For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

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

Peter Bromka comes back for round two! Peter’s a runner, writer, dad and husband from Portland, Oregon. In this episode, we talked about: -his return to the podcast -why he’s the most referenced man on FTLR -running in 2020 and not being motivated to do a virtual race -motivation in general -living in Portland, OR during the protests -explaining the murder of George Floyd to his five year old son  -missing goals  -learning from a “failure” -OTQ standards and the differences with men/women -Tommy Rivers Puzey and their relationship -chasing big goals -his storytelling and ability to take us along for the ride -fall goals, both his and mine -and so much more! Follow along with his journey at twitter.com/bromka and instagram.com/bromka Peter's first episode was episode #10. 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

Lex Gillette is an athlete, a Paralympian, world record holder, speaker and person who loves life at the end of the day. In this episode we discussed: -being a Paralympian and losing his eyesight at a young age -how he’s handling 2020 and the uncertainty around the Olympics and Paralympics -his background in athletics -getting into adaptive athletics -what it’s like to be a blind Track and Field athlete -getting to and maintaining a high level of excellence, with his first Paralympic Games being in 2004 -winning gold at the Games and what it would mean for him -where his motivation comes from -gratitude  -his Why -the meaning of life (yep, we went there!) -and much more! Follow along with Lex’s journey at https://www.instagram.com/lexgillette and https://twitter.com/lexgillette

Alexi Pappas is a runner, film maker, writer, actress and Olympian for Greece. In this episode we talked about: -what she means when she says Bravey -her upcoming memoir and what will be in it -writing poetry -her social media presence -role models -how she has used nutrition  -carbs and eating whole grains and how her nutrition experiences have been different in different places -eating more and the impact it has had for her -post Olympic blues and her experience with mental health -getting stuck in Greece during COVID -how she’s handling the unknown when it comes to the Olympics -why she runs -balance -and much more! Follow along with Alexi’s adventures at instagram.com/alexipappas and twitter.com/alexipappas 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

Jacky Hunt-Broersma is an amputee, cancer survivor and Ultrarunner who has been running for the last four years, living in Cary, North Carolina, though she’s originally from South Africa. In this conversation we talked about: -trail running as an amputee -motivation -pushing boundaries and doing things people have told her she can’t do -running 100 miles on a treadmill -her first trail race being a 40 miler -perseverance -gratitude  -the logistics of trail running with a blade -being a role model for her kids -balance -getting “used to” people saying she’s crazy -big scary goals she has -some of the lessons she’s learned over and over -and much more! Follow along with her adventures at instagram.com/ncrunnerjacky 

This conversation is with Laura Cortez, a dog mom, intersectional environmentalist and runner living in Denver, Colorado. In this episode, we talked about: -Progression to running (and winning!) 50k’s -Her take on and appreciation for rest days -Her start with David Roche/SWAP coaching -Giving grace to herself -Digital marketing for a running brand -Diversity (or lack thereof) in trail running -environmentalism and accessibility -her running community -what she’s learned over the years -favorite trails in Colorado -running in 2020 -and much more! Follow along with Laura’s adventures at www.instagram.com/mamita_laurita/

This episode is with Allison Cleaver. Allison is an elite runner and nurse living in Austin, Tx.  In this episode we talked about: -working as a nurse and beginning right before the pandemic -why she got into nursing -processing her day with respect to running -running post-collegiately -running for Rabbit -her experience at the Olympic Trials -persistence and determination -what she misses about racing and running in 2020 -goals for the future -breakfast tacos -what she loves about the marathon -the Austin running community -coming back from a stress fracture -and much more! Follow along with Allison’s journey at twitter.com/aminicleaver and www.instagram.com/aminicleaver This episode is brought to you by a new group coaching program that I launched with my friend Melissa, a RRCA certified coach and 12 time marathoner. Are you struggling with motivation or consistency? Not sure when to run or when to rest? What about all the options for virtual racing? We’re here to help. Kicking off July 20th, our program is focused on a virtual fall race. For $37/month ($149 total), you’ll get giveaways, swag and preferred pricing from some of our favorite tools and fuels, as well as monthly zoom calls and access to a sports dietitian for all of your nutrition related questions. You’ll get a sixteen week program with two skill levels available, leading into a race day experience with as much of a community vibe as possible in the age of COVID. For more info: https://rabrev.com/coaching (option 1!)

This episode is with Heather Caplan, a mom of two, a dietitian, runner and human who is interested in having good conversations with other humans. In this episode we talked about: -getting into distance running -2020 and 2021 goals in running -the anti-diet movement -her own podcast -Lane 9 Project -Lift Run Perform -carbs -unlearning what we’ve been taught -nutrition communication, specific to 2020 and coronavirus -obesity as a stigmatized term -public health policy -zooming out when thinking about health -why she became a dietitian -and much more! Follow along with her adventures at www.instagram.com/heatherdcrd and https://twitter.com/heatherdcrd/ This episode is brought to you by a new group coaching program that I launched with my friend Melissa, a RRCA certified coach and 12 time marathoner. Are you struggling with motivation or consistency? Not sure when to run or when to rest? What about all the options for virtual racing? We’re here to help. Kicking off July 20th, our program is focused on a virtual fall race. For $37/month ($149 total), you’ll get giveaways, swag and preferred pricing from some of our favorite tools and fuels, as well as monthly zoom calls and access to a sports dietitian for all of your nutrition related questions. You’ll get a sixteen week program with two skill levels available, leading into a race day experience with as much of a community vibe as possible in the age of COVID. For more info: https://rabrev.com/coaching (option 1!)

This episode is with Wilfredo Benitez, of Portland, OR. Will is a self described passionate guy trying to do his best at helping others do their best. Will works with some of the top trail and ultra athletes in the country. In this episode, we talked about: -realizing that the job he was in wasn’t his life’s passion -changing his career -his professional nutrition journey -getting into endurance sports with triathlon and then into ultras -why he loves ultras  -nutrition requirements for high level athletes -working with an athlete who has never considered making a change to their nutrition -working with high level athletes -planning to do his first hundred miler this year -and much more Follow along with Will’s adventures (and nutrition tips!) at www.instagram.com/onpacewellness/

This episode is with Alan Scherer. Alan lives with bipolar disorder and is a recovering alcoholic who loves to run.  I met Alan in 2013 with November Project Boston in the early days, and I’ve always been inspired by his passion for the community and getting out and living life. In this episode, we talked about: -getting into running -his focus and love for community -trail and ultra running -the euphoria of running longer and stronger -his experience with alcoholism and his sobriety -hitting rock bottom in 2010 and how he turned himself around -“those are my yahoos” -the power of just showing up -and so much more I hope you enjoy this one. If Alan’s story resonates, I’m sure he’d love to hear that. You can follow along with his adventures at https://www.instagram.com/stigmafighter.alanscherer/ and instagram.com/strongbeginswithin The fundraiser he mentioned for Father Bills is https://www.facebook.com/donate/733544874121221/1128926324129479/