For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

This episode is with Becki Spellman, an elite runner, mom, wife and coach. In this episode we talked about: -running with gratitude -competing in four Olympic Marathon Trials -what Atlanta 2020 was like -resiliency over the years -experiences learned across 25 years of running -rolling with the punches -women’s running in 2020 and beyond -“we get to do this” -her running community, online and in person -and much more! Follow along with Becki’s adventures at instagram.com/beckispell and twitter.com/beckispell

This episode is with Vanessa Fraser, a professional runner for Bowerman Track Club in Portland, Oregon. In this episode, we talked about: -trusting the process -training with Shalane and the Bowerman Track Club -breaking 15 minutes n the 5k -achieving big goals -race day glitter vs race day mustache -focusing on the journey vs the outcome -getting better vs tangible goal setting -increasing mileage as a pro -the origin of her twitter handle, locknessmonstar -and much more! Follow along with her adventures at instagram.com/nessafraser and twitter.com/locknessmonstar Photo credit: Talbot Cox

This episode is with Hillary Allen, a self described super curious science nerd constantly looking for bugs and asking the question Why? She’s also a professional trail and ultra runner for The North Face, a coach and podcaster herself. In this episode, we talked about: -the initial interest in this podcast -science -disassociating her sense of self-worth with her status as an athlete -her community -why she got into running -what she likes about long distance running -her own Why and how it has shifted -setbacks and injuries -the injury recovery process -progress and consistency -injury recovery alongside Rob Krar -podcasting and coaching  -and much more! Follow along with Hillary’s adventures at www.instagram.com/hillygoat_climbs and www.twitter.com/hillygoatclimbs

This episode is with Lindsay Crouse. Lindsay is a senior editor and reporter at the New York Times, and also a marathon runner. In this episode we talked about:  -some of the big stories she’s shared over the years -Alysia Montaño and Allyson Felix’s stories (#DreamMaternity) -Mary Cain’s story, one of the top 100 stories at the NYT in 2018, and many other individual athletes’ stories -what inspired her to chase those stories -bravery and wanting to help others improve -the baton pass from pro women to elite to sub elite -the idea of a race not because you’re winning, but because you’re improving -takeaways and lessons learned through her reporting -using social media for motivation -the best description of balance I’ve ever heard -North Star vs goal setting -and much more! You can follow along with Lindsay’s stories and running at twitter.com/lindsaycrouse, instagram.com/lindsaycrouse and https://www.nytimes.com/by/lindsay-crouse

This episode is with Rebecca Mehra. Rebecca is a professional track and field athlete on Little Wing Athletics, public policy nerd who works for the mayor of Bend, Oregon. In this episode we talked about: -women supporting women -being supported by Oiselle -training with Little Wing Athletics and having Lauren Fleshman as her coach -improving as an athlete and a person -focusing on mental strength -public policy -social media as a professional athlete -struggle with burnout -team experiences in college and pro athletics -her evolving Why -going viral -how nutrition and blood analysis has played a role in her progress and how it helps her stay healthy -her favorite distance -using comparison in a healthy way -and more! Follow along with Rebecca’s adventures at instagram.com/rebecca_mehra and twitter.com/rebecca_mehra This episode is brought to you by Wellness In Motion, the clinic in Boston that I’ve been going to for chiropractic and sports massage for the last few years. Normally an in person experience, they closed in mid march to help promote social distancing. While they aren’t able to treat patients in a traditional sense, they have pivoted so that they can continue to help all of us by offering complimentary 30 minute telehealth consults to not only their current clients but anyone who wants or needs advice regarding an injury or about maintenance in general. Yes, that’s anyone, nationwide, at no cost. You’ll be able to connect with a trained practitioner, get prehab or rehab exercises and self-treatment options so that you can continue to run strong. Head to wellnessinmotionboston.com and let them know I sent you!

This episode is with Latoya Shauntay Snell, a runner, mom, wife, chef, writer and all around athlete living in Brooklyn, New York. In this episode, we talked about: -consistency vs being motivated -re-evaluating failure as a way to be successful -going “too far” as a way to learn -meditation and introspection -constant re-evaluation of her Why -being a sponsored athlete and working with brands -therapy -social media as a gift and a curse -and much more! You can follow along with Latoya’s adventures at www.instagram.com/iamlshauntay/ and twitter.com/latoyashauntay

This episode is with David Roche! David's my coach, and the first guest to come on the podcast for a third time! In this episode we talked about: -current state of affairs, mentally and globally -my injury recovery -his approach to coaching at this time -"pressure makes diamonds" -takeaways from a global pandemic -four points to focus on as a runner these days "yes, thank you" -missing the Boston Marathon -long term development -strides and hill training -finding joy in PLAY -David talking through a drop in audio -and so much more! Follow along with David's journey at instagram.com/addiedoesstuff and twitter.com/mountainroche

This episode’s guest is Kaci Lickteig! Kaci is a professional trail runner and physical therapist who lives in Nebraska. In this episode, we talked about: -Evolution of distance running -Her love of the community -Finding out what she’s made of in ultras -Signing up and running a marathon with her mom -Running and exercising with her mom and grandma -Practicing gratitude -What she does professionally as a PT, working post-surgery -how to decide rest vs continuing to train -Goal races and getting out of her element -Western States and why she loves it -changing sponsors and her use of social media -and much more! You can follow along with Kaci’s journey at instagram.com/ultrarunnerkc and twitter.com/runner_kc

This episode is with Teal Burrell, a mom, science writer with a PhD in neuroscience, and marathoner who has gone from 4:07 to 2:39. In this episode, we talked about: -big scary goals -hitting goals, and then dreaming bigger -the process of getting better -explaining science to nonscientists -her experience in the 2016 vs 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials -planning to have a baby post-Trials -freelance/WFH tips -balance -Oiselle and the community she is a part of -Lizzo -and much more! Follow along with her journey at https://www.instagram.com/runnerteal/ and https://twitter.com/runnerteal

This episode is with Sabrina Little! Sabrina is a wife, a soon to be mother, philosopher, and a professional runner. In this episode, we dug into the exploration of Why. Not just Sabrina’s Why, but the process in general.  We also talked about: -doing the work, and her love of the process -how suffering plays a part of a flourishing life -her ability to persevere -why she started running -what’s next after taking racing out of the equation -her PhD program -trails and life as a pro runner -telling her sponsors about being pregnant -her upcoming journey into motherhood -an epic mistake in her first ultra -more about the Why! Follow along with Sabrina’s adventures at  twitter.com/beaninsneakers, https://www.instagram.com/mrs.little_engine_that_could