Defying the Odds, One Marathon at a Time with Annie Kalter

What does it mean to show up with joy even in the midst of the hardest seasons?

Annie Kalter is a 15-time Boston Marathoner, a mom, a school culture professional, and a woman with an extraordinary story of resilience. After surviving a heart attack that required her to be revived four times, Annie defied the odds to complete her 15th Boston Marathon just five months later.

Listen to hear about:

• Annie’s entry into running and how she unexpectedly discovered the marathon was her distance

• Building a 15-year Boston streak and what it means to be a streaker

• Missing a sub-3-hour marathon by just one second and how she found peace with it

• Surviving a spontaneous coronary artery dissection and learning to run again afterward

• The mental shift from chasing times to embracing the journey and helping others

• How joy, gratitude, and rest are now central to Annie’s version of success

• The healing power of community and movement—even when you have to slow down

Whether you’re a runner or not, Annie’s story is a powerful reminder of what it means to keep going, to adapt, and to lead with love.

Stay connected:

• Follow Annie Kalter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniek259/ 

• For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod

• Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt

• Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com

This episode is supported by:

• Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.

• GOES: Need a trail companion that’s smarter than your average gear? Meet GOES—the essential outdoor app created by wilderness medicine doctors. Whether you're planning your next adventure or handling a backcountry emergency, GOES gives you expert medical guidance—even without cell service. Tap a body part, assess the risk, and get clear next steps. It’s like having a backcountry medic in your pocket—and it’s an absolute must-have in our kit. Use code 25FTLR30 for 30% off an annual GOES+ plan. GOES+ gives you access to the rewards program, plus much more additional medical content and our emergency assessment tool!

• Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com.