We first met Dr. Cucuzzella eight years ago at the University of Virginia Running in Medicine Conference, where he shared his tips for injury free running. Since then, we’ve shared his drills and tips with hundreds of runners. In addition to discussing training tips and philosophies for injury-free running —Dr. Mark is a 29-time sub 3:00 marathoner—Dr. Mark shares his nutrition and fueling philosophies, which will be surprising to many listeners. In addition to his high-level training and practicing medicine, Dr. Mark owns a minimalist shoe running store, Two Rivers Treads, coaches youth XC camps, and is the race director for the Freedoms Run Marathon and Half in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. To learn more about Dr. Mark, including his latest book, Run for Your Life, check out www.drmarksdesk.com

Eric Melby is a top-ranked grandmasters runner, an 11-time Boston Marathoner, and a survivor. In this episode, Eric shares his incredible comeback story after suffering from unexpected complications following a routine surgery’. Anyone who has experienced a setback or injury will relate to Eric’s approach to his running and why he refuses to compare himself to....himself! We appreciate Eric’s candor and willingness to share his incredible story of resiliency, and we know his experience will resonate with all listeners. Special thanks to RNJ Sports for sponsoring this very special episode.

Everyone seems to know knows Aaron Anderson. Runners know him for his speed—he’s a 2:38 marathoner; parents know him for his talents as a DJ and teacher/owner of two companies, Heights and Beyond and A Squad Entertainment, and his family and friends know him for his entrepreneurial energy, positivity, and huge smile. Aaron shares how he struggled with ADHD and how he used running as a way to connect with others and overcome obstacles to achieve unimaginable goals. Aaron shares why and how his optimistic approach to life has led him to achieve success in running and business and how he’s pivoted his businesses during the pandemic. This episode will resonate with anyone who has struggled or knows someone who has struggled with any kind of learning (dis)Ability. We appreciate Aaron’s candor and willingness to share his inspiring journey. Thanks to RNJ Sports for sponsoring the podcast again this week!

Once again it’s time for our monthly coaching and conversation episode. After recapping the running news of the week, Julie and Lisa answer listeners’ training questions and provide tips for running happy, healthy, and strong all summer long. Thanks so much to RnJ Sports for sponsoring the podcast!

DC area runner, Kerry Allen, shares her incredible journey from casual runner to “get in shape,” to Olympic Trials Qualifier. A former high school all-state runner, Kerry stopped running freshman year at Duke and nearly gave up the sport altogether. A few years later, a roommate convinced her to train for a marathon, and eventually, she was hooked. In 2013, Kerry decided to train to qualify for the Olympic Trials. She spent five years chasing that dream with many setbacks along the way. Kerry shared the obstacles she had to overcome, including injuries and DNFs, and how (and why) she did not give up. Kerry’s story will resonate with any runner who has (or has not) achieved a big auspicious goal. Kerry, who runs for Georgetown Running Club, can be found on Instagram at @KLA2222, or run commuting to her office on Capitol Hill. Thank you RnJ Sports for sponsoring our podcast. Use the code to receive a free pair of Feetures socks with purchase.

Roman Gurule, who was a guest on our shoe episode in February, is back on the show again for a very different reason. In mid-May, Roman contracted coronavirus, spent a week in the hospital, and is now recovering. Roman graciously offered to share his experience on the podcast to help others navigate this unpredictable virus. We are so grateful for Roman’s willingness to come on the show, and we wish him all the best as he continues to recover.

This week, we had the pleasure of speaking to acclaimed author and Boston Marathoner, Elise Hooper, about her new book, Fast Girls, which we devoured in two days because it’s SO good. Hooper shares why she decided to write a book about the the true stories of three members of the first integrated women’s Olympic team, Betty Robinson, Helen Stephens, and Louise Stokes, and their journeys to a place on the track team in the 1936 summer games in Berlin. Hooper shares the incredible obstacles these three trailblazing women had to overcome, including surviving a plane crash, enduring systematic racism, and an extraordinarily uncomfortable meeting with Adolf Hitler. to run in Berlin. The book will be released on July 7, 2020, and can be found through any local or national bookseller and can be pre-ordered at www.bookshop.org. 

Many thanks to our FIRST sponsor, RnJ Sports! (www.rnjsports.com). Use the code RFF Feetures to receive a free pair of socks with any $100 purchase on their website, over the phone, or once they open, in stores.

Throughout this pandemic, we've been sharing articles on our social media from multiple publications in which Dr. Erich Anderer is frequently quoted. Rather than just post the articles, we thought we would reach out to the source.  When we did, we learned that he is a founding member of the North Brooklyn Runners and a Boston Marathoner.  Dr. Anderer couldn't have been more gracious with his time.  He's a busy guy.  In addition to serving as the Chief of Neurosurgery at NYU Langone – Hospital  Brooklyn, and an assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery  at the NYU School of Medicine, he's a runner, yogi, musician, and a dad.  Dr. Anderer was born in Japan and grew up in NYC,  where his family utilized a Reiki and shiatsu practitioner in  conjunction with the family physician for preventative health care and  maintenance.

Dr.  Anderer performs about 200 spine and brain surgeries a year, but his goal is to keep patients out of his office.  As a result, he has a special nterest in self care as a  means to prevent and treat most causes of neck and back pain. He is also  helping to investigate ways to reduce the use of opiates in  post-surgical patients, and eliminate their use in chronic pain. When COVID-19 spread to the NYC area, all elective surgeries were canceled, and as a result, Dr. Anderer became a key physician in treating coronavirus patients.  We learned SO much from Dr. Anderer, and we hope our listeners do as well.  Please share this information with your friends and family,He provided  a lot of sound advice.

Links:

Dr. Anderer can be found on Instagram: www.instagram.com/drerichanderer and in a number of articles.

https://www.insider.com/can-you-go-for-a-run-coronavirus-quarantine-social-distancing-2020-3

https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-super-spreader-events-reveal-gatherings-to-avoid-2020-5

https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1548451032/erich-g-anderer

Run Farther & Faster Instagram (www.instagram.com/runfartherandfaster), Facebook (www.facebook.com/runfartherfaster)

www.runfartherandfaster.com

Kellie Redmond's Core Classes:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0f45aaa6229-zoom

During this incredibly heartbreaking time in our nation, we wanted to use this podcast to amplify a strong voice in our running community, Dr. William Etti, a talented runner, father, PhD, and a black male. Will, who we’ve had the opportunity to coach on and off for several years, offered to come on our podcast after providing some responses to the president of the RRCA on what the running community can do to be more inclusive and diverse. In doing so, Will shared openly how he has been racially profiled and how, as a black man, running and life looks different for him. He did the same in this episode and so much more. We so appreciate Will’s willingness to talk honestly and openly with us about his experiences with racism in a variety of contexts throughout his life.

Following the BAA announcement, Lisa and Julie discuss it all, including whether or not one should run virtual and whether to include a virtual half marathon, such as the Parks Half Marathon, within the virtual marathon to earn two virtual medals.