The Rambling Runner Podcast

Today on podcast the we are continuing a new format that has been a huge hit - a 360 degree review of an athlete's improvement. First we speak with Ari Hendrix, and then her coach Sydney Devore, about her remarkable improvement over the last three years.

Ari Hendrix ran a 3:57 in her first marathon ten years ago. Prior to starting her running journey Ari was a college basketball player and basketball coach. As soon as she crossed that finish line she fell in love with a new sport.

Since that day she has improved nearly every year and in enormous fashion. In fact, Ari just ran 2:42 in the Bayshore Marathon. That amazing performance boosted her to the 5th fastest U.S. born African American woman in history!

In April of 2019 she ran 3:05 and it was then when she hired Sydney Devore, a coach at McKirdy Trained and one of the best marathoners in the country.

Since 2019 Ari has worked through some significant difficulties. Three serious injuries, panic attacks, and mental health challenges. Through it all, Ari and Sydney formed an important bond that lead to tremendous success and much more.

You can follow Ari at www.instagram.com/ari_hendrixroach.

You can learn more about the coaches and services at McKirdy Trained at www.mckirdytrained.com.

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The second episode of our new monthly feature on the Rambling Runner Podcast, For the Love of The Run with Carolyn Su, is out and we couldn't be more excited.

An awful lot has transpired since our episode last month and, as usual, our lives seem to parallel each others in various ways.

Here is what we discuss:

For the Love of the Run is presented by Tracksmith. Both Carolyn and I been wearing and loving Tracksmith for years and we couldn't think of a better brand to partner with on this endeavor. They have incredible running attire that fits great and can last for years, even in tough New England weather. You can visit our link at www.Tracksmith.com/loveoftherun to see their new arrivals and use code LOVEOFTHERUN to receive free shipping. Also, 5% of proceeds from the use of the code will go to our charity partner the Asian Mental Health Collective - www.asianmhc.org.

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Regina Lopez is a rare professional athlete. She started taking running seriously at the age of 17 - far later than almost all of her peers. After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, where she ran competitively, she qualified for and competed in the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. After that day she spontaneously pivoted to trail running. Shortly thereafter she tried her hand at ultra running.

And she excelled at all of them. She is a Spartan Trail Champ, finished 2nd at the USATF 50k, and at the 3rd USATF 100k.

In this episode Regina talks all about the winding path her career has taken, why she has made the choices that have defined her running life, and what she is doing to maximize her ability as she embraces new challenges.

You can follow Regina at www.instagram.com/getfitwithreginalopez.

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Andy Wacker is on the show today and it was an honor to talk to one of America's best runners. Andy's resume speaks for itself (his 2021 accolades are listed below and they career's worth of achievements) and easily puts him in the top tier of the country’s best trail runners.

Andy wasn't always the top of his class, however, He was a walk-on at University of Colorado during some of the school’s prime running years. His time in Boulder had some high points but also some struggles. During those down periods he learned to head to the trails. Those forays away from the team would lead to a paradigm shift as a runner that continues to serve him well today.

2021 was an encapsulation of that journey. Here is how Andy wrote about it in an end of the year post on his Instagram feed:

"2021 has been “A JOURNEY”. If I have learned anything, it is to be grateful for the good days. Be optimistic. Positive thinking can take you so far! BELIEVE. You can and will get through even the darkest days. And after all, 2021 was another great year of running!

I represented USA and placed 2nd in the XTERRA Trail World Championships. I placed third at Birkie Trail Half, Broken Arrow 26k and the Golden Gate Trail Classic. I raced some of the best downhills of my life. Ran my first cirque series race. Doubled at GoPro games and won a race at 10,000ft. I ran one of my fastest times for 15k (45:25) on a windy day. 🏃

I set 14 FKTs: Murphey Loop, Syncline Loop, North Table Mountain, Guana Loop, Marin Headlands, Ralston Creek Trail (out and back), Plymouth Mountain, Mt Audubon, Peak 1, Mount Baldy, Bergen Peak (up and down), Needles Grand Tour.

I ran 28 miles in 6:00 pace at 5,500ft elevation!

But, It hasn’t been all sunshine & rainbows.

I also dealt with pain, injury, frustration, balancing work, race cancellations, sickness and more.

I spent four months without running.

I found new joy biking up mountain roads in Colorado.

So, take nothing for granted. Never give up."

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Dr. Jess Mena DPT is here for our monthly collaboration and, as always, she is bringing loads of energy and fire.

In this episode we discuss a couple big topics for runners. First we cover Jess's new running group that she started in the Valley just north of Los Angeles. Jess organized the group after she finally had enough of driving 90 minutes to workouts only to be harassed on the streets while running. We talk about that and what it's like for folks who are interested in joining a running group but may be reticent to giving it a go.

In the second half of the episode we take a deep dive into the important of strength training for runners and what exercises benefit novices and experts alike.

Follow Jess at www.instagram.com/tempo_with_jess.

Follow Matt:

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