The Rambling Runner Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#362 - Carolyn Su: From Injury to the Trans Rockies Run Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Today we welcome my friend and constant source of inspiration, both as an athlete and as a person, Carolyn Su to the show.

First, Carolyn is a force of nature who has made an indelible impression on the running community through Diverse we Run and her ever-present championing of runners of color and folks from marginalized communities. She is also one of the nicest people I've ever met.

In this episode we focus specifically on her journey from consistent and annoying foot injuries to the to Trans Rockies Run. If you have ever considered doing something amazing but felt discouraged then this episode is for you! Carolyn and I discuss recovering from injury and coming back stronger, taking on a challenge that was far beyond her previous endeavors, making space for people of all backgrounds and heritages, and pushing past limits.

You can follow Carolyn at www.instagram.com/irunfortheglory and Diverse we Run at www.instagram.com/diversewerun.

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#361 - Shannon Booker: A Lighthouse for All Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

Shannon Booker, a living and breathing lighthouse, is on the show!

Shannon came to running several years ago as a way of deal with depression and anxiety. He found success at a spontaneous 5k after having successful high school track career. After going all in on running he realized that he was merely running away from his problems which exasperated the situation.

Shortly thereafter, Shannon moved to Atlanta and his approach to running and the running community completely changed. Instead of running for himself Shannon embraced the thriving Atlanta running community.

Today, Shannon is a leader in his community and a true inspiration.

He helped lead the ‘ATL Justice + Equality Run,’ an 8.46-mile route around north Atlanta. The 8.46-miles represented the 8 minutes and 46 seconds a now-former Minneapolis police officer held his knee on George Floyd’s neck, who later died.

Shannon also helped start the Juneteenth run, the movement Social Fitness ATL, and works actively with Black Men Run.

You can follow Shannon at www.instagram.com/book1914 and Social Fitness ATL at www.instagram.com/socialfitnessatl.

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#360 - Brodie Sharpe: The Run Smarter Physio Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Brodie Sharpe is on the show and he brings his years of running physio experience with him!

The host of the Run Smarter podcast, Australian native, and an experienced physio with a running specialty, Brodie is well positioned to give us all advice on how we can be healthier and smarter runners. In this episode, Brodie and I discuss what new runners need to know, working through injuries without pausing our running for an extended period of time, the fine line between discomfort and injury, and proactive ways to stay healthy.

As promised at the end of the episode, here is the sign-up link to get free access to both volume 1 and 2 of Brodie's e-book: https://mailchi.mp/runsmarter/e-book-sign-up-vol-1-2.

Here is a link to Brodie's Run Smarter podcast: https://playpodca.st/runsmarter.

You can follow Brodie on Instagram at www.instagram.com/runsmarterseries.

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#359 - Jon Levitt: Going All-in on the Trails Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of the podcast we connect with Jon Levitt of InsideTracker and the For the Long Run podcast.

I was so excited to talk with Jon about moving to Boulder, CO and training on some of the best trails in the country. Especially since Jon used to live in Metro Boston and train almost exclusively on the roads. We take a deep dive into the that conversion, how his training has changed in recent years, how he has been able to tackle some amazing adventures, and much more.

You can learn more about Jon and the For the Long Run podcast at https://forthelong.run.

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#358 - Becky Vander Heiden: National Guard to Sub-3:00 Marathon Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Becky Vander Heiden is a busy mother runner of two wild boys, a nurse, military vet, and sub-3:00 marathoner. She has been an LPN for 18 years and just finished up her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Before that, she served as a medic in the Army National Guard for eight years.

Becky has been running since high school then continued running to stay in shape and relieve stress. She didn't start racing for fun again until she was in her 30's. Becky ran her first marathon in 2016 (when I was 37) and qualified for the Boston Marathon. Since then she has stepped up her game in many ways with the finishing times to prove it. Since then, she has also battles injuries and found a way to get through it and is back to crushing some 2021 goals.

You can learn more about Becky at www.instagram.com/run.with.beckyvh.

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#357 - Olivia Baker: Road to the Trials Recap Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

Our Road to the Trials recaps continue with the extraordinary Olivia Baker.

