"It's gonna take a lot of work. It's gonna take a lot of discipline and a lot of patience and a lot of throwing spaghetti at the wall and it not sticking at all."

Natalie Mitchell just might be the most joyful runner on the planet. The always-smiling running coach, mom of three, and 12-time marathoner is perhaps best known by her Instagram moniker: "Nat Runs Far." On this episode, she talks about how she has shaved an hour off her marathon time (from a 4:06 debut to a 3:05), and shares her dreams to qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials. She talks about setting goals, managing expectations, and taking necessary time off. And Natalie talks about her experiences as a Black woman runner, shares her secrets to a happy marriage, and talks about her latest endeavor with her husband Jerold, the launch of the Suite Run podcast.

SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

• Is Natalie happy and smiley all the time? (4:15)
• Natalie talks about her recent knee surgery and how recovery is going (5:45)
• How Natalie became a runner (11:45)
• On the transition from collegiate runner to real-life runner (18:30)
• How Natalie has chipped away at her marathon time, going from a 4:06 to a 3:05 (22:30)
• Natalie's next running goal (28:45)
• All about Coach Natalie (34:20)
• Natalie is a busy mom of three — when does she run? (37:40)
• Natalie's tips for a long, happy, joyful marriage (44:45)
• Natalie talks about her experience as a Black woman runner (49:45)
• All about the Suite Run podcast (59:30)

Follow Natalie:

• Instagram @natrunsfar
• Suite Run
• Suite Run podcast

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Like the Facebook page
• Join the Facebook group
• Twitter @aliontherun1
• Support on Patreon
• Blog
• Strava

Listen & Subscribe:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• SoundCloud
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Google Play