Everything is clear in hindsight with 2020 Vision! In this episode we recap some of the past year’s podcast & discuss important events in running culture during 2019, and lastly look forward to the next decade... To do so, we catch up with 4 veteran guests of the podcast that have unique 2020 vision/goals, who offer some advice for a prosperous running year ahead! Sanjay Rawal shares his insight into starting back as a marathoner and qualifying for Boston, as well as the inward journey and mental aspects of running. Trish Trout shares some practical tips regarding running an international marathon (Berlin in 2019), goals for 2020 and ways to keep running fun. Jorge Garcia walks us through what it's like to join a team (Michelob Ultra) and run several major marathons in one fall season (Sydney, Chicago, Marine Corps, New York). Lastly, Mike Wardian discusses constantly challenging himself with new creative Ultra events, his highlights and #1 picks for running events, as well as co-authoring his first book "Epic Runs of the World", an amazing new running guide book published by Lonely Planet. Message/Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @runninganthropologist. For links and more info on this episode and all past episodes visit our blogsite at www.runninganthropologist.com

Dr. Brian Fullem literally wrote the book on healthy feet and ankles for runners. He joins us for a special holiday gift to discuss his wisdom and accumulated knowledge from years of research and practice... sharing healthy running practices such as injury prevention and treatment, as well as perspective on core strength, balance, form and shoes. He is Board certified in Foot Surgery with specialization in tendon injuries & plantar fasciitis, including the use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave therapy.

Dr. Fullem practiced in Connecticut for over 20 years before moving to Florida to start his solo practice at Elite Sports Podiatry. While in CT, Dr Fullem served as the Team Podiatrist for the Yale University Track team and Sacred Heart University Athletic Department. Dr Fullem also co-founded The Running Academy camp for HS runners. Dr Fullem definitely shows his passion for teaching & treating athletes in this interview. He also frequently lectures nationally on these subjects and is published extensively in medical journals and for national running magazines. His own book, “A Runners Guide to Healthy Feet and Ankles” is available at most book stores online, or at his own practice. You can explore his practice at www.elitesportspodiatry.com You can also see the full notes from this interview and find useful links to resources discussed in this episode and others at: www.runninganthropologist.com

With the Bank of America Chicago Marathon since 1990, Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski has been a key player in building the marathon's dynamic relationships with the city of Chicago, the corporate community and local neighborhoods along the marathon course. In 2006, Pinkowski also became one of the original architects of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series set to recognize and challenge the world's top adventurous marathon runners. He tells us about how it began and why, as well as why sharing "best practices" with races across the globe is so important, and the importance of the running community for these cities. He also shares a bit about the changing culture of marathons and the culture of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and where he sees it headed in the future.

The Marine Corps Marathon Deputy Director Angela Anderson has been with MCM since 1994. She oversees the various branches within the MCM organization and develops new projects to enhance the event experience. Originally from Germany, she has participated in the United States Marine Corps' Civilian Leadership Program and Toastmasters International. Anderson discusses her current World Marathon Majors attempt and 1/2 way through has some insight to share about the experience (including Chicago, Boston and most recently NY Marathon). Lastly, she highlights the work of race organization and logistics of “The People’s Marathon” and reveals exciting things to come! Please follow/message us on Facebook/Instagram @runninganthropologist & see photos and links from this episode at www.runninganthropologist.com

In this episode, we attempt a play by play of MCM weekend in iconic Washington, DC route. We start off Saturday with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery joining the Wear Blue Run to Remember runners (Rosanna Powers’ group, featured last episode), and then move to the energy filled MCM Expo to catch up with a few of Running Anthropologist’s featured runners that we’ve been following the last months leading up to the event (Hometown Matt O’Neil & Jorge Garcia of St.Louis), and hear the “buzz” before a rainy race day... Lastly, we will witness Michael Wardian (1st Place finish in 50k Ultra) and Matt O’Neil (3rd Place Overall Marathon Finish) as they cross the finish line and go to the podium, of the first MCM Marathon for Matt and first ever MCM Ultra 50K for everyone! Join us on www.runninganthropologist.com the day after the marathon for photos and results, updates! Message us on Instagram/FB @runninganthropologist

In our first episode featuring the Marine Corps Marathon, we focus in on three firsts: A first time marathoner and former marine running in honor of her brother and fiancé, both lost in service overseas as marines. Rosanna Powers tells us about the Wear Blue to Remember and Gold Star Race running programs, and why they have meant so much to her and many others. Matt O’Neil is also aiming for his first MCM full marathon completion, and as a home town favorite hoping for a top three overall finish! Lastly, Mike Parks is chasing after his 5th MCM medal but his first Ultra, and overcoming a recent injury. He shares some difficult long distance training lessons learned and discusses his involvement with Team Leidos, and the work they do to support our troops and their families. For more details and upcoming MCM coverage, Please check out our blogsite at www.RunningAnthropologist.com or message us on Instagram/Facebook @runninganthropologist

