Another Mother Runner

Host Sarah Bowen Shea feels as elated as crossing the finish line of a marathon: She and her cadre of co-hosts have reached an important milestone—300 episodes of the Another Mother Runner podcast! This episode is the first of two shows with highlights from the past 99 episodes. Some are laugh-out-loud funny, like Molly Williams bonding with a green chef over turmeric, while other snippets might make you cry (pretend the tears are sweat!!), such as Maggie Palmer sharing her family’s experience post-Hurricane Irma. And then there’s the segment that might make you laugh and cry, when Sarah’s son, John, hopped on an episode. About a dozen audio clips in all, strung together with commentary from SBS.

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Sarah and co-host Maggie Palmer converse about cross-training with Michele Olson, PhD., a professor of exercise science at Auburn University. The trio debate how to get committed runners to switch up their workouts, with Michele offering assurance that “doing something different isn’t going to make your running go to heck.” Dubbed “the Exercise Doctor,” Michele reveals the cross-training magic pill—and what the prescription for it is. She sings the praises of stationary cycling, especially runners flirting with injury. Maggie professes her love for OrangeTheory Fitness, while Sarah admits she’s crushing on Cyclebar. Dr. Olson explains the power of periodization (note: it’s a delight to hear an expert struggle to pronounce that mouthful-of-a-word!).

In the intro, laugh along with SBS when Maggie discusses having a “safe word” for bailing on a OTF class. The workout expert joins the episode at 16:30.

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It’s Heart Health Month, so Sarah and co-host Molly discuss how the topic relates to runners with Dr. Ann Marie Navar, a cardiologist and epidemiologist with Duke University School of Medicine. The trio immediately dives into the deep end, addressing whether long-distance running is good—or bad—for your ticker. The doctor tells how to reduce risk factors for heart attacks, which leads to an intriguing discussion about cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. Answering questions from BAMRs on the AMR Facebook page, Ann Marie explains what’s up with heart palpitations. During a talk about heart rate, the cardiologist offers up the reassuring gem of, “normal is variable.” Nutrition questions are interwoven throughout the convo, including advice about coconut oil. The good doc informs us high-intensity interval training (HIIT) might be better for your heart than previously thought, and she ends on an all-important message for mother runners. The Portland duo then welcome Marla Sewall, a Dallas mother of four who was brought back to life by her quick-acting husband after she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. #Motherrunner Marla shares her harrowing story—and her amazing recovery (hint: It involves running a half-marathon a mere four months after her heart stopped for 15 minutes!). 

The first guest joins the show at 14:45.

Here’s link to position paper about sudden cardiac death at races, plus how to find a CPR course in your area. 

From Dr. Ann Marie Navar: I am participating in this podcast in my individual capacity, and my comments represent my personal views and opinions, not those of Duke University. Consider everything I say general information, not medical advice. If you have medical questions or concerns, talk to your personal doctor.

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Sarah is joined in studio for a special conversation with Trisha Swanson, founder of Reason to Run, a training program designed to encourage and support both new and experienced runners who are incarcerated at the Oregon state women’s correctional prison, plus Mimi Clinton, a mother runner who was in the program in 2016. Trisha and Mimi detail the 8-week Bunk to 5K program that has inmates circling a 0.1-mile loop in the prison yard—or doing burpees on indoor days. Mimi describes what it was like to always have people—including prison guards--watching her run her first steps. She talks about how she found strength in the community of women in the program—and continues to experience the positive effects of the running community since her release. Marvel as Mimi describes in vivid detail her “glorious” first post-prison run. Tear up along with Mimi when she admits, “it takes someone else to believe in you to remind you that what we tell ourselves isn’t true.” The trio agree on the barrier-breaking power of running and the activity’s ability to provide a few moments of peace from a chaotic setting.

Dimity + Sarah catch up in the intro, talking about fur-babies + their human kiddos. Laugh along with their Roman numerals debate. Here’s the promised Eventbrite link for the podcast recording at GU Energy Labs HQ on the Ides of March (aka March 15). At 26:18, Dim drops off and the conversation with the guests begins.

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Sarah delights in being joined by another new co-host: Tish Hamilton, former executive editor at Runner’s World and multi-time marathoner. The two mother runners re-tell the genesis story of Another Mother Runner, as Tish assigned the article that got this party started. Then the duo welcomes Bart Yasso, who takes a break from packing up his Runner’s World office-of-three-decades to be a guest on the pod for a third time. (Here are his two earlier appearances.) Drawing on experiences chronicled in his latest book, Race Everything, Bart describes the elements of what he thinks makes a great race. He raves about multi-day races, including the Bermuda Marathon Triangle Challenge, which he had just returned from, and shares advice on running such races. This accomplished runner shares his take on how to achieve a negative split, the Holy Grail of racing. Talk with the three Masters-age runners turns to accepting the inevitable slowing down that comes with age—with a caveat from Bart about why he was a better runner in his 40s than in earlier years. The lively conversation ends with Bart explains the importance of keeping running fun. Bart joins the conversation at 17:25. Save $50 off select mattresses by visiting casper.com/AMR and using promo code AMR Get $30 off your contact lenses by visiting simplecontacts.com/amr or entering promo code amr

