The Rambling Runner Podcast

Man, lot's of stuff going on this edition of Mastering 40. The last three weeks have seen some strong workouts, a few skipped miles, and a minor knee injury. 

In this episode, run coach James McKirdy and I have a blunt conversation on my need to step up the miles from the mid to high 30's well into the 40's. In his words, "if you aren't able to do this then you will not reach your goals." Then I speak with sport psychologist Adrienne Langelier about how I have been doing the "classic Matt Chittim." By this I mean skipping cooldowns and a mile here and there. We talk discuss how to take my training up a notch and get out of the groove that has been my happy normal in previous training cycles. 

To paraphrase, if I want to accomplish something I never have, I need to work harder than before to reach that new level. 

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.com/qr/onboarding/SUPERRECIPES/ to save $200 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

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

The Road to the Trials has returned for season two and we are fired up! We will be bringing you a behind the scenes look at the training and racing of some of America's best track athletes as they prepare for the Olympic Track Trials in June. Specifically, we will be following Keira D'Amato, Dana Giordano, Olivia Baker, Frank Lara, Tyler Day, and Abe Alvarado.

In this episode we are joined by Lindsey Hein and Mario Fraioli, hosts of the highly rated I'll Have Another and Morning Shakeout podcasts, and we set the stage for the lead-up to the trials. We discuss the year long gap between now and the Olympic Marathon Trials, whether we thought the Olympics would even happen, our favorite Olympic track & field memories, the events and athletes we are most excited to follow this spring, and we discuss where the six athletes we will be following this season compare to their peers in the lead-up to what will be an extremely entertaining track season.

Sponsors:

OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, Plantar Fasciitis, shin splints and more. Shop at your local independently owned running or at www.OS1st.com where you can use code RAMBLING for 15% off your first purchase.

Spring will be here before you know it, and the best way to get through the winter months of running is to have your next finish line in sight! That’s why Sports Backers is excited to bring you a custom race experience with our first ‘Sports Backers Marathon,’ in Richmond, Virginia, featuring a marathon, half marathon, and 5k. From Friday, March 12th through Sunday, March 14th the experienced team at Sports Backers will take care of the rest, with onsite packet pick up, measured courses, touchless bottle refill stations, timing, and of course great swag! Register now at www.sportsbackers.org and save $10 by using code RAMBLINGRUNNER.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

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

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

There are certain people who choose to be a bright shining light and their impact on others becomes exponential because of that decision. That is exactly who Melissa Danehey has become.

Melissa is a champion-level trail and ultra runner who started running in college and quickly grew to love the sport. Her evolution into a high-level runner took a turn when she was sexually assaulted over ten years ago. Running became an outlet for her and a way to help her deal with her pain and PTSD. Melissa continued to run, and run, and run until she was running at a near elite level. She proceeded to win the Angeles Crest 100 and place well at many other west coast trail and ultra races. While running helped Melissa deal with her trauma, she was able to fully come to terms with her assault when she embraced therapy in recent years in conjunction with running.

Today, Melissa is now on the Board of Directors at Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA) and helping others who have experienced a similar trauma that she endured years ago. She is also on the Rabbit Elite trail team and sponsored by Fluid Nutrition. 

Sponsors: 

OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, shin splints and more. Shop at your local independently owned running or at www.OS1st.com where you can use code RAMBLING for 15% off your first purchase.

Have you guys heard of beam? beam is a CBD company founded by two ex-professional athletes and they just launched their first ever non-CBD product line called elevate hydration. Elevate hydration powders give your body the electrolytes it craves and more. They have powders for digestive balance, enhanced energy, and supportive recovery. Try elevate hydration from beam for 15% off with code RAMBLINGRUNNER www.beamtlc.com.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

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

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

Matt Fitzgerald is back for his third appearance on the Rambling Runner Podcast and this time he discusses his new book.

A good comeback makes a great story. In The Comeback Quotient, sports journalist Matt Fitzgerald shares the stories of top athletic comebacks, to give you inspiration and tools for your own comeback in sport or life.

Every sports fan loves a great comeback. Is there a special quality shared by top athletes who triumph over great challenges? And can anyone acquire it? In The Comeback Quotient, celebrated sportswriter Matt Fitzgerald supplies the answer to both questions. He identifies these mega-achievers of astounding athletic comebacks as “ultrarealists,” men and women who succeed where others fail by fully accepting, embracing, and addressing the reality of their situations. 

From ultrarunners like Rob Krar to triathletes like Mirinda Carfrae to rowers, skiers, cyclists, and runners all over the world, Fitzgerald highlights and speculates on just what makes these comebacks so compelling. As for whether anyone can stage his or her own great comeback, the answer is a resounding yes: Anyone can become an ultrarealist to some degree. In the tradition of his best-selling How Bad Do You Want It?, The Comeback Quotient combines gripping sports stories with mind-blowing science to deliver a book that will forever change how you perceive the challenges you face, giving you the inspiration and the tools to make the next great comeback you witness your own.

