Another Mother Runner

To celebrate # AMRiversary—seven years since the founding of Another Mother Runner—Sarah and Dimity take a meandering, verbal “stroll” down Memory Lane. The mother runners reveal the genesis of AMR’s signature phrase, “badass mother runner” and the growth of their Facebook following. They reflect on the early days of the podcast, and Sarah shares the warm-fuzzies she feels toward one episode in particular. In signature TMI fashion, Sarah suggests a possible GIF from a podcast moment that stands out in many longtime listeners’ minds. The two extol the magic of mother runner parties, and Dimity admits how the Train Like a Mother Club brings out her maternal side. Along the way, there are revelations about the duo’s book trilogy. Interwoven into the founders’ reminiscences are a dozen Voice Memos from various mother runners, sharing their favorite AMR moments. This hour+ episode is special. *Green Chef is a USDA-certified organic meal kit delivery service that brings delicious dinners right to your doorstep....

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Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin (calling from her own mom’s house!) have a sit-down with Vicki Lang, a mother of two collegiate runners and a long-time youth cross-country and track coach. Vicki highlights the importance of making running fun for kids to keep them engaged and enthusiastic. The gals talk about the crucial middle school years, a turning point in enthusiasm for sports for many children. Coach Vicki puts forth an intriguing mileage guideline (which takes math-challenged Sarah a few beats to catch!), as well as the beauty of a “progression plan.” The conversation covers the “reverberating” effects of running for kids. Coach Vicki also talks about the importance of proper hydration and quality shoes for young athletes. Voice memos from a bevy of mother runners bring to life the variety of delights (and challenges!) involved with kids and running. Sarah kicks the show off with a conversation with 18-year-old Lucy Williams (middle daughter of her BRF, Molly) to hear what kickstarted her running...

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Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin talk about how to run faster and hone speed, recognizing from the outset that speed is relative. Coach Amanda suggests approaching speed seasonally over the course of a year, then breaks down all the different “tools” for doing so, starting with hill repeats. The mother runners discuss the slippery beast of a tempo run, which Amanda describes as “comfortably hard.” (An oxymoron?!) Amanda introduces a new-to-Sarah concept of “10 years of improvement,” then they dissect how that’s both good news—and bad. Amanda sings the praises of strides and strength training. She also defines the elements that make up speed. The gals wrap the show with talk of race-day execution. All along the way, Amanda offers up pearls of speed-building wisdom, such as, “getting comfortable with the uncomfortable” and “buy into what you can do, and let it be a shot in your arm.” An invaluable episode for folks looking to set a PR. *Green Chef is a USDA-certified organic meal kit delivery service that...

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Sarah and Ellison Weist, both fifty-somethings, get real, discussing myriad aspects of menopause (both positive and negative) and perimenopause with Dr. Susan Reed, a noted expert in midlife women’s health. As she’s also a mother and a long-time runner/triathlete, Dr. Reed speaks with a deep empathy of mother runners and how menopausal symptoms can throw us off our game (or, rather, workout routine!). Recognizing inability to sleep is a major concern, she offers numerous suggestions for getting more and better quality shut-eye. She talks extensively about various hormonal therapy options to treat symptoms of The Change, including several prescriptions normally used to prevent baby-making, as well as other types of Rx’s. Dr. Reed teases apart what side effects are related to aging versus menopause. Adding some brevity: a frank discussion for (yet another!) use for coconut oil, and find out what type of contest Sarah might enter (but hopefully not win!). Most important take-away from the good doc: Don’t...

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Sarah and co-host/BRF Molly Williams are feeling creaky on this week's running podcast!! With Molly staring down the big 5-0 next month, the best running friends talk about the aches and stiffness that accompany aging—and how runners can fight back. Molly asserts an astute observation about when niggling joint pain or stiffness might kick in. Sarah talks about shuffling her workout schedule, plus why she’s changed up her strength-training routine. Dynamic flexibility drills pop up, too. Other topics that enter into the conversation: Embracing your inner dork. Walking down stairs. Hot older guys. Beards. Before turning to aging woes (and solutions), Sarah and Molly gab pretty much as if they’re on a morning run, chatting about Molly’s recent trip to Victoria, B.C., plus weekend dates with their respective hubbies. Find out which one of those adventures prompts Molly to rave about, “a thick, leathery hide and a roll in the sprinkles.” Guaranteed laugh-out-loud moments so be prepared for odd stares if you...

