The Rambling Runner Podcast

Andi and Zach are a West Michigan couple who love coffee, lawn games, adventuring, family, and…. running. Zach's career highlights include the US Road Racing Championships, being part of Team USA running cross country in Jamaica, and running at the US Olympic Trials Marathon. Andi recently ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:43:41 which qualified her for her first-ever Olympic Trials Marathon.

They pass on advice we’ve been given, strategies on balancing life and running, tips and tricks, and some encouragement to have running be a healthy contributor to mind, body, and spirit in their fantastic A to Z Running Podcast - www.atozrunning.com.

In this episode we discuss how they became one of the fastest couples in the country, how they got to this point, hurdles they've overcome, and what they've learned from some of their amazing podcast guests.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

Rambling Runner Podcast Community Corner private Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/125544686229661

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Katie Spotz is an endurance athlete, charitable ambassador, author and world-record holder. The list of accomplishments to her name is long, and includes five Ironman triathlons, cycling across the country, a 325-mile river swim, running 100 miles nonstop in under 20 hours, and a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean.

But this wasn’t just any row; when Katie arrived in Guyana, South America, after 70 days at sea, she set a world record for the youngest ever solo ocean rower and the only American to row solo from Africa to South America.

In 2020, Katie became the 1st person to run nonstop 138-miles nonstop across Maine in 33 hours, raising $26,000 for a clean water project in Tanzania. In preparations, Katie became the 1st woman to run nonstop across Vermont and New Hampshire. Katie was awarded the Elite Female Athlete of the Year for 2020 by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Katie just completed her latest challenge, Run4Water. On June 21, Katie began her journey running 11 ultra-marathons for 11 days consecutively by running 341-miles across Ohio from Cincinnati to Cleveland.

Throughout her adventures, Katie isn’t just seeking to make history. She is also raising money for safe drinking water projects around the world. To date, more than 30,000 people have gained access to clean water through her challenges and events, getting closer to creating a world where everyone, everywhere has clean, safe water.

Learn more about Katie and follower her adventures at www.katiespotz.com.

Sponsors:

Previnex is a supplement brand that I trust, use, and have greatly benefited from. They source the highest quality ingredients in the most clinically effective and beneficial forms. Previnex manufactures to the highest standards possible, testing every ingredient, every step of production and every finished product. I've used their Joint Health Plus for over a year and I'm sold on this amazing supplement. Visit www.previnex.com and use coupon code Runner15 to save 15% on your first order.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

Rambling Runner Podcast Community Corner private Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/125544686229661

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

Molly Bookmyer is back on the show and for a great reason.

During her first appearance on the show, episode 175, Molly detailed her two brain surgeries in 2015 - the first to remove a benign tumor that had grown since first diagnosed in 2013 and second to alleviate side effects that included paralysis on her left side. Then, Molly's husband, Eric, was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 two weeks after their wedding; after treatment he is cancer free. Despite all of that, she bounced back and to finish 3rd at 2019 USATF 25K Championships, her first U.S. champs race, behind only Emma Bates and Sara Hall.

Shortly thereafter Molly was beset by injuries that ultimately kept her out of the U.S. Olympic Marathon trials. Her two stress fractures in seven months had her questioning her running and it's role in her life. Once she was able to put the injury behind her in the beginning of 2021 she started to recapture her 2019 fitness. This exciting development has her on the cusp of doing something special.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

Rambling Runner Podcast Community Corner private Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/125544686229661

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

It's been a long year and one that also feels like it flew by (at least from a running perspective). In the final episode of the Mastering 40 series I detail the past six weeks and the ways in which I've been able to go from almost zero running for three months to quickly building up to a 40 mile week. My first in well over a year. Then the episode shifts to talking about the future, both short term and long term. Finally, I break some news about some race plans that will include some live shows.

The genesis of this episode started on February 22 when I received a message from a listener that really struck a chord with me. She asked point blank, "(A)re you just interested in your goals or committed? It seems like the former. To an outsider following the podcasts of course." This quote put me on my heals. I returned to it nearly every day for three months but didn't reply with an answer. Until last week. I wrote her back and thanked her for her candor and insight. What else did I say? You'll have to listen to find out.

Mastering 40:

I had just completed the worst athletic year of my life. One beset by injuries and a 25 lb. weight gain. Finally, I decided enough was enough.

With the help of a professional coach - James McKirdy and sport psychologist - Adrienne Langelier, I am determined to have the best athletic year of my life. One that will end, hopefully, with a sub-40:00 10k. This is a huge stretch goal and I am determined to get it done. Over the course of this year I will also be turning 40 years old and become a masters runner. Hence the “Mastering 40.”

We will be documenting the journey with a podcast every three weeks. The podcasts, like this one, will include calls with the experts I will be leaning on, and learning from, throughout the process.

Hopefully you enjoy and learn from my year of reclaiming my fitness and pursuing an entirely new level of performance while trying to maximize my schedule as a dedicated amateur runner.

Thank you to the Mastering 40 partners:

- Supplements/Protein: Previnex - code: RUNNER15 for 15% off

- Health Analysis: InsideTracker - Go to www.insidetracker/ramblingrunner to save 25% on their Ultimate Package by using code GIFTFROMRAMBLINGRUN

- Attire: Tracksmith - code RAMBLINGRUNNER for 15% off first purchase over $75

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

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

Have you every met someone who seems to go full Men in Black mode by doing as much in 24 hours as you would do in 36? Jen Jordan is exactly that kind of person. And it is freaking awesome.

From doing a full Ragnar event as part of two person team, to running in ultra's nearly all the time, averaging a marathon a month for an entire year, to re-making her body after all of that while still running 70 miles a week - this woman is doing it all! On top of that of that running madness, Jen works a full time job and is a single parent. Unreal.

In short: You do not want to miss this episode.

You can follow Jen's running journey at www.instagram.com/theginjaninja26.

Sponsors:

Previnex is a supplement brand that I trust, use, and have greatly benefited from. They source the highest quality ingredients in the most clinically effective and beneficial forms. Previnex manufactures to the highest standards possible, testing every ingredient, every step of production and every finished product. I've used their Joint Health Plus for over and year and I'm sold on this amazing supplement. Visit www.previnex.com and use coupon code Runner15 to save 15% on your first order.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

Rambling Runner Podcast Community Corner private Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/125544686229661

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