Michigan Runner Girl

For breathtaking Lake Michigan views, lots of spectator support, race distances for everyone, and an energetic finish line vibe in the heart of downtown Muskegon, the Mercy Health Seaway Run is the early-summer event to check out.

Taking place on the 4th Saturday in June each year, the Mercy Health Seaway Run has been a tradition along the Lakeshore for more than three decades. For the past couple of years, Heather has taken part in the event, as a runner in the half marathon and 10K, and as a participant in the race expo that is held the Friday before the races. The event also features a 5K and Community Fun Walk course, winding through historic neighborhoods with views of Muskegon Lake.

Race Director and runner Andrew Buikema joins Heather to talk about this year's races, set for June 22. They talk all about this year's events, which includes a slightly altered half marathon course, the event's 8 new race ambassadors, the special beer that's being offered at the finish (made just for this race), and lots more -- including how Andrew is training for the Bayshore Marathon this spring and how he has a big goal in mind for this race. They also catch up about this spring's memorable Gazelle Girl Half Marathon, 10K & 5K – Heather talks about her half marathon with Emma while Andrew, who was there throughout the weekend to help with the race and have a booth at the race expotique, shares what it was like to be at the finish line as the final runner crossed – as snow continued to fall. That's April in Michigan for you!

Learn more about the Seaway Run and get registered here: https://seawayrun.com/

A special race discount code for MRG listeners and readers is mentioned during the show as well.

The Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K keeps on growing—last year the September races in west Michigan saw a 60% increase in registrations, with nearly 900 runners participating and 2,000 people taking part in the after-party. Eddie Kline, race founder and director, returns to the podcast to talk about this year's event, now in its sixth year and set for Sunday, Sept. 8 in Holland, Mich. "The half marathon almost sold out last year, and it will for sure this year," he says.

Eddie and Heather also talk about his "tale of two halves and a failed BQ" at last fall's Columbus Marathon. Eddie gets candid about realizing during the race that things weren't going the way he'd planned—and how he ultimately changed his mind-set and found a way to remain positive about the experience. "In the end, the people made the difference for me. Even with a failed BQ, I had an amazing marathon and loved every minute of it." Eddie is tackling his first ultramarathon, a 50-miler at Dances with Dirt this September in Pinckney, Mich.

With his Holland Haven race, Eddie says he wanted to create a quality hometown race experience for runners, along with providing a final opportunity to snag a Boston-qualifying time in west Michigan. Unlike many races, the Holland Haven offers an expo on race day itself as part of the post-race party that features free beer, cider, and food—for runners as well as spectators. Eddie talks about this year's new feature—a team runner series—and how the race gives back to local charities and organizations including Camp Geneva, Team Red, White and Blue, and Medals4Mettle.

Race details on the Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K website: https://www.hollandhavenmarathon.com/

He's run 5Ks with his family, and remembers taking on the Bayshore 10K back in the day when he was young, but Trevor Tkach still doesn't exactly call himself a runner (Heather tells him otherwise). And yet, the 42-year-old father of three decided this winter to step it up and take on his longest distance to date: 13.1 miles. Trevor acknowledges he's going outside his comfort zone by training for his first half marathon – the Bayshore Half Marathon that takes place over Memorial Day weekend in his hometown – and so far, the training he's experience has exceeded his expectations.

"I hit the 6-mile mark this weekend and it felt good. The mistakes I've made in the past when I was younger, they were 'Oh, it's a beautiful day, I just want to go run forever, but I'm not ready for it.' I would not train. I'd go run 6 or 9 miles and then I'd pay for it the rest of the week. But after running these 6 miles, the day after I felt great, because I have followed the training."

Trevor, who is the CEO and president of Traverse City Tourism, shares how he decided to take on the half marathon (his friend and training partner, Justin, played a big role), the food he is looking forward to eating after (and maybe during) his race, and what it feels like to slowly increase his distance and evolve from a "2- to 3-mile runner" to a distance runner.

