(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast40 for extended show notes/blog)

We are capable of incredible things.

Sometimes I think we lose sight of how BIG of a deal some of what we do is. We go out there and do the previously impossible on a regular basis without batting an eyelash. Without it dawning on us that, yes, just a short while ago I wouldn't have dreamed of this. We should really give ourselves more credit.

As hard as we may push... there's a deeper level most will never tap into.

We always encourage each other to "push harder" and "dig deep" to hit that last rep, those last few minutes, that last few plays, the last few hundred yards of the race... but what happens when you're participating in not just an endurance event... but an ultra endurance event? What happens when you get put in a position where you must dig deeper than deep?

You find a place we didn't know existed before... and there, you find out who you really are.

What's in this episode:

• this has gotta be FUN!
• Sharing the experience with friends and family
• Back to Pineland Farms Trail Festival
• Digging Deeper than “deep”
• • what’s really in it for those of us who choose ultra endurance sports.  

Connect with So THIS Is Fitness

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Foolproof Brewing Company's website

Hophead Events website

(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast39 for extended show notes/blog)

On the eve of a great battle, there is much to do.

There are plans to be finalized, preparations to be made. Warriors have to gear up and mentally prepare for what they're about to do. When we're about to take on a new phase of our journey... well... we're no different. Instead of swords and shields, we're donning running shoes and a water bottle, or cross-trainers and a sweat towel. And yes, we ARE about to do battle... just in a different way. It's wholly appropriate to hunker down and view it as such in order to get your head right for what's to come.

Yes, there's that mental part, too.

Just as it's important for the warrior to mentally prepare for the rigors of battle, and just as he's got no choice but to envision total victory... so too must you. When we're about to take on a new phase in our fitness journey, we HAVE to believe it's going to be successful. We MUST have confidence in our ability to succeed! And we simply CANNOT doubt ourselves. It's that simple. And that's the topic of discussion today, kids - how to handle yourself on the eve of battle. However hyperbolic that might sound.

What's in this episode:

• Interesting happenings at the gym
• Life is actually pretty good right now
• What to do when you're about to embark on a major journey
  • including a conversation with Katrina White all about the upcoming Pineland Farms 50 Mile Ultramarathon

Connect with So THIS Is Fitness

• Facebook
• Instagram
• The Fitwife's Instagram!
• Twitter
• Email - [email protected]

To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

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• Android devices - Subscribe
• Subscribe via RSS

Foolproof Brewing Company's website

Hophead Events website

(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast38 for extended show notes/blog)

We've got some strong feelings about running... sometimes.

When you're hot, you're hot... and when you're into running... boy, you are INTO it! You pour yourself into training, you get your significant other to help out and pick up the slack... you give it everything you've got! And God forbid something happens on race day to knock things out of orbit... like an extra half-mile added to your marathon... You're going to be heartbroken. Or go ballistic. Y'know, depending on your personality. 

But what happens when the love is gone?

We're not ALWAYS going to be in love with running... or fitness for that matter. The question is... what do YOU do when you aren't feeling it? Do you still do it? Or does it fall by the wayside?

What's in this episode:

• Our weekend working the Maine Coast Marathon
• The accidental .5 mlie detour at that marathon
• The difference between Trail/Ultra and Road runners
• Do we take things a little too seriously?
• DO You FEEL it?! And what happens... if you don't?

"A Race Director's Almost-Worst Nightmare - Maine Coast Marathon 2017" Blog Post

Connect with So THIS Is Fitness

• Facebook
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• The Fitwife's Instagram!
• Twitter
• Email - [email protected]

To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

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Foolproof Brewing Company's website

Hophead Events website

(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast37 for extended show notes/blog)

Things aren't always... simple.

Most people have figured out... fitness is a difficult thing. There's a ton of info online to tell you what to do, how to do it, and how to make it stick. The fact of the matter is... it's usually easier said than done. We all know the phrase... and it's true. 

Despite best efforts, sometimes we hit a wall and can't do it

It happens to the best of us. We know what we need to do, and we know how to do it. Did I mention "WE KNOW WE NEED TO DO IT"? And yet somehow it still doesn't click. This is the part nobody online offers a "how-to" book for... "how-to" defeat this awkward cycle of failure even though I'M EFFING TRYING! Well.. that's why we're here today folks - I've got the super-secret sauce that nobody bothered to share. Join me for Episode 37... let's chat.

What's in this episode:

• Recap of the Providence Marathon
• Training not exactly going according to plan
• When life kicks you in the tail
• a real talk about why it's easier said than done
  • including the part of "try try again" nobody usually talks about

• Facebook
• Instagram
• The Fitwife's Instagram!
• Twitter
• Email - [email protected]

To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

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Get 10% off Addaday products with code SoTHISIsFitness10

Foolproof Brewing Company's website

Hophead Events website

(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast36 for extended show notes/blog)

It's rare to find a company that cares.