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Sarah welcomes one of two new co-hosts (big reveal of other new one happens next week!), Maggie Palmer, a thirty-something mom of three. Asomewhat familiar voice to podcast listeners and blog readers, Maggie is the BAMR whose family lived through Hurricane Irma on Saint Maarten, three weeks after relocating to the Caribbean from Oregon. Listen to an update on Maggie’s family situation in Chicago, plus how working out is working out for her these days. Maggie reveals how her “monthly plight”—and her male high school track coach’s attitude toward her period—sidelined her from running. Find out why she ran a half-marathon on the aptly named holiday of Independence Day. Along with sharing many laughs, Sarah and her new co-host bond over falling while trail running (spoiler alert: both tales involve horse poop!).

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Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin, veterans of nearly 30 marathons between them, pull back the curtain and reveal best practices about training for a 26.2-mile undertaking. They start slowly with the importance of rest and underappreciated “easy” runs. Coach Amanda lays out what’s an appropriate base for marathon training, both in terms of how long you can run—and how long you’ve been running. She talks about the optimum length of a training cycle and the best number of days to run per week, plus variables that affect both elements. Serving up a dose of reality (and wit!), Coach Amanda tells why “couch-to-marathon” isn’t a smart move. She also shares why long runs are cornerstone of marathon training. (It’s not quite as “no, duh!” as you might think.) Invariably, the two Masters-age marathoners discuss how marathon training morphs as you age. The insightful conversation culminates with sage advice on sidestepping injury.

First, though, the mother runners have a silly debate about the ideal stopping-point for number of marathons. At 16:45, Amanda puts on her coaching hat and the advice-filled portion of the pod starts.

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Sarah and Dimity welcome three coaches to kick your New Year off right! First up is Jenn Gill, who is a certified personal trainer and strength coach in addition to being a running coach (phew!). After telling a tale of a recent Ragnar Trail Relay race that involves “swamp bugs” and a 15’ alligator (!!), Jenn shares the keys to consistency and how to make exercise a habit. She also offers several good reasons why strength training should be part of every runner’s regimen. Next the ladies are joined by Justin Ross, a sports and performance psychologist who developed the Perform Like a Mother program. Like he does in that mental skills training program, Justin offers guidance on using your mind as an asset instead of a liability, while running, racing, or living life. Listen as Sarah gets swayed by his sound advice about cultivating a positive mindset. The final guest is Jennifer Harrison, one half of the triathlon coaching duo in the TLAM Club. This mom-of-twins tells an inspiring story about what can happen when you go into a race with no expectations. Learn how the first-of-its-kind Ironman training program (!!) is like a pregnancy. Nod along as Coach Jen stresses the importance of having a “village” of support to get through training; laugh along when she recounts the stupidest question she’s ever been asked. (Spoiler: GU Gel is not fish food!) She ends with a bit of advice we all need to be reminded of. In the intro, hear Dimity share the joy of “following someone else’s bubbles.” The conversation with coaches kicks off at 24:16.

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In this extra-long episode, Sarah welcomes each co-host to hear about their year in running. Fittingly, the first conversation is with Dimity, who sums up 2017 as a “year of transformation.” The AMR co-founder tells how she feels better than she has in year, both physically and mentally, and Dim talks about why “pressure is a priviledge.” Find out why SBS dubs her Dimity the Flamingo—plus learn Dim’s big 2018 goals. (Spoiler alert: It’s as big as the Grand Canyon. Literally.) Molly slides into the co-host seat to share how her 2017 goals shifted due to a lingering knee injury—and why it means she has apprehension about the June 2018 half-marathon Molly + Sarah are planning on. Bigfoot makes an appearance in this laughter-filled part of the pod. Next, Ellison hops into the co-host seat to share how menopause (and whooping cough!) caused her speed to decline, and how the situation has placed her in “an arranged marriage” with 5Ks. By this point in the pod, a theme crystallizes: Be kinder + more patient with yourself. Amanda and Sarah are sympatico, both admitting to having an enjoyable year without much racing. An interesting side conversation develops about why relay races can be so energizing and inspiring. Adrienne rounds out this podcast-party, getting rather philosophical with her recent epiphany about how much running has become a part of her. She and Sarah bond, declaring how alive they each feel while running.

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Sarah and Dimity unite to talk with Coach MK Fleming of the Train Like a Mother Club, and the trio jumps into a straight-talk discussion about setting realistic New Year resolutions. Realize why picking one big goal actually adds up to 1,000s of little tasks, and learn to not conflate optimism + attitude with progress. (Like we said: straight talk!) Numerous analogies to mastering a foreign language or to learning to play the piano abound. Coach MK talks about how to be smart in the goals you pursue, and she shares three small daily changes you need to embrace to meet your goals. Find out why Dimity feels “unbreakable” right now—and what her secret goal is. (And why 2022 might be a big year ‘round AMR parts…) A great reminder toward end of the episode: Enjoy the real joy in the journey.

This week’s Nuun-drinking game: Take a swig every time Coach MK mentions the self-defense system of krav maga.

Talk of resolutions starts at 19:40.

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