The Rambling Runner Podcast

If you love a comeback story then get hyped to hear from the unconquerable Jon Rizzo.

In the fall of 2020 Jon was flying high. This muscle bound endurance athlete was strong from another training cycle and looking to set some new personal bests. Then his legs stopped working. Literally. Soon it took this former military member and ultra runner a momentous amount of effort to simply climb the stairs. On the drive home from his MRI, an appointment he almost flaked on before his wife Jamie set him straight, he was called with urgent news - get to the emergency room.

In this episode Jon takes a deep dive into this near tragic experience that almost left him at death's door. We also discuss how Jon got through this experience to finish on the podium at the Naked Prussian 50 Miler and what big hairy audacious goals now populate his calendar.

You can learn about one of them, the 24 Hour Stationary Bike Ruff Ride hosted by Team Foster, here: https://www.pledgereg.com/3969/Team/18216.

Follow Matt:

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

It's Boston Marathon weekend and what better way to celebrate than to listen to one of Boston's greatest champions - Des Linden.

Des joins the show to breakdown her iconic victory at the 2018 Boston Marathon. She analyzes the race mile by rain soaked mile with the wit and candor we all appreciate from this running legend. She touches on every aspect of the race including her recovery from her disappointing 2017 Boston Marathon, the epic porta potty episode with Shalane Flanagan, and her conversion from helping others to charging into the lead. 

Follow Matt:

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

Dr. Jess Mena DPT is back on the show by popular demand! And rightfully so. This PT expert and bundle of excitement will be making regular appearances on the show from here on out.

In this episode we talk about her recently completed Speed Project - a relay race from L.A. to Las Vegas that seems like pure fun, drama, and insanity. In addition we also a topic that affects runners from all over - side stitches!

Follow Jess at www.instagram.com/tempo_with_jess.

Follow Matt:

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

Jackie Kirchner is a registered dietitian with years of experience and she is on the show to drop some serious knowledge.

In this episode we discuss:

We also play a new game called "Real or Fake" where I pitch outlandish supplement names and Jackie tries to guess if they are real.

Jackie is a registered dietitian who works with enthusiastic, dedicated distance runners who want to fuel their bodies better so they can improve endurance and fitness, increase energy, recover faster, and run better than ever. 

As both a successful distance runner herself (having run dozens of road races and qualifying for the Boston marathon four times!) and an expert in sports nutrition (with over eight years experience as a dietitian), Jackie is taking all her knowledge and experience on all things nutrition science and endurance athletics to bring you the tools you need to feel, fuel, and perform at your best. 

You can visit Jackie's website at www.jackiekirchnernutrition.com and follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/fuelbetter.runfaster.

Follow Matt:

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

Samantha Roecker is a registered nurse and one of the best marathoners in the country. Her personal best is 2:29:59 which she set at the Marathon Project, she was on the 2018 CIM podium with Emma Bates and Stephanie Bruce, and she represented the United States at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru where she finished fifth in 2:32.

She is the rare elite athlete who works a full-time job in the same way as most dedicated amateur runners - despite being good enough to go all-in on pro running if she chose to go that route.

Samantha will be running the 2022 Boston Marathon with a new goal in mind. She is raising money for the American Nurses Foundation’s programs supporting the mental health and wellness. Samantha has seen the effects that front-line healthcare work can have on caring and dedicated workforce. It is heart breaking. Her fundraising efforts include an audacious goal - to beat the Guinness Book of World Records time for running a marathon in Moxie Scrubs nursing scrubs.

In this episode we dive into her post-college running journey that has so many wild and layered twists and turns. Sam is a beacon of light for all runners and it was an honor to have her on the show.

Samantha's fundraising page: https://givetonursing.networkforgood.com/projects/152794-samantha-roecker-marathon-fundraiser

Samantha's feature in Runner's World: www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a39601798/sam-roecker-boston-marathon-scrubs/

Follow Matt:

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