Another Mother Runner

Join elite ultra runner + Train Like a Mother Club coach Stephanie Howe Violett and Dimity as they talk through training for—and finishing!—your first 50k or 50-miler. Among other things, the duo cover how to pick the right race for you; what kind of prereqs, both mentally and physically, an ultra requires; and why conservative (not crazy!) mileage is actually key for a great training cycle.

On March 2-3, 2019, use code ULTRA2019 in the Train Like a Mother Club to receive 20% off the 50k + 50-mile plans, 24-week, comprehensive programs that will get you primed to run a long, long way!

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Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton chat with three single mother runners about how they juggle all the demands of parenting, running, work, and life. The first guest is Bethany Mazura, a mom of two young sons in Albany, New York, where she works as an attorney. Bethany reveals she re-started a stalled running habit because she “needed a goal to restart” her life post-divorce. Marvel at how she then not only knocked out a marathon, but also a 50K! She shares her secrets of a yin-yang balance of tight scheduling, yet also being flexible. Bethany also talks about why a coach is such a worthwhile investment.

Next is Susan Landolt of Hillsboro, Oregon, who also runs ultramarathons. This widowed mom of four, including two youngsters, confesses seeing a treadmill almost makes her cry as it reminds her of the countless pre-dawn miles she put in on a ’mill in her garage. Susan tells how she manages to tackle 60 miles in a week (!!) in addition to working full-time, finishing a business degree, and solo parenting. (“I don’t have time for shenanigans.”) Yet find out why she watched 31 continuous minutes of Netflix on the final day of January. The final mother runner is Julie Burke of Greensboro, South Carolina, who has run on both sides of the proverbial street: Starting at age 16, Julie was a single mom to her older daughter, and now Julie is married with two more kids. Julie talks about how she worked in workouts, including ones with her young daughter by her side. After describing the “relentlessness of single parenting,” Julie reminds all parents to “have patience with yourself--and your kids.”

Nuun drinking game: Chug every time a guest admits all her friends are other runners. In the introductory chitchat, all roads lead to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park—it’s where SBS will be running this weekend, and it’s where Tish gutted out a New York City Marathon-qualifying race. The first guest hops on at 9:00.

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 Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell counsel Kara in southern Indiana on starting a running group, plus organizing runs for people of various paces. They offer differing advice for Marcella from Arizona on the best ways to utilize a pacer in a race to hit a goal time. Dimity sheds light on why Leah in Fort Collins might be particularly susceptible to a “cold bum,” then Sarah and she offer suggestions on how to keep her bootie warmer on a run. The mother runners tell Diane in Chicago how to tailor her marathon mileage to help ensure a prime training cycle. (Spoiler alert: Substitute some junk-miles with strength training.) In the intro, SBS explains how she discovered suddenly she herself is on a training plan (surprise!). The duo shares their favorite classes at the recent AMR Retreat at Rancho La Puerta. Make over your beauty routine with Wander Beauty! Save 20% at wanderbeauty.com/amr

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Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell welcome Christie Aschwanden, author of the just-released GOOD TO GO: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery, to talk about, you guessed it, recovery. Christie, a former competitive runner and Nordic skier, tells how people undervalue recovery—and how that oversight can limit people. Learn what she deems the most important recovery “tool,” as well as why runners should have something ritualized that helps them recover. A “coffee nap”: Find out how this seeming-oxymoron can be beneficial (and how to take one!). Christie stresses the importance of accepting stress and how it can impact your body and mind. The trio talks about why you don’t want to disrupt the inflammatory cycle after a hard workout or race. After trying myriad recovery methods and tools, for her book, Christie shares her favorite—and least favorite—therapies, including the one that finally quieted her “monkey mind.”

In the intro, the AMR duo recounts some of their favorite experiences at Rancho La Puerta. Laugh along as Dimity tosses out the phrase, “beginning stripteasers.” And Sarah explains why she tossed out the “micro-dosing” call. Christie joins the episode at 13:55.

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In the intro, Sarah goes co-host-free in favor of a catch-up conversation with prolific Portland runner Paula Harkin, who just passed the 10-year mark of her running streak. (Yowza!) Paula details what constitutes a running streak—and how to make it official. (Who knew?!) She also confesses her daily run is “a challenge every single day.” Paula shares all sorts of Portland race news, including the scoop on the new Portland Marathon, plus her reclaiming two popular half-marathons. Loads of laughs are shared between these two mother runners (who ran the 2007 Nike Women’s Marathon together, when Paula coached SBS!).

Then, at the 22:22 mark, is the 2017 conversation with Sarah, Amanda Loudin, and Paula: The trio share ways to stay safe while running in the dark. They debate street v. sidewalk running. A long-time group-run leader, race director, and co-owner of Portland Running Company, Paula explains her street-smart practice of Defensive Running; she also talks about the importance of using all of one’s skills and senses to get through a run. Amanda tells of two of her running buddies, Disco Runner and Safety Ellie. Find out the gals’ favorite reflective gear, lights, and headphones.

