Holly Zimmermann, mother of 4 and ultramarathoner shares her experiences with training, planning, and gear for some of the most extreme ultramarathons in the world. Even if you're not into extreme races, her experiences are truly incredible and inspiring.

From the Sahara to the Artic: Training and planning for some of the most extreme ultramarathons in the world

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Only 0.3% of Americans participate in ultra races but if you’re not a part of this group (yet) you can still learn from the challenges of these difficult events. Coach Hayley is a talented 2:37 marathoner and recently completed her first-ever ultramarathon by finishing a 50k run through the Endurancelife Ultra Series. She even accidentally ran an extra 2 miles, something Hayley will speak about during the episode. Despite the mishap, she is now preparing for her first 100k race and has some great lessons to share with other runners. Whether you’re a veteran at the distance or have never run a race of any distance this is an insightful conversation about human perseverance and dealing with unexpected obstacles. As we unpack everything Hayley learned through this experience, we’ll go over some exciting topics that include:  How to nail your fueling for ultra-endurance races The importance of testing your gear beforehand Why you may need to start slower than you think for your first ultra And why trying new things can make you a better athlete  We spend a lot of time talking about how to make sure your race goes according to plan but for Hayley, it’s really the unexpected surprises that make this such a compelling story and that will offer valuable lessons for any runner.   Connect, Comment, Community   Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram  Join the Elite Treatment  where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month!  Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community   RunnersConnect Facebook page  GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT!  This week’s show brought to you by: Mushroom Breakthrough One of the most difficult things about training hard in the morning is the brain fog and mental fatigue that comes when you’re trying to get your work day going.   I am sure all you morning runners can relate to that feeling of not being able to focus and get motivated those first few hours at work.   That’s why I was excited when BIOptimizers released its one-of-a-kind product called Mushroom Breakthrough   It’s a powdered blend of 5 potent superfoods including 1.2 pounds of concentrated mushrooms, which have been shown in research to enhance memory, focus, processing speed, and more.    It’s the perfect way to not only boost recovery post-run, but improve mental clarity in the morning without taxing your adrenal system with caffeine. You’ll notice the difference in concentration, focus and mood, especially on those days when morning training really has you feeling tired and unmotivated.   For an exclusive offer go to bioptimizers.com/runtothetop and use code RUN10 during checkout.   And the great thing about BIOptimizers is that you can try it risk-free with their 365-day money-back guarantee. AG 1 Ask yourself - do you get enough green veggies each day? I'll admit, I don't. It's tough to fit all of those greens in with an active and busy lifestyle. But getting in your fruits + veggies is SO crucial as a distance runner for recovery, digestion, and optimal performance. That's where Athletic Greens is a gamechanger. One scoop has 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, green superfood blend, and more. That means fewer stomach issues, more focus and energy throughout the day (because the workday matters just as much as the morning run), and overall ... just feeling healthier. Look, if you're struggling to get those fruits + veggies in - or if you keep buying them but they always go bad in the fridge - Athletic Greens will make getting those micronutrients simple and delicious. Get 5 BONUS travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D when you order at drinkag1.com/RTTT. Get yours now!

