Runners of HOU

Sara is back for round two of Running Hot Takes, and apparently we still have plenty to argue about.

This time we’re talking Boston and BQs, downhill marathon PRs, running too many marathons, racing 26.2 without training, the ever-expanding World Marathon Majors, $500 super shoes, running etiquette, who should actually be a running coach…and why your running goal doesn’t always have to be getting faster.

Plus: going commando, mid-run bathroom talk, and further proof that runners have absolutely no concept of TMI.

These are our opinions. You are absolutely allowed to disagree. In fact, we hope you do.

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A few years ago, Sharde Davis couldn’t run a mile. Today, she’s a marathoner, Black Girls Run Houston run coordinator, and Houston Half Marathon ambassador.

In this episode, Sharde joins me to talk about starting over with run-walk intervals, finding a community that made her feel like she belonged, training for and finishing her first marathon in Chicago, and why middle-of-the-pack runners deserve to see themselves represented in running too.

We also talk about the reality (and expense!) of becoming a runner, the mental roller coaster of 26.2 miles, pickle-and-Coke marathon recovery strategies, and why Sharde believes you should take your training seriously — but never forget to have fun.

Her motto says it best: Your race. Your pace.

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Naureen Malik has been running for nearly 20 years — but her journey from 4+ hour marathons to a 3:11 PR was anything but linear.

We talk about how she went from a mostly solo runner making up her own training plans to qualifying for Boston, racing World Marathon Majors around the globe, and chasing a sub-3:10 at Chicago.

Naureen also shares how the Houston running community changed her approach to training, why running remains her “me time” as a mom of four, and what nearly two decades in the sport have taught her about bad races, big goals and simply continuing to show up.

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What does it look like to keep getting stronger as a runner in your 40s? Gaby Ramirez joins me to talk about more than 20 years of running, from her first Houston Marathon as a new mom to running 3:49 in 2026. We talk motherhood, burnout, strength training, letting go of the pressure of the clock, finding balance as her kids get older, and why she believes it’s never too late to start — or to keep getting better.

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Amanda Schnell has spent most of her life moving — and she has no plans to stop anytime soon.

In this episode, Amanda joins me to talk about growing up running in Michigan, finding community in Houston, winning her first 140.6-mile race, finally BQing, running 100 miles in under 24 hours, and her goal of completing a marathon in all 50 states before she turns 50.

We also talk about Ironman training and nutrition, balancing big athletic goals with a full life, why she considers herself “consistently inconsistent,” and the philosophy that has kept her going through more than two decades of endurance sports: keep showing up and make sure you’re still having fun.

Plus, we debate whether Grandma’s Marathon is actually flat. (It’s not.)

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Welcome to the very first episode of Running Hot Takes!

I'm joined by Houston runner and marathoner Sarah Hudgens for an unfiltered conversation about the opinions runners love to debate.

Is Grandma’s Marathon really flat? Do treadmill miles count? Is running actually an inexpensive sport? Are run clubs changing running culture? And why are so many runners trying to cram multiple marathons into a single year?

From race courses and fueling to influencers, super shoes, and recovery, we share our honest takes — and don’t always agree.

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In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Jess Mayon for an honest conversation about what it means to be a runner through every season of life. We talk about her journey from a first half marathon to qualifying for Boston, running Chicago, CIM, and a virtual Boston Marathon, balancing marathon training with a demanding career, recovering from burnout, and how running changes in your 40s.

Whether you’re chasing a PR, navigating perimenopause, or simply trying to fit running into a busy life, this episode is a reminder that your goals can evolve—and that’s not a setback, it’s growth.

We also share plenty of stories from races we’ve run together (including Grandma’s Marathon), discuss why strength training and recovery matter more than ever, and answer the question: Is it ever too late to chase a big goal?

Because the runner you become can be even stronger than the runner you used to be.

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After nearly four years away, Runners of HOU is back.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing where I’ve been, why the podcast disappeared, and everything that’s happened since we last talked — from returning to the corporate world and getting married to training for Grandma’s Marathon, taking eight months away from running, and finding my way back one mile at a time.

This isn’t just a story about a podcast hiatus. It’s about how life changes us, how injuries can reshape our identity, and why sometimes the break ends up being exactly what we needed.

Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re joining for the first time, I’m so glad you’re here.

Let’s catch up.

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Don't call it a comeback! Once again, I'm joined by Emilia Benton who guest-hosts. In this episode, we discuss what I've been up to since running the Houston Marathon and also delve into what's been happening in the Houston running scene including the change to the local elite program for the Houston Marathon and the last minute change to the Houston Half Marathon course. I'm then joined by Houston Half pacer Sara Hudgens to chat through what race day looked like at this year's Hou Half.

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