RunChats with @RonRunsNYC

I am honored to share Jennie Clark Brackens' INSPIRING story. It’s a long pod, but is full of so many valuable life lessons that we needed extra time to explore Jennie’s journey!

In Jennie’s words:

"Two friends reminded me of my years when I hid myself away from the world. Life was always hard. I stumbled too much. Nothing was ever fair. Carrying burdens is exhausting.

Then, everything changed in the first days of 2013. I found an impetus to lighten my baggage: literal movement. I stopped living like a victim. Stopped making excuses. Stopped looking at what others had that I didn’t. I forced myself back into owning my life and created patterns of activity that became habits; practices still holding strong nearly 8 years later.  That year, I also met empowering likeminded people and in 2014, I leaned on them to teach me to run, something I swore that I’d never be able to do. I’ve never been more wrong about anything."

Some of the topics we discussed include:

-Her dad, who was her mentor, and their adventures on the trail

-Losing a fiancé at an opioid treatment center

-Depression and shutting out the world

-Going to the gym for the first time

-Learning to run

-Falling in love with trail running

-Meeting like-minded people

-Creating a tribe and building a community

-Facing a huge fear...taking on the JFK 50

I'm so happy our paths crossed at the JFK 50 at mile 40 and we shared some positive energy! Jennie faced down her fears and absolutely CRUSHED her 1st Ultra, running a 9:48:57 and finishing 11th in her age group!

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Connect With Jennie:

Instagram: @brackensbird

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano

Leah Jantzen is a total badass who is truly sucking out all the marrow of life! A mom of four, performance coach, & business strategist who helps endurance athletes train their brains for peak performance, Leah is a 5x Boston Marathoner & 2x IRONMAN Finisher who qualified for Kona in 2020!

Considering Leah didn’t run her 1st Marathon until age 42, her running & triathlon resume is even more mind-blowing!

We talked:

-Mindset

-Goal-setting

-Facing your weaknesses

-Where her competitive fire comes from

-Group training -- working with faster people in the water, on the bike, & on the run

-Mantras

-Slaying dragons

Leah is also a motivational speaker & self-help author. Please check out her website, leahjantzen.com, to learn more & engage her services.

We easily could’ve talked for a few more hours & I hope you’ll enjoy Leah’s energy as much as I did

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Connect With Leah:

Instagram: @leahjantzen

Website: https://www.leahjantzen.com

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano

It was such a treat welcoming back my friend Marcus Brown, aka @themarathonmarcus, for a deep-dive on his sub-3 breakthrough at Dorney Lake! What an INSPIRING journey it’s been following Marcus from 4:55 marathoner to 2:56.

We discussed his last 3 races that were building blocks to achieving his breakthrough at Dorney Lake:

-Manchester, where he ran a 3:05 DESPITE getting sick both the night before and at the finish line.

-Berlin, where he ran a 3:01 off a substandard training cycle. 

-New York, where he finished with a 3:00:19 on, unquestionably, the toughest course.

We reviewed:

-Marcus' race buildup. Where there any changes in key workouts?

-Lessons learned throughout the process.

-The last night's meal and his pre-race breakfast.

-His fueling strategy.

-The race day blow-by-blow. Marcus takes us through it ALL.

-His mental game, mindset, and mantras.

I'm so thrilled for Marcus and I’m sure you’re all gonna be inspired hearing him take us through it!

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Connect With Marcus:

Instagram: @themarathonmarcus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marathon.marcus

Website: https://marathonmarcus.com

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano

*Please Note: This podcast includes a discussion about eating disorders that may be upsetting to some listeners.*

I am so excited to share Beth Marzigliano's amazing story! Beth ROCKED a big PR running 2:45 in the Boston Virtual Marathon, placing 1st overall!

Beth’s running journey has seen some remarkable highs and lows and I’m so thankful she was open to sharing all of it.

At Red Bank High School, she was part of a DMR team that WON Penn Relays and set the national record at Adidas Outdoor National Championships in the DMR.