Top lessons learned from running an ultramarathon

Marathon season is upon us and the team at RunnersConnect is bringing you all the greatest storylines going into the Boston and London Marathon. This year’s field of professional runners is loaded leading up to the Paris Summer Olympics and we’ll give you our take on what to expect and who might surprise or disappoint at upcoming marathon majors. We’ll also chat about our thoughts on what to expect from the American Olympic Marathon team who have all opted out of running a Spring marathon. This is not your typical sports commentary show, so expect it to feel more like a conversation among friends than a data dump of performance metrics. We’re throwing out all of our bold predictions and hot takes so you play along and feel free to disagree with anything said. This is going to be a fun conversation that you’ll love if you also get excited talking about long-distance running events. Some of the stories you’ll hear include:  Will Olympic Trials 3rd place finisher Leonard Korir be competing in Paris? (03:26) Our thoughts on how the American Olympic team may be preparing for the Summer Games (14:12) Which elite men are likely to surprise or disappoint at the Boston Marathon? (29:58) Which American women are favorites to finish well at the Boston Marathon? (43:15) And will we see a new World Record from someone in a stacked field of Women at the London Marathon? (53:25)  This might just be the most exciting time of the year for Marathoners and whether or not you follow elites closely, you can expect to enjoy some great combination of friendly banter and heated debates.    Connect, Comment, Community   Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram  Join the Elite Treatment  where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month!  Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community   RunnersConnect Facebook page  GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT!  This week’s show brought to you by: MAS Iron Outside of training deficiencies, low iron is one of the most common reasons for poor results during workouts and races.  Recent research indicates that almost 56% of male runners and 86% of female runners suffer from an iron deficiency that severely hampers performance. The problem with eating iron-rich foods or supplementing with traditional iron supplements is that iron is notoriously difficult for the body to absorb and utilize. In fact, only about 25% of dietary iron found in animal sources is absorbed while 17% or less of the iron from plant sources is absorbed. But MAS Iron has found a way to combat these absorption issues to ensure you can get the iron you need for health and performance. By combining the most efficiently absorbed form of elemental iron with clinically proven ingredients to aid in absorption, MAS Iron performs like no other iron product on the market. In fact, clinical research has shown the combination of ingredients in MAS Iron can quadruple absorption and increase bioavailability by 30%, all while reducing GI issues by 50%. Check out the research and the results for yourself at masedge.com/iron. Runnersconnect fans will automatically save 20% on any purchase. Fatty15 The benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids are widely espoused, and rightfully so, in almost every healthy diet in the world. The problem is that Omega-3 supplements face a lot of issues. From going rancid quickly to cheap forms not being absorbed. But thanks to Fatty15, now there’s a better option. Fatty15’s C15 omega-3 is made from a patented, oxidation-resistant form of pure C15 derived from plants. It’s vegan-friendly, free of flavors, fillers, allergens or preservatives. Plus, independent studies have shown is has 3x the healthy-aging cell benefits of omega-3 or fish oil and that it’s 3x better, broader, and safer than traditional omega-3. C15 works in multiple ways: It repairs age-related damage to cells, protects them from future breakdown, and boosts mitochondrial energy output. Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/RTTT and using code RTTT at checkout for an additional 15% off your first order.

Running News: Storylines for the Boston Marathon and London Marathon

Roughly 1 in 4 US adults suffer from bunions and whether you knew it or not, there’s actually such a thing as “National Bunion Day '' that's only a few days away. Given the time of year and the applicability to our community, I figured it’d be a good topic of conversation.  For runners like us, bunions often result from the repeated stress of hitting the pavement, wearing shoes that are too tight, as well as having flat feet or over pronation to aggravate the problem.  With that context in mind, I invited Dr. Brad Schaeffer, who you may know from the hit TLC show “My Feet Are Killing Me” onto the pod to talk about this issue. Dr. Schaeffer trained at the Comprehensive Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgical Residency Program at the Hoboken University Medical Center and is a Board Certified Foot Surgeon with the ABFAS. In this episode, we talk about the causes of bunions, the symptoms of bunions, what to keep in mind if you have them and you’re running with them, how to treat them non-surgically, and some of the latest, cutting-edge procedures out there to take care of them fast with quick recovery.   Connect, Comment, Community   Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram  Join the Elite Treatment  where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month!  Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community   RunnersConnect Facebook page  GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT!  This week’s show brought to you by: Bace CBD ​​If you want to see just how much CBD can improve your recovery, now is the time to give it a try. Right now you can get half off the Discovery Pack, alongside a FREE sample of their balm. That’s 50% off, from $25 to just $12.50! All you have to do is visit bacehealth.com/runnersconnect or enter the discount code RunnersConnect at checkout to pick up your Discovery Pack and prioritize your recovery today. Timeline Nutrition Time-line Nutrition's Mitopure is backed by over a decade of research and is clinically proven to revitalize mitochondria, so every cell in your body has the energy to do its job and keep you healthy and functioning right.  In fact, clinical studies have shown that 500mg of Urolithin, one of the main ingredients in Mitopure, can significantly increase muscle strength & endurance with no other change in lifestyle. Improving your mitochondria is one of the best things you can do for your health and with Mitopure from time-line nutrition, it has never been easier. Go to timelinenutrition.com and use promo code RUNNERSCONNECT for 10% off the plan of your choice.