Trevor also talks about his role in helping bring IRONMAN 70.3 to Traverse City this August, the positive impacts this event will have on northern Michigan, and what he says is his absolute perfect day in the Traverse City area. Finally, he gives the inside scoop on some great ways to celebrate Michigan Wine Month this May if you're traveling north.

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This episode is supported by the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa and Traverse City Tourism.

Looking for a great, beginner-friendly trail run this summer? The 13th annual Brainy Day Trail Run 10K & 5K on August 17 in Nunica, Michigan has all the makings of the perfect off-road race: a 5K that's scenic and comfortable for those of us just getting into trail running, and a 10K that provides plenty of challenging fun (yep, there are hills!). The race, which has grown considerably in the past couple of years and benefits the Brainy Day Fund, also boasts an incredible after-party—homemade banana bread, anyone? In addition, Michigan craft brewer Oddside Ales provides cold ones and there's local pizza, fruit and other goodies.

"I think as runners there are some races every year we run, and there are some races we do every year because it's a great experience," says race director Kevin Curley. "Our main goal is to create an experience."

An extra bonus—and at the heart of this race—is proceeds go to an important cause. The Brainy Day Trail Run supports and raises awareness for those who suffer from a neurological condition called hydrocephalus. All proceeds are donated to The Brainy Day Fund, which supports families through a scholarship program as well as provides research grants for medical professionals looking to end hydrocephalus.

A race discount code is shared during the episode, just for MRG listeners. Use it before early bird pricing ends March 31 for the best savings.

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Also on this week's show...Jonny is back in northern Michigan!! Musician Jonny Tornga, who is part of the production team here at the MRG podcast, has spent the past couple of years in New York City, where he worked for Lululemon and truly found his, ahem, footing in the running community. Heather is super excited to have him on the show to give us a run-down (sorry, too many puns?) on life as a runner in the Big Apple and what it's like to return to his hometown after some time away. Jonny, who is training for this spring's Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City, started running because of his involvement in producing this show. He ran his first 5K at the Great Beerd Run and then jumped to the 25K at the Riverbank Run.

"I got to do a lot of growing up as a runner in New York City, which is an experience all on its own," he says. Winter running isn't the same in NYC, he found. "It's cold, but we get very little snow there. So that's been interesting coming back [to Traverse City] and training for the Bayshore this year. I had turned into a little bit of a wuss out there. We get a lot of rain, so I ran in a lot of rain. It's been interesting...and dealing with cars. In New York City, it's normal to run in the streets and you come here and it's a little bit frowned upon sometimes to run in the streets. So that's been another interesting thing."

Jonny is training for his second marathon, this spring's Bayshore Marathon. "It's a longer distance for me, but I'm excited to dig into it."

It's a milestone year for the Northwestern Michigan College business students who are behind the BIG Little Hero Race, a family-friendly 10K & 5K & kids fun run held on the Traverse City campus each April. This superhero-themed race, which raises funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, is celebrating its fifth year. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 13. NMC students Nick Mulvaine, Katy Rogers and Liz Manor share the details of this year's race. Also joining the conversation: Race Director Kyle Brownley and Ty Schmidt, this year's Local Hero and co-founder of Norte, a Traverse City-based organization dedicated to building stronger, better connected and more walk/bike friendly communities by empowering the young and young at heart. This race is always a great time—runners and walkers dress up in fun superhero costumes (MRG was Wonder Woman one year) and there are tons of activities post-race for kids and their families. It's also a perfect training race for Traverse City Bayshore Marathon runners. Most importantly, the race benefits an essential organization in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan. Here are 6 reasons to run this year's race: https://michiganrunnergirl.com/6-reasons-to-run-this-springs-big-little-hero-race-in-traverse-city/ Watch for giveaways on the BIG Little Hero Race Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/BigLittleHeroRace/

Who doesn't love a shiny, new race medal draped around their neck after crossing the finish line of a race? Yep, we runners and triathletes dig the bling that comes with pushing through the miles and into the finish chute, whether the race is a hard-won accomplishment after months of training or a super fun run with family or friends. But what do you do with all of those medals? Hang them in your home? Stash them in a box in your closet?