All we tend to see in the news about big corporations is how they're screwing the little guy, driving mom and pop out of business, and focusing solely on profit over people. When you come across a company that's doing it right... well, it can catch you off-guard. It's refreshing, to say the least, but it really makes you take notice because of how rare it is. I have taken notice - NOW Foods is one such company.

"If you have to ask if you're doing the right thing... you're not."

That came out of the CEO's mouth during our 2 day "influencer immersion event", where we toured the facilities, learned all about NOW, and just generally got the royal treatment. It was impressive to hear something like that come from a major CEO... and it wa even more impressive to see it reflected in the company and its staff in real life. So... why does a company care? Why go to all that trouble, as he describes in our chat, to ensure quality without charging twice as much?

What's in this episode:

• Recapping the SUPER busy past week Darrell had
• Previewing the Providence Marathon
• Chat with Jim Emme - CEO of NOW Foods
  • all things NOW Foods
  • Vitamins, Supplements, and Regulation
  • Healthy eating
  • Honesty, Integrity, and Doing The Right Thing

• NOW Foods website

• Facebook
• Instagram
• The Fitwife's Instagram!
• Twitter
• Email - [email protected]

To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

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• Android devices - Subscribe
• Subscribe via RSS

Get 10% off Addaday products with code SoTHISIsFitness10

Foolproof Brewing Company's website

Hophead Events website

(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast35 for extended show notes/blog)

We tend to low-ball ourselves.

We generally have a tendency to believe we are less capable than we really are. We routinely underrate our true potential, and assume we can only go so high up on the achievement ladder. We see the accomplishments of others and rank ourselves against them... assuming that if THAT'S where THEY can get... we must be somewhere down just a little bit below them. 

We need to believe we can rise above mediocrity.

We are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. IF we can just STOP stopping ourselves and reach a little higher... it'd turn everything upside down. THAT... is exactly what happened to Maggie Guterl. One day, she decided to "get serious", talked to a coach... and guess what her coach told her? That she could achieve something amazing. And she pushed Maggie to it. And she did it. We can all take a lesson from what Maggie has to tell us, whether we work with a coach or not. Join me for the conversation. 

What's in this episode:

• Overtraining, Communication, and DON'T be your wife's personal trainer
• Darrell gets flown to NOW Foods HQ because he's important and stuff
• British people apparently don't like recreational ruck marching
• We chat with Maggie Guterl - ultrarunning BEAST
  • believing in the impossible
  • working with a coach
  • rising above "mediocrity"

• Maggie's Blog - maggatron.com
• Maggie's Georgia Death Race feature on Nathan.com

• Facebook
• Instagram
• The Fitwife's Instagram!
• Twitter
• Email - [email protected]

To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

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• Subscribe via RSS

Get 10% off Addaday products with code SoTHISIsFitness10

Foolproof Brewing Company's website - $5 off Fool's Mile IV registration with code "sothisisfitness5"

Hophead Events website

(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast34 for extended show notes/blog)

Tough Ruck was born from fire and baptized in bravery.

When the Boston Marathon was bombed in 2013... terrorists thought they crushed us. Instead, they showed the true colors of the City of Boston, its people, and its visitors. A number of those had been ruck marching the marathon - after ruck marching 26.2 miles, hearing the call, they sprang into action helping in any way they can. With increased security, they weren't able to ruck march the marathon in full gear again.

Rather than be defeated, they were re-born from the ashes.

Tough Ruck was born from the fire of the Boston Marathon bomb blasts and baptized in the bravery of the men and women who acted so quickly and instinctively to serve their fellow man. It's that exact spirit, honor, and love of their fellow man that makes Tough Ruck what it is. There's no way to truly describe it, you simply have to experience it. On this episode of the podcast... we introduce you to Tough Ruck and chat with those who made it happen... and those who rucked it this year.

For the extended show notes and blog, check out www.SoTHISIsFitness.com

What's in this episode:

• Darrell's still bad at time management
• Boston Marathon Weekend
• a new "What's In The Box?"
• Tough Ruck
  • what it is
  • where it came from
  • why you should care

• Tough Ruck Website
• Millitary Friends Foundation Website
• Team RWB
• The Boston Marathon

• Facebook
• Instagram
• The Fitwife's Instagram!
• Twitter
• Email - [email protected]

To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

• iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
• Android devices - Subscribe
• Subscribe via RSS

Get 10% off Addaday products with code SoTHISIsFitness10

Foolproof Brewing Company's website - $5 off Fool's Mile IV registration with code "sothisisfitness5"

Hophead Events website

(Photo Credit - Maia Kennedy Photography)

(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast33 for extended show notes/blog)

Who says it couldn't be you?

Some people are out there doing some pretty amazing things... and often I find they simply fell into it by accident. No grand designs of fame, fortune, and conquering. Simply... "I want to run Boston"... or... "I'd like to stay fit in the off-season". And then, before you know it... you're crushing several 100 mile ultramarathons in a year and setting world records running marathons in 7 continents... at 42 years old... like Mike Wardian. 

Age is just a number... and "I Can't" is an attitude, not a fact.

