This show is almost like a trio of co-hosts: Sarah and co-host Molly pick the brain of Coach Amanda for insight into training slumps—and advice on how to pull yourself out of one. The coach asserts that, despite what it may feel like, mostly likely the source of your ennui is mental, not physical. She breaks things down, assuring you feeling “tired, hungry, and harried” is to be expected when training for a race, then she outlines how to discern those symptoms from overtraining. Discussing the common conundrum of wanting to skip a run due to exhaustion, Coach Amanda grants you a hall pass to skip an occasional run. Talk turns to the seasons of life—and why sometimes it’s just not the right time to run a race. Molly introduces the notion of “the pleasure of discomfort,” and both she and Sarah give anecdotal advice on how to lean into that feeling. Learn the Rx for missing a week of training, plus the value of a throwing in a benchmark run or workout to re-kindle your enthusiasm. In the introduction, Sarah and Molly talk about #OReclipse mania. The conversation with Coach Amanda kicks off at 12:40.

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Sarah and co-host Molly are joined by two guests who offer valuable insight into prehab: the simple moves that can help you avoid running injuries. First is Britny Fowler, a personal trainer who leads education session on TriggerPoint Therapy products.  This mother runner speaks from experience: After getting talked into running several races by friends, she qualified for Boston Marathon—then ran the race 23 weeks pregnant! Britny provides enlightened advice for starting a prehab routine (just one minute a day!) and how to make it successful. Find out why she suggests we take cues from cats and babies, and how the ABC’s enter into the picture. She answers all sorts of foam rolling questions—including why, when, how long, and how intensely. (And why adding vibration is a game-changer!) Next, the BRFs welcome on MK Fleming, the Train Like a Mother Club heart rate coach and multi-time marathoner. Pregnant with baby #4, MK talks about how her workouts are morphing along with her body. In answering questions culled from the AMR Facebook page, MK explains how to let attitude be your guide on workouts plus the importance of making easy days easy enough. This leads to intriguing side conversation about what constitutes true “rest” on a training plan—and why us mother runners have such a tough time doing it. Coach MK stresses the importance of a short pre-run warm-up and why to ditch an all-or-nothing mentality. Whether it’s Britny’s analogy of training for a fight before getting beat up or MK’s sage advice about the importance of continuing to ask questions, we guarantee words from this episode will reverberate in your head for miles to come! Be sure to nab one of our new hats or visors for $15—sale ends August 20.

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A repeat episode although the guest’s life has changed radically since recording the show: Alison Overholt gave birth to a second child last summer, and a few months prior to that, she was named editor in chief of ESPN The Magazine. The first female editor to head a major sports magazine. A BAMR, for sure!! 

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Sarah and co-host Adrienne Martini talk about running injuries and prevention with Dr. David Geier, a respected orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina, and host of his own podcast. Dr. David answers a slew of questions garnered from the AMR Facebook page, starting with what’s causing that (literal!) pain in the butt so many mother runners are feeling. He explains why an MRI isn’t the best test for a labral tear. (Speaking of tests, you’ll definitely ace the word “medial” on the SATs after listening to this podcast!) Dr. David describe the classic symptoms of a stress fracture—and tells why heeding early signs will limit time off running. The good doctor—or, rather, the “Good News Doctor” as Sarah dubs him in the show due to his optimistic outlook on injuries and recovery—talks about how age tinkers with a runner’s body and how to allay some of those changes. The trio covers a whole lot of ground: shin splints, IT Band issues, piriformis syndrome, knee pain, and more, as well as “gear” such as KT Tape and cortisone injections. A must-listen episode, even if you’re currently injury free!! In the introduction, Sarah and Adrienne talk about why shorter long runs are often tougher than lengthier ones. The interview with Dr. David Geier starts at 16:43.

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Sarah and Ellison Weist convene for the fourth annual summer reading podcast to discuss their favorite new books—plus a few fabulous classics. They start with fiction, and the duo soon realizes how many of the novels have a British bent to them. Fittingly, Ellison makes excellent use of the adjective “twee” with regards to a ballyhooed book she recommends steering clear of. Sarah voices her Jetsonian desire about a new way to experience books. Sprinkled amidst the literary conversation are mentions of film and TV adaptations of stories—and numerous “hot vicar” allusions! The BAMRs recommend a few non-fiction tomes. Ever-in-the-know, Ellison also offers numerous suggestions for books coming out in the next few months, including a collection of short stories by Tom Hanks. Below are all the new books mentioned in the episode, plus a few novels Sarah and Ellison can’t let go of. The gals talk movies (and more) in the intro; the book talk starts at 13:49.