After missing most of the indoor season her senior year with a stress fracture, Beth was freaking out before her state meet that she was “too fat” and ended up making herself throw up her dinner the night before the meet. The next day, after being injured all season, she shocked herself winning the 800m, running a PR of 2:19 (the only race she EVER won on a track).

This race got her noticed by colleges and helped get her a scholarship to run for LaSalle University.

It was here that Beth’s running started to become an unhealthy obsession. She began feeling that to run fast she had to be skinny and developed an eating disorder. Measuring body parts, doing tons of sit-ups, not eating enough, and making herself throw up before races, bulimia put a strain on her relationships with friends, family, and teammates, and left her feeling exhausted, depressed, and completely burned out to the point where she thought she might never run again.

Fast-forward five years and Beth wanted to lose a few pounds before her upcoming wedding. She started a couch to 5K program and made three major commitments this time around in her journal:

A. She would never make herself throw up. Period.

B. Make sure she gets her period every month.

C. Keep running FUN.

Six years later, Beth has completely reframed her relationship with food, running, and is having FUN! Her husband and family have been there to help every step of the journey and she is now a mom of two young boys, who were out there cheering her on!

For anyone who has struggled with an eating disorder, I hope you’ll take a listen and be inspired by Beth’s remarkable running and life journey...and it’s just getting started! I'm proud of Beth for sharing her previous struggles so candidly on such an important health issue.

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Connect With Beth:

Instagram: @bethmarzig

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano

I am so excited to share Megan Lavins' incredibly inspiring story! Megan is 24, didn’t run in high school or college and in just her 3rd marathon, rocked a 2:48 in the Boston Virtual Marathon, placing 2nd overall!

The family traveled to Hilton Head, SC to celebrate her birthday and I think this race experience will last a lifetime!  Megan had her “A-Team” on the course to lend support, provide fluids, and even had the locals cheering her on by the 2nd loop.

Some of the things we discussed in this episode include:

-Race planning -- running by feel vs pace charts

-Her biggest role model (her dad)

-Her favorite runner (Shalane Flanagan)

-Finding a coach (and a few of my recommendations: Casey Kilareski, James McKirdy, and Greg McMillan)

-The NYC running scene and finding fast training partners (like Ana Johnson and Kate Pallardy)

-Her next big goal

Megan is guided by faith, family, and has a fire in her belly to see where running can take her. I’m ALL-IN on her exciting future and am sure you all will be, too.

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Connect With Megan:

Instagram: @meganlavins

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megan.lavins

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano

What an honor it was to sit down for a RunChat with the great Michael Wardian. Mike’s running resume is truly remarkable, excelling at seemingly any distance on any terrain. Mike’s also known for being super approachable and encouraging to all runners and there's no doubt why top brands like Hoka One One, T-Mobile, NATHAN Sports, GU Energy, and Polar support Mike’s adventures around the globe.

Some of the things we touched on in this episode include:

-What races/adventures still excite him

-Some of his favorite Ultra’s around the globe

-His proudest accomplishments

-How much training is required for a first-timer to take on a 50K or 50M

-His 7 Continents in 7 Days experiences (2017 & 2019, where he averaged a time of 2:45 -- not to mention running the ONLY sub-3 in Antarctica!)

-Averaging 2:31:09 in the six Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2016

-Learning from mistakes

-Clean eating and his seeming super power of RECOVERY

We also discussed how Mike and Dan from Old Dominion Racing came up with The CannonBall Run/Ride Challenge concept and how we can promote that year long challenge (running/riding/trail running) better to help support Tommy Riv's family.

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Connect With Michael:

Instagram: @mikewardian

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelwardian

Website: http://mikewardian.com

The CannonBall Run Challenge: https://www.olddominionracing.com/cannonballrun-challenge

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano

I had the best time talking all things running with ROCKSTAR Karen Howe aka @howeaboutarun. Karen is CFO of a Medical Device Company by day, and told one of the best intro stories on how she got her start in our sport—don't worry, I won’t spoil a word of it ;-) 

Originally from Alaska, then to Boston for grad school, and finally settling in Rochester, NY with her husband and two children, some of the things we explored include:

-Self-coaching vs being coached

-Staying positive in COVID-19 times

-Options for cross training

-Charity/community engagement

-Her Six-Star journey (only Tokyo & London to go!)

