Keeping Track

Be an Underbird with Oiselle! Apply today!We catch Up with Justine in Hungary leading into the 2024 World Athletic Championships and speak on her Hungarian (and French/ Caribbean) background , how she has "pieces of her heart all over the world", her athletic carreer, her creative work, her work with Oiselle and her hopes and goals for the sport of Track and Field!Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly interviews Ro about athlete Mental Health. Roisin McGettigan-Dumas is of course our Co-Host, but also: a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (and 2012 Olympian in Track and Field!) and also coaches athletes on sport performance psychology. We chat about the information Ro Learned from the IOC's new course on Athlete Mwntal Health and share resources for athlete screening. Ro also talks about how she found her passion for this field, working with young athletes, barriers to seeking a provider and we share some personal experiences on the topic as well.Resources: IOC mental health assessment and recognition toolshttps://olympics.com/athlete365/app/uploads/2021/06/BJSM-SMHAT-1-Athlete365-2020-102411.pdfhttps://olympics.com/athlete365/app/uploads/2021/06/BJSM-SMHRT-1-Athlete365-2020-102411.pdfLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out their website for inquiries on joining or supporting!Social media announces events: @angelcityeliteAngel City Elite is a women's running group based in the Los Angelese area. Their athletes have competed at the US Olympic Trials Marathon and other track and road races around the country. They are a small group of runners now but hope to support more women who want to contitnue to train at a high level post collegiately and also offer support to youth athletes as well as host community events. Their mission is to bridge the gap:Angel City Elite's mission is to bridge the disparity gap of BIPOC representation in the running community, raise awareness, empower, educate, and inspire by creating a supportive platform and establishing partnerships in LA and surrounding communities.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liberty AC is the oldest all women’s track club in the country, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. I speak to president of the board Viki Bok and official- unofficial team historian Alda Cossi (both women are competitive members of the masters running scene).Liberty has run through the gauntlet of sea changes in society via womens sport:It began as a new england sports club for young boys, and soon also became an opportunity for girls in sport when there were none-as schools did not offer this to girls in the 50s. During the 60’s and 70’s they had women athletes from many events in track and field competing for them and some went on to become Olympians and National Team Members and Champions like sprinters Betty Selman and Kathy Lawson to name a few. On the distance side of things, women like Darlene Beckford, Lynn Jennings and Joan Samuelson came through the program, and eventually professional contracts came into the picture to offer more support. (We didn’t talk about it as I wasn't sure who else had been traumatized by this but one of the eras of coaching in the club was that of John Babbington-who has recently been named as a serial abuser of his young athletes, which is extremely upsetting and a sadly not unheard of piece of the womens sport landscape . Currently, athletes and supporters are pushing for prevention and better protected against this.)Their website statement:“Liberty is a community of women committed to inclusive athleticism, compassion, and fairness. We are deeply disturbed to learn of the behavior that led to SafeSport’s investigation and findings of sexual misconduct by John Babington. We acknowledge the extraordinary strength it takes to share the pain associated with sexual misconduct, including assault. Liberty’s current board and membership want Lynn Jennings, Darlene Beckford Pearson, and others who suffered similar abuse to know that we stand with them and will do whatever we can to support their healing and justice.”  “today-Liberty is mostly adult women actively engaged in career and community in addition to being dedicated runners”The club is a hub for masters women athletes -some of which only tried competitive running once reaching this age. The fulfillment, community and healthy habits cultivated in the group are a benefit to women of all abilities and show you don’t become invisible or have to give up parts of your life when you hit a certain age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Lucas was a multi time All American at North Carolina State and Professional Distance runner for 8 years. She talks about how that's informed her own coaching approach and she tells us about the 2 NYC groups she is guiding and some other stops along the way on her coaching journey:Julia is currently working with the womens Elite Group Atalanta , the Atalanta community group training team online which you can join, a few private clients and the No Name Program (@thenonameprogram) community group. More from Julia here and on our blog Keeping-Track follow her on instagram @justrunjulia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly Talks to co founder Abeo Powder and Run LeadHer Alia Qatarneh about Boston Based women's running group TrailBlazHers Run co . They touch on topics like their big event -The Bra Run- their weekly events and other activations and how they are crearing a welcoming space for women to enter the running world and find community through all paces and levels of running. As they say they "Value and nurture the diversity in sisterhood!"Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly will also link the resources mentioned in the National Women and Girls In Sport Day recap on www.keeping-track.com , but here is more info onVaughn Childcare Fund for college MothersBooks: Good For A GirlHow She Did ItSites:Voice In Sport online mentorship program for girlsWomens Sports FoundationMolly catches up with Betsy Saina on her new journey as a Mother and American Citizen who has stepped from the track into the Marathon and road race world. Betsy recently signed with Asics and won the Seville half. Betsy talks about her struggle for motivation and lack of opportunities during Covid, her decision to have a baby in the middle of her running career and how her agent and new sponsor Asics reacted to this. She also talks about how much more support she has in Kenya around childcare and pacing duties compared to the USA. look for Betsy at the Tokyo Marathon next month !(note-baby noises in the background due to two Moms talking !)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly, Ro and Alysia all speak with their mutual friend Lauren about her new NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK Good For A Girl: A Woman Running In A Man's World.They talk about how the system (from NCAA to the professional side) could better serve a women's life cycle, body and needs and how playing in a system built by men for men has harmed women athletes by minimizing or not adequately addressing common pitfalls that young women athletes encounter, like eating disorders, negative body image and navigating puberty and pregnancy.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ro and I chat with friend of the pod Emily Sisson a few days after her amazing second place, 2:18:29 American Record run in the marathon-only her third crack at the distance, and talk about the build up, the race, recovery from covid, and how she’s grown as an athlete with her mental approach toward high pressure situations. Emily is a long time talent-from racing internationally at Pan American and World Jr championships in XC and on the track as a young athlete to winning indoor and outdoor NCAA 5000m titles, setting the indoor NCAA 5000m record, and as a pro representing Team USA at the 2017, and 2019 world championships and the 2021 Olympics in the 10,000. She is a 5 time USA champion over road and track distances and recently set the American record in the half marathon . Emily is a super talented and focused athlete and we can’t wait to hear about this big achievement that was a long time in the making! check out the feed!Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices