Michigan Runner Girl

Lifelong athlete and former collegiate volleyball player Sara Grey unexpectedly became a mother at a young age, in her 20s just as she was preparing to apply to law school. She describes that time of her life as challenging, and yet she also persevered—having her son, working hard to obtain her law degree—and she credits the "resilience and tenacity" she learned through moment and athletics as helping her not only get through a tougher time, but to ultimately thrive as a young mother and lawyer. 

Today, Sara practices law in Grand Rapids, Mich. and her son Henry, 18, just graduated high school. She's also recently launched WANNABE, maker protein blends and supplements for the everyday female athlete. "I want to help women find their own space and place and a community where they can grow and thrive and encourage. And train in resilience, and train in that sense of confidence—not just to train to have strong legs, but train to have a strong mindset. I want to create products that are the mirror back to women that celebrate their movement and power their movement and have messages along with it."  

"I have really invested a lot in my law career. I love the work that I do. But WANNABE, I feel called—I know it sounds a little cheesy—but i felt called. After I turned 40, I started to feel responsible for all the daughters I didn't have. As I got a little older, I started to think, what can we do for the next generation to help power them forward?"

Sara Grey is the Founder of WANNABE, maker protein blends and supplements for the everyday female athlete. As a three-decade athlete and whole-body health advocate, Sara’s pre-gym morning ritual meant making potions of protein, Ayurvedic herbs, supplements, superfoods, and power flowers. In order to get out the door faster, Sara streamlined her formulas, creating the first-of-their-kind WANNABE protein blends in the process. Sara is also the host of the podcast Power the Hustle where she interviews game-changing women from around the world about real bodies, real hustle and real team.

For months, Heather and Emma trained — as so many runners throughout Michigan (and beyond) did this spring — for the popular Bayshore Marathon that takes place each Memorial Day weekend in Traverse City, Mich. It would mark Heather's 4th Bayshore Marathon and 9th marathon overall, and for her daughter Emma, a 2018 high school graduate who celebrates her 18th birthday this month, the race would be her very first attempt at 26.2 miles following a 4-year high school cross country running career that included, after this spring's Gazelle Girl Half Marathon, five 13.1 races. 

Anyone who ran, or spectated, this year's Bayshore knows this: it was HOT. Brutally warm. Super humid. Low 70s at the 7:15 a.m. start — and it kept getting warmer. The weather certainly was fantastic for an exceptional long holiday weekend. But for running a marathon, half marathon or 10K? Not so much. (At least, not so for most runners who struggled with not having been acclimated to running in these conditions). 

Still, it was a beautiful day and it was Bayshore weekend — the unofficial kick-off to summer in northern Michigan.

Heather and Emma talk about the 18-week training plan they followed (they shared some of their runs on the MRG Youtube Channel, as well as on the MRG Facebook page). Emma also shares what it was like  committing to a marathon training plan during her senior year.

Mother and daughter get real about how the race unfolded (it was an emotional race, for more reasons than they expected), and what it meant to have shared this experience.

Ann Arbor-based race management company Epic Races is known for putting on, well, pretty epic races. From its flagship event Tri Goddess Tri each June and the American Home Fitness Detroit Women's Half Marathon, 10K & 5K in the fall, to a slew of year-round races and events for cyclists, skiers, swimmers, and runners, Epic Races provides myriad ways for us to stay moving. Eva Solomon helped start this company and she joins Heather on the show to talk about this year's events, including next month's 10th annual Tri Goddess Tri at Waterloo Recreation Area at Big Portage Lake State Park near Chelsea, Mich. (This also happens to be Heather's first triathlon a couple of years ago--it's a fantastic beginner-friendly triathlon that this year features the Olympic distance in addition to the sprint, mini-sprint, duathlon, and aquabike. Eva also talks about the special event happening over race weekend -- the Zen Tri, which takes place on Friday and includes running, yoga and meditating.

Tri Goddess Tri also is again welcoming well-known triathlete Meredith Atwood, who is behind the site and community Swim Bike Mom, to this year's event.

