The Running for Real Podcast

Kara Goucher knew her life would change when she decided to report her coach to the FBI. Making a choice to do what you believe is right, no matter the personal consequences, is a worthy and stressful decision. This was in 2011, eight years before Alberto Salazar received a four-year coaching ban. Leading up to that decision, and the eight years that have followed, Kara has had many life-changing events. The birth of her child, podium finishes, and involvement in the ongoing investigation has kept her extremely busy. Through all of this Kara lives day by day. Like you and me, she strives for balance and looks for ways to enjoy each day as a runner. Today, Kara told us about her feelings on Nike, how she became an activist as a shy person, and what she loves about running today. You won't want to miss this one! Being a Whistleblower There are always consequences when someone decides to speak up. For Kara, she knew that if she reported her coach for doping violations, she may forever be questioned by others as to whether or not she was too was a cheater. These potential accusations can cause emotional and financial damage. In Kara's case, both were true. Shortly after Kara become public about her stance, she lost a contract that was about to go through. In addition to that, coaches and others said things about her that made it difficult to know who to trust. The process was dreadful and long, not knowing when or if her words would be heard and if actions would take place. If They Can Do It, so Can You! But it was all worth it, and Kara regrets none of it. Buoyed up by others in the running industry that have had to go through worse, or still have their entire careers in front of them, Kara has found her voice. She doesn't see herself as an extrovert, ready to yell to the crowds for change, in fact she considers herself quite shy. However, she said that once things became personal, something that she really believed in, she couldn't stay quiet. The examples of others are often what helps us to accomplish great things. Most success stories begin with great mentors or aspirations taken from personal heroes. This really is no different. If you want to be better, follow those people you look up to and glean from their greatness. Following someone like Kara is a great start. If You Can Do It, so Can Others! When we follow the example of others, we are doing more than just helping ourselves. On every level, people are inspired. For example, what an Olympic athlete does inspires everyone, though they can sometimes be additionally influential to those hoping to qualify. And to those that are trying to qualify, they may inspire the college athletes, from the college athletes to the high school athletes, and so on. Your neighbor may not be inspired by Kipchoge, but they are probably inspired by you. In addition to doping violations, Nike coaches have been accused of body-shaming. Imagine that, the fastest runners in the world aren't free from fat-shaming. This is another issue that Kara has been taking a stand on, and something that you can share with others as well. Quite frankly, the scale has become too much of a focus in sports. Performance is what matters most to professional athletes and really, to everyone. How your body feels and what it is capable of doing for you is the best way to determine your physical betterment. Eating those things that make you happy and strong and bring about great recovery are what is most important, not the numbers. Your body is amazing. It will know when to lose or keep weight. Trust it, and be there for it in the long run—pun intended. If We Can Do It, the World Changes. So, what happens for Kara now? Well, for the most part, we wait and see. She is at ease with her decisions, but there is still a long way to go for the running industry. Kara is hopeful that as the running community works together, organizations will also do what they should. As we come together, changes are likely and powerful. We can vote with our feet, and in this case, with our wallets. Companies are forced to change when customers vote this way. What we say can be effective, but what we DO rings even louder. Resources: Kara on Twitter Kara on Instagram Kara's Website Clean Sport Thank you to my wonderful sponsors Generation UCAN, Recoup Fitness, and Body Health for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast. Generation UCAN has been with me through a lot of my races. This product have been my go to nutritional product for marathon training and racing when I was getting all of my best times. It gives you a steady energy without the sugar, so there are no sugar crashes! TINAMUIR25 for 10% off. Recoup is a product that I WISH I had as an Elite and a Collegiate athlete, introducing hot and cold – innovative therapy tools that are tested by professional athletes, without the professional price tag. It is the perfect product for shin splints, plantar fasciitis, IT band issues and recovery. It is a portable cryosphere massage roller that stays cold for up to 6 hours, easily cleanable, and mess free! Click here to get 15% off by using code: tinamuir Now I am back to training, guess what was the first thing I did to start making sure I recover quicker (as coming back to fitness really beats your body up!), yep, you guessed it, BodyHealth Perfect Amino! Get 10% off at Bodyhealth.com using coupon code: TINA10 Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Kara, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

There are some names in the running world that become almost technical words within the sport, because they are so well known. Just like tempo run or PR, the names of both my guests today have had big impacts on our running world. Max King has been winning races for decades. In almost every distance, terrain, elevation you can think of. Max has truly stood out through the test of time, as one of the greats, particularly within the mountain, trail, and ultra running world. Max has an approach to running that all of us need to be reminded of; that running should be fun, running should be changing constantly, and new things should be an integral part of your life. Max has never been afraid of taking on new challenges, finding ways to keep running interesting, because really, that is the only way to lifelong happiness within it. James McKirdy has built a coaching empire within just a few years. With 25 coaches, many elite and professional runners, sharing their secrets, there are now hundreds of athletes on the McKirdy trained team, all growing and becoming their own best selves. Both of these runners are real, honest, and refreshing. This conversation may have taken some darker turns, but it is full of laughs, feel good moments, and OUCH moments. This podcast may not be your typical live show, but it will certainly be enjoyable. Be ready to laugh your way through the hard part of your next run. Thank you to my wonderful sponsors Athletic Greensand Recoup Fitnessfor sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast. Athletic Greensis a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well. Now you can get a free travel pack with 20 servings with your first purchase, Visit here to learn more! Recoupis a product that I WISH I had as an Elite and a Collegiate athlete, introducing hot and cold – innovative therapy tools that are tested by professional athletes, without the professional price tag. It is the perfect product for shin splints, plantar fasciitis, IT band issues and recovery. It is a portable cryosphere massage roller that stays cold for up to 6 hours, easily cleanable, and mess free! Click here to get 15% off by using code: tinamuir Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Max and James, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Everyone knows the stories of the pros. The professionals, the experts, the people who already have found their confidence, their strengths, but what about the other runners. The rest of the running population, who have been through some real struggles, but have never had the opportunity to share their stories, their experiences, their courage with the world. At Running For