A little overdue, but it’s here: the recap (or…post mortem?!) of everything surrounding this year’s New York City Marathon weekend! 

Stef and Carolyn breakdown the course experience ‘chunk by chunk’ and also celebrate the fact that it was Carolyn’s return to the marathon distance after six, long years away due to injury. Stef shares her BTS perspective as a professional athlete who traveled to this world major marathon not to race, but rather, to support a friend, and how this kind of participation is often an overlooked aspect of the sport.

Of course, there’s also a discussion about the infamous, e-bike-induced controversy surrounding Matt Choi, which points to the bigger discussion about run-fluencers, content creators, and co-existence (does harmony exist?!). 

There are lots of surprises, star-encounters, and personal “IMHO” reflections. We hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we did! 

Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, ⁠⁠Mark Kalagayan⁠⁠, from the non-profit, ⁠⁠SPARC Worldwide⁠⁠.

As always, we are so grateful you’re here — in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #keepshowingup, keep running, and keep on being the change we wish to see.

#MakingStridesPod

#letsFlippindothis

#diversewerun

Find Stef ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Find Carolyn ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Hello again, everyone! We’re back after a brief break for the summer, and, just like the quick turn into the Fall season, we get right back into racing!

In this episode, we talk about some big wins — both on and off the race course: Stef has been on a solid, health-centered training trajectory, and she’s made some big wins in the ultra and trail space in the last month! Carolyn has also been working hard in her comeback-to-marathoning journey, and she talks about how her own life lessons have helped her encourage her son, who has entered the world of cross country and track.

Both Stef and Carolyn will be running the NYC Marathon at the beginning of November, and they talk about plans for race weekend and beyond.

Show Notes

0:05 - welcome welcome! Catching up after summer break

3:10 - Stef’s BIG WIN at the Above the Clouds 50K, and she talks about why the race and this past year’s training were so significant

8:45 - Stef talks about developing confidence and practicing assertiveness 

18:20 - hunting men and strategy on the race course

22:30 - Stef’s thoughts on safety when racing in rural areas, especially as an Asian American woman

38:55 - discussion on the impact of comparison, and Carolyn talks about navigating the Comparison Trap for herself while simultaneously also helping to coach her son through it

46:20 - diving into the NYC Marathon! Carolyn shares why this training block has been so significant for her

1:01:00 - Carolyn shares about the mental training and work she’s done with sports psychologist, Emily Saul, and how it has changed the way she views the future

Make sure to follow the ⁠Rising Hearts⁠ team and cheer on athlete Kali Ko Reis and Rising Hearts founder, ⁠Jordan Whetstone⁠, at the NYC Marathon!

Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, ⁠⁠Mark Kalagayan⁠⁠, from the non-profit, ⁠⁠SPARC Worldwide⁠⁠.

As always, we are so grateful you’re here — in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #keepshowingup, keep running, and keep on being the change we wish to see.

#MakingStridesPod

#letsFlippindothis

#diversewerun

Find Stef ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Find Carolyn ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

A recent article on irunfar.com made quite a splash, when the [white] authors called for feedback on the new 'progressive' initiatives launched by the Pro Trail Runners Association, and BIPOC women answered by calling out the lack of intersectionality and diversity.

In this episode, Stef and Carolyn address the harm that was caused while still acknowledging the good intent behind the initiatives, and they discuss the bigger picture of why feminism and inclusivity must be addressed with an openness to accountability.

Show Notes

1:25 - diving into Western States 100 (WSER) and the [lack of] diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility

4:00 - "you can be a good human and still make mistakes"

5:10 - overview of WSER, including pre-race events

7:30 - context for on-going concerns with spotlight ultra events such as WSER/UTMB and the driving force behind initiatives for change

9:50 - "what we don't need is continued divisiveness; we need to hold accountability and a path forward in how to educate and work together."

11:20 - "let's not make the mistake of making the discomfort of addressing a problem, the actual problem."

12:25 - article on irunfar and what was problematic about it

15:50 - inclusion is not implied; it needs to be explicitly addressed

17:40 - DM from BIPOC ultra trail runner who was at WSER

23:55 - the imperative to speak up and why it matters

24:50 - the cost of the White Gaze

29:10 - not acknowledging an aspect (like race) of a person is erasure

37:20 - what would it be like to be able to purely focus on performance goals without having to also hold the weight of inequities, invisibility, and representation?