Olivia didn't have the lead-up to the Trials that she had hoped for but was holding out hope that it would all come together in Eugene. The women's 800m was maybe the deepest event at the entire meet and it was amazing to witness each round. Unfortunately, Olivia was unable to make the final after running well in a stacked opening heat.

After the Trials Olivia stayed in racing condition and finished second at a loaded 800m race last week. This result has led to a series of decisions that Olivia must make in the coming days as she weighs her professional running future and a career in medicine. She shares her thought process about everything that has happened over the past six months and how she will make her next huge decision.

*Podcast photo credit to Chuck Utash*

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#356 - Frank Lara: Road to the Trials Recap Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

After months of following along with eight athletes as they prepared for the Olympic Trials, we are rounding out the series with recap episodes.

First up - Frank Lara. Frank competed in the 10k gunning for top three and the Olympic standard. It was a daring run and one that showed the grit and toughness for which Frank is known.

Since the Trials, Frank has stayed in top form. He just got runner-up in a stacked field at the Bix 7 Miler. An effort that showed, once again, that Frank Lara is just getting started and will be a force in American running for years to come.

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#355 - Ashley Paulson: Inspiration, Inc. Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

Ashley Paulson is an accomplished ultrarunner, triathlete, and marathon runner who is a favorite among iFit members on both treadmill and stationary bike workouts. She is also one of most energetic and positive people every to be on the show!

Paulson has won over 20 marathons, has been a professional triathlete for five years, and placed first in an Ultra Ironman—twice the distance of a standard Ironman—breaking the course record by more than six hours. She also finished 44th at the Olympic Marathon Trials!

At 39 years old (Ashley turns 40 in two weeks) and a mother of four, Paulson’s ability to balance a successful fitness career with a busy family life has been a source of inspiration to so many athletes in the running, ultra, triathlon, an iFit communities.

You can learn more about Ashley at www.instagram.com/ashkickn.

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#354 - Andi and Zach Ripley: One of America's Fastest Married Couples Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

Andi and Zach are a West Michigan couple who love coffee, lawn games, adventuring, family, and…. running. Zach's career highlights include the US Road Racing Championships, being part of Team USA running cross country in Jamaica, and running at the US Olympic Trials Marathon. Andi recently ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:43:41 which qualified her for her first-ever Olympic Trials Marathon.

They pass on advice we’ve been given, strategies on balancing life and running, tips and tricks, and some encouragement to have running be a healthy contributor to mind, body, and spirit in their fantastic A to Z Running Podcast - www.atozrunning.com.

In this episode we discuss how they became one of the fastest couples in the country, how they got to this point, hurdles they've overcome, and what they've learned from some of their amazing podcast guests.

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#353 - Katie Spotz: The Queen of Endurance Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

Katie Spotz is an endurance athlete, charitable ambassador, author and world-record holder. The list of accomplishments to her name is long, and includes five Ironman triathlons, cycling across the country, a 325-mile river swim, running 100 miles nonstop in under 20 hours, and a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean.

But this wasn’t just any row; when Katie arrived in Guyana, South America, after 70 days at sea, she set a world record for the youngest ever solo ocean rower and the only American to row solo from Africa to South America.

In 2020, Katie became the 1st person to run nonstop 138-miles nonstop across Maine in 33 hours, raising $26,000 for a clean water project in Tanzania. In preparations, Katie became the 1st woman to run nonstop across Vermont and New Hampshire. Katie was awarded the Elite Female Athlete of the Year for 2020 by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Katie just completed herlatest challenge, Run4Water. On June 21, Katie began her journey running 11 ultra-marathons for 11 days consecutively by running 341-miles across Ohio from Cincinnati to Cleveland.

Throughout her adventures, Katie isn’t just seeking to make history. She is also raising money for safe drinking water projects around the world. To date, more than 30,000 people have gained access to clean water through her challenges and events, getting closer to creating a world where everyone, everywhere has clean, safe water.

Learn more about Katie and follower her adventures at www.katiespotz.com.

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