-Finding the silver lining

Karen wasn’t an athlete or runner as a kid and is truly just starting to hit her stride. As a self-coached runner in 2017, she had a huge breakthrough in Erie, dropping 10 minutes off her PR, and ran a 3:18. Friends encouraged her to explore working with a coach in 2018 and she connected directly with James McKirdy of @mckirdytrained where, to that point, she had never set foot on a track! She had no clue of distances/speedwork/paces, so she just RAN and trusted the process. She ended up throwing down a 3:03 in Berlin and there is no doubt more to come.

To validate the point even further, Karen threw down a VIRTUAL 3:15 on the @bostonmarathon course yesterday with the family out there for aid station and photo support! Definitely giver her a follow to track her sub-3 journey!

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Connect With Karen:

Instagram: @howeaboutarun

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.burnettehowe

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano

In this bonus episode, I was honored to be interviewed by Lorna Campbell, Head of Communications for Abbott World Marathon Majors for her series, In Conversation with... Six-Star Finishers from around the Globe.

We chatted about how I prepared to tackle all 6 Majors in 2019, how fortunate I was to be one of 7 in the world to accomplish this goal, and how blessed I was to remain so consistent, averaging 3:15 per race.

We also talked about what makes the Six-Star quest so special and some of the charitable endeavors I’ve focused on during COVID-19.

Lorna rocks and has the best Scottish accent. I hope you’ll pop over to the Abbott World Marathon Majors Facebook page to see the Zoom interview, too!

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Learn more about Abbott World Majors:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wmmajors

Website: https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano

It was so fun to jump back on fellow six star major marathon finisher, brother Marcus’s podcast: A Runner's Life.

We discussed our thoughts following the announcement of the confirmed format of the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon—the virtual race, the elite race, GFA, as well as our future predictions on where races are headed.

We also discussed some charitable endeavors I’m engaged in for Tommy Rivers Puzey. Find out about Run with Rivs and sign up to help his family with the considerable medical expenses to treat his rare T-Cell lung cancer. And the American Cancer Society's challenge, DetermiNation Takes on the World, to circle the globe in miles and raise much needed funds for cancer research and treatment. 

Marcus has a marathon PB of 3:00 and will no doubt smash the sub-3 barrier soon! He is one of my favorite follows on Instagram and has a podcast of his own, A Runner's Life, which I’d highly recommend you listen to.

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on. Be sure to hop over and help support Marcus's show, as well!

Connect With Marcus:

Instagram: @themarathonmarcus

Website: https://marathonmarcus.com

Podcast: A Runner's Life

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano

I had a blast talking all things Marathon and Ultra running with Laura Swenson from Tucson, AZ. Laura has worked in the fitness industry since the age of 20 and really enjoys helping her clients meet their goals. Many of her top clients have been with her for 15+ years, which is a testament to her positivity and enthusiasm for life! 

Laura worked with the great Ultra runner, Pam Reed, who inspired and influenced her to get involved with marathoning. After having two kids she felt ready and got her start in 2001. By 2013, she had run 47 marathons, including 5 Boston's. In 2013, she took the leap and ran her first Ultra and fell in LOVE, winning her first ever race -- a 50K, at that!!

I really enjoyed hearing her racing adventures with her mom and kids, enjoying camping, s'mores, and long drives together. 

If you’re thinking of checking out an Ultra or Trail Race, you are gonna LOVE this episode. Laura will probably convince you to join her at race somewhere, like she did me.

I hope a bunch of folks will want to join us at the Grand Canyon in October. 

If you enjoy the conversation, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Connect With Laura:

Instagram: @swensurfers

Website: https://www.desertgirldesigns.com

Laura’s blog post on much needed gear for Grand Canyon Running Adventures

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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Produced by: David Margittai | In Post Media

Website: https://www.inpostmedia.com

Email: [email protected]

Social: @_margittai

© 2020 Ron Romano