The Rambling Runner Podcast

I was so exited to get Alissa Kolarik on the show because I can’t get enough of comeback stories. In the same vein, I also love stories about people who buck conventional wisdom and find a better path for them. Alissa embodied both of these ideas on her way to a huge PR of 3:05:20 at the Berlin Marathon. In this episode, Alissa discusses her winding running journey, choices she’s made to improve her running, and her ability to work through, and past, setbacks.

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

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

Kyle Merber is a professional runner specializing in the mile and the race director of the Long Island Mile - one of the most unique track meets in the country. In this episode we talk about the how he created an elite event featuring some of the nations best runners (Emma Coburn, Molly Huddle, Emily Sisson, Cory McGee, Nikki Hiltz, Brenda Martinez, Emily Infeld, Ben Blankenship, Ben Flanagan, and many others) at a nondescript Long Island high school, connecting dedicated amateur runners to the professionals, and the elements of a track meet that can me made more fan friendly and exciting. 

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

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

Within three years of starting running Hannah Johnson has improved by leaps and bounds. From breaking the 30 minutes in the 5k to cranking out a 1:38 in the half marathon this fall. All the while, raising a one and three year old and teaching at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. She even worked through a stress reaction during her first marathon and still finished in 8:30 pace. In this episode we talk about her low mileage training plans, learning how to think of herself as an athlete, and how she works around early morning training. 

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

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

In this episode Julie Sapper talks about something that affects us all - bouncing back from injury. We discuss all things about mindset, planning and execution that got Julie back on the road very quickly. In the spring Julie tore her meniscus as she was preparing for the Boston Marathon. Then, Julie hit the comeback trail in time for a Last Chance BQ marathon. Julie and her friend Lisa Reichmann have been operating their Run Farther and Faster program for years and have helped many runners go through similar situations.  

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

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

People like Aly Groft was the reason  the Rambling Runner Podcast was created. At the Erie Marathon last week Aly got her fourth consecutive Boston qualifying time. Thankfully, it was her first time getting far enough under the qualifying time to run the race. That’s right, she had three straight BQ’s but none fast enough to register. Her commitment and determination are matched only by her optimism. With four kids under the age of eight, and a job as a first grade teacher, Aly is surrounded by little ones begging for her attention. In this episode we talk about maintaining a positive mindset, achieving goals, working with kids while planning training around your own, and so much more.

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

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

Aaron Truesdale has gone from a self-described “band geek“ to a sub elite marathoner in five short years. This amazing transformation needs to be heard to be believed. Even with his lightning fast speed, what really moves Aaron is the connection to others that he gets through running in his native San Diego.  One of those connections is with his mother. When she was diagnosed breast cancer her goal was to run with her son - and that’s exactly what she did. 

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

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

Whether it was as a Marine, Spartan Death Race finisher, or an ultra marathoner, Billy Richards is the personification of persistence. In 2019 he embarked on a new mission: Break the world record for most 100-mile races in a calendar year. The current record is 41 and Billy is well on his way. He‘s completed 25 which means he has 17 to go - with 17 weeks left in the year. If you love following David Goggins then you’ll really enjoy listening to Billy‘s story.  You can learn more about him in the money he is raising at   https://diem.life/billy100. 

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

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

Alison Wade is single-handedly improving the running community. Her Fast Women newsletter is a staple of any running fan’s weekly reading. In this episode we dive into  Alison‘s running, coaching, and media history. All of these layers of contributed to the formation of a wonderful person who is doing amazing things. Here is a description of her work in her own words, “As a lifelong fan of women’s distance running, I’ve always wished that I could nerd out with more people over the latest news in the sport. Through this newsletter, I hope to find the existing running nerds, and help convert more of you. (Don’t worry, it’s a good thing, I promise!) When the runners in the pack learn about the runners up front, they can glean information they can apply to their own running, get a big dose of inspiration, and they often learn that they have more in common with the pros than they imagined.”

Newsletter: www.fast-women.org. You can support Alison’s great work at https://www.patreon.com/fastwomen. 

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

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

Roughly 3,300 days ago Sean Nakamura started running and he‘s still going strong. His 3,200+ day run streak is incredible, as is his transition from two miles a day to owner of one of the most brutal race schedules in the country. This year he will run the Great Eight (the original 100 mile races) plus UTMB, Tahoe 200, and the Big Backyard Ultra. Wow! In addition to this amazing string of races, Sean works full-time as the head of IT in a company where he has worked for 16 years. This guy has mastered the long term power of consistency and positivity. You can follow Sean’s journey at www.instagram.com/ultrarunnersd. 

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

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

I absolutely loved this conversation with Liz Camy. Her running career at Cal St. Northridge was curtailed by persistent race anxiety. Those feelings continued after graduation before she was finally able to put them behind her and begin running marathons. She progressed from a 4:08 marathon to the cusp of an OTQ before the 2016 Olympic Trials. She clocked a 2:46 in the heat of Los Angeles, just missing her goals. She clawed her way back and claimed her OTQ at CIM in 2017 with a 2:43. She got there while raising two young children, working as an educator in elementary special education, and finishing her doctorate. 

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

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