West Michigan runners Heather Dunbar and Eddie Kline share their involvement with Medals4Mettle, an organization that takes donated medals and awards them to children and adults who must run a much more difficult race as they struggle to save their lives. "These medals are awarded to honor the mettle and courage it takes to face the challenges of the race we all share together: the human race."

Since 2005, thousands of endurance athletes have donated their hard earned finishers' medals to Medals4Mettle. This growing global all-volunteer network then affixes its branded M4M ribbon to the donated medals, and joyfully awards them to others. Since the first medal awarded by Founder Dr. Steve Isenberg in 2005, over 55,000 medals have been awarded by approximately 70 chapters in 80 hospitals worldwide.

Heather Dunbar is coordinator of the Grand Rapids chapter of Medals4 Mettle, and Eddie Kline is the race director of the Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K as well as the Backward Mile, an event that takes place April 23 and benefits Medals 4 Mettle.

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About the Backward Mile in Holland, which takes place Tuesday, April 23:

The Backward Mile is a fun family run for a great cause. Runners will start at the finish line and end at the start line. Runners will dress backward and run backward. Instead of receiving a finisher medal, runners turn in an old race medal. The Backward Mile will collect an old race medal from each participant, then donate those medals to Medals4Mettle. These medals are awarded to residents at Benjamin's Hope in Holland, Mich. to pay it forward to those who must run a much more difficult race than the medal donor's race; a race they did not choose to run. (Not required to turn in a medal to participate, everyone is welcome)

Coming off three big endurance sport conferences, including the 2019 Running USA Industry Conference held Feb. 10-12 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Eva Solomon catches up with Heather and brings listeners up to speed on some of the latest happenings in the world of running and triathlon.

Eva, who is co-founder and owner of Epic Races, a race management company in southeast Michigan, also talks about the upcoming Ann Arbor Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. And, all new this year, a 19-mile training run (a perfect long run for those in the final weeks of training for this year's Boston Marathon, Eva says.)

Eva shares what runners can expect at this year's Ann Arbor Marathon, which is set for Sunday, March 24. Midway through the show, Eva and Heather are joined by two runners and veterans who are part of Team Red White and Blue (Team RWB), an organization that Epic Races partners with for many of their racing events. Ryan Taylor, a U.S. Marine Corp veteran, is a cyclist and marathoner. Thomas Sumner, a U.S. Army veteran who has been involved with Team RWB for a few years, shares how he went from being "a couch potato" to walking many miles while carrying a heavy backpack.

Ann Arbor Marathon details: All events start and finish in view of one of Ann Arbor's most memorable landmarks, The University of Michigan Stadium. Participants run through downtown Ann Arbor, then wind their way through the city's streets and parks as well as the University of Michigan campus. The marathon and half marathon courses also encompass stretches along the Huron River and Gallup Park and through Nichols Arboretum before returning to campus and downtown. The full marathon is two loops.

The 10K is a true trail running going through Nichols Arboretum including the infamous "Arb Hill"!

The 5K is a beautiful run through The University of Michigan's campus and the surrounding area with a fun finish line party with all four races hosted by 26.2 Brew (Eva gives us the low-down on this new Samuel Adams beer.)

When exactly did you take that first step that led you toward becoming a runner? Maybe a friend or family member inspired you to give it a try. Maybe it was a life experience of some kind that triggered self-reflection and ultimately the decision to do things differently, to try something you'd never tried before because you knew it could be good for you.

Each of us has our own reason for starting to run and move more—and going down the path that can lead to seriously amazing changes for our health and well-being. And before we know it, running somehow evolves from simply an activity to a way of living. Our lifestyles, and the people we find ourselves meeting and gravitating toward, are entirely different in the best possible ways compared to where we had been before.

Jennifer Lotterman, a runner from west Michigan, and Holly Visser, a runner, yoga teacher and race director of this spring's Gazelle Girl Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K in Grand Rapids, share their stories of becoming runners and how their paths have intersected along the way.