Be sure to use the special race discount code MRGEPIC2018 to receive 10% off any Epic Races race entry.

[Producer note: Eva and Heather talk about this spring's Ann Arbor Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K, which is another Epic Races event. Unfortunately this episode didn't come out prior to the race start as hoped. However, mark your calendars for next year's event!]

Scenic water views, Leelanau Peninsula wine, and cherries … all the makings of some fun and fabulous summer race weekends in Michigan, wouldn’t you agree?

As we look ahead to summer – this weekend marks the unofficial kick-off to the season, or what’s known as the 90 days of summer – MRG provides a closer look at three awesome summer racing events worth checking out: the Charlevoix Marathon, Half Marathon 10K & 5K on June 23; the National Cherry Festival of Races Half Marathon, 15K, 10K and 5K on July 7 in Traverse City; and the Vineyard to Bay 15K and 5K run/walk on Sunday, Sept. 2 in Suttons Bay.

Race directors Michelle Elliott (Festival of Races), Ross Deye (Vineyard to Bay), and Jeff Soffolk (Charlevoix) join Heather on the show to talk about their respective races – and also to share how these three events are part of the 2018 Record-Eagle Running Series.

You’ll hear why the Vineyard to Bay, which has contributed thousands of dollars to TART Trails and local schools in the past five years, moved to a new date – Labor Day weekend – and why pickle juice (and bacon) is served on the marathon course in Charlevoix. Michelle gives details of the cherry treats available post-race, and all three race directors talk about their own personal running adventures.

About the R-E Running Series: There is no cost to participate. Online pre-registration for the 2018 Record-Eagle Running Series is available until 8 am on Thursday, June 14 2018. Participation in the series is free. However, participants must register for each race and pay the according race fees on their event websites. Runners must participate in an event at the Charlevoix Marathon, Cherry Festival of Races and Vineyard to Bay Races. Times from all 3 events are combined, and at the Record-Eagle 2 Mile Championships in September, awards will be given to winners. Overall, Masters and Grand Masters Male and Female runners in each speed division will receive trophies and $100 cash. Top male and female runners in each age category will receive medals. 

https://events.bytepro.net/record-eagle-running-series

https://www.charlevoixmarathon.com/

http://www.vineyard2bay15k.com/

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/MeijerFestivalofRaces

“If there was ever a year where I thought this was not my year, this was the one.”

Elite runner Desiree Linden didn’t think she would win this year’s Boston Marathon, but in fact she did—and in doing so became the first American woman since 1985 to win the historic Patriot’s Day race that starts in Hopkinton and finishes 26.2 miles later in Boston.

Des, who trains in Rochester Hills and lives in Charlevoix with her husband Ryan, had figured she was in a re-building year following some time off from running in 2017. “I took the break probably in mid-July. Looking back, I had done the [Olympic] Trials, I had done the [Olympic] Games, then done Boston [2017], so three really high-stress, high-pressure marathons back to back to back, and physically it was a lot to ask of my body and mentally, it was just like, I was exhausted and it wasn’t really fun anymore. I felt like I was trying to have this big breakthrough performance and was forcing it more than anything. So I needed to step away and hit re-set and re-group and figure out what I really loved about the process and not focusing so much on the goal. So that gave me time to hate the process, fall in love with the process, and then set the next goal. And that happened over a really big amount of time.”

On this special live podcast recording, Des shares her journey to Boston – and what it was like to battle brutal weather conditions on April 16 – with co-hosts Heather Durocher and Pam Carrigan during the third annual Michigan Runner Girl Spring Getaway at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City, Mich.

Des speaks candidly about falling back in love with running. “It probably happened when I was training for this Boston.”

“I had ups and downs with it in November and December and January … It’s when you forget you’re trying and you’re just doing … it’s ‘oh, yeah I do love this.’”