43:00 - burnout

54:35 - real change happens when you enter into relationships

58:50 - true inclusion requires safety

1:03:00 - looking ahead

Additional Links:

GU Energy Labs and their work with Rising Hearts and athlete Alexandria Staten

Filmmaker and Rising Hearts founder, Jordan Whetstone

Filmmaker and Podcaster, Faith E. Briggs, who intentionally centers work by BIPOC individuals across the globe

Find Stef ⁠here⁠

Find Carolyn ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠

Stef and I get more into our different experiences growing up as Asian Americans — like how I felt like I was constantly straddling two separate worlds and identities, while Stef moved about not acknowledging her Asian ancestry. We also share about the steps we’ve taken as adults to reclaim and celebrate our heritage, whether through cooking more cultural foods, amplifying Asian American runners, or participating in more Asian American-centered events.

This was a whole therapy session, yall!

We also start to touch upon our thoughts on how social media has shaped running culture and community — and full disclosure: this topic is definitely to be continued! There are lots of unpack!

Special s/o to Alexandria Staten, the Rising Hearts athlete whom Stef has been coaching and who will be lining up to run Western States 100 this weekend! Make sure to go show her some love!!

We hope you enjoy this convo (take us with you on your next run!), and of course, subscribe, leave a rating and review if you do! The Making Strides Podcast is available across all streaming platforms now.

As always, we are so grateful you’re here — in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #keepshowingup, keep running, and keep on being the change we wish to see.

Notes:

00:06 - Carolyn and Stef shoot the shit for awhile, reflecting on Further, the Boston Marathon, Vegas travels, and moving

05:05 - Stef cautiously getting back into training for her upcoming 100K

08:10 - Carolyn’s family participating in the Boston AAPI 5K, and how different of an experience it has been for her kids to grow up as Asian Americans, compared to when Carolyn was a kid

17:00 - Carolyn and Stef get more in depth on their different experiences growing up as Asian Americans, and how they have sought to reclaim aspects of their heritage as adults

24:10 - Stef celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month by elevating one of her API athletes, Andrew, who immigrated from Korea and has had to navigate discrimination in the trail and ultra world

36:15 - Carolyn honors AANHPI Heritage Month by prioritizing AAPI athletes in the month’s Diverse We Run features; she highlights George Rehmet, the out-going President of the RRCA

41:50 - Carolyn and Stef delve into how social media has changed the sport and the ways we feel community (and this discussion is TBC!)

58:40 - looking ahead, Stef will be coaching Rising Hearts athlete, Alexandria Staten at Western States! Carolyn will be getting through her kids’ graduations, kick-starting summer vacation, and diving into marathon training!

Links:

Diverse We Run feature on George Rehmet

Rising Hearts 

Alexandria Staten

Find Stef ⁠here⁠.

Find Carolyn ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.

Buckle up! You're gonna wanna take notes, because in this convo, Stef and Carolyn talk with the indomitable Kayla Jeter and Charlie Dark!

This episode was recorded live, from The View Boston, during the Boston Marathon weekend -- exactly one month following the completion of lululemon's Further ultramarathon project.

We spoke about how we define ourselves and the importance of separating what we do from who we are. Charlie shared the impact of receiving Great Britain's MBE for his service and long-withstanding impacts on the community, as well as how running and training have evolved since he first entered the sport -- and what still needs to be done looking ahead. Kayla dove into her experience as a Black woman leader in a realm that often challenges accessibility, and the deeply personal significance to her of getting more people excited about health.

We are experiencing a movement right now, not a moment.

A movement that acknowledges culture and how diversity is what makes culture great.

A movement that underscores inclusivity and bridge-building as the way forward.

A movement that ultimately elevates, betters, and benefits everyone.

We are so grateful to be a small part of it, and we hope you enjoy this convo as much as we did!

Show Notes:

Start: bios and intro by Boston Community Lead, Sarah Mulvanity

3:50 - overview of convo for the day, focusing on the running journeys of Kayla and Charlie

5:10 - personal intros by each speaker, answering “who are you?”