For a chance to win an entry to one of Paula’s races (Helvetia or Hippie Chick) + her (and Sarah’s) favorite light-bright vest, check out our Instagram feed on Friday, February 8.

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Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell try to relate to extreme-cold conditions by sharing a collegiate rowing mishap. Keeping with the weather theme, they tell Andrea from near Toronto (but who is headed to Florida for vacay!) to tune into effort while working out during her balmy break, rather than worrying about acclimatization. Dimity tells Courtney, a mom of two littles in Red Lodge, Montana: “If you have the marathon-itch, scratch it.” For looking-to-get-faster Beth from Easton, Maryland, the duo stresses the importance of communication with a coach—and dynamic drills and stretches. Finally, they give advice to Lisa from Connecticut about training for and running (or not!) a multiple-loop-course event.

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Sarah Bowen Shea and co-host Maggie Palmer chat with three dynamic women who head up (and, in two cases, founded) running groups for moms. First up: Karissa Johnson, founder of Moms on the Run. Learn how this self-described “introvert” went from leading one 26-woman running group (promoted by paper flyers she stuffed in mailboxes!) to overseeing MOTR franchises in soon-to-be eight states. Karissa talks about the breadth of programs MOTR chapters offer, including yoga for runners and strength-training boot camps. Find out what Olympian is now designing intermediate and advanced training plans for them!

Next is Pam Burrus, the can-do woman behind Moms RUN This Town. Laugh as she details her first forays in running (from “dreading” it in PE to copycat’ing a friend’s training posts on Facebook!), then how she launched this nationwide organization. Learn how MRTT chapters branch out beyond running to do good in their communities. Find out what’s the what with magnet flipping—and how it serves as motivation to members of this free club.

The final guest is Katie Provencher, who heads up a Stroller Strong Moms in Anchorage. Katie recounts her introduction to the program, seeing a “herd of moms running by!” Katie explains why Stroller Strong Moms is so popular among military spouses. And she shares one of the all-time greatest TMI tales ever told on the pod!

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Sarah and Dimity sat down in person in Houston with Megan Saloom, a 2016 Olympics Marathon Trials runner who is now a new mother, then the AMR duo gabbed with Calum “Cal” Neff, a super-speedy father runner who holds two world records for pushing a running stroller in races. The two were hours away from running the Houston Marathon (Megan) and Houston Half-Marathon (Calum. Spoiler alert: He PR’d!). With her adorable 6-month-old son in the audience with his dad, Megan shares details of running while pregnant, including oversharing that “every day was a different experience” with her bladder! She gives advice about returning to running post-partum. Megan talks about DNF’ing the Olympic Trials; reminding us “running is not an overnight success,” she talks about the importance of patience. Next up is father of three Cal, who describes who how pushing a stroller in races allows him to combine his passions for running and being a father. He shares stroller-running tips that apply to any pace runner as well as cold-weather dressing advice. Learn a snappy Canadian phrase, and what it means to “be modular in your gear.” Get a bit misty-eyed when he says that on his two world-record-setting race days, he was a dad above all else. “You’re always a parent first.” (Let’s make this man an honorary mother runner!) In the intro, Dimity and Sarah share their Houston adventures. Megan hops into the conversation at 10:52. For 25% off your purchase of $100 or more, go to Modcloth.com and enter code amr at checkout. Listen to Murder Book, a new true crime podcast hosted by bestselling author Michael Connelly debuting on 1/28/19, and check out Dark Sacred Night, Connelly’s latest #1 bestselling detective novel.

Get $50 off the purchase of an AfterShokz wireless bundle at amr.aftershokz.com by using code AMRBUNDLE at checkout. 

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Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell counsel Rebecca in South Carolina on how to let running return to being a stress relief—instead of a stressor. Switching emphasis to the “mother” part of Another Mother Runner, the duo talks about surviving the toddler years in response to a question from Amy in Batavia, IL. They share the details about training by heart rate with Penny from Cazenovia, NY, who is aiming to run marathons in all 50 states (she’s up to 31!). In response to a question from Valerie in Salt Lake City, Dimity and Sarah talk about running at altitude—as well as net-downhill races.

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Sarah and BRF Molly dive into a conversation with Ashley Kilpatrick, who works with Back on My Feet, a national organization that combats homelessness through, in part, the power of running. The mother runner of three young children describes why she started running in law school. Ashley shares the intriguing origin story of Back on My Feet, and she talks about how the program restores a sense of belonging and accomplishment among homeless individuals and people with substance addiction. Detailing the thrice-weekly, pre-dawn runs, Ashley says they are “a space for equal footing,” in which passersby usually can’t tell the members from the volunteers. The trio talk about how running fuels self-esteem and confidence, no matter one’s living situation. Ashley shares powerful anecdotes about standout success stories in the program. She also elaborates on how to get involved in the organization, including fundraising in exchange for a bib to a bevy of big-name marathons. Lovers of #foundchange, Harry Potter, and cats will especially enjoy the intro chitchat! Ashley from Back on My Feet jumps into the conversation at 14:52. Start your vitamin ritual today at ritual.com/amr Make over your beauty routine with Wander Beauty! Save 20% at wanderbeauty.com/amr

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