She takes the audience through the miles of the race, including when she turned to fellow elite runner Shalane Flanagan and told her she wasn’t thinking this was her day and that she was there to help Shalane if she needed it, and what it really was like to run in such freezing, wet conditions: “I would take a snow day over, like 30,  just above freezing and rain. That’s the worst. Those are the worst conditions. It was bad at the start … and whatever the weather is, it’s only getting worse as you get into the city. That held true.”

Looking back on her historic win, Des believes her consistent training – over the course of many years – led to her triumphant moment of crossing the finish line and breaking the tape.

“When I got to the [start] line, it was like, last year I got my butt kicked so why should I expect anything different this year especially when I really haven’t pushed the envelope to try to get better? But that’s why we line up in a race, because every race is different … It all makes sense now.”

If Traverse City is among your summer travel destinations -- or you've been looking for an excuse to spend some time in this northern Michigan town on the shores of Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay -- you'll love this episode featuring a conversation between Heather and Coryn Briggs, a runner whose enviable job is digital content manager for Traverse City Tourism. 

Coryn is a return guest on the show -- she previously was on to talk about destination races with Kelly Yauk -- and she has lots to share about upcoming races, bike activities, and delicious food and wine events happening in the area this spring and summer. Coryn also shares her favorite routes to run in the Traverse City area -- and Heather chimes in with her favorites, too.

This "City Spotlight" episode kicks off a series of shows Heather will have focusing on different towns and regions of Michigan (and the cool things to do and places to run when you're there). If you have thoughts on what city Heather should focus on next, please email her at [email protected] 

Spots still remain for the 3rd Annual MRG Spring Getaway, set for May 4-6 at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City, Mich. Heather is joined on the show by co-hosts Pam Carrigan, MRG event coordinator, and Meranda Lambert, who oversees events at Timber Ridge. The trio talk about the upcoming girls' weekend, which includes everything from running and biking and hiking, to dining and shopping downtown, to relaxation and sunrise yoga -- and lots more. They also share details (and their hard-to-contain excitement) about the weekend's featured guest: 2018 Boston Marathon Champion Desiree Linden. 

Weekend registration is here: https://mkt.com/michigan-runner-girl

More event details are here: http://michiganrunnergirl.com/2018-mrg-spring-getaway/

Latest Retreat News: Desiree Linden, 2018 Boston Marathon champion, is the featured guest at the third annual Michigan Runner Girl Spring Getaway this May 4-6 at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City. Following her historic win on April 16 -- she is the first American woman to win the race since 1985 -- we are offering a special Friday evening-only option. Here's your chance to: go for a trail run with Des and enjoy drinks and heavy apps (and fantastic conversation) with Des as well as other like-minded women. We'll also have time to sit around the campfire with Des, who trains in Rochester Hills, Mich. and lives in Charlevoix with her husband Ryan and their dog Boston, and take in a cool slack-line demo by Sam at Backcountry North. Giveaways also will be part of the evening. And if you decide you'd like to stay the night, Timber Ridge has several lodging options -- you can also stay the entire weekend with us (simply sign up for the MRG Spring Getaway here at the online store; this Friday evening described above is all part of the weekend price.) For those who are interested only in the Friday evening option, simply purchase this option here. We're capping the event at 40 women, so please sign up soon if you're interested! We look forward to seeing you!

Wow, what a day! History was made when Michigan's own Desiree Linden, a 34-year-old runner who trains with Hanson-Brooks Original Distance Project in Rochester Hills and lives in Charlevoix, was the first woman to cross the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Her epic victory marked the first time an American woman has won this race since 1985. The first in 33 years! Des also demonstrated incredible sportsmanship when she slowed to make sure friend Shalane Flanagan (a fellow 2016 U.S. Olympic team member) was OK after she stopped for about 13 seconds to use the bathroom near the race's halfway mark.

Des, the two-time Olympian and 2011 Boston runner-up, pulled away at the end of Heartbreak Hill to finish in 2 hours, 39 minutes, 54 seconds. That was more than four minutes better than second-place finisher Sarah Sellers, one of seven Americans in the top 10.