Real, we try to do exactly that. Give a voice to those who are inspiring and motivating, but those who often are forgotten as they are not at the front of the race. This time it is through a live show. We are bringing you meet the Running For Real Superstars Community live from the California International Marathon Expo. I am excited to bring up Janae Barron, the mother has gone from a 3:20 marathon to 2:50 marathon, and was at CIM to attempt to run an Olympic Trials qualifier. Janae will show you that even if something seems intimidating and too high to reach, what do you have to lose in trying to reach it? Joe Retherford lost his sight age 17, and was at CIM to complete his first marathon. I had the honor of being his guide the day after we recorded this episode. But Joe's story and learning to love his life post vision loss is inspiring, and wonderful to see how running played a big part. Charissa Lin never saw herself as a runner, always thinking as an Asian American that sports weren't her thing, so why even try? She has now completed the marathon majors, and taken her personal best a long way since her first marathon. Many physical setbacks along the way could have stopped Charissa, but they didn't, and for that, we admire her dedication and love. Listen to these three runners share their triumphs, setbacks, and what they have learned. THIS is what running for real is all about. Thank you to my wonderful sponsors Body Health for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast. Now having to follow around a toddler and being pregnant, guess what was the first thing I did to start making sure I recover quicker (as coming back to fitness really beats your body up!), yep, you guessed it, BodyHealth Perfect Amino! Get 10% off at Bodyhealth.com using coupon code TINA10 Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Janae, Joe, and Charrissa, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Just when you thought you've heard every type of running story, another one surfaces. New and old categories of running seem to continue to appear, as if running itself is doing everything it can to reach all people. If today's story doesn't convince you that running is for everyone, (or for every creature for that matter) I'm not sure what will. As you've seen, the competitiveness surrounding running is adapting. There will forever be an individualistic aspect of running, as there is no one that can move your legs except you. And fierce competition will always exist at the top level as elite athletes compete for prize money and lucrative brand contracts. However, for the general masses, we have seen a huge surge of team spirit, curiosity, and sense of community. Multi-day relay races, obstacle course races, and ultramarathon trail races are a few bucket list items that people like you have been adding to your to-do lists. Now you can add one more: Racing with donkeys. Running with a Donkey With no context, you may be a bit bewildered by the concept of doing a 29-mile race with a burro. But after you listen to Chris McDougall talk about his experience of training and running with Sherman, your feelings will go from indifference to interest to inspiration. Chris, author of the best seller "Born to Run," somewhat stumbled upon burro racing. When his daughter asked for a donkey for her birthday, he all but ignored the request until he heard of a penned-up donkey that was in dire need of rescue. The family decided to take Sherman home and nurse him back to health. What Chris didn't realize was that not only did his daughter get a birthday present of a lifetime, he got a lifelong running partner. As part of Sherman's recovery, he needed to get moving. And just at the same time, Chris had started running longer distances. Their training was a natural progression, which eventually led to Chris and Sherman entering a Colorado pack burro race. Western Pack Burro Association For 72 years, Colorado has hosted the 29-mile pack burro race. Competitors run alongside their donkeys over high elevations and treacherous terrain. Oddly enough, with the distance being just over marathon length, it's one of the oldest races in the states to allow women to compete, beating out the Boston Marathon by a number of years. One of the most fascinating facts about running with a donkey is the strong relationship between burro and racer that is required to perform well. Recently, two of the best trail runners in America were teamed up with some of the fastest donkeys and an expert animal trainer. They trained for a few weeks prior to the annual event, and were promptly annihilated on race day. Both young girls and old men comfortably beat them. What You Learn from Training with a Donkey After training with Sherman for two years, Chris has learned a lot about human-animal relationships, donkey behavior, and life in general. Even after all this time he still admires those experts who have been racing burros for decades, hoping to glean more information that he can apply to his runs. Donkeys are great and difficult running partners for a few reasons. First, they are more closely related to human pace and endurance than any other animal. They aren't as quick as a horse for example, but their cooling system allows them to run long-distances like humans. Second, donkeys are risk-averse and cautious. Instead of having a fight-or-flight mode, donkey's freeze when they approach something they are unsure of. This makes them wonderful partners around dangerous mountain paths, but horrible ones when they reach a small puddle on a dirt road. Until they feel sure, they will stay put. Third, donkeys don't like to follow. Parring this with their freeze tendencies can create quite an issue. Finally, donkeys have unique personalities. Some are competitive, some are complacent, and all of them like to nibble on various pieces of grass. Training your donkey to race is a lot of more problem-solving than just finding time in the day to do your training and putting in the hours. Slow Down The biggest lesson Chris has learned from running with Sherman? To slow down. When it takes over two hours to do a ten-mile run because your 200-lb buddy suddenly became interested in a small flock of birds, you have to be interested in them too. Slow down, and enjoy the journey. Resources: Chris's Website Pack Burro Racing Running with Sherman Born to Run Natural Born Heroes Thank you to my wonderful sponsors BodyHealth, Athletic Greens, and Janji for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast. Now I am back to training, guess what was the first thing I did to start making sure I recover quicker (as coming back to fitness really beats your body up!), yep, you guessed it, BodyHealth Perfect Amino! Get 10% off at Bodyhealth.com using coupon code TINA10 Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well. Now you can get a free travel pack with 20 servings with your first purchase, Visit here to learn more! JANJI is an official sponsor of the Running 4 Real podcast, I am so excited about this! They visit designers in countries all around the world to help with their upcoming clothing lines and any profit they make off of that design 5% goes right back to that country to supply for their clean water supply. The materials they use are recycled which I LOVE. Go here and use code TINAMUIR for 10% off and if you want to know my favorites click here. Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Chris, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