8:00 - the significance of Charlie receiving Great Britain’s “M.B.E.” and what it represents to him personally, as well as its social and historical impact

15:20 - what role did movement have in each of Kayla and Charlie’s upbringing

22:30 - Charlie discusses the shift from hedonism to health

30:10 - Kayla’s experience as a Black woman, on accessibility and privilege in running

35:25 - deep dive into lululemon Further!

37:40 - each person’s goals before, during, and after the ultramarathon (starting with Stef, then Kayla, then Charlie)

54:05 - “if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go further, go together.”

1:01:00 - start of Q&A

Links: 

Kayla on IG

100 Miles of Summer

Charlie on IG

Run Dem Crew

Further Highlights, ⁠vol. 1⁠ and ⁠vol. 2⁠

⁠More on Further⁠

Find Stef ⁠here⁠.

Find Carolyn ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.

Out in the desert of Palm Springs, CA, a team of ten women set out on a 6-day, ultramarathon, with the goal of breaking world records and going "Further" than any team of women had gone before: enter, the lululemon Further Project!

When the dust settled, the ten women collectively ran approximately 3,000 miles and broke 12 world records! They also provided an unprecedented amount of physiological data that will change the course of women's running.

In this episode, Stef and Carolyn -- both of whom participated in Further as an athlete and crew captain, respectively -- process their thoughts and emotions coming off this one-of-a-kind event!

This episode also includes two conversations that were recorded, live, from Further -- one with returning guest, Mirna Valerio, and the other with fellow teammate, Vriko Kwok, the day after the conclusion of Further.

Get ready to GO FURTHER!

Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, ⁠Mark Kalagayan⁠, from the non-profit, ⁠SPARC Worldwide⁠.

Show Notes:

2:45 - diving into all that was lululemon Further!

4:40 - background: the conception of Further

7:00 - background: the diversity of athletes

9:00 - background: the female-focused research component

13:55 - the implications of impact of how Further brought together representation on a global platform

17:00 - the shift mid-race from performance to presence

22:05 - *special*: live convo with Mirna Valerio on Day 5 of Further

39:40 - *special*: live convo with Vriko Kwok, the day after the completion of Further

1:20:20 - announcements and upcoming events at the Boston Marathon

Links:

Further Highlights, vol. 1 and vol. 2

Mirna Valerio

Vriko Kwok

More on Further

Find Stef here.

Find Carolyn here and here.

How do you pull a seat up at the Table, when the Table has historically been an unsafe and unwelcome place for you?

Join us in another episode of the #MakingStridesPod, where we dive into the convo on why it’s so critical for companies and organizations to not simply talk about the value of DEIB, but to have Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging “baked in” the entire organizational culture.

We also chat Lunar New Year celebrations, both from our childhood and also how our perspectives have changed as adults.

As always, we would LOVE to hear from YOU: how did you celebrate Lunar New Year, what your experience has been with brands/orgs re: DEIB, and also ways you have been taking steps to challenge the status quo!

If you enjoy our convo, please leave a rating and review, as that helps more people find us!

Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, ⁠Mark Kalagayan⁠, from the non-profit, ⁠SPARC Worldwide⁠.

Thanks for being here. May we work to be the change we want to see!

Show Notes:

1:00 - Stef and Carolyn share about celebrating the Lunar New Year

4:14 - red envelope shenanigans

10:45 - how celebrating the Lunar New Year looks different, as adults

21:00 - Carolyn's experience participating in the 2024 Running USA Conference

33:50 - reminder of how we are not alone in doing the work of DEIB

34:40 - the importance of DEIB being "baked into" an organization's culture and structure

43:30 - Stef and Carolyn's roles in the upcoming, lululemon FURTHER project

“Not everything that counts can be counted.” Carolyn and Stef are back! The first episode of the year includes a lot of reflections on 2023, both personally and professionally, as well as the plan and mindset for moving into 2024.

As always, thanks for being here!

If you enjoy our convos, please like, subscribe, and leave a positive review!

Show Notes:

0:18 - intro and reconnecting after the holidays

3:18 - reflections on the first year of the Making Strides Podcast!

6:05 - Stef’s reflections on social media presence and usage, and how it has been connected with her growth in self-acceptance and advocacy

11:11 - how Stef’s shift towards self-acceptance happened

18:09 - reflections on the pace of Making Strides in 2023, as well as the plan for 2024

21:32- what Stef is looking forward to in 2024, particularly in coaching

25:05 - highlighting endurance athlete, Vriko Kwok

30:08 - what Carolyn is looking forward to in 2024, and shifting her mindset from being an ‘injured runner’ to a ‘healthy athlete’

Special thanks to our new Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide!

