The Rambling Runner Podcast

“Stay true to yourself. An original is worth more than a copy.” - Suzy Kassem

Patrick Cutter may be the most unique dedicated amateur runner I have interviewed on the show. Last week at the Chevron Houston Marathon he set a personal record by running to 2:35.23. However, if you ever see a picture of Patrick during that race you would never guess he was that level of runner. At 5’10” and 180 pounds he looks more like a star football player than a sub-elite marathoner. In this episode, we break down his most recent performance and talk about how his training has evolved in recent years - including how he prepared for 16 marathons in the last five years despite having a limited running background prior to 2012. Patrick also discusses his weightlifting routine and why he prioritizes strength training in a way that is at odds with conventional wisdom. You can follow Patrick’s running updates at www.instagram.com/irun26point2__.

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

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

“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” - Napoleon Hill

 

As the owner the Strength2Run and the Athlete Factory, Christina Wood lives the words of her business. However, as physically strong as she is, her mental and emotional strength is what allows her to do amazing things. In this episode, Christina talks about overcoming her father’s cancer diagnosis, and passing, in her early 20’s. She turned to running in the midst of that pain and sorrow and has never looked back. Today she is marathoner, triathlete, and coach. Beyond that, she has shown that by continually moving forward you can overcome and achieve.

Learn more about Christina’s coaching service at www.strength2run.com.

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

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

In 2013 Natalie Hopkins was hit by a car while riding her bike. This accident left her with numerous screws, and a couple of plates, in her leg as well as a significant brain injury. Yet, exactly one year later she was at the starting line of the Boston Marathon and ran it 12 seconds faster than she had two years earlier. In this episode, Natalie talks about that experience as well as her background as a Division I swimmer at Syracuse and how she overcame depression through running after her swimming career came to an end. 2017 was a breakout year for Natalie. We discuss her unique training methods that allowed her to run the 2017 Marine Corps marathon in 3:05 and how self-reflection put her in the right state of mind to capitalize on her increased fitness. As you’ll here, Natalie is a ball of energy and it’s easy to see why she can balance her training with her career as a fitness professional. You can learn more about Natalie on her website www.betterstrongertougher.com.

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

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

In this episode of the Rambling Runner Podcast I am privileged to be joined by the best endurance sport author of this generation - Matt Fitzgerald. Matt has written dozens of influential books including two of my favorites “How Bad Do You Want It“ and “Iron War.“ We dive into each of those books as well as his fascinating experience training full-time with the NAZ Elite running team before setting a PR, and finishing top-5 in his age group, at the Chicago Marathon. You can read his blog detailing that experience and his current training at http://finalsurge.com/seriouslyamateur. Also check out Matt’s new home on the internet http://8020endurance.com.

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

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

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which [s]he has overcome.” - Booker T. Washington

I can’t think of a better quote that encapsulates Liz Ferro’s rise and her impact on others. After going through the foster care system as a toddler Liz was sexually assaulted as an 8 year old. The trauma she experienced led her to create the non-profit Girls With Sole. This wonderful organization, which has been chronicled by USA Today and the Today Show, helps girls ages 9-18 overcome abuse through exercise and community. Liz has completed marathons in all 50 states, completed four Ironman triathlons, and run on the Great Wall of China. In other words, she walks-the-walk. I hope you enjoy this inspiring episode with one of the most special people I have ever met.

Learn more about Liz and Girls With Sole at www.girlswithsole.org.

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

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

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” according to Roman philosopher Seneca. If you want to know the meaning of bad luck ask Scott Littleton (www.instagram.com/chaoticscott). Scott took up running three years ago and quickly progressed to a borderline Boston Marathon qualifier, despite the fact that he made every rookie mistake in his first six months. With enviable persistence, and some high-quality coaching, he made rapid improvements. During his marathon build-up this fall, Scott PR’d at several distances and appeared to have a BQ in sight. Then it all came crashing down. Learn how Scott persevered by showing superhuman grit and determination. Many of us runners have had the rug pulled out from under us at crucial times - listen to how Scott dealt with that challenge and came out the other side better for the experience.

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

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

“If your goals don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough!“ Those words are the foundation on which Amanda Cruise (www.instagram.com/run2pr) has built her running career. After giving birth to her twin boys a little over five years ago, Amanda started her running journey with a 35:00 5K. Since then, her amazing progression enabled her to run an Olympic trials qualifying time of 2:44 at the California international Marathon. This inspiring and motivating episode with Amanda illustrates that if you work hard enough, and want something bad enough, you can achieve great things.

Learn more about Amanda on her website: www.run2pr.com.

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

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

I’ve never met anyone with as many captivating running stories as Lori Mitchener (www.instagram.com/flatlori). Her stories range from the incredible to the irreverent to the tragic. In this episode, Lori details a running career that you will not believe – and she is just getting started. From being badly injured in her early 20’s, running a marathon with multiple lower-leg and foot fractures, running to the hospital to give birth, and being at the finish line during the Boston Marathon bombing – Lori tells each story with endearing humbleness and honesty. If you have ever fought through pain or struggles you’ll want to listen to this episode.

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

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

Have you ever run across a country? Esther Park has, and she's about to do it again! (www.instagram.com/estherp1e) After losing her mom to cancer when she was in her early 20s, Esther turned to running. Since then she has become an ultramarathoner and devoted her running life to improving the lives of others (in addition to being a mom and a doctor). I hope you enjoy this inspirational episode. If you do, please consider supporting Esther by visiting her donation page here: https://www.crowdrise.com/esthers-run-across-haiti-2018/fundraiser/estherpark26

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

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

In this episode, I am joined by marathoner Alissa Coffman (www.instagram.com/alissamwc). Alissa set a 15 minute PR by running 3:04 at the California International Marathon on December 3! She accomplished this amazing feat after running the New York City Marathon five weeks earlier - setting another personal best in the process. 2017 wasn't always as kind to Alissa. After a great marathon build-up she endured a femoral stress fracture that left her hobbled for the Boston Marathon and forced her into a two month break over the summer. Listen to how she recovered from that disappointment to come back stronger than before and show the kind of toughness that all runners aspire to.

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

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