What is the hardest part about getting out on a run? For some it may be finding the time, for others it may be the thought of the pain that is sure to follow, but for most, the hardest part of running is all in your head. Having a disdain for running is not uncommon, however, this negative mentality towards running can be changed by using several techniques. Sanjay Rawal, amateur runner, cinematographer, and director of 3,100: Run and Become, a documentary about a 3,100 mile race (yes, you read that correctly, 3,100 miles) discusses how changing our mindset can help us accomplish our running goals and find joy in running as opposed to seeing it as a punishment. Running is a Pathway to Transformation When we think about running and how it transforms us, we tend to think about weight loss and physical figure. However, running is capable of transforming so much more than just our outer appearance. Running has the capability to change our mind, provide us with mental clarity, and make us better people. While many may view running as an outlet or merely a way to keep in shape, Sanjay discovered through his experience with Sean Martin, a champion Navajo ultramarathoner and participant in the 3,100 mile race, that running is more than just exercise, but a spiritual experience. Sean's daily runs allow him the opportunity to commune with Mother Earth and breathe in Father Sky. As he breathes in Father Sky, he breathes in more than just air, but peace, love, and energy, allowing him the ability to lower his heart rate, get rid of anxiety, and focus on the moment. Running can provide us with an opportunity to cast our problems aside and focus on the run itself. Our breathing becomes deep and meaningful, as if we were meditating. It is a chance to allow the mind to become loose and free, which brings mental clarity at the beginning of the run, allowing for the runner to enjoy that runner's high throughout the whole run as opposed to just the end. Running can and will transform our lives if we will let it. It can provide a sense of self-worth and leave us striving to accomplish more. Mentality The 3,100 mile race is set in Queens, NY on a half mile track and takes place in the middle of summer. Most of these runners are circling the track anywhere from 120 to 140 times a day for approximately 52 days. Imagine the mental toll that would take on you, knowing that day in and day out you will be circling the same half mile loop for several hours. Our mental state enables us to push forward and accomplish goals we never thought possible. Running doesn't have to be painful or torturous. It is our mindset that allows us to take that pain and convert it into joy. Our mentality is what helps us reach our running goals. The 10-15 runners that participate in the 3,100 mile race did not just wake up one morning and decide they were going to compete in this immaculate event. Realizing that goals are not obtained overnight, but through months and even years of hard work and dedication, will allow us to run with patience and chip away at them, allowing ourselves to scratch the surface of our full potential. Remember, our pre-run mentality can set the stage for our whole workout or race. Approaching the run with a positive attitude and with the knowledge that it will transform you can act as a key motivator to pushing through mental barriers we place in front of ourselves. Find Joy in Exertion To often, we as runners, focus on just getting through the run and surviving it. But what if we could find joy in our runs? Imagine how much more powerful and self-fulfilling our workouts would become if we were able to feel happiness during them. On every run, most runners will experience at least a split second of joy as they realize they are out, allowing their feet to hit the pavement while they commune with nature. You have the capability to turn that split second into 50% or even 95% of your run. This can be done by finding your own personal "flow." Flow is found in those moments of incredible calm that come through pushing yourself and experiencing new limits that you were unaware your body could reach. When you push you are gaining access to capacities you do not normally have access to. No matter what your goal with running is, each day you make the decision to lace up your running shoes, walk out the door, and listen to the sounds of your feet hitting the pavement, you are challenging the idea of impossibility. Whether you are training for your first 5K, seeking to reach a personal best in your 10K, wanting to break the 2:30 mark on your marathon, or complete your first ultramarathon, have faith in your training and enjoy the journey, because the happiness and excitement you will experience as you cross the finish line will be unlike anything else. Resources: Sanjay on Instagram 3100 Run and Become Sri Chimnoy Kate Grace on Instagram (book) Sport and Meditation Thank you to Bodyhealth, Janji, and Recoup for being the wonderful sponsors of this episode of The Running For Real Podcast. If you are struggling to recover quick enough from your training, my little secret is to use BodyHealth Perfect Amino to get you there. It contains all the essential amino acids, and is very easy for your body to use and begin the repair process. Click the link and use code TINAMUIR10 for 10% off. JANJI is an official sponsor of the Running 4 Real podcast, I am so excited about this! They visit designers in countries all around the world to help with their upcoming clothing lines and any profit they make off of that design 5% goes right back to that country to supply for their clean water supply. The materials they use are recycled which I LOVE. Go here and use code TINAMUIR for 10% off and if you want to know my favorites click here. Recoup is a product that I WISH I had as an Elite and a Collegiate athlete, introducing hot and cold - innovative therapy tools that are tested by professional athletes, without the professional price tag. It is the perfect product for shin splints, plantar fasciitis, IT band issues and recovery. It is a portable cryosphere massage roller that stays cold for up to 6 hours, easily cleanable, and mess free! Click here to get 15% off by using code: tinamuir Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Sanjay, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

We are told running is a free sport, that there is no barrier to entry, and although that is true, there are sure a lot of runner gadgets and products runners need, or more realistically, want. If you need a few gift ideas for the runner in your life, I hope this gift guide comes in helpful. As a former elite, runner for 15 years, and mother runner, I like to think I have some experience here. A LOT of companies email me asking me to include their items in this list, I turned down every single one, because in my opinion, if you are not there to support the runner year round, you are in it for the wrong reasons. I want to work with and recommend brands who genuinely want runners to succeed, and are not just in it to make a few sales around Christmas time. Some of these products were sent to me for free, but my opinions are my own, and my reviews are honest. If I don't like a product, I will never put it on my website, and I let every company who sends me things know of that before they even mail it. If I do not like their product, they have the choice of allowing me to continue to publish my thoughts (even though negative) or not mentioning them at all. And yes, I have done that, a few times. I hope that gives you the confidence to know these are my true recommendations for the best gifts for the runner in your life. I have put them in lowest to highest price wise this year, although I would strongly recommend following down the list to find something that really matches your loved ones. Yes, they may be a little more expensive, but if you know it is coming from one person working hard rather than a corporation, isn't that worth a little extra? I think so. Oh, and at the bottom, I have a few more creative ideas, these don't have price tags, but may be things you haven't considered in the past, but will really make your loved one smile...or you know, you smile, you deserve a gift to yourself too :) Ready? For the Runner Who is Trying to Eat Healthy: Ikea Silicon Baking Sheet ($5) I recommended this last year, but it really is a great gift for a low price. You can now also get muffin cups as well, runners love their superhero muffins from the Run Fast Eat Slow recipe book I mention below. These sheets or muffin cups are so easy to clean, and mean you are helping to look after our world by limiting your foil use :) Find the Ikea Silicon Baking Sheet here (or at your local Ikea!) For the Runner Who is Trying Look After Our Planet: Beeswax Wrap ($5) Runners eat a lot, and generally, we are pretty good at taking our