Sponsors:

OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, shin splints and more. Shop at your local independently owned running or at www.OS1st.com where you can use code RAMBLING for 15% off your first purchase.

McKirdy Trained is an online coaching service working with runners of all ages, all abilities, all over the world. Our coaches have helped thousands of runners achieve goals they never thought possible, from running their first 5K without stopping to qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the marathon. Join us and find out what a personalized running coach can do for your own athletic journey at www.mckirdytrained.com.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

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

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

It is a widely held belief that runners get slower with age. Ingrid Walters, an actress and elite masters runner, has turned that belief on its head. At the age of 47 Ingrid won the female open division of the Los Angeles Marathon in a scorching fast 2:48 - 22 minutes faster than her first marathon nearly a decade earlier. 

Shortly after that race, as she was preparing for Grandma's Marathon, Ingrid was diagnosed with breast cancer. She attacked this new challenge with vigor and focus. After undergoing a double mastectomy, she continued to run while undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy as well as radiation. Many weeks she even ran between 50-70 miles, the to amazement of her attending physicians.⁠

In addition to running, Ingrid has a passion for acting. She’s done over 40 national commercials, numerous television shows and films. We talk about all of this in this episode as well as her high level swimming background, and her hope to be an example for others who are facing similar challenges in the sport or with cancer that she has faced.

PERSONAL BESTS

5K - 18:02

10K - 37:55

Marathon - 2:48.03

Half Marathon - 1:22.28

RUNNING CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2014 3rd Place Masters Female Chicago Marathon

2014 2nd Place Female Overall Orange County Marathon

2016 USATF Masters Half Marathon Championship: 5th place Masters Woman Overall

2017 1st Place Female Open Division Los Angeles Marathon

Sponsors:

OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, shin splints and more. Used by ultra-runners (Catra Corbett, Sabrina Stanley) and new runners alike. Shop at your local independently owned running or at www.OS1st.com where you can use code RAMBLING for 15% off your first purchase.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

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

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

Wow, things are getting real. In this episode we dive into the last three weeks which in which the workouts have been altered significantly. The mileage will stay in the 40-45 mile range for the next couple months but the workouts have were switched to longer segments and it has thrown me for a loop. In addition, day-after longer easy runs have been added to the weekend routine. In this episode, coach James McKirdy details why he made the changes and offers valuable advice about race shoes on workout days. Then I speak with Adrienne Langelier about how I can wrap my head around this shift in training that has proved difficult physically and mentally.

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 sports 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.com/qr/onboarding/SUPERRECIPES/ to save $200 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

Rambling Runner Virtual Summit - https://www.theramblingrunner.com/summit

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

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

Kara Hepp is a mother of three, working full-time, taking an active role in her community, and training for a marathon in the freezing weather of a Minnesota winter. For these reasons, and several more, I've looked up to Kara for some time. In this episode, first dive into how she prepares herself to train during sub-zero temps at 5:00 a.m. and how she has worked with a running friend to ensure mutual success. Kara also discusses how she has had to adapt with her kids doing distance learning and that how affects her running schedule (read: hyper early runs) and nighttime routine.

You can follow Kara at www.instagram.com/khepp14. 

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Four Sigmatic, a wellness company that mixes mushrooms and adaptogens with coffee, cacao, latte, protein powder. They have a special offer for the Rambling Runner audience. Receive 10% off your Four Sigmatic order. Just go to www.foursigmatic.com/RAMBLINGRUNNER or enter code RAMBLINGRUNNER at checkout.

OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, shin splints and more. Used by ultra-runners (Catra Corbett, Sabrina Stanley) and new runners alike. Shop at your local independently owned running or at www.OS1st.com where you can use code RAMBLING for 15% off your first purchase.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

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

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

Sabrina Little is a renaissance woman nearly every way. 

She runs at an elite level and has been selected to represent the United States on five national teams. She is also a full-time instructor of Philosophy and the Humanities at Morehead State University where she lives with her husband David and daughter Lucy.

In 2020, she completed her PhD in Philosophy at Baylor University. Before Baylor, she studied Philosophy of Religion at Yale Divinity School and Philosophy and Psychology at The College of William & Mary. Sabrina's main areas of interest are virtue ethics, moral psychology, and ancient philosophy and she is currently writing about the nature of moral habituation and exploring emotional precursors to moral virtues.