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Sarah and co-host Adrienne Martini are joined by Sylvia Tara, Ph.D., author of a fascinating new book called The Secret Life of Fat: The Science behind the Body’s Least Understood Organ and What It Means for You and a mother runner who has struggled with her weight since she was a pre-teen. Find out how fat fights back (argh!) when you try to lose it. Dr. Tara encourages listeners to stop chasing siren songs when it comes to fat-loss, and she explains why a diet must work on numerous levels. She explains why intermittent fasting is successful for her, while acknowledging going 16 or 18 hours without sustenance is not for everyone. Talk turns to bacteria and microbiomes, and how it affects calories, fat, and weight management; Dr. Tara gives tips on “tilting” your microbiome in your fat-fighting favor. An intriguing show whether you struggle with your weight or not. In the intro, SBS and Adrienne talk about the shows they’re watching on Netflix—including, ironically, Santa Clarita Diet. *Green Chef is a...

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Sarah and co-host Adrienne Martini chat with four mother runners (including one whose voice will be very familiar to you if you listen to National Public Radio!) about how they manage to merge running with their non-traditional work schedules: Guests include a midwife, dairy farmer, ER nurse, and Tamara Keith, NPR’s White House correspondent and co-host of NPR Politics podcast. Interspersed throughout the episode are Voice Memos from numerous shift workers and other folks who work unconventional hours, adding to the lively conversation about how mother runners rack up miles on little sleep, “catch-as-catch-can” nutrition, and stand-all-day legs. Hear why healthcare workers make ready-to-run Ragnar Relay teammates, and why farmwork is built-in cross-training for running. Find out if Tamara laces up her running shoes at the White House. All these ladies impart important reminders to us all, no matter what our work/life schedules, including “running is not going anywhere” and “it’s going to be great.” (Just...

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After divulging their monthly #foundchange tally and differing opinions of “La La Land,” Sarah and Molly shift gears to talk about a more serious topic: drinking alcohol. Their first guest is Dorothy Beal (a.k.a. Mile Posts), who opens up about taking part in #DryJanuary—and why she’s not resuming drinking even though the teetotaling month is over. This speedy mother of three talks about why, lately, she was drinking due to emotional exhaustion than physical exhaustion, and how her month of sobriety allowed her to experience unexpected personal growth. Next, the Portland duo are joined by Natalie Hanson, a mother runner with four sons who has been in recovery from alcoholism since 2010. Natalie candidly shares her rapid descent into alcoholism (also known as AUD, alcohol use disorder), and she clarifies the difference between heavy drinking and AUD. She admits why, once she admitted having a problem, one of her mantras became, “I’m here to save my ass, not my face.” Natalie provides numerous suggestions on...

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Sarah and Dimity chat up the two newest Train Like a Mother Club coaches, Lindsey Hein and Stephanie Howe Violett. First up is Lindsey (who you might recognize from her own podcast, I’ll Have Another), who laughs about three big goals she tackled basically all at once in her early 20s. This coach of the TLAM Club 5K Success program stresses the importance of not being self-critical and why consistency is key in making running a lifestyle. Learn how a little fellow named Russell is getting in the way of her usually die-hard commitment to watching “The Bachelor.” Then Stephanie, the coach of the first-ever TLAM Club ultramarathon training programs, shares her greatest successes in ultra races, including her recent 100K victory after a year of recovering from injuries. This professional ultramarathoner reveals she had to learn to be patient during her recovery, and she cautions about the dangers of ramping up too quickly post-injury. Find out how real life colors her PhD book-learning in her own life and her...

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Sarah and Ellison Weist welcome Stacy Sims, Ph.D., the respected exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist whose latest book is titled ROAR: How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong, Lean Body for Life. Short version: Stacy talks about why mother runners need to stop eating and training like men. This former ultrarunner/triathlete/rower talks about why “one size fits all” is no way to guide weight management. She delves into how to balance losing weight with being properly fueled for a workout—and adequately refueled post-run. (Hint: Stock up on non-fat Greek yogurt!) Stacy also explains why it’s so important to bring up your blood sugar levels before a morning run. The conversation veers toward TMI territory when Stacy admits what hit her halfway through a recent 70.3 triathlon. Hormones dominate much of the rest of the conversation—but in an informative, not moody, way, including the powerful effect female hormones have on...

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