own food places....except that means a lot of film or foil to wrap food up in, which is then thrown away and takes 1000 years to decompose as plastic. These beeswax wraps are a wonderful alternative, they fold around items nicely, keeping them fresh. I even put half avocados in mine, and the next day...or even a few days later, it is still bright green inside. To clean you just wipe with a cloth, rinse in cold water, and hang up to dry. I love mine and highly recommend. Find Bee's Wrap here. For Every Runner Stocking Filler Socks ($12-$17) I know, what a lame gift, but actually for a runner, having a really good quality pair of socks can be a total game changer. Every runner must have AT LEAST one pair of performance socks they can rely on for race day, if no more. Taking chances with your race day socks can put them at risk of lost toenails, blisters, and even their entire race, if the foot issue is bad enough to be unable to run. Most runners (as we all) struggle to buy ourselves expensive socks, it seems so unnecessary, BUT if you purchase a few quality pairs for them, you will make them happy. I recommend either Bombas or Feetures. Find Bombas socks here and Find Feetures socks here. For Runners Who Love to Read: Running Books Running Outside the Comfort Zone By Susan Lacke ($13) Oh I just loved this book. As someone who has lived her running life very much by the rules, and never really jumped in things for fun or for the challenge, this was a eye opener for me, and I loved the idea that there were a whole WORLD of fun, unique running events out there. This book inspired me to do a lot of new things this year, and I think it may for you too. Find Running Outside Your Comfort Zone here. Running To The Edge By Matt Futterman ($19) I am not typically someone who likes to read running books for pleasure. it is usually something I do for podcast research or to learn about something. However, this book was so beautifully written, I throughly enjoyed it. Matt is a wonderful writer, and if the runner in your life just loves the sport, this will be heartwarming for them for sure. Find Running to the Edge here For Runners Who Love to Read: Non Running Books Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell ($15) Okay, so this is way outside the box, but I loved it so much. It really changed the way that I looked at myself and the entire world I live in. This book is all about our default to truth as humans, and how that can actually hurt us. You have to go into this with an open mind, but wow was it interesting! Find Talking to Stranger here. Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis ($13) Rachel Hollis is someone every single woman needs in her life. This is the pep talk you need, the sister who is a little tough on you, but tells you what you need to hear. Rachel knows how much we all have to offer this world, and is determined to help you shine your brightest. For women and young girls, this is a must read. One note though, this is definitely a female focused book :) Find Girl, Stop Apologizing here. Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani ($13) Again, another book I think women and young girls need to read. This makes you question everything you knew about being a girl/woman, and in a good way. It makes you want more for yourself, be prepared to fight for yourself, and see just what you are made of. I absolutely loved it. It is also a quick read. Find Brave, Not Perfect here. For the Runner Who Wants to Cook More: Cook, Eat, Run ($22) Although this book is not yet released in the US, Charlie gave me a sneak peak of this book at a recent event, and the recipes look AHMAZING! Charlie has been working on her dietitian degree, and has been inspiring a lot of people along the way. This cookbook is unique, because she has asked many of your favorite elites for their favorite recipes, and included it in the book. There are recipes from Lauren Fleshman, Deena Kastor, Molly Huddle, and Kara Goucher. I can't wait to give it a try. Find Cook, Eat Run, here For the Marathon Runner: SPIbelt ($22) I do not have one of these, but the Running for Real Superstars Community RAVES about them and to be honest, I really need to get myself one after years of trying to stuff too many things in my sports bra or in pockets too small. One of these belts is handy for not having your possessions bounce around while you run, and this one is ideal for summer runs...or winter runs below layers. Find the SPIbelt here. For Every Runner: Road ID ($24-$30) Once again, coming back to safety. If you are out running and something happens. Maybe you didn't eat enough that morning and passed out, or maybe you are dehydrated, or something much worse, it can be almost impossible for a random person to know how to contact your loved ones. Road ID has been around for years, but they are SUCH a good thing for a runner to have, especially if you do not carry your phone...or if that phone is locked. Road ID contain the contact details of your loved ones, along with allergen information for you, and anything else that would be important to note. None of us would want to be in a situation where this would be used, but really, none of us are exempt from it happening, so it is something simple to keep you safe, and allow your loved ones to feel reassured that they will know if you are not safe. Find Road ID here. For the Female Runner Who Wants to Run with her Phone: Koala Clip ($28) I never used to run with my phone. In fact, I used to laugh when family members would ask me to take my phone. I was too serious for a phone. Now though, I see that was not just stupid logic, but also could have put me in danger many times. I love to listen to music or podcasts on some of my runs, and rather than using a safety pin to hold my phone in a pocket in my tights, this Koala clip is ideal. It also means the phone stays close to my bluetooth headphones, so they don't loose connection (which they would sometimes do when in my tights). This is especially good for hot summer days as you can strap your phone to your sports bra without any fear of it bouncing around, but in winter it is even better as it tucks nicely under your long sleeves. Find the Koala clip here and use code running4real for 10% off. For the Runner Who Gets Sore orTight and/or Travel often: CTM Band ($30) This was created by my good friend Kyle Bowling, a Chiropractor who is a runner himself. Not only have I loved getting to know him because he actually gets us, and doesn't just try to stop us running, but he has created a product that is absolutely ideal for runners. It gives you compression, tension, and movement (hence the CTM), which allows us to go further than a foam roller or compression gear alone. These have been flying off the shelves, and some of the best elites in the world have heard about it and are using it. Get yourself or your loved one a CTM band, especially if they have to travel a lot. They will thank you. Running for Real fans get $10 off using code running4real here. For the Runner Who Has to Run in the Dark Often: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp ($30) I had never really been someone who had to ever run in the dark. Maybe on the odd occasion, but most of the time I would stumble my way through, and somehow manage to not fall over by staying in the lighter areas. Now, as a mother, sometimes you have to get your run done early. I talked about runner safety and how important it is in a recent blog post, but I also realized that by not wearing anything to be able to see where I was going, I was putting my safety at risk another way. There are so many headlamps out there, but this one had great reviews and was relatively inexpensive, so I gave it a try, and I liked it a lot. If you or the runner in your life runs in the dark often, this will be just what they need....although one word of advice, this does chafe my forehead (not a good look!!) if I wear it right on my head, so I either wear a cap or headband underneath, so it is not directly touching my skin. Find the Black Diamond Spot Headlight here. For the Runner Who Has to Run in the Dark Often Part 2: Amphipod Running Vest ($30) Now, when it comes