I can't stress... not today, not ever... how critical it is that you have a little faith in yourself and believe you can do it. That's what Mike did, and it's what he does every day. Now - plenty of people out there know WHO Mike is and what he's done. What most people DON'T know... is how this incredible running machine was created. On episode 33 of the podcast... we have a great conversation and talk about exactly that. And who woulda thought... it all started with lacrosse. 

For the extended show notes and blog, check out www.SoTHISIsFitness.com

What's in this episode:

• Darrell is legit!
• Virtual Training is a thing
• Hills are WAY steeper in person
• Mike Wardian joins us for a chat!
  • Living the dream
  • Winning the World Marathon Challenge
  • Running a marathon in Antarctica
  • What REALLY happened out there during the 2017 Barkley Marathons

• Mike's Website
• Mike's Facebook
• The World Marathon Challenge
• The Barkley Marathons wikipedia page

• Facebook
• Instagram
• The Fitwife's Instagram!
• Twitter
• Email - [email protected]

To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

• iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
• Android devices - Subscribe
• Subscribe via RSS

Get 10% off Addaday products with code SoTHISIsFitness10

Foolproof Brewing Company's website - $5 off Fool's Mile IV registration with code "sothisisfitness5"

Hophead Events website

True North Running Co. website

(Photo Credit - Sports Illustrated)

(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast32 for extended show notes/blog)

Maybe the impossible... is really just improbable...

Something major happened in a relatively small and obscure part of the athletic world this past weekend. It's the sort of thing that makes you stop and think. This thing... if you look at it in a big picture sort of way... kind of makes you realize (as if you needed another clue)... that maybe there is no limit to what we are capable of. 

It's all relative. Put this in perspective.

An event called The Barkley Marathons occurred this past weekend. It is widely regarded to be (one of) the hardest footrace(s) on the planet. This past weekend... a man named John Kelly became the 15th ever finisher in the race's 31 year history.

Many people think that in order to achieve something like this you must be a super-elite athlete... a world-record holder... and have top results in the "biggest and baddest" ultramarathons out there. John does not fit this description. Instead... he is an "average joe". He trained properly, respected the event, and had a no-quit attitude. John Kelly is proof to us all that it IS possible... whatever it is... as long as you put in the work and believe in yourself. Lucky for us... he's joined me today to tell his tale.

For the extended show notes and blog, check out www.SoTHISIsFitness.com

What's in this episode:

• Darrell has a new job!
• Megan makes AMAZING Turkey Chili
• The Barkley Marathons happened last weekend
• John Kelly - Barkley Marathons 2017 finisher/winner (15th ever) joins us!
  • WHO IS John Kelly?
  • Life outside of running
  • Getting into running
  • The ultramarathon switch
  • Why Barkley
  • The first 2 attempts
  • Barkley Marathons success... and how to achieve it

• John's Blog - Random Forrest Runner
• The Barkley Marathons wikipedia page

• Facebook
• Instagram
• The Fitwife's Instagram!
• Twitter
• Email - [email protected]

To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

• iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
• Android devices - Subscribe
• Subscribe via RSS

Get 10% off Addaday products with code SoTHISIsFitness10

Foolproof Brewing Company's website - $5 off Fool's Mile IV registration with code "sothisisfitness5"

Hophead Events website

True North Running Co. website

(See www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/podcast31 for extended show notes/blog)

Habits are hard to break... but it CAN be done.

After much pondering, it dawns on me that despite having everything you need to achieve success... it is possible to not even make it out the gate. You can have attainable goals. You can have a plan in place. You can have support systems and you can have the tools themselves necessary to complete the task... but in the end... none of that may matter. Why?

Old habits may be holding you back.

The thing that keeps you from getting out of bed early to do your workout... The thing that keeps you from stopping at the gym on your way home... it might just be an old, ingrained habit... a tendency from days gone by... that you simply can't break out of yet. Let's have a chat about habits... and how maybe... we might have the key to the lock. We might have the solution to breaking it and getting you to the promised land. Forewarning: it's going to involve work, trusting yourself (and me)... and a lot of time. Buckle up, kids.

For the extended show notes and blog, check out www.SoTHISIsFitness.com

What's in this episode:

• Old habits die hard...
• Megan joins us! And talks... being Superwoman...
• How to make a change
  • Overarching principles governing this thing
  • start small - baby steps
  • how to initiate this new habit
  • celebration & reward
  • attitude
  • do not deviate from the plan

• Habit Change - Mindful.org
• Zenhabits Habit Change Cheat Sheet
• Habit Change flowchart
• NPR - Habits: How They Form And How To Break Them

• Facebook
• Instagram
• The Fitwife's Instagram!
• Twitter
• Email - [email protected]

To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

• iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
• Android devices - Subscribe
• Subscribe via RSS

Get 10% off Addaday products with code SoTHISIsFitness10

Foolproof Brewing Company's website - $5 off Fool's Mile IV registration with code "sothisisfitness5"

Hophead Events website

True North Running Co. website