Career Running Highlights:

– 5-time US National Champion

– 5-time US National Team Member

– World Silver Medalist, Team Gold Medalist (2013)

– She previously held both the 24-Hour American Record (152.03 miles) and the 200K American Record (19 hours, 30 minutes). When she set those in 2013, Sabrina was ranked 6th in World History for the 24-Hour Run.

– 12th Place in the 2018 Trail World Championships in Spain to score for Team USA’s Bronze Medal

– In 2019, she ran the fastest 100K and 50-mile times for women in the U.S.

Sponsors:

OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, Plantar Fasciitis, shin splints and more. Used by ultra-runners (Catra Corbett, Sabrina Stanley) and new runners alike. Shop at your local independently owned running or at www.OS1st.com where you can use code RAMBLING for 15% off your first purchase.

Spring will be here before you know it, and the best way to get through the winter months of running is to have your next finish line in sight! That’s why Sports Backers is excited to bring you a custom race experience with our first ‘Sports Backers Marathon,’ in Richmond, Virginia, featuring a marathon, half marathon, and 5k. From Friday, March 12th through Sunday, March 14th the experienced team at Sports Backers will take care of the rest, with onsite packet pick up, measured courses, touchless bottle refill stations, timing, and of course great swag! Register now at www.sportsbackers.org and save $10 by using code RAMBLINGRUNNER.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

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

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

For Mariana Maldonado, 2020 was a year of amazing improvements in fitness with no races to test them. Several of her marathons were postponed and cancelled throughout the yeas as she continually altered her training and remained optimistic. It was a learning experience that she is hoping to capitalize on in 2021. 

As Mari continued to improve, she started to reach whole new levels of speed and fitness. As exciting as this was, it became hard for her to embrace those new levels. In this episode we dive into matching her confidence with her fitness, juggling an ever-changing schedule, and how she is planning on taking the next step in 2021.

Sponsors:

OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, Plantar Fasciitis, shin splints and more. Used by ultra-runners (Catra Corbett, Sabrina Stanley) and new runners alike. Shop at your local independently owned running or at www.OS1st.com where you can use code RAMBLING for 15% off your first purchase.

Spring will be here before you know it, and the best way to get through the winter months of running is to have your next finish line in sight! That’s why Sports Backers is excited to bring you a custom race experience with our first ‘Sports Backers Marathon,’ in Richmond, Virginia, featuring a marathon, half marathon, and 5k. From Friday, March 12th through Sunday, March 14th the experienced team at Sports Backers will take care of the rest, with onsite packet pick up, measured courses, touchless bottle refill stations, timing, and of course great swag! Register now at www.sportsbackers.org and save $10 by using code RAMBLINGRUNNER.

Follow Matt:

Instagram - @rambling_runner

Twitter - @rambling_runner

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

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

So many runners are passionate about their running while also working hard to advocate for a cause/mission they believe in. When we combine these two passions to help raise awareness and philanthropic support it can be a remarkable experience. It can also change how we connect to our running. No one knows this better than Jordan Marie Daniel.

Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel – Kul Wičasa Lakota, a citizen of Kul Wicasa Oyate (Lower Brule Sioux Tribe) as well as a passionate and devoted advocate for Indian Country and all people. Nationally known for her advocacy and grassroots organization for anti-pipelines/climate justice efforts, change the name/not your mascot, the epidemic and crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW), and native youth initiatives. Now, she is continuing this running journey and advocacy, as a professional runner with Altra Team Elite.

Rising Hearts: www.risinghearts.org

Running on Native Lands virtual 5k, 10k, Half Marathon: https://events.elitefeats.com/nativelands21

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/nativein_la / www.instagram.com/rising_hearts

Bonfire Campaign: Rising Hearts swag - https://www.bonfire.com/rising-hearts/

Sponsors:

OS1st, a three-generation, family-owned company in North Carolina, creates the best running socks and compression bracing products specifically for people with an active lifestyle. OS1st uses Compression Zone Technology with high quality materials to ease pain and help prevent runner’s knee, Plantar Fasciitis, shin splints and more. Used by ultra-runners (Catra Corbett, Sabrina Stanley) and new runners alike. Shop at your local independently owned running or at www.OS1st.com where you can use code RAMBLING for 15% off your first purchase.

Spring will be here before you know it, and the best way to get through the winter months of running is to have your next finish line in sight! That’s why Sports Backers is excited to bring you a custom race experience with our first ‘Sports Backers Marathon,’ in Richmond, Virginia, featuring a marathon, half marathon, and 5k. From Friday, March 12th through Sunday, March 14th the experienced team at Sports Backers will take care of the rest, with onsite packet pick up, measured courses, touchless bottle refill stations, timing, and of course great swag! Register now at www.sportsbackers.org and save $10 by using code RAMBLINGRUNNER.

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

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