to safety, another element I never really considered before was actually being seen! I always kind of assumed I would be fine, and thankfully, I was, but it doesn't mean that I was safe. People who are up and about in the early hours of the morning are not expecting to see a runner, and in most cases, they are running late...so trying to get somewhere quickly, which means they won't expect to see you. I didn't think I would wear this very often when I purchased it, but I do wear it often, sometimes when it is not even dark out, but because I just feel so much safer with it on. It is bright enough to catch the attention of a distracted driver, which could be a life saver with the number of people on their phones while driving now. I really like this vest, and I have worn it with just a sports bra and shorts, so I can vow that it does not chafe :) Find the Amphipod Xinglet Vest here. For the Runner who is short on time: Peanut Butter Chocolate UCAN Bars ($33, before discount) I have one of these every single day. I just never get fed up of them. I love that they actually taste good, but aren't tough on the stomach, I can literally eat it as I am going out the door for a run, and have no issues whatsoever. I can stuff them in my bag (they are all over my life!), and grab it when I need to, especially to get me through when I know I am hungry and can't eat immediately. UCAN products are wonderful in general, but these are an ideal pre or post run bar. My absolute number one. The runner in your life would love them too....as long as they like chocolate and peanut butter.....but who doesn't? ;) Find UCAN Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars here. For the Runner Who is In Heavy Training: Bodyhealth Perfect Amino ($39.95) I took Perfect Amino for the final few years of my elite running career, and I really noticed when I forgot to take it. I really did notice that it helped me to recover faster and feel better. If you have a race coming up that is important to you (or your runner loved one), you can't get a much better gift than the gift of faster recovery! Especially if you are a little injury prone, the faster you can recover, the less chance your body has of breaking down with injuries. However, BodyHealth Perfect Amino has helped me through every stage of my life. It is great for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and just when life has been a bit too hectic and you aren't looking after yourself very well. I. find it makes a big difference for every stage, but especially those training hard for a big goal. Find BodyHealth Perfect Amino here and use coupon code TINA10 for 10% off. For Runners Who Are Proud to Be: Sarah Marie Design Studio ($30-$60) Sarah has done such a fantastic job of making us runners feel good about what we do, and show that we are in this amazing little community. I have multiple Sarah Marie outfits. Some I workout in, and some I just wear day-to-day. They are good quality, they are cute, and they are practical. I have yet to have someone come up to me and ask if it is one of her designs, but the day it does, I will be SO excited. If you or the runner in your life loves to talk about running or show pride in our sport, this is the perfect gift. Find more about Sarah Marie Designs here. For the Runner who loves their running clothes, but also cares about the environment: Janji M or W Middle Short ($60, before discount) These are my favorite Janji product, hands down. I never used to be a split short kinda girl, but these are so damn comfortable, and I absolutely love the patterns and designs, knowing that it was designed by someone in a developing country that probably would never get this opportunity otherwise. Janji works with countries like Cambodia, Uganda, Bolivia, Mexico, finds a local designer to create the patterns for the next season, create them, and then give 5% of profits back to clean water initiative NPOs in that country. So cool! They also make a lot of their products from recycled materials. I can't say enough good about Janji. Give them a try. Find Janji AFO Middle short here. (get 10% off anything at Janji using code TINAMUIR) For the Runner who struggles with feet issues: Correct Toes ($65, before discount) Many runners struggle with bunions and all kinds of other toe issues that make running uncomfortable at best, extremely painful at worst. I used to be one of them, until I came across these. Combining these with Altra shoes and their wide toe boxes, I have been able to get my feet into a more natural position. There is a lot of evidence that these can prevent bunions in runners (and therefore painful surgery!) and even help ease them if they are already developed. These look really weird, and feel strange at first, but the difference is astounding. If the runner in your life is struggling with feet issues, especially bunions, this is going to be a great gift, and one they may not have ever heard of. Get correct toes here and use coupon code tinamuir for 10% off For the Runner : Athletic Greens ($70-$80 a month subscription, discount below gives you a FREE travel pack of 20 servings ($79 value) with your order) I really cannot say enough good about this product. It absolutely has saved me. It contains SEVENTY FIVE ingredients in one scoop, including probiotics, probiotics, adaptogens, digestive enzymes and the antioxidant equivalent of TWELVE(!!) servings of fruits and vegetables. I mix a scoop of it in water as the first thing I do when I wake up, enjoy drinking it (you don't have to do the hold your nose and shot thing), and then get on with my day. Rather than having 12 types of supplements you buy for the local grocery store, this has EVERYTHING you need in one place. And friends, I have to say, I can feel the difference in my body. I don't get sick as much, which alone makes it worth it! If the runner in your life is training through the winter for a big goal race, chances are, one of their biggest anxieties right now is getting sick, especially race week. This will help prevent that. It also means that even during travel, or during the holidays when we are not eating as well, you are still getting what you need to stay healthy and keep training strong. This is likely a gift that a runner would struggle to get started on themselves, because yes, it is expensive, but so so worth it. If your gift was to purchase a one month subscription for them, they will get the 20 serving bonus pack (or you know, you could keep that for yourself :p) and that will be enough time to see the difference, so they want to keep going. This has been a game changer for my life, and I love hearing how it has changed yours too. Find athletic greens here (and get that $79 value FREE travel pack with it!) For the female Runner who LOVES her colorful clothes : Janji Deviation Tight ($86, before discount) In case you missed it earlier, just a bit of background: Janji works with countries like Cambodia, Uganda, Bolivia, Mexico, finds a local designer to create the patterns for the next season, create them, and then give 5% of profits back to clean water initiative NPOs in that country. So cool! They also make a lot of their products from recycled materials. I can't say enough good about Janji. These tights are BRIGHT, LOUD, and very let's say, eye catching. But I love them, and many runners have commented to me on how much they love them, so I wanted to share them on here. Janji cares about the world, but their clothes are also really comfortable and a good quality. Find the W Deviation tights here. For Running Safety: Run Angel ($99) Since having a child, I think about my safety a lot more, and honestly, kick myself for not thinking about it even before I had children! My Run Angel helps me feel safe and prepared. There are quite a few safety style products on this list, but this one is my most valued and this is one of the products I recommend to friends above all other running products. Your safety is more important than anything, and this watch-looking device you wear on your wrist will send out an alarm the loudness of a rock concert if you push the giant button in the middle. It will also send an alert to three loved ones when