so much more! Follow along with the Roches at instagram.com/meg_runs_happy / instagram.com/addiedoesstuff and twitter.com/mountainroche / twitter.com/meg_runs_happy This episode is brought to you by UCAN. If you know me, you know I’m all about personalization and not having a one sized fits all solution. That applies to training, nutrition in general, and nutrition for training and UCAN is another tool in the toolbox I’ve loved over the years. Along with professional athletes like Alexi Pappas and Meb, I’ve used UCAN for marathons in the past and have recently been incorporating their SuperStarch into my day-to-day routine, and before my long runs for steady energy. Superstarch provides long lasting energy and helps keep your blood sugar stable with tasty summer flavors like cran-raz, tropical orange and more. I also LOVE their bars, particularly the chocolate peanut butter as a late morning or mid afternoon snack. Take 15% off your order at ucan.co with the code FTLR

Kurt Decker is a trail runner who truly loves his state (Minnesota) and the emphasis on engaging in outdoor activities with the people around him. In this episode we discussed: -making his life all about community -switching careers to follow his passion -working in the running industry -his passion for running and being outside -running his first 100 miler in 2002 -racing western states in 2003 -running in the Grand Canyon in 2015 for his birthday -Twin Cities Running Company and the trail running scene in Minneapolis -what runners can do to help support their local running stores  -crosstraining/biking for fun -and much more! Follow along with Kurt’s adventures at https://www.instagram.com/mntrailrunner