The Rambling Runner Podcast

By Matt ChittimSports Running

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138
Followers
Typical duration
50 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

The Rambling Runner Podcast episodes

April 03#732 - Dan Montgomery: A 15 Min. PR and 3:11 Marathon at 51
Join us as Dan Montgomery shares his remarkable evolution from casual runner to competitive marathoner over 25 years - including a blistering 3:11:53 at the McKirdy Micro Marathon at 51 years old! Discover how disciplined training, strategic nutrition, and unwavering commitment transformed his body and performance. This episode offers valuable insights for runners of all levels aiming for continuous improvement.

Main Topics:
Dan's unlikely start in running and early marathon experiences

His journey through injuries, nutrition adjustments, and body composition changes

How working with a nutritionist and focusing on macros improved his marathon times

The mental shift from health to performance goals

The discipline and routines behind his race day success

Strategies for sodium management and fueling in cold weather

His ambitious long-term goals, including chasing the marathon majors record

The importance of mindset, consistency, and trusting the process

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.

Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
40 min
March 31#731 - Jesse Gauf's Inspiring Journey from 340 Pounds to Endurance Racing
Discover how Jesse Gauf turned his life around within a year, shedding over 100 pounds and conquering marathon distances, all while sharing his progress openly online. This episode explores the mental shifts, practical strategies, and community support behind his transformation.
In this episode:
Jesse recounts his fitness journey starting from Navy days to weight ballooning over 340 pounds

Emphasis on focusing on personal versus comparative progress as a key motivator

The importance of consistent habits like walking, training, and strategic goal setting

Overcoming mental hurdles related to masculinity and body image, especially for men

How social sharing has fueled Jesse’s accountability and inspired others

The role of rest, recovery, and strategic nutrition in sustainable progress

Setting ambitious goals like Ironman 70.3 while embracing the process

The power of embracing discomfort and pushing through adversity in endurance events

Recognizing that ordinary stories of perseverance resonate more deeply than superhero tales

Practical tips for beginners on starting with walking, mindset shifts, and setting intentional goals

Follow Jesse at www.instagram.com/jesse.in.motion.

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.

Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%.

The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit ⁠themarathonproject.com⁠ and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
58 min
March 27#730 - Mindset, Marathon, and Nutrition: Lottie Bildirici's Winning Formula
In this episode, we explore Lottie Bildirici’s inspiring journey from battling stress fractures and bone health issues to smashing personal marathon records. She shares her insights on injury prevention, mental resilience, and how purposeful nutrition fuels peak performance.

Main Topics:
Lottie's background in endurance sports and overcoming stress fractures

The impact of nutrition and strength training on injury recovery and bone health

Her evolution from a 5-hour marathoner to a sub-3:40

The role of mindset, confidence, and mental health in running success

Practical nutrition tips, especially for race week and everyday sustainability

How professional athlete insights shape her approach for amateurs

The importance of community and authenticity in athletic growth

Visit Lottie's website Running on Veggies

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.

Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit ⁠themarathonproject.com⁠ and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
50 min
March 25#729 - Wilbur Vale: Transformation Through Fitness, Faith, and Connection
Discover the remarkable story of Wilbur Vale — from struggling with his health and weight as a child to becoming a dedicated runner and advocate for holistic wellness. In this episode, Wilbur shares how faith, community, and resilience propelled his transformation and how he uses his journey to inspire others to live healthier and meaningful lives.

Key Topics:
Wilbur’s pivotal moment: a challenging hike in El Salvador that revealed his pre-diabetic condition

His childhood influences and family culture around food and survival

The mental and emotional challenges of gaining weight again and self-compassion strategies

The importance of community in endurance sports and personal growth

How faith shapes Wilbur’s approach to setbacks, goals, and perseverance

The 90-day challenge focused on physical, mental, and spiritual renewal

Tracking progress with body composition scans versus scale weight

Tips for integrating faith and community into fitness pursuits

Wilbur’s current focus on sustainable health practices and goal setting

Follow Wilbur’s Instagram

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.

Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%.

The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit themarathonproject.com and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
49 min
March 18 #728 - Nick Lee: Cape Cod Traverse Self-Supported FKT
Last weekend, Nick Lee set the fastest known time on the Cape Cod Traverse, self-supported -male. He finished the 64.6 mile route in 11:06:54. Nick is a longtime friend and I couldn’t wait to talk to him about the effort and the training/planning that led into it.
You can view the effort here: https://fastestknowntime.com/route/cape-cod-traverse-ma

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
52 min
March 06 #727 - Canyon Woodward: The Unexpected Rise to the Top of Trail and Ultra
Canyon Woodward has progressed from casual runner during his college years to one of the best trail and ultra runners in the world. It is a remarkable rise for a Harvard educated political operative who balances a calm equanimity with a passion for competition. In this episode, Canyon describes his rise from living at the doorstep of the Appalachian trail to a Western States golden ticket.

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.
Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%.
Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
52 min
February 28 #726 - Patrick Yalon: From a Near Death Experience to Moab 240
In this powerful conversation, Patrick Yalon shares his transformative experience after a near-fatal surfing accident, exploring how a life-altering event can redefine purpose, self-love, and spiritual connection. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound lessons learned through endurance races and inner reflection.
Here’s the iRunFar article mentioned in the episode:
https://www.irunfar.com/still-here-running-the-moab-240-mile-after-a-near-death-surfing-accident

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%.
Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
54 min
February 26 #725 - Abdul Said: Losing 100lbs and Running His First Marathon in One Year
In this episode, Abdul Said shares his transformative journey from a sedentary lifestyle and health scare to running his first marathon in Osaka. Discover how he shifted his perspective on food, incorporated running into his daily routine, and embraced the vibrant Japanese running culture along the way.
You can follow Abdul at www.instagram.com/osakamiles.

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%.
Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 2 min
February 20 #724 - Dr. Jess Mena: Racing the Black Canyon 100k as a Dedicated Amateur Runner
The Black Canyon 100k is knows as one of the best and fasted 100k trail races in America. And for good reason. The list of elite athletes in the top 10 every year is talented and experienced.
But what is this like for a dedicated amateur runner?
Dr. Jess Mena returns to the show to talk about her experience on the Black Canyon course, how difficult the final 2/3 of the race course, the "trauma bonding" she experienced on the trail, and much more.
You can follow Jess at www.instagram.com/tempo_with_jess.
Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%.
Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
47 min
February 19 #723 - Conquering Fear and Self-Doubt: Laken Renegar's Journey From 290 lbs to a 2:05 Half-Marathon
Discover how Laken transformed her life from weighing 290 pounds to conquering a half marathon in 2:05 (9:34 pace). Dive into her mindset shifts, actionable habits, and the power of perseverance that can inspire anyone on their health and fitness journey.
You can follow Laken at www.instagram.com/laken_40.
Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠.
Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%.
Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
51 min