you push it. You can get 10% off with code running4real Get yourself one, and all your loved ones too. Find Run Angel here. For Runners Who Listen to Music and Podcasts: AfterShokz Headphones ($129-$210, before discount) I was really skeptical of these headphones when I first heard about them, why would you want music or podcasts OUTSIDE your ear? How would that ever work? But after trying them, wow, I changed my mind. I absolutely love my aftershokz, and the thing I love the most is that the speaker does sit outside your ear. It feel safer as you can hear other things (especially when I am running pushing Bailey in the stroller, I need to be able to hear her!), but also just in general, it is safer to be able to listen to the outside world, while still clearly hearing your music. They are light, comfortable, and I even wore them for the entire Boston marathon earlier this year, because you barely notice they are there! Find Aftershokz and get $50 off a bundle here. For the Runner Who Wants to Look After Their Feet: Altra Kayenta ($130) This was Altra's new shoe this year, and I LOVE IT. Very light (perfect for travel), comfortable, and gives you that wide toe box, which helps your feet spread the way they should. Since I switched to Altra about 1.5 years ago, I cannot go back. Other brands have offered to. work with me, but I turned them down, because the idea of going back into shoes that squish my toes, no thank you! Find the Altra Women's Kayenta here and Altra Men's Kayenta here. For the Runner who needs to roll out or massage out muscles often to stay healthy: Myostorm Meteor ($139-$149) This is one of the new recovery products on the market, and this has done VERY well. They were recently on Shark Tank, and scored a partnership with Lori Greiner! The Myostorm meteor is a rounded shape, so that makes it really easy to travel, and also a little easier to use. It has vibration and heat, to really hit those trouble spots in an effective way. Now, I have to admit, I am not very good at using recovery products, I get very lazy. I used to be good when I was an elite, but now, not so much. BUT I absolutely love using it when I do, and my husband has to roll out every single day, and he loves this. If the runner in your life seems to take their recovery very seriously, this is a great choice. Also, the podcast episode associated with this episode has an interview with one of the founders, Jared Ward, so you can learn a lot more about it using your favorite podcast player (scroll to the bottom of this page). Get the Myostorm Meteror here. For the Runner with a Baby, Toddler, or Young Child: Chicco TRE Stroller ($379) For the new mother, this is a godsend, especially if their partner works long hours, which makes it difficult to get out. Although it is not recommended to run with your baby until they are at least 6 months old, it is nice to be ready when that time comes or use it beyond that time. I use my Chicco TRE often, and it feels very luxurious, Bailey loves it, so much so that when we even go into the garage, she says, "stroller, stroller". I gave a bigger review of the stroller in my postpartum running guide, but it comes down to, I love this stroller! Find the Chicco TRE Running Stroller here. -- And how about a few creative ideas For the Runner Whose Favorite Part of Being A Runner is the Race: Race Entry (price varies) For most runners, the best part is the race, but they can be EXPENSIVE, and can add up quickly, especially once you add in hotels, travel, and food. If you know there is a race the runner in your life has always wanted to do, why not sign them up for it, or write in their card that you would like to cover their entry. Be sure to check with the runner what races they already have planned before you purchase it, just because they may have signed up for something around a similar time, that would be too much to do both. However, if your loved one seems to be racing ALL THE TIME, this can be a huge weight off their shoulders to take that payment away from them. If you do plan to do this, I recommend signing them up for a race that is at least 6 months away, so they have time to train or figure out a schedule. For the Runner Who is a little unsure about purchasing gifts this year (for environmental reasons): an experience to remember (price varies) This is definitely where I am falling this year. I will ask for a few things, but I just feel like there is this constant low level anxiety about the environmental crisis that makes me feel, well, guilty for asking for things I don't NEED, but would like to have. One thing I have been trying to do is give people experiences. Rather than purchasing loved ones physical gifts, especially if they say they don't want anything, but you aren't gonna not give them anything! How about you get them an experience. Maybe it is a meal out with you and your dad to a new restaurant he would like. Maybe it is afternoon tea with your sister. Maybe you could book a go karting session for the family, purchase movie tickets for someone. How about a brewery tour for your brother or a manicure for your friend. Think about things the loved ones in your life like, and think about how you can treat them. To something they do often or to something they would never do for themselves (like a massage). Giving people experiences rather than physical gifts that they probably don't even want, is going to make both of you happier. You can also create memories with them if it is something to do together, which is much more important and memorable than things. For the Runner who deserves it : A Sports Massage (price varies) Who wouldn't want a sports massage? Runner or not, it feels SO good to be pampered, and if you have been stressed out by life lately (who hasn't), this is something most of us will never do for ourselves, but we would appreciate so much. It doesn't have to be a sports massage, but any kind of massage can go very far in our busy world. If the runner in your life is training hard for a race or has just raced, this would be ideal to help them get back to feeling themselves again. For the eco friendly runner: A donation to a sustainable NPO or charity This is an idea from Clare Gallagher who was on my show earlier this year. Claire talked about some of her favorite companies to donate to, ones that are really making a difference. if the loved one in your life is asking to not have gifts for environmental reasons, a donation to a charity that is doing good to help this world, might make them very happy. The Solutions Project Protect Our Winters Sunrise Movement For the runner who needs a break: Rise Run Retreat I went to the inaugural Rise Run Retreat, and how special it was. Just a heartwarming, soul fulfilling, beautiful experience with friends and fun. Sarah has grown the retreat a lot since then, but every year I get jealous when I see it is happening. If you or the runner in your life needs some love or deserves a break, sign up for this, it truly will be so good for you. I made some lifelong friends there, and I know every year the attendees feel the same. Sarah has a gift, go make the most of it. Find out about dates for Rise Run Retreat here. -- And my friends, I think that is enough ideas for you and your runner loved ones this year. Would love to hear which ones you end up getting. Enjoy! Thank you to Bodyhealth for sponsoring this episode of Running for Real. If you are struggling to recover quick enough from your training, my little secret is to use BodyHealth Perfect Amino to get you there. It contains all the essential amino acids, and is very easy for your body to use and begin the repair process. Click the link and use code TINAMUIR10 for 10% off. Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race is on sale. The doors will open for a VERY limited time, and then close until May 2020, so don't miss out. Even if you do not intend to start the 12 week course until early 2020, you can begin at any time, but you cannot purchase at any time. To get on the Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race waitlist, where you will be guaranteed a spot on the course, sign up here. Or learn more about the course here.

