Another Mother Runner

Sarah and Ellison Weist co-host this first of two extra-special podcasts building excitement and anticipation for the Olympic Marathon Trials, which take place in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 13(and will be broadcast live on NBC starting at 1 p.m. EST). On each podcast, Sarah and her co-hort talk with three “everyday” mother runners who qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials and will be running them: On this episode, it’s Becki Spellman, Shaluinn Fullove, and Cynthia Fowler. Although most runners can only dream about running 26.2 miles as fast as these gals do, Becki, Shaluinn, and Cynthia talk about experiencing the same guilt over leaving their families for runs and the importance of making a weekly plan to fit in their workouts. All three mother runners talk about their goals at the Trials and about the effort they’ve put in to get to the starting line. Inspiration and advice abound! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We got so many inspiring, moving voice memos from badas$ mother runners striving for big goals this year, we couldn’t include them all in the initial podcast. Rather than leave them on the editing room floor, we scooped them up and compiled them into this bonus podcast. These women’s messages of first’s and faster’s are sure to move you in many ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah welcomes co-host Coach Christine Hinton to talk about setting—and reaching—major running goals. They are “joined” by nearly a dozen mother runners (through voice memos) who share their ambitions, everything from running a half-marathon in under two hours to taking on a 100-mile race for the first time, and everything in between. Coach Christine uses a wonderful mountain analogy for reaching a lofty aspiration, then talks about the importance of chipping away at it. Christine points out the difference in changes a newer runner can achieve in a race versus a more seasoned racer, and she touches on how nutrition can facilitate some changes. The mother runners ruminate on the importance of being mindful of your inner voice—and how to “be your own mom” when it comes to responding to that voice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find your strong on this podcast: Sarah and her best running friend, Molly Williams, welcome certified personal trainer Angie Krueger to talk about strength training. Before talk turns to various methods of strength training, Angie shares how she’s run 27 marathons in 27 different states. (And only one in the state of denial!) Then the mother runners drill down into the benefits of barre, OrangeTheory Fitness, TRX, BodyPump, yoga, and PiYo, and Angie stresses the importance of doing what you need to feel successful. She gives loads of, ahem, strong advice, including pointers for classic moves like crunches and planks. Learn what “cough muscles” are and how to activate them for better results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah welcomes back Adrienne Martini as co-host, and the gals kick off the show by talking about why they each love running—as well as knitted knockers (!). They are joined by Kristin Porter of the Iowa Girl Eats blog to talk about a variety of topics, including how Kristin handled going gluten-free after being diagnosed with Celiac disease after the birth of her son. Before the conversation turns to gluten-free eating and cooking, the mother runners marvel at the 64 (!!) treadmill workouts Kristin has on her site, and why she . After Adrienne reveals that her daughter was diagnosed with Celiac disease at age four, she and Kristin marvel at dealing with a disease that can be managed through food. Kristin talks about the steep learning curve she dealt with when she first cut gluten out of her diet, and how it prompted her to write an e-book entitled Gluten-Free for Beginners. Kristin recounts her “wogging” (walking + jogging) workouts when she finally had enough energy to resume running. Along the way... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah is joined by co-host Coach Christine Hinton to chat about planning a running race calendar for 2016. Coach Christine talks about the logic behind choosing one or two goal races for the year, and why you should consider the larger picture of your life (work, family, travel, all that good stuff!) when mapping out your goals. Before they dive into the main topic, Coach Christine shares some success stories, including how one mother runner overcame her long-time anxiety about tempo runs. The coach offers assurance that “bad races happen,” and how to recover and learn from them. Christine also helps Sarah see the logic in using a race as, “an assisted long run.” (Clever woman, that Coach Christine!) She describes how to approach a “tune-up” race, and lays out a strategy for them. Sarah suspects you might find a new running mantra—“Be smart, not stubborn.” —listening to this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dimity and Sarah pause during holiday (and work!) craziness to look back on the year that was as well as talk about their 2016 plans. They mix in voice memos from mother runners, who talk about several debut marathons as well as a 100-mile, 10-day adventure in the New Year. Dimity double-fists it during this recorded-at-almost-5:00-p.m. podcast, with a Shiner Bock Beer in one hand and a glass of Nuunin the other. The ladies debate triathlon versus trail running as Dimity’s sport of choice, and Dimity talks about the ultramarathon she’s aiming for. Find out the new running term Sarah’s husband coined, and how it relates to Sarah’s goal for this year’s Boston Marathon. There’s much talk of the coming-very-soon Train Like a Mother Club, plus an announcement about new co-hosts joining the show. Start your year off right by taking a listen!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and Dimity take shelter from pouring rain (Sarah) and snow and wind (Dimity) to share advice and anecdotes about running in less-than-ideal weather. Dimity admits she’s more likely to hit the treadmill than she used to be, while Sarah heads outdoors almost no matter what. The mother runners discuss how to dress for running success, including specific gear choices like Saucony Ulti-Mitt and Nomad Jacket. Dimity makes a pitch for snowshoe running and offers advice on how to stay upright on icy conditions. Find out what was Dimity’s “running start” for the holidays... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dimity and Sarah welcome Janet Helm, a registered dietician in Chicago, on the show. The author of The Food Lover’s Healthy Habits Cookbook: Great Food & Expert Advice that Will Change Your Lifeand a mom of twins, Janet blasts away nutrition myths and misinformation and gives heaping helpings of holiday eating advice. Find out what triggers overeating—and how to move on—and why you need to give up the idea of perfection. (Both in your eating and your exercise!) Be prepared to drool in the final third of the show, when talk turns to examples of how taste and health can co-exist. The mother runners suspect you’ll buy a head of cauliflower within a day of listening to this episode—but probably not a Fathead! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah welcomes AMR columnist Adrienne Martini as guest co-host for a conversation about sports acupuncture; Erik Isaacman, the Portland-based acupuncturist who treated Sarah for her multi-fractured ankle earlier this year, joins the conversation in studio. Erik explains the origin of the hippie vibe surrounding the Eastern medicine, then dispels the patchouli-and-chimes misconceptions about acupuncture. Not just needles: Find out what all can be involved in an acupuncture session, and why Adrienne blurts out, “I love cupping!” Learn what running ailments and injuries sports acupuncture can treat best, how long a course of treatment might be, and how to find a practitioner in your area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices