The Rambling Runner Podcast

In today's episode I speak with a longtime friend who morphed into the one of the most consistent and best masters runners I know. Mike Carroll and I played at rival high schools yet bonded over off-season hoops. 20 years later he decided to dip his toe into endurance running. Then, the week of his father's passing, he made a promise to his Dad that he'd run the Boston Marathon in his honor. Since that day Mike has been on a mission. That mission culminated in a 3:18 marathon, and a BQ, at the Steamtown Marathon this fall.

In this episode Mike talks all about that journey, his relationship to his father (who I also knew fairly well as a youngster), his lower mileage training routine, and how he approaches his kid's athletic pursuits in a balanced way (the same way his father did).

You can follow Mike at www.instagram.com/mcarroll55.

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In this far-ranging conversation, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) TV host Megan Connolly Morant talks about it all. We made sure to discuss her recent 3:02 NYC Marathon a few months removed from being a living kidney donor, and the domino effort of that donation. We also talked about:

You can follow Megan at www.instagram.com/meganmorantwwe.

Sponsors:

Oladance - Save 20% on the OWS2 open-ear headphones with superior sound and 19 hours of battery life at www.oladance.com/rambling with code "rambling"

Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com.

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In the first of a two episode partnership with the California International Marathon, we are exploring the famous CIM Olympic Trials qualifying pace groups. In 2019 Katrina Spratford-Sterling and Henry Sterling made their marathon debuts at CIM with the dream of qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Trials. Their 2019 experiences were very different but they both reached their goals. In this episode, Katrina and Henry do a deep dive into every logistical and running related decision of the weekend and how they managed the course and the pace groups to achieve their dreams.

Sponsors:

Oladance - Save 20% on the OWS2 open-ear headphones with superior sound and 19 hours of battery life at www.oladance.com/rambling with code "rambling"

Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com.

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Gabi Rooker has made one of the most unique athletic transformations at the top of the American women's marathoning field - All-American college gymnast to elite marathoner.

Gabi eased into running post-college while she tried a handful of other sports. Her talent and hard work soon elevated her to high-level local runner in Minnesota. Her potential started to become apparent with a 2:56 debut marathon at Grandma's in 2021! But, she was still 32 minutes away from her amazing PR of 2:24 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Not only that, Gabi as able to catapult into the upper echelon of American running while also working full-time at a hospital as a physician assistant.

In this episode, Gabi takes us through her athletic transformation, the mental challenges along the way, and how runners of all abilities can harness their potential.

Sponsors:

Oladance - Save 20% on the OWS2 open-ear headphones with superior sound and 19 hours of battery life at www.oladance.com/rambling with code "rambling"

Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com.

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Jereny Rivera is back on Road to the Trials and she has an important story to share. At the beginning of this year Jereny was experiencing significant physical symptoms that were impacting her training and her life. Extreme fatigue, hair loss, brittle finger nails, and loss of motivation were among them. These physical symptoms soon began weighing on her mental and emotional wellbeing. After months of searching for an answer she finally found one - low ferritin.

In this episode, Jereny details the process she went through, why runners (especially female runners) can be prone to low ferritin/iron levels, how she is rebounding, and much more. We also talk about here journey back to racing and what she may have up her sleeve for the California International Marathon next month.

Sponsor:

Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com.

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In another evergreen coaching episode we talk about how best to race a marathon in the heat. We recorded this episode because this the Marine Corps Marathon will be held this weekend in less than desirable conditions and we want everyone to be at their best on race day! In this episode we cover pacing adjustments, cooling strategies, and nutrition recommendations.

Sponsor:

Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com.

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Polly Moody is one badass runner. The full-time teacher and mother of two suffered a massive knee injury two years tearing her ACL and meniscus. The surgery to repair both left her wondering how she'd rebound from a serious surgery as a masters runner. Little did she know that she'd return better than ever! Polly just ran a huge PR of 2:46 at the Chicago Marathon, placing 9th in the 40-44 age group in one of the most competitive marathons in the world.

You can follow Polly at www.instagram.com/mommytosubthree.

Sponsor:

Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com.