It's very common for a runner to be questioned about why they choose to run. Willingly putting yourself through pain, doesn't quite make sense to most people. Not only that, runners run just to run. There is no ball to chase as part of a captivating sports' game, and there isn't a ferocious wild animal (hopefully) to outrun. Runners claim that they just like to run. Do you believe us? Comfort has become king, especially so in much of middle-America. Think about all the ways in which businesses thrive because they are helping the population be at ease. Drive-thru restaurants, food delivery apps, big cars and massive freeways, online shopping, freezer meals and more. Innovation is fantastic, and without it you couldn't read this article, but it can be one-dimensional in its influence. Few technologies, inventions, or new businesses are encouraging us to move our bodies. Running, even in much of the exercise and sports world, is looked at as a punishment. How many of us run to make-up for a cheat meal? How many children, teenagers, and student athletes have developed a negative relationship with running because it was used as a punishment in their sport. The answer? Probably most of us, at least at some point in our lives. Of course, it doesn't need to be this way. If you are a runner today, you've likely found a certain appreciate for how it makes you feel. Running isn't easy, but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed. It can be a celebration of your body and its ability to move—an act of gratitude and pride. Running is in your Blood Billy Yang believes that doing things that cause us discomfort is in our DNA. By now you've probably heard some form of the idea that we haven't evolved much as a race since we were hunters and gatherers. We were coded to be able to withstand much discomfort just to survive. Since then, the rate of technology has far surpassed our DNA's ability to morph into lazy creatures. We just aren't programmed to sit around. Some runners take this to the extreme, and Billy Yang is one of them. 100-mile races, where a runner covers that extreme distance in around 24 hours, probably isn't something our hunter-gatherer ancestors did. However, these feats show just how able our bodies really are and the determination that we have as a race as we tap into our inherent selves. Running is a Lifestyle For Billy, running also began as a punitive exercise, but over the years it has developed into a way of life. Not only has Billy run multiple 100-mile races, he now creates documentaries of marathoners, trail-runners, and others. Once you change your mindset, it's hard to stop running. You can't imagine going a day or two without moving your body. And whatever type of runner you are, there is a home for you. The community is large and ever-growing. Humanity is finding its running roots. One Life to Live At the end of every Running for Real podcast, we ask our interviewee to answer the "Final Four," a set of four questions that help us get to know them a little better. One of those questions is, "What is one piece of advice for life?" Today Billy told us, "If there is something out there [you want to do] and you've been holding off, what have you been waiting for?" We have this one life to live, and as far as we know, there is no redo. We can show gratitude for this opportunity by going after something we've always wanted. Whatever it is that you want to do, really try to picture yourself doing it. The thing that has been stopping you from doing what you most want to do, is just a temporary discomfort. Whether that's nervousness about going against a social norm, physical strain that accompanies a running goal, or giving up any other chronic or debilitating comfort of life. Your body is meant to move, and it's built to find joy in discomfort. Don't be afraid to use it as it has been made to be used. Resources: Billy's Films Billy on Twitter Billy on Instagram Billy Yang Podcast Sally McRae on Instagram Sally McRae on Twitter Thank you to Bodyhealth, Athletic Greens, and Janji for being the wonderful sponsors of this episode of The Running For Real Podcast. If you are struggling to recover quick enough from your training, my little secret is to use BodyHealth Perfect Amino to get you there. It contains all the essential amino acids, and is very easy for your body to use and begin the repair process. Click the link and use code TINAMUIR10 for 10% off. Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well. Now you can get a free travel pack with 20 servings with your first purchase, Visit here to learn more! JANJI is an official sponsor of the Running 4 Real podcast, I am so excited about this! They visit designers in countries all around the world to help with their upcoming clothing lines and any profit they make off of that design 5% goes right back to that country to supply for their clean water supply. The materials they use are recycled which I LOVE. Go here and use code TINAMUIR for 10% off and if you want to know my favorites click here. Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race goes on sale in just over a month. The doors will open for a VERY limited time, and then close until May 2020, so don't miss out. Even if you do not intend to start the 12 week course until early 2020, you can begin at any time, but you cannot purchase at any time. To get on the Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race waitlist, where you will be guaranteed a spot on the course, sign up here. Or learn more about the course here. Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Billy, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

How would you like to be able to eat whatever you want? Whenever you want. As much as you want. What if exercise felt like a celebration of your body rather than a punishment? These thoughts may sound idealistic or even unrealistic. How healthy can unmonitored eating and exercising really be? Diet and exercise are huge money-making markets in today's world, and they are successful for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is their ability to make a person feel bad. If you don't have unlimited energy and a body that matches those on magazine covers, then you have probably felt like you were missing out. That's a major selling point of any product. There is a shift happening with how we view our bodies, and you can be a part of it. Our health isn't determined by how strictly we follow a certain diet or how our body looks. We are unique creatures, each of which has a different metabolism, height, weight, or other combination of genetics. How we think about our bodies plays a huge role in our health. Not only because of the actions that transpire from those thoughts, but the actual thoughts themselves. These thoughts are powerful and should come from a place of love and appreciation, not shame or guilt. Good Intentions To better understand the role that society has played in manipulating our thoughts about dieting and our bodies, we talked with Dr. Jennifer Guadiani, eating disorders expert physician and Founder and Medical Director of the Guadiani Clinic. As we all know, most dieting and exercise plans come from a positive desire to be better. It can be so difficult to do the proper research for the healthiest life style and then follow it to perfection. It becomes especially hard when you don't see the results you were promised. Even eating disorders can stem from good intentions. Orthorexia, which is being unhealthily fixated on healthy eating, has been a cause of health issues especially for athletes. Undereating is common for those that exercise frequently and can result in amenorrhea, mental fogginess, or bone density loss. The point is, most of society is looking at food the completely wrong way. You shouldn't feel bad when you eat something, you should feel glorious! Food is amazing! It gives us the energy to stay alive and to function in life. As Dr. Guadiani says, society seems to tell us that "we should be depriving ourselves of things to control our wild bodies." But this isn't true. Our bodies have been upgrading for centuries to do exactly what they need to in order to stay alive. Even something as simple as hungry cues is an important development that shouldn't be ignored. Your Body Knows Best You are likely in the majority when you experience hunger and think to yourself, "This is natural. The pain isn't so severe, and I can last until lunch time before I need to eat." For those that just want to lose 5, 10, or 20 pounds, a little bit of hunger may sound worth it. However, as you learn more about the way your body works, you will begin to listen to your body instead of listening to what our culture tells us. When your body enters a state of hunger, it intelligently begins to conserve. This means it lowers your heart rate, holds on to energy sources like fat, and if starved, begins to do more drastic things like stop producing testosterone or estrogen. Many diets look like starving to the body which is why Dr. Guadiani doesn't recommend any diets to anyone. The conservation that your body does when it is hungry is exactly why people have such a cronic problem in losing weight. The more you starve yourself, the more your body adapts to conserve energy. Overtime it will start to hoard that energy in unhealthy ways. Consistently feeding yourself good (aka yummy) food is the best thing you can do. Food is Amazing When you want a cookie, Dr. Guadiani says to "Eat a delicious cookie! Not a protein bar." Enjoy the things in life, and don't use vocabulary such as cheat days. You aren't cheating! You're living! There are only a handful of things that Dr. Guadiani generally recommends for all people to do. Some of these include: listen to your hunger cues, both when you're hungry and when you're full; move your body, and celebrate its abilities; eat fruits and vegetables; and don't deny yourself the delicious things in life. Your body is beautiful. It allows you to do wonderful things. Food is incredible. It allows your body to thrive. Appreciate both. Don't turn down the yummy things in life, and help the world have a better relationship with food. Resources: Jennifer's Website Sick Enough (Book) Gaudiani Clinic Twitter Thank you to Bodyhealth and Athletic Greens for being the wonderful sponsors of this episode of The Running For Real Podcast. If you are struggling to recover quick enough from your training, my little secret is to use BodyHealth Perfect Amino to get you there. It contains all the essential amino acids, and is very easy for your body to use and begin the repair process. Click the link and use code TINAMUIR10 for 10% off. Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well. Now you can get a free travel pack with 20 servings with your first purchase, Visit here to learn more! Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race goes on sale in just over a month. The doors will open for a VERY limited time, and then close until May 2020, so don't miss out. Even if you do not intend to start the 12 week course until early 2020, you can begin at any time, but you cannot purchase at any time. To get on the Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race waitlist, where you will be guaranteed a spot on the course, sign up here. Or learn more about the course here. Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Jennifer, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