In this episode, we describe unique marathons we will be covering in our Marathon Season Series and why they are special to us, and especially to those we are interviewing, ordinary runners doing extraordinary things. My wife and co-host also turned the tables and asked me a few questions about the Chicago Marathon and MCM. We then feature a team leader for a great charity in the Chicago Marathon, Randa Mahmoud-Ulankiewicz of Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, as she describes some of the challenges for first time marathoners as well as the joys of fundraising for an international cause that you believe in! Join us on blogsite for more info/links: www.RunningAnthropologist.com or message us on Facebook/instagram @runninganthropologist.

William Pullen's Dynamic Running Therapy can be used in so many ways, and is incredibly accessible through the free app he has developed (DRT), as well as his book/interactive workbook “Running with Mindfulness”. It is a radically simple approach combining elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, relational philosophy and exercise. It is ideal for individuals that want to deepen their running/movement practice to include self-introspection, and those that are dealing with any difficult emotions such as anger, stress, depression or anxiety on a regular basis. There is also a healthy relationship practice, which deals with questions together through "empathy runs", in which a couple/pair practices active listening and deep sharing in organized turns. Pullen developed DRT to "bring the mind into perfect harmony with the body through the healing experience of mindful running". Channeling running energy into personal change in all aspects of our life is made both simple and effective by this insightful step-by-step process, developed through years of therapy and mindfulness practice. In everything we do, he encourages us to just get moving, make small changes and positive results will naturally flow from them. His guidance has helped countless people to do so, and his story is both uplifting and inspiring! Please follow & message us on Facebook/Instagram or visit our blogsite for more information and links to everything we discuss in the podcast: www.runninganthropologist.com

Therapist Dan McGann kicks off the second of our 3 part series featuring running as therapy, and offers some groundbreaking insights into work with groups of young people and families in Ontario, Canada. In the second half of the episode- Coordinator Nils Blondon and Founder David Harris of UNBREAKABLE explain how they hope to help solve youth mental health problems like anxiety and depression by kickstarting programs like this throughout Toronto area and beyond by providing counselors, school teachers, social workers and sports coaches with resources to do so. The results of years of work honing the program are no less than astounding, with now groups of 1,000s of graduates of the program. Some are becoming public speakers for other young runners. Now in his 14th year of doing so, Therapist Dan McGann has witnessed incredible impact on the mental health and resilience of young people in group therapy and seen running's ability to completely change lives. It has been so successful that he has extended it to families and now has several groups meeting twice per week (in two different seasonal sessions) throughout the year. The idea is that individuals will "get moving" and see themselves as successes involved in something life-affirming. This helps achieve something together with a group or family, and builds up to something greater in life. "Running as a training ground to overcome obstacles in our lives / way of thinking", and this is the life goal of Dan's work and that of Team Unbreakable, especially to change the view of those that perceive themselves as "broken" and end the stigma of mental health so as to break the silence around it. Please help spread the word, join us at www.RunningAnthropologist.com for links to all of this, along with film/videos and other resources!

In this episode Certified Running therapist Rachel Reingewirtz guides us on a very down-to-earth personal view of the development and applications of her Running Therapy, and how she has seen its usefulness in action, from treating anxiety/depression to working with at risk youth in Israel. Being trained by its credited creator Thaddeus Kostrubala, MD (“The Joy of Running” and Paleoanalysis and Running Therapy) who spearheaded research into how slow long distance running might be good for the body-mind-spirit as early as the 70s. We see his foundation in all that would follow; neuroanalysis research and the mindful running movements today. Through talk therapy while running, she is able to achieve much deeper and much quicker breakthroughs than in traditional therapy alone. We also discuss the overall therapeutic benefits of running, and hopes for its development as a holistic mental health therapy and inspiration for many more mental health therapists in the near future. Join us at www.runninganthropologist.com for links to all the books we discussed in the episode, as well as some videos and films on the topic! More details also on Rachel’s website: www.rachelrun.com

Join us on a journey through traditional running cultures, from the Kalahari bushmen in Africa to Navajo runners across their ancestral lands, as well as a unique look at Buddhist monks in one of the longest human endurance journeys known to man. Filmmaker Sanjay Rawal examines running as a means of self transcendence, and particularly in his own practice inspired by Sri Chinmoy, who in the 70s helped endurance running to grow into what it is in New York and inspired Sports as a peace builder in the United Nations, including the 3100 mile race. Sanjay’s films “3100:Run and Become” (as well as “Food Chains”) help us to think about our place in the world and responsibility to one another and the planet. Links and blog site with more info at www.runninganthropologist.com