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Sarah and co-host Molly Williams tackle the topic of amenorrhea (the cessation of menstrual periods) with two guests. First up: Retired professional runner Tina Muir, who candidly talks about not having a period for nine (9!!) years. Tina admits she ignored the issue for years—and expresses her frustration that experts had no advice to rectify the problem. Tina shares what it was like being the center of a whirlwind of attention when she stopped running specifically to resume her menstrual cycle and start a family—and why she wanted to make the often hush-hush topic public. Find out what Tina, co-host Molly, and Kate Middleton have in common. Then Molly and Sarah welcome on Jennifer Carlson, M.D., a doctor who studies and treats amenorrhea at Stanford University. Jen explains how amenorrhea is part of the female athlete triad—and how the understanding of the triad has evolved over the years. The good doctor tells what factors, in addition to an energy imbalance, could cause amenorrhea, such as stepping up mileage or running intensity. As she says, “It’s surprising how often you see amenorrhea.” The doctor also suggests steps to take to resume having periods if they’ve stopped. In the intro, hear how Sarah uncovered 11 pennies on a recent solo run: intrepid--or idiotic?!? The Modcloth-clad twinsies talk about missing each other while Molly has been sidelined with an injury. Conversation with Tina, then Stanford doc, starts at 11:17.

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Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin spend some time talking about GPS running watches - the best ways to utilize one as well as how to prevent becoming overly reliant on numbers on your wrist. Coach Amanda talks about why an “easy run” is different on every single run. The gals reveal the definition of running “naked” - and how often you should be doing it. (!!) Hear how wearing a GPS ruined a race for Coach Amanda, yet how useful she finds them for speedwork. (If that’s your jam.) At the other end of the spectrum: The gals discuss the importance of letting your body dictate pace and using a GPS to keep you honest about going slowly enough. These decades-long runners also impart advice on honing your inner GPS. The topic then prances over to the ideal cadence and whether you should fret about hitting some magic number of steps per minute. Voice Memos from other mother runners are woven into the duo’s slightly subversive conversation. In the intro, hear about Amanda’s recent Appalachian mission project with her teenage son plus Sarah’s CT visit with her three kids to see her elderly parents. Plus, discover Sarah’s happy place! The meat of the conversation starts at 21:32. *Try a sample box of 10 (ten!) different KIND Bars for just $10 with free shipping (a $20 value). For details, go to KindSnacks.com/AMR

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Sarah and co-host Ellison Weist delightedly dive into a conversation with respected reporter Gretchen Reynolds. In her New York Times column, mother runner/mountain biker Gretchen reports on new and interesting science to help our bodies function better. The trio starts by talking about dealing with hot weather while running, with Gretchen explaining why a hot bath might be a wise tool before she answers the age-old question of slushie v. frozen underwear. Gretchen shares welcome findings about the performance boost of caffeine as well as good news about the effect running can have on both back and knee health. The three mother runners take an intriguing detour to debate the use of the word “jog.” Find out why you should be doing interval training (especially if you’re north of 40) plus how much you need to run to add to your longevity. This episode is guaranteed to get your mind whirring! In the intro, “Book Bully” Ellison shares her latest gook recommendations; the Q&A with guest Gretchen starts at...

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Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin welcome Jessica Crandall, a registered dietician nutritionist in Denver specializing in weight management and sports nutrition. This certified group fitness instructor and mother runner answers a host of questions from the AMR Facebook page, starting with clearing up “calorie confusion.” Jessica gives weight-loss and weight-management advice for moms in their 40s and 50s; she presents an intriguing suggestion for improving on-the-run hydration. The marathoner discusses new thinking on carb-loading, including the importance of what the trio dubs “the Goldilocks Balance.” Jessica suggests numerous portable options for on-the-run fuel; find out her three F’s to follow for filling up post-workout. The trio talks protein needs for active women before wrapping the informative, fun conversation with a drool-inducing chat about the Casserole Connection. This pod’s drinking game: Chug chocolate milk or Nuun every time one of the gals mentions chia seeds or dehydrated peanut...

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For the annual Father’s Day episode, Sarah and Dimity welcome with great delight Peter Sagal, the longtime host of the NPR news quiz WAIT, WAIT…DON’T TELL ME. A veteran of more than a dozen marathons, Peter admits he was “a fat little kid,” and he’s still running away from that identity. The mother runners steer the father runner onto a TMI topic, with Peter sharing how he finally solved his pooping problem. Peter admits he isn’t running for a PR anymore; find out which unique race is on Peter’s bucket list. Listen to why Peter unplugs on runs—and even occasionally runs “naked.” Talk turns to treadmills, Chinese noodles, and an impromptu run with Olympic medalist Deena Kastor. Hear Peter describe being 100 yards away from bomb blasts at finish line of 2013 Boston Marathon. Be sure to listen to entire interview, as the humorist and playwright details the manuscript he’s been working on for nearly five years—and just turned in to his editor this week! A favor: Sarah and Dimity would really appreciate you...

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