What if I told you that you could meditate at any time of day, doing any activity? Would you be more likely to try it? You may be thinking that meditation is only for those people that already have their life together, or for people without children, or less-demanding jobs. But that isn't true! Meditation is for everyone, and today you will find out how it can work for you. To learn more about meditation, we spoke with Jeff Warren, author of "The Head Trip," and mindfulness and meditation instructor. Jeff wasn't a natural meditator, and as a self-proclaimed "impulsive, over-thinking worrier," sitting crossed-legged for long periods of time didn't sound like his cup of tea. He understands the difficulties of starting and continuing a meditation practice, which makes him a fabulous teacher. So, what is Meditation? Jeff breaks meditation down to a perfectly simple form. It's about "attentional skills [that] bring your head to the present moment." Meditation is about seeing the world and yourself as they currently are, acknowledging them, and letting them continue. Meditation certainly can be an hour of you sitting in the middle of a quiet room and focusing on your breathing, but it can also be simpler. It's all about being intentional with your thoughts or surroundings and not fighting with them. This means you can do it for five minutes while doing the dishes, or for thirty minutes on a train ride home. You can practice while you stand in line at the grocery store, or the first few minutes while lying in bed in the morning. What is Meditation Good For? Overtime, meditation may be different things for you, from focusing on a certain sensation, to experiencing a flow state. But the purpose remains the same, to experience life in a different and better way. Jeff says that a practice is looking at a way you are acting, asking yourself if you need to keep living that way, deciding that you don't, and then changing. Learning to meditate is learning to be alone with your thoughts. As you become more aware of who you are, you can choose to be exactly what you want to be. Not only that, but learning more about yourself helps you to be more accepting of others and where they are on their journey as well. How to Be Alone with Yourself Today we are all bombarded with stimulating media. Whether it's advertisements, tv shows, or social media, everyone is vying for your attention. Being along with your own thoughts is rare, and frankly it can be a little scary. But that is ridiculous. We should be comfortable with ourselves. It's the person that we are with 100% of the time, and if you can be comfortable with who you are, nothing and no one can bring you down. It will take practice. There may be things you don't like about yourself or your thoughts. Meditation is great because it isn't about changing those thoughts, at least in the beginning. It's simply about noticing that they are there. Whether your thoughts are happy, sad, or scary, just start by noticing them and saying to yourself, "Hmm, that's interesting," and letting them float on by. As Jeff describes it, these thoughts are like a wave. These thoughts can turn into smaller or more transparent waves, and overtime, you can let them go past with ease. How to Practice Meditation Like we've mentioned, meditation really can be practiced anywhere, for any length of time. However, it is more useful if you can find a way to make it a routine—and sitting in a room with limited distractions can only increase your chances. Whatever it is you can do, is what you should do. Start small or big, but start. Jeff, and many others, have some free guided meditation practices that can be a great way to start. In fact, at the end of today's podcast he led us on a short 5-minute meditation that was absolutely wonderful. Meditating Will Increase Your Capacities Learning to control your every thought sounds like a big burden. That's because it is. Meditation isn't about tracking every thought and blocking out every negative one. It is about being interested in your thoughts, about being human, and about learning who you are. It may not be easy to meditate, but as you practice, you become more energy efficient, not less. So, give it a try! If you've tried before and it didn't stick, try again. Meditation will help you be more comfortable with who you are and more interested in and grateful for the world around you. Every individual has a different meditative practice, and you can only figure out what yours is as you do it. Resources: Jeff's Website The Consciousness Explorers Trip Ten Percent Happier App The Head Trip: Adventures on the Wheel of Consciousness (book) Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-to Book (book) Jeff's YouTube Channel Thank you to Bodyhealth and Janji for being the wonderful sponsors of this episode of The Running For Real Podcast. If you are struggling to recover quick enough from your training, my little secret is to use BodyHealth Perfect Amino to get you there. It contains all the essential amino acids, and is very easy for your body to use and begin the repair process. Click the link and use code TINAMUIR10 for 10% off. JANJI is an official sponsor of the Running 4 Real podcast, I am so excited about this! They visit designers in countries all around the world to help with their upcoming clothing lines and any profit they make off of that design 5% goes right back to that country to supply for their clean water supply. The materials they use are recycled which I LOVE. Go here and use code TINAMUIR for 10% off and if you want to know my favorites click here. Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race goes on sale November 15th. The doors will open for a VERY limited time, and then close until May 2020, so don't miss out. Even if you do not intend to start the 12 week course until early 2020, you can begin at any time, but you cannot purchase at any time. To get on the Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race waitlist, where you will be guaranteed a spot on the course, sign up here. Or learn more about the course here. Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Jeff, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

The second BONUS episode of the week is my LIVE panel hosted by Generation UCAN during NYC Marathon weekend. Listen to my conversation with Emily Abbate, Carrie Tollefson, Angie Spencer for a marathon focused chat. We share embarrassing stories, best moments, moments we considered quitting, fueling issues, and much more. If you are thinking about training for your first marathon, there is a lot in here that will help you prepare for the day. If this is your 50th marathon or anything in between, you will likely resonate with a lot of the conversations we had here. There were a few resounding themes that came back into the conversation again and again; appreciation for the ability to do this, laughing at runners for actually enjoying putting themselves through pain, and the camaraderie that comes with our sport. We answer a lot of listener questions at the end, maybe many of which you have wondered yourself. Join this fun, light, heartwarming chat between podcasters, and use it to reflect back on what you have learned through your marathon journey. You have become a better person through what you have experienced, use it to build on your future. Thank you to Generation UCAN and Athletic Greens for being the wonderful sponsors of this episode of The Running For Real Podcast. Generation UCAN has been with me through a lot of my races. This product have been my go to nutritional product for marathon training and racing when I was getting all of my best times. It gives you a steady energy without the sugar, so there are no sugar crashes! Use code TINAMUIR25 for 10% off. Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well. Now you can get a free travel pack with 20 servings with your first purchase, Visit here to learn more! Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race goes on sale November 15th. The doors will open for a VERY limited time, and then close until May 2020, so don't miss out. Even if you do not intend to start the 12 week course until early 2020, you can begin at any time, but you cannot purchase at any time. To get on the Mile 20 Mental Training Course: Win Your Own Race waitlist, where you will be guaranteed a spot on the course, sign up here. Or learn more about the course here. Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to UCAN, Emily Abbate, Angie Spencer, and Carrie Tollefson, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.