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Last weekend I had the immense privilege of watching nearly 40 athletes earn an OTQ marathon time at the McKirdy Micro Marathon. One of those athletes was Alex Burks.

In one of the most insightful and powerful conversations we've ever had on this this, Alex describes the last four years in which he persevered through challenges, worked is butt off, fell short many times, and eventually earned his lofty goal of qualifying for the Olympic Trials.

Below is the text from an Instagram post that Alex wrote after the experience that touches on the emotions of the day:

"2:17:13

I don't know if there's an adequate way to put into words what today feels like and means to me. As I'm sure you all know by now I've taken several attempts at qualifying for the Olympic Trials, and have failed each time. [The day before the race], I woke up with a tight chest and fever. My 4 mile shakeout at 7:20 pace felt miserable. I called up my coach and we talked about other race options, but after that conversation was over, it was all business with still making the most out of race day.

I've grown so accustomed to disappointment. I've considered giving up and throwing in the towel too many times in the past year and a half. However, and I genuinely don't think I can express this enough, I am beyond blessed to have SO MANY people in my life that continue to believe in me, support me, and give me the strength to carry on.

[Raceday] was a test of belief in myself. I had the fitness to run an OTQ, I just needed to keep calm, and not let what was in between the ears be my downfall.

And it wasn't.

I don't think I changed pace by more than 2-3 seconds for every lap of the course. Even the last 3 miles I didn't even consider speeding up. "Just don't slow down, stay calm and patient".

Then I crossed the line. Every time I failed, every time I felt not good enough, every time I considered giving up, it all washed away - and I cried.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love and appreciate you all. You make this worth it. You make this mean something. Never give up on that dream, ever."

You can follow Alex at www.instagram.com/alexander.burks.

Sponsor:

Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com.

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It was a honor (and a blast!) to have Danni McNeilly on the show! She became the 31st U.S. born African-American women to break 3:00 in the marathon at Chicago two weeks ago. It was a result ten years in the making and one that put her in the history books. She also became the fourth women in the Black Roses running club to make The List - an incredible achievement for a single club.

Here is a what that day meant to Danni in her own words (via her Instagram):

"I’ve been struggling to find the words to express the feelings I have about yesterday.

In my second favorite city. In the year of our Jordan (phrase coined by Tim). On the 45th running of the Chicago Marathon (Jordan’s other number). After 10 years of marathoning parallel to the 10 years I been repping Roses.

I ran my first sub 3 marathon and made The List.

It was my time. It wasn’t supposed to happen any other way.

To know me is to know that I train hard so performance is never really a surprise. However, I also run heavily on vibes and that will always dictate how my race goes. Times be damned. If I want it, I’ll get after it. If not, well that’s that.

I’ve said before that sub 3 was never an earnest goal but this time I changed my tune. I stopped introducing hypotheticals. No trying, no attempts. I said I was going to break 3 in Chi. I didn’t give life to failure. I spoke this win into existence. Words have power and mean things.

It’s been a hard cycle during which I pushed my body to unseen limits. At some points I felt unsure but in the last phase of training squad held me down and made it apparent that I was more than capable. Everyone said I was ready. Knox [Robinson] said it was my day, and it was.

The job is done and now we rest."

You can follow Danni on Instagram at www.instagram.com/vexyspice.

Sponsor:

Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com

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When Bridget Chamberlin ran her first two marathons in her early 20's she was confident that there were two types of runners: The fast runners (which included her college running friends) and slower runners (like her). She was happy and content with that segmentation and loved running for what it was and how it made her feel.

However, over the next decade her ability and preconceived notions of what was possible started to change. Her marathon times, her race of choice, started to get faster and faster. From 6:30, to a 5:30, then into the high 4:00's, and finally into the 4:10 range. With that progression came a concurrent increase in her love for the sport, training, and the formerly dreaded speedwork.

Then, two years ago, after becoming a mom of two and battling injuries, Bridget decided to go for it!

In this episode Bridget details the entire journey and shows us all what is possible.

You can follow Bridget on Instagram at www.instagram.com/brichamberlin.

Sponsor:

Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com

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