Everything Runners Need To Know About Bunions with Doctor Brad Schaeffer

After 8 years away, I'm finally making a return to competitive running. It's been a challenging road back, and I've learned some valuable lessons along the way. Here are three key takeaways from my journey:  **Training at Your Current Fitness Level:** I've realized the importance of training based on my current fitness level, rather than aiming for past personal bests. It's been humbling, but ultimately crucial for progress. **Finding Your 'Why':** As my motivations have shifted, I've discovered that having a clear 'why' is essential for enduring the grind of training. Whether it's overcoming health issues or being a positive role model for my children, identifying your 'why' can be a powerful driving force.  **Balancing Health and Performance:** Through this journey, I've come to understand that prioritizing overall health is paramount. Better health doesn't just lead to improved running performance, but also a more fulfilling life beyond the track.  Follow my journey towards the 2028 Olympic Trials Marathon on my YouTube channel by searching my name, Hammond. Thank you for your support, and I hope my experiences can inspire and motivate you on your own running journey! 

Lessons Learned on the Hard Road Back to Running

We are just a few weeks away from one of the world's most popular running events, the Boston Marathon. With this highly anticipated annual event approaching, I imagine you’ll be eager for relevant discussion.  So in this episode, we are joined by Jeff Gaudette, Founder of RunnersConnect, to address general questions about the race, offer advice on final race preparations, and discuss strategies for working towards the goal of qualifying for and racing in the Boston Marathon in the future, if you haven't already had the opportunity. Specifically, we discuss:   What makes this race so interesting from coaching, performance, and spectator standpoints Jeff’s philosophy for getting athletes ready for this race The types of workouts, recovery protocols, and mindset practices runners should be incorporating in the final 2-3 weeks of preparation Whether it’s possible to get into this race, despite the tough standards, and how you can successfully work backward from the goal of racing Boston one day  And much more! If you’re eager to start celebrating Boston, put the final training touches on your upcoming race there, or you want to start the dream of racing there one day - this episode is for you!   Connect, Comment, Community   Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram  Join the Elite Treatment  where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month!  Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community   RunnersConnect Facebook page  GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT!  This week’s show brought to you by: AG 1 Ask yourself - do you get enough green veggies each day? I'll admit, I don't. It's tough to fit all of those greens in with an active and busy lifestyle. But getting in your fruits + veggies is SO crucial as a distance runner for recovery, digestion, and optimal performance. That's where Athletic Greens is a gamechanger. One scoop has 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, green superfood blend, and more. That means fewer stomach issues, more focus and energy throughout the day (because the workday matters just as much as the morning run), and overall ... just feeling healthier. Look, if you're struggling to get those fruits + veggies in - or if you keep buying them but they always go bad in the fridge - Athletic Greens will make getting those micronutrients simple and delicious. Get 5 BONUS travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D when you order at drinkag1.com/RTTT. Get yours now! BiOptimizers One of the most difficult things about training hard in the morning is the brain fog and mental fatigue that comes when you’re trying to get your work day going. I am sure all you morning runners can relate to that feeling of not being able to focus and get motivated those first few hours at work. That’s why I was excited when BIOptimizers released its one-of-a-kind product called Mushroom Breakthrough  It’s a powdered blend of 5 potent superfoods including 1.2 pounds of concentrated mushrooms, which have been shown in research to enhance memory, focus, processing speed, and more.  It’s the perfect way to not only boost recovery post-run, but improve mental clarity in the morning without taxing your adrenal system with caffeine. You’ll notice the difference in concentration, focus and mood, especially on those days when morning training really has you feeling tired and unmotivated.  For an exclusive offer go to bioptimizers.com/runtothetop and use code RUN10 during checkout. And the great thing about BIOptimizers is that you can try it risk-free with their 365-day money-back guarantee.

From the Sahara to the Artic: Training and planning for some of the most extreme ultramarathons in the world

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