Noted in our convo:

Emily Saul, Sports Psychologist

Rising Hearts, grassroots org working to support and elevate Native communities

Alexandria Staten, Diné-Mexican runner, training for Western States 100 supported by GU Energy Labs, Rising Heart, and Stefanie Flippin

Vriko Kwok, entrepreneur and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu-turned ultrarunner, currently a Global Ambassador for lululemon and training for the lululemon Further project

Carolyn and Stef talk about bearing the impact and invisible load of microaggressions and discrimination, both in running and in life. Is it fair? How to we protect our peace while continuing to show up in the sport? We also discuss the importance of naming the problems we want to change.

Show notes:

6:25 - how raising a teen daughter who is Asian American brings to light the invisible burdens that women of color need to navigate

9:00 - Stef discusses impact of being reprimanded on runs, on multiple occasions

16:30 - Carolyn's encounter with a woman claiming 'all sides matter'

24:00 - how the burden to process situations in real-time and to 'keep it together' falls on POCs

29:20 - discussion on the crowds at UTMB, vs the cheer zone at Mile 21 at the Boston Marathon

33:40 - why should the burden on bridging the divide fall on BIPOC community?

39:00 - impact of not naming the actual issues of racism and the trickle-down problems it reinforces

42:00 - people mixing up Stef and Carolyn

49:00 - the problem of colorblindness and the privilege of uniqueness that whiteness provides

54:20 - wrap up! Carolyn and Stef share things they're grateful for and what they're looking forward to in the coming weeks

“Even the decision to train for a race is a privilege itself.”

Episode 5 of the #MakingStridesPod, ‘Barriers to Entry,’ drops today!

In this episode, Stef and I get into how participating in a trail or ultra race event isn’t as simple as ‘just stepping outside’ (as some claim).

There’s a reason why women only comprise 23% of the trail and ultra scene (and that number drops to 16% at distances over 50 miles), or why fewer than 25% of participants in the outdoors are People of Color (and yes, that number dropped starting in 2020, as racially-charged hate crimes increased, according to the US Dept. of Justice).

In light of heated online discussions of Western States 100, along with the significance of the announcement of lululemon’s Further project, we dedicated this episode to addressing the various barriers that many populations face, when considering whether or not to participate in a trail or ultra event.

While setting aside entries for marginalized groups is a good start, it doesn’t do a person any good to throw them onto a Start Line without factoring in the social and environmental safety of the race event itself, and without giving them the tools, knowledge, and support to succeed.

We hope this convo is insightful and spurs the sport towards change!

You can find us on most podcast platforms now (yay!!), and, if you enjoy our episodes, please leave a rating and review, as it helps keep our show relevant for more listeners!

Thanks for being here. May we work to be the change we want to see.

Carolyn & Stef

Show Notes:

00:01 - chatting summer activities thus far

04:30 - Stef talks about being a part of the lululemon Further project. "The whole goal is to see what's possible when a brand fully goes in on holistically supporting female-identifying athletes," vs the "shrink it and pink it" ideology.

11:20 - discussion on how intensive and comprehensive it is to train for ANY race

13:40 - Carolyn talks about her experience as a Woman of Color (Asian American), being invited to participate in her first, multi-stage race, the TransRockies Run, and how her primary reason for participating was to build representation and to help change norms

23:50 - the privilege behind the belief that "the outdoors is for everyone!"

24:50 - Stef shares insights and reflections on Western States, especially in light of online discussions of who has access to the sport and who does not

34:15 - how preparation for a race event entails more than a comped race entry; what does it mean to prepare athletes with both the knowledge and the skills to perform well and to want to return

39:15 - Carolyn discusses the advantages and privilege she had access to, in order to get support to simply participate at the TransRockies Run

Trail & Ultra Race Orgs actively working to be safe, accessible, and inclusive:

The Active Joe

Yeti Trail Runners

Aravaipa Running

Go Beyond Racing

Rock Steady Running

Mendocino Movement Project (designed by and for adaptive athletes)

Bolton Valley

Trail Sisters

Dirtbags Run