"I'm thrilled. I'm exhausted. I left it all out there. Now I'm ready to warm up," Linden told CBS Boston. "It hurts right now, but it's a perfect day for me. This is a grinder's day. That's why I keep showing up here, and I think that's why I have success here is because I can kind of tough it out through anything.  

On this short-and-sweet MRG update episode (recorded a few days pre-Boston), Heather shares details of exciting things happening with Michigan Runner Girl, including having Des Linden be part of the upcoming 3rd Annual Michigan Runner Girl Spring Getaway on May 4-6 in Traverse City.

Lots more cool stuff shared during this update show! (Hint: new web site, Gazelle Girl info, fresh MRG designs!)

If you haven't yet listened to the MRG interview with Des Linden, take a listen here: http://michiganrunnergirl.com/desiree-linden-2-time-olympian-michigan-lover-ready-boston-2018/

For the fourth year, students in Kristy McDonald's business communications class are behind the popular BIG Little Hero Race at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. The race, which features a 10K, 5K & kids' fun run, is set for this Saturday, April 14. All proceeds of this run benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan.

As anyone who has planned a running event knows well, lots of time and energy go into bringing a race to fruition. Each year, a new crop of college students take on this task, handling everything from seeking and finding sponsorship and volunteers, to figuring out race-day logistics and marketing the event. On this episode: three of the students involved in this year's event -- Noah Britton, Lauren Peterson and David Filkins -- talk with Heather about what it's like to tackle this kind of real-life project as a college student. Race Director Kyle Brownley, a college graduate who returned to this project after starting with it as a student himself, also joins the conversation. They all give the scoop of how this race has come together this year, what runners can expect on race day, and why their post-race party is among the best around. 

Runners and walkers typically dress in costume for this race -- there will be lots of Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Ironman, and Captain America kids and families (among other fabulous costume choices). Free superhero capes are given to the kids. Races are timed and awards are handed out post-race.

While online registration has ended, day-before and day-of signups are available. The race takes place on part of the Bayshore route, making it a perfect training run if you're participating in the Bayshore Marathon, Half Marathon or 10K this Memorial Day weekend! 

Learn more and get signed up at biglittleherorace.com 

The race's Favebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BigLittleHeroRace

Sara Plumstead and Amy Haenick are friends who met through their shared passion for running and living healthy. And in recent time, they've become business partners -- the Detroit-area moms are behind Run Strong Project, which offers coaching and run-specific strength training. They join Heather on the show to talk about becoming friends (Sara also coaches Amy) and their interest in helping other athletes take their running and strength training to the next level. They also share solid tips for incorporating strength training into our routines and improving our running performance.

"Sara began coaching me as a runner about a year ago," Amy says. "We became fast friends and started Run Strong Project in January 2017. I absolutely love being a strength coach and helping others to become stronger and faster!" 

"I started running at the age of 30," Sara says, "after the birth of my second daughter. It was a wonderful stress relief as I adjusted to life as the parent of a special needs child who has a rare chromosome deletion. I ran my first half marathon in 2007, and my first marathon a year later, finishing in 3:31. Since then I have completed at least 20 marathons." As Sara "embarks on my 40s," she is attempting to lower her marathon PR from 3:04 to sub 3:00. She's also an ACE certified group fitness instructor and a VDOT O2 certified distance running coach. 

Amy says she's always loved fitness. "I grew up playing sports. In high school, I was a three-sport athlete participating in swimming, volleyball and softball." She was named Female Athlete of the Year of her high school and went on to Michigan State University and graduated with a degree in Recreational Therapy.  Amy talks about how during her freshman year of college she became anorexic. "It was a tough transition from high school to college and I felt a loss of control. Once I became healthy and recovered (still an ongoing struggle sometimes), I started running. Running helped me so much in my recovery," she says. She ran her first marathon in 1996 and qualified for Boston on her first try. She has since run 10 marathons, including Boston and holds a PR of 3:35.

Links:

Sara's blog (she is currently training for the Bayshore Marathon): Michigan Marathoner

Sara on Instagram: MichiganMarathoner

Amy on Instagram: AmyRunsDetroit

Run Strong Project