This is a conversation we all can relate to: how we find ourselves becoming runners and how that changes our lives. If you're thinking, I'm not sure I am a runner, or I want to become a runner but I'm not sure how this works exactly—or, you've been running and active for a long time and could use some inspiration and reminding about why this lifestyle is just so rewarding and wonderful (and who couldn't use some of that?)—this episode is for you.

Holly also shares details of this spring's Gazelle Girl Half Marathon, 10K & 5K, set for Sunday, April 14 in Grand Rapids. Race weekend is going to be something special this year with a Friday event featuring speaker and inspiring runner Mirna Valerio.

Be sure to use the special MRG discount code to save $5 on your race entry. Code: GG19MRG5

Register here: http://gazellegirlhalfmarathon.com/

What happens when you get more than 35 fabulous, outdoor-loving, active women together for a winter weekend away in the woods? One memorable, epic adventure.

On this latest episode, you'll hear all about the awesome activities that are part of the annual MRG Winter Weekend Getaway in Roscommon, Michigan, which this year took place Feb. 8-10. You'll also hear from the women themselves, who participated in the event's LIVE podcast recording that featured special guest Mike Swinger, a northern Michigan physical therapist who stopped by to share his expertise and answer all of our running injury and prevention questions—and oh, did we ever have some questions for him!

Heather and retreat co-host Pam Carrigan Swinger talk with Mike, a father of four who recently published a book, "Runner's Fix," which is for runners wanting to stay injury-free and run their best. It covers all the common areas where runners tend to have struggles and gives suggestions for how to address these areas on your own. (We gave away a couple of copies during the retreat weekend, and we've got a couple more to give away to listeners of this episode! Details are shared by Heather near the end of the conversation.)

Mike has worked closely with runners of all ages and abilities, ranging from first-time 5K runners to collegiate All-Americans, Boston qualifiers, and Ironman competitors, helping them stay injury-free. He started his website RunPhys.com in 2015 as a resource for runners with videos covering running form, exercise routines, and injury prevention.

The MRG Winter Weekend Getaway takes place each winter, usually in late January or early February, at the Ralph A. MacMullen Conference Center on Higgins Lake. This is a stunning Michigan Department of Natural Resources property – MRG is proud to partner with the DNR on this retreat and gives back a percentage of all merchandise proceeds each year to our beautiful state parks. The weekend includes snowshoeing, cross country skiing, running, yoga, great food and drink, rest & relaxation (chair massages, anyone?), special speakers, and a whole lot of laughter and connection with like-minded women from all across the state of Michigan (and sometimes beyond!). Learn more about MRG special events here.

"If you had told me four years ago I was going to be a triathlete, I would have laughed. It was nothing I had an inspiration to do, and quite frankly, it was something that seemed intimidating to me to do."

This is how northern Michigan runner Deb Kimball described her thoughts about triathlon prior to deciding to go for it and give swimming-biking-running a try in the past couple of years. Being part of a team of new and experienced triathletes—Tri Again Fitness—has made all the difference for this Traverse City athlete. "So much of my love of triathlon is really a love of the people I'm training with. Our team is like a family."

Deb Kimball and fellow Tri Again Fitness team member Kasha Martin join Heather on the show to talk about their evolution as runners-turned-triathletes. Both are training for IRONMAN 70.3 Traverse City this Aug. 25. Deb prefers nighttime workouts in the pool, while Kasha is committed to early morning exercise so that she can focus the rest of her day on work and being mom to her four young children.

Both women talk about how they came to love triathlon and what it means to be part of a team. They also share what it's like to be married to triathletes and how they fit training in their full lives. "Triathlon training is my part-time job...It's a huge time commitment," Deb says.

Both Deb and Kasha had to work hard to become swimmers. "I pretty much floundered in the water," Deb said. "I was not a swimmer. I doggy paddled," added Kasha.

Having team support is amazing, both women said. "When you go to these events, it's not just you. It's a group of people. You're in it together and they're cheering you on."

"They're waiting for you at the finish line," Kasha said. Her advice for anyone looking to give triathlon a try? "Go find yourself a team or club or anything because it really makes the world of difference."