What was your favorite athletic moment of 2023? Perhaps it was PR'ing in a 10K or crossing the finish line of your very first marathon. Maybe it was something simpler, but oh-so-sweet, like a scenic hike with your family or that first pain-free run after dealing with a nagging injury. Whatever the highlight, we're showcasing several on this episode, including those from three of our Train Like a Mother coaches. After hosts Dimity and Sarah WF reflect a bit on the year, hear from Amy Skorich, Christy Scott, and Jenn Giles, who each share what made 2023 special for them. And, throughout the episode, we play voicemails from listeners featuring a variety pack of peak moments. We hope this episode inspires you to celebrate your own athletic high points—and motivates you to go after even more in '24. 
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Many Happy Miles: Our 2023 Athletic Highlights

A family of three podcasts to get (+ keep) you moving without losing your family, job, or sanity! Nearly 1,000 (!) back episodes to enjoy.

Every Friday on the original show (launched in 2011), host Sarah Bowen Shea, a mom of three and veteran of 14 marathons, is joined by a rotating cast of co-hosts and often a guest expert to discuss topics ranging from how to reach a big race goal to finding your athletic happy place, and everything in between. Training, nutrition, motivation, mental toughness, TMI issues: This show covers it all (and then some!). 

Many Happy Miles and AMR Answers drop on alternate Tuesdays: Many Happy Miles is hosted by AMR co-founder Dimity McDowell and Sarah Wassner Flynn, and it celebrates and explores all types of forward movement, whether an epic hike, century ride, or your first brisk walk after a setback. The co-founding duo of Sarah and Dimity host AMR Answers, providing insightful responses to listeners’ called-in questions. All three shows are witty and conversational, making them great running partners because the AMR gals do all the talking—even on the uphills!

Health & Fitness

Listen to this episode if your motivation and commitment sometimes wane (uh, hello, whose doesn’t!?): The guest is mental skills coach Carrie Jackson, the author of On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat, the guest outlines:
-five questions to ask yourself to find your athletic why; 
-ways to reconnect to the joy + fun of your sport; 
-why you don’t always need to set the proverbial bar higher; 
-how goal-setting helps you hold onto your commitment; and, 
-other things that can masquerade as lack of motivation. 
 
Before Carrie Jackson joins around 10:54, Liz details her recent trip to a rock store and Sarah shares about the unwavering generosity of one Jersey runner. 
 
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Find Your Athletic “Why”

This episode is for all of us who have been in Jordan’s shoes, wondering if carrying “extra” weight might prevent us from setting a personal best in a race. And all the folks who are confused about which week to jump into a training plan, like Julie. Finally, the gals let Nancy know the lowdown on hiking poles. 
 
Pre-Q+A, Dimity shares details of her first few classes as a Spinning instructor! Here are the heart-rate training programs Dimity mentions, plus the Racing Weight book. Call to record your question: 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771). Please, and thank you!
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AMR Answers: Setting a PR When Heavier; Hiking Poles

If you’re looking to chase something other than a finish time or wanting to freshen up your running routine, take a listen to this episode featuring two “regular” runners who share their unique and varied race goals. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, the gals share:
-that getting slower doesn’t mean giving up on racing goals; 
-how inadvertently being last in a race spurred one endeavor;
-the joy of giving back to their community; 
-savvy advice for doing away-races; and,
-an addiction to medals. 
 
Before the first goal-setting guest joins around 11:05, Tish talks about her Mother’s Day plans, complete with a genuine celebrity! 
 
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Unique Race Goals

This episode shares the moving story of Emily Halnon, a runner and writer based in Eugene, Oregon. Her debut memoir, To The Gorge, details her journey going for the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 460-mile Oregon Pacific Crest Trail in the wake of losing her mother, Andrea, to cancer in 2020. In this conversation, co-hosts Dimity and Sarah WF chat with Emily about: 

How Emily's mom inspired her to run her first marathon;

Why running was the mother and daughter's "love language" and what that meant;

Her reasons for attempting the Pacific Crest Trail FKT and what that journey entailed;

How running continues to help her move through her grief, and more.  

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Many Happy Miles: Emily Halnon Goes to the Gorge

An episode for everyone as grief is a recurring facet of all our lives. The guests, Lisa Millis and Kelly Daugherty, are founders of an innovative running-based program called Healing Strides as well as contributors to The Grief Experience. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, the conversation covers:
-the genesis of Healing Strides and what the program entails;
-the positive effects of running on grief; 
-the healing power of moving in nature; plus,
-advice for processing grief.
 
Before the guests join around 8:48, Sarah tells Tish about her son’s recent collegiate musical theatre debut. (Check out our Instagram Stories for a few proud-mom videos from the show!) 
 
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Many Happy Miles